Best Internet Providers in Northwest Arctic Borough, AK
All 2 providers, ranked by coverage, speed and customer ratings
Find internet availability by address in Northwest Arctic Borough, AK
Northwest Arctic Borough has 2 internet service providers, they are sorted by coverage, available speed, and customer rating from our unbiased internet provider report. Fiber, Cable, and DSL internet are available in the county. Reviews are grouped by provider and the type of service they offer, covering all 3 available internet technologies in Northwest Arctic Borough.
Ranks compare Northwest Arctic Borough with the 30 Alaska boroughs and census areas.
The Best Internet in Northwest Arctic Borough, AK at a Glance
Northwest Arctic Borough Internet Providers, Ranked by Coverage, Speed and Customer Ratings
OTZ Telecom
Connection
Customer Rating
DSL
GCI
Connection
Customer Rating
Fiber
Cable
Providers with less than 1% coverage in this county are excluded from the list. To see if one of these providers is available at your home, please use the address search above.
Speed and technology may vary by address for all providers. Please note we may have a financial relationship with some of the providers above, which does not impact the customer ratings displayed. Customer ratings listed above are national ratings, local Northwest Arctic Borough ratings may vary and are shown below.
Who is the Best Internet Provider in Northwest Arctic Borough, AK?
GCI is the best internet provider in Northwest Arctic Borough based on Alaska customer satisfaction ratings and reviews. Based on our extensive and unbiased survey, GCI had the best reviews at the local, state, and national levels versus all available providers in Northwest Arctic Borough, making it a solid recommendation among providers with reviews. GCI is an option for 47.22% of the county.
Which Providers are Available at my Home in Northwest Arctic Borough?
Coverage changes block by block. Pick a provider and a technology to see where its service reaches: the darker the area, the larger the share of homes it covers. For your exact address, use the address search above.
Coverage map for each provider in Northwest Arctic Borough
How Northwest Arctic Borough Compares to the Rest of Alaska
Northwest Arctic Borough's report card score is tied 18th of 30 and its connectivity index is 9th of 30.
| Measure | Northwest Arctic Borough | Rank among Alaska boroughs and census areas | Alaska | US | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISP Report Card inputs: what providers offer here | |||||
| Fiber availability | 8.0% | 23rd of 30 | 27.6% | 71.5% | Ketchikan Gateway Borough (98.8%) |
| Average top speed | 1,238 Mbps | 15th of 30 | 2,053 Mbps | 3,486 Mbps | Sitka City and Borough (2,500 Mbps) |
| Providers at a typical address | 1.5 | Tied 20th of 30 | 2.9 | 7.1 | Aleutians West Census Area (3.8) |
| Connectivity index inputs: how much households need and use the internet | |||||
| People per household | 3.9 | Tied 2nd of 30 | 2.7 | 2.7 | Kusilvak Census Area (4.2) |
| Workers who work from home | 6% | Tied 21st of 30 | 10% | 15% | Aleutians East Borough (15%) |
| Homes with a computer, tablet or phone | 94% | Tied 18th of 30 | 97% | 96% | Anchorage Municipality and Fairbanks North Star Borough and 2 more (98%) |
| Homes with internet | 88% | Tied 14th of 30 | 92% | 91% | Chugach Census Area (96%) |
| Homes on fiber, cable or DSL | 43% | Tied 19th of 30 | 68% | 76% | Chugach Census Area (82%) |
| More about the households here | |||||
| Homes with a desktop or laptop | 60% | Tied 24th of 30 | 81% | 81% | Juneau City and Borough (87%) |
| Median household income | $80,990 | 17th of 30 | $98,979 | $93,246 | Aleutians West Census Area ($133,829) |
| Residents in school (6th grade to college) | 17% | Tied 1st of 30 | 15% | 16% | Tied with Bethel Census Area and Copper River Census Area and 1 more |
Fiber reaches 8.0% of homes in Northwest Arctic Borough, against 27.6% across Alaska. Households in Northwest Arctic Borough are larger than the US average (3.9 people against 2.7); 6% of workers work from home (US 15%); and the median household income is $80,990 (US $93,246).
