Alaska Communications Systems and General Communications Inc. have announced the introduction of Apple’s all-new iPhone 4S to their cellular line-up, beginning April 20.
AT&T and Verizon were previously the only carriers of the iPhone in Alaska.
Apple’s 16GB iPhone 4S is slated to sell for $150 with a one-year contract. The 64GB iPhone 4S bumps that initial investment up to $350 with a one-year contract. Voice, data and text contracts vary in cost and size.
For those without an interest in leading-edge gadgetry, GCI and ACS also plan to sell the previous generation iPhone 4 for $50. The iPhone 4 sports Apple’s Retina display, but does not feature the Siri digital assistant found on the 4S, among other differences.
GCI is offering customers a free iPhone 3GS if they sign up for a new two-year contract.
ACS offers smartphone classes “where customers can receive free tips about the features and functionalities of their new phone,” spokeswoman Jeannie Horner said.
The iPhone 4S houses Apple’s dual-core A5 chip and its new camera records video in full 1080p HD. It comes with Apple’s iOS 5.1 mobile operating system installed — iOS competes for customers with the likes of Google’s Android and Microsoft’s Windows Phone mobile operating systems.
Apple’s newest smartphone also comes with Siri, a voice-activated “assistant” which can send emails and texts, place phone calls and search the Web.
For more information about GCI visit www.gci.com, or call 800-800-4800. Contact ACS at 800-808-8083 or visit www.alaskacommunications.com.
• Contact reporter Russell Stigall at 523-2276 or at russell.stigall@juneauempire.com.
Comments (7)
Add commentGCI is sloppy
Just becareful when you ask GCI for changes in your contract with them, We went in not long ago to make a simple addition to our TV package and they added other unauthorized changes to other areas of our account increasing our bill significantly in area's we specifically declined the upgrade offers (they put them in place anyways without our authorization and billed us for it.) Then refused to correct the changes after they shocked us with the new bill. We are still waiting to hear from a manager.
AlaskanStyle
I find that odd - GCI has made mistakes here and there on my account as well, but they have never refused to fix the problem and have always done so very quickly. Go in to the office. Ask for Pam.
GCI has terrible cell service
I bought a smart phone when my one year old cell went kaput. Shortly afterwards, GCI changed my cell plan without my knowledge; texting was deleted. I was not told when making my purchase that my plan would be changed and I would have to pay extra for features I had under my old plan. I have to pay $5.95 a month for texting when my old plan had unlimited texting; and if I want to receive photos, I must pay an extra $15 a month for a feature in my former (less expensive) plan. When I complained, all I got was "Sorry, we'll talk to the representative; and we can't reinstate your old plan because it no longer exists." Bait and switch.
Calls drop constantly; particularly in the area between Fred Meyers and Wal-Mart and downtown Douglas. I'll be dropping GCI once my contract is up; just as fast as their lousy cell towers drop my calls.
JNUKara
We did go into the office in person to try and fix the foul up, that is where we were told "sorry, but you are already locked into your new changes."
Pam is the manager who we were told to email our problem to. ( we did )
Ashley is the front counter person who added all the unauthorized changes to the phone line and the internet line. The only change we authorized/wanted was from basic cable TV to the next channel line up. Now our phone contract and internet contract are all boosted up and they expect us to pay for changes we did not authorize or want.
I'm just saying to becareful when dealing with GCI and changing your accounts.
*edit*
Dont get me wrong, I appreciate a local company that provides so many jobs to Juneau and Alaskan residents, i just wish they would respect their customers wishes and not give you the run around when you bring up mistakes that they made and you as a customer cant afford.
I would not go with ACS or GCI
ACS would not allow us to raise our bandwidth because they said that Juneau's bandwidth for DSL is full. But they are giving full bandwidth to new customers all the time. That has turned me sour...they come across as condescending and show little loyalty to their current customers. I have not had dealings with GCI. I do have an iphone 4 with AT&T and I think I will stay on with AT&T. Competition has kept them at reasonable rates, they are professional and courteous when you go in to see them, and I now have a reasonable no contract plan with them for phone calls and texting. I really like the "no contract," "pay as you go" idea.
acs did this to me too
they are advertising faster speeds everywhere you look and when i tried increasing they said they were full and would take up to two years to upgrade everyone. i was even on a "waitlist" before the roll out, but they said it all went to new orders.
next time try improving the network before you advertise.
AlaskanStyle
Well, let me see if I can fix your problem - Ashley is my foster daughter and just started working at GCI a few weeks ago, so it was probably just a newbie mistake. I can ask her what she can do to fix it, if you like. Email me at jnukara@hotmail.com with your name if you're interested in having me help you.