By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | November 2025
Alaska regulators have cleared a major procedural hurdle for billionaire John C. Malone’s effort to take control of GCI Liberty, Inc., the parent company of the state’s largest internet provider, GCI Communication Corp. On Nov. 28, the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) approved requests to keep certain financial documents private, including Malone’s personal finances and the financial statements of three GCI-related subsidiaries.
Who is John C. Malone?
- John Malone is a veteran media and telecom magnate and serves as Chairman of the Board of GCI Liberty, Inc.SEC+1
- According to the takeover filings, he currently holds approximately 53.5% of GCI Liberty’s aggregate voting power, though under prior arrangements his effective control was restricted below 50%. AWS+1
- The applications filed with the RCA request the authority for Malone to acquire “indirect controlling interest” in GCI and related Alaska‑licensed telecom companies, consolidating control under his direction. RCA Alaska+1
Given his track record and voting stake, Malone’s bid to formalize control could reshape oversight and strategic decisions for Alaska’s major telecom infrastructure.
Secrecy Orders Granted
An official order from the Regulatory Commission of Alaska titled ORDER CONSOLIDATING DOCKETS, GRANTING PETITIONS FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT, GRANTING MOTIONS FOR WAIVER, AND ADDRESSING TIMELINE FOR DECISION and consolidating dockets U-25-039(2), U-25-040(2), and U-25-041(2) — is publicly available here.
The RCA granted petitions for confidential treatment and motions for waiver submitted by GCI Liberty and Malone. These orders mean:
- Malone’s personal financial information will remain confidential.
- Financial statements for three GCI subsidiaries will not be disclosed publicly.
- The company can request authority to raise Malone’s voting power above 50%, formalizing his ability to exercise control.
According to the filings, Malone currently holds about 53.5% of GCI Liberty’s aggregate voting power. Previous restrictions under trusts and affiliated entities had limited his effective voting control to under 50%.
Regulatory Rationale
The commission noted that GCI, as a telecommunications provider, operates largely outside of traditional rate and service regulation. Therefore, public access to internal financial records is considered less critical than it would be for utilities subject to full regulatory oversight. The RCA determined that disclosure could potentially disrupt competitive dynamics.
The decision follows precedent in which the commission has allowed similar private treatment of financial information in ownership changes for telecommunications providers. The commission concluded that Malone’s personal finances are not material to assessing his ability to operate the company.
Public Feedback
The RCA docket received multiple public comments expressing concern over keeping financial information confidential. Commenters noted that GCI provides essential services across Alaska, including rural broadband, emergency communications, and support for local schools and businesses. Many emphasized that transparency is vital for maintaining public trust in critical infrastructure.
Next Steps
The RCA has not yet decided whether Malone may formally increase his voting control and complete the takeover. A final decision on the takeover itself is expected in 2026. For now, GCI Liberty states that operations and management will remain in Alaska and that no immediate operational changes are planned.