Our demographic data is sourced from the latest 5-year release of the American Community Survey by the US Census Bureau.
How Northwest Arctic Borough Compares to Its Neighbors
Northwest Arctic Borough has 3 neighbors. Among them, North Slope Borough has the most homes with fiber (67.4%) and Nome Census Area the fewest (0.0%); Northwest Arctic Borough has 8.0%.
Map of Northwest Arctic Borough and its neighbors by ISP Report Card grade
Hover over or tap a county for its numbers, and click through to its page.
Northwest Arctic Borough and its neighbors
| County | People | Homes with fiber | Average top speed | Providers at a typical address | Report card | Connectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Arctic Borough (this page) | 7,793 | 8.0% | 1,238 Mbps | 1.5 | D | 57/100 |
| North Slope Borough | 11,031 | 67.4% | 1,728 Mbps | 1.6 | C- | 34/100 |
| Nome Census Area | 10,046 | 0.0% | 935 Mbps | 1.7 | F | 54/100 |
| Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area | 5,343 | 0.0% | 15 Mbps | 1.4 | F | 29/100 |
Internet in Northwest Arctic Borough by City and ZIP Code
Each row links to that place’s page.
Cities and towns in Northwest Arctic Borough
| City or town | People | Homes with fiber | Average top speed | Providers at a typical address | Report card | Connectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kotzebue | 3,117 | 0.0% | 2,500 Mbps | 2 | D | 66/100 |
| Selawik | 839 | 0.0% | 10 Mbps | 1 | F | 43/100 |
| Noatak | 735 | 0.0% | 10 Mbps | 1 | F | 34/100 |
| Noorvik | 702 | 0.0% | 10 Mbps | 1 | F | 34/100 |
| Buckland | 555 | 0.0% | 10 Mbps | 1 | F | 37/100 |
| Kiana | 454 | 0.0% | 10 Mbps | 1 | F | 34/100 |
| Kivalina | 447 | 99.3% | 2,500 Mbps | 2 | B- | 34/100 |
| Shungnak | 384 | 0.0% | 10 Mbps | 1 | F | 30/100 |
| Kobuk | 196 | 0.0% | 10 Mbps | 1 | F | 30/100 |
| Deering | 191 | 95.3% | 2,500 Mbps | 2 | C+ | 39/100 |
| Ambler | 173 | 0.0% | 10 Mbps | 1 | F | 30/100 |
ZIP codes in Northwest Arctic Borough
| ZIP code | People | Homes with fiber | Average top speed | Providers at a typical address | Report card | Connectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99752 (Kotzebue) | 3,267 | 0.0% | 2,500 Mbps | 2 | D | 64/100 |
| 99770 (Selawik) | 810 | 0.0% | 10 Mbps | 1 | F | 44/100 |
| 99763 (Noorvik) | 696 | 0.0% | 10 Mbps | 1 | F | 34/100 |
| 99761 (Noatak) | 574 | 0.0% | 10 Mbps | 1 | F | 34/100 |
| 99727 (Buckland) | 566 | 0.0% | 10 Mbps | 1 | F | 37/100 |
| 99749 (Kiana) | 479 | 0.0% | 10 Mbps | 1 | F | 34/100 |
| 99750 (Kivalina) | 466 | 95.3% | 2,500 Mbps | 2 | C+ | 34/100 |
| 99786 (Kobuk) | 466 | 0.0% | 10 Mbps | 1 | F | 30/100 |
| 99773 (Shungnak) | 272 | 0.0% | 10 Mbps | 1 | F | 30/100 |
| 99736 (Deering) | 182 | 100.0% | 2,500 Mbps | 2 | B- | 39/100 |
| 99751 (Kobuk) | 15 | 0.0% | 10 Mbps | 1 | F | 30/100 |
Who is the Fastest Internet Provider in Northwest Arctic Borough?
