GCI Completes $310 Million Quintillion Fiber Acquisition
The Alaska communications provider closed its purchase of Q Gateway Intermediate Holdings to fold 1,800-plus miles of subsea and terrestrial fiber into a unified statewide network.
GCI Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Capital Corporation (GLIBA, GLIBK), completed its acquisition of Q Gateway Intermediate Holdings, LLC, an Alaska fiber infrastructure provider, on November 9, 2026.
The transaction, originally agreed on April 21, 2026, was effected through a securities purchase agreement with Q Gateway Ultimate Holdings, LLC. GCI had agreed to acquire 100% of Quintillion at a $310 million enterprise value, subject to customary working-capital and other adjustments, with reimbursement of up to $50 million for qualifying capital expenditures on the Nome-to-Homer Express project and potential earn-out payments in 2028, 2029 and 2031.
The combined footprint brings Quintillion’s more than 1,800 miles of existing subsea and terrestrial fiber and approximately 1,500 miles of planned expansion together with GCI’s statewide communications network under one operational framework for coordinated planning, monitoring, maintenance and restoration. GCI, which has invested more than $5 billion in its Alaska network and facilities over more than 45 years and serves more than 200 communities, said the integration is intended to increase routing diversity and support greater reliability across the state.
“Bringing these networks together will increase routing diversity and support greater reliability across Alaska,” said Billy Wailand, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at GCI.
In advance of closing, GCI, Liberty Capital and the seller amended the purchase agreement. The amendment set a target closing cash amount of $7.5 million, less agreed pre-closing payments toward completing the terrestrial fiber route between Quintillion’s North Slope network and Utqiagvik, Alaska, with the closing payment adjusted up or down against that target. Quintillion is required to contribute $16.75 million, subject to adjustments, toward that Utqiagvik Terrestrial Route through a set-off against future earn-out payments. GCI and Quintillion will equally share any variance to the current estimated cost to complete the route, subject to a floor of $21.5 million and a ceiling of $33.5 million.
GCI said it will begin integrating Quintillion into its statewide network, with existing customer relationships, contractual obligations and service arrangements continuing without interruption. The company also said it will continue advancing Quintillion’s ongoing fiber expansion and grant-funded projects, working with customers, communities and project partners through the transition.
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