Alaska Internet service providers, or ISPs, provide customers access to the Internet for a fee. National ISPs can reach subscribers in much of the nation while local ISPs serve customers in a specific geographic region.

A small business will generally use a separate web hosting company to maintain its website instead of using the web space from Internet service providers in Alaska. Businesses with busy websites will need a large national company that can provide mirroring and redundant connections for their websites.

The first consideration in deciding which AK Internet service provider to use is the type of access you want:

1. Dial-up access is the slowest Internet connection and uses a telephone line. You must dial in to get Alaska Internet access, and you'll frequently have a limit on the amount of connection time you have.

2. Digital Subscriber Line, or DSL, access is available through the phone and is a common type of high-speed Internet. Alaska DSL is faster than a dial-up connection and usually allows dedicated access.

3. Alaska broadband providers have the fastest connections small business owners in Alaska can generally afford. Alaska cable providers also offer high-speed cable Internet access.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate an Alaska ISP that offers cable access to small businesses

ISPs in Alaska that provide an always-on cable connection are frequently the best deal for small businesses. Some national ISPs offer packages tailored to the size of your business.

I recommend: Optimum offers a range of packages for businesses of different sizes and provides web hosting and ecommerce services. Cox's business division offers Internet service solutions for businesses of all sizes and allows you to customize your service with many additional options.

Find AK ISPs that offer DSL service for your business

Many ISPs design DSL packages for business owners throughout much of the nation. Businesses can bundle multiple services together, such as Internet and web hosting, to get a better deal from the ISP.

I recommend: The Verizon Small Business Center has high speed DSL connections with options for static IP addresses that allow businesses to host their own email and Web servers. Qwest offers DSL connections along with many other Internet services for small businesses.

Check out the access packages from local ISPs in Alaska

A rural business may have to depend on small, local Internet service providers. Alaska ISPs frequently offer wireless DSL service for these businesses.

I recommend: Alaska Communications Systems provides Internet access to businesses and is accessible to three-fourths of the state’s population. Borealis Broadband operates an independent wireless network that provides commercial-grade bandwidth in the Anchorage area.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check your ISP's terms of service for website size limitation if you plan to have a large website. You will also need to ensure that your ISP permits commercial websites if you wish to have a website for your small business. Most Alaska business ISPs also offer multiple email addresses so that you can assign a separate one to each employee.