Based on both FCC data and unbiased customer ratings, the fastest internet in the county comes from GCI.
Data Reported to FCC by ISPs: Average Maximum Available in Northwest Arctic Borough
| GCI | 2,500 |
|---|---|
| Viasat | 100 |
| HughesNet | 25 |
| OTZ Telecom | 25 |
How fast is your internet?
Test your connection here and see it next to the speeds providers advertise in Northwest Arctic Borough. It takes about 20 seconds and, on a fast line, can move a few hundred MB of data.
Customer Ratings for Northwest Arctic Borough Internet Providers
Based on 20 reviews from Alaska internet customers, GCI is the best internet service provider for Northwest Arctic Borough residents. GCI was rated at an average of 2.80 out of 5 in our report for overall customer satisfaction.
At a national level, based on 21 national reviews for any of the providers listed above, GCI is rated higher than any other provider, with a rating of 2.71 out of 5.
Local, State, and National Ratings for all Northwest Arctic Borough Internet Providers
The table below shows average customer ratings from customers in Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska, and customers throughout the country.
| ISP / Tech Type | Northwest Arctic Borough Overall | Alaska Overall | National Overall | For Service | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GCI | (0) | (20) |  (21) | View Plans | ||
| HughesNet | (0) | (0) | (25) | View Plans | ||
| Viasat | (0) | (0) |  (12) | View Plans | ||
| OTZ Telecom | (0) | (0) | (0) | View Plans |
Customer Ratings for Internet Provider Speeds in Northwest Arctic Borough
Based on data reported by Northwest Arctic Borough ISPs to the FCC, the fastest speeds in the county are available through GCI. The company offers speeds up to 2,500 Mbps in Northwest Arctic Borough. Therefore, the average customer can get up to 2,500 Mbps if they’re willing to purchase the fastest subscription tier available at their homes.
Additionally, actual customers rated their satisfaction with internet speed highest with GCI. This indicates GCI reliably delivers speeds expected by the customer based on the plan they are paying for.
| ISP / Tech Type | Northwest Arctic Borough Speed | Alaska Speed | National Speed | For Service | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GCI | (0) |  (20) | (21) | View Plans | ||
| HughesNet | (0) | (0) | (25) | View Plans | ||
| Viasat | (0) | (0) | (12) | View Plans | ||
| OTZ Telecom | (0) | (0) | (0) | View Plans |
Who is the Cheapest Internet Provider in Northwest Arctic Borough?
Of the providers in Northwest Arctic Borough, customers rate GCI the best for price. Data comes from customers rating their satisfaction with pricing: in Northwest Arctic Borough where enough of them have reviewed a provider, otherwise across Alaska or the country. This feedback is valuable because it considers price changes and whether the speeds paid for are worth it.
GCI is rated 2.55 out of 5 for price, which is much lower than the average across all internet providers in the country.
The table below shows how customers in Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska, and the United States rated the affordability of their internet service.
Rated Affordability in Northwest Arctic Borough
| ISP / Tech Type | Northwest Arctic Borough Affordability | Alaska Affordability | National Affordability | For Service | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GCI | (0) | (20) | (21) | View Plans | ||
| HughesNet | (0) | (0) | (25) | View Plans | ||
| Viasat | (0) | (0) | (12) | View Plans | ||
| OTZ Telecom | (0) | (0) | (0) | View Plans |
Fiber, 5G, Cable and DSL Internet in Northwest Arctic Borough
Which Fiber Internet Providers are Available in Northwest Arctic Borough?
GCI Fiber in Northwest Arctic Borough, AK
Availability:
8.0%
Customer Rating:
(8)
Avg. Download Speed
2,500 Mbps
GCI offers Fiber service to 8.0% of Northwest Arctic Borough homes. Across the county, GCI Fiber has speeds up to 2,500 Mbps
Which Fixed Wireless and LTE Internet Providers are Available in Northwest Arctic Borough?
According to the most recently submitted data by internet service providers to the FCC, there are currently no fixed wireless providers available in Northwest Arctic Borough, AK.
Which Cable Internet Providers are Available in Northwest Arctic Borough?
GCI Cable in Northwest Arctic Borough, AK
Availability:
39.2%
Customer Rating:
(9)
Avg. Download Speed
2,500 Mbps
GCI offers Cable service to 39.2% of Northwest Arctic Borough homes. Across the county, GCI Cable has speeds up to 2,500 Mbps
Which DSL Internet Providers are Available in Northwest Arctic Borough?
OTZ Telecom DSL in Northwest Arctic Borough, AK
Availability:
95.5%
Customer Rating:
(0)
Avg. Download Speed
16 Mbps
OTZ Telecom offers DSL service to 95.5% of Northwest Arctic Borough homes. Across the county, OTZ Telecom DSL is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 16 Mbps, with speeds from 10 Mpbs up to 25 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 1.0 and as high as 3.0, with an average of 1.8 Mbps throughout the county.
Customer Reviews for Internet Service Providers in Alaska
Customer Reviews
An Alaska Customer
GCI Fixed Wireless
April 06, 2026 Holly C.
Starlink Satellite
January 06, 2026 Living in a rural area, getting great internet use to be impossible; however, Starlink changed that entirely! Although it did require a substantial investment to get hooked up, it was well worth the price. Starli k has given me the most stable and quick internet I've ever had. I was worried weather would negatively impact my connectivity, but thankfully, my Starlink works rain, snow, or shine! Even in the middle of winter in negative temperatures, my connection is stable. The monthly price is a little more expensive than other types of service, but well worth the price. I'm extremely satisfied with my choice to get Starlink.
Keenan H.
GCI Cable
November 15, 2025 GCI is the worst excuse for an ISP I have ever used. They provide sub par connection stability for an insane price. The only reason this company still exists is because they have a monopoly on internet service in Southern Alaska. They run single lines for service into large apartment and town houses. They knowingly leave this as the solution even though the connection provided will be unstable and insufficient if more than have of the people using that internet line are online at the same time. If I had any other choice, I would pay more way more money just to not have to have GCI as an internet provider.
E.r. C.
MTA DSL
August 20, 2025 1990 copper wire installation mistake by MTA - 1 wire instead of twisted pair copper wire connection limited my DSLspeeds and option for upgrades.Been with MTA since dialup internet. No plans by MTA to remedy the mistake despite the node being 50' away from home (under existing paved road might have something to do with it). Fiber internet in Eaglewood neighborhood is years away per MTA Tech that discovered the single copper wire connection. Bailed on MTA to GCI for internet after that.
An Alaska Customer
Starlink Satellite
July 24, 2025 Internet service is consistent, low-latency, and very fast, supporting multiple computers and media demands (streaming video, music, home security) from a single router. The equipment is physically durable and withstands harsh environments without issue. Extremely satisfied with customer service, also - outstanding support, and easy to get to a human who is willing to help.
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Which ISP Should You Choose in Northwest Arctic Borough?
The right ISP for you depends upon your needs, but in general we can make the following suggestions:
- The best all-around internet service provider in Northwest Arctic Borough is GCI.
- The fastest internet provider should be GCI. Considering speed for the money and reliability in speeds, GCI may be a better choice based on real-world local customer feedback.
- The most affordable internet provider in Northwest Arctic Borough is GCI.
- Viasat, OTZ Telecom, and HughesNet has the broadest coverage in Northwest Arctic Borough, available to 95.5% of homes, and is most likely to cover your home. To find out exactly what’s available at your home, please use our address search tool.