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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-04-038720.txt : 20041207
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-04-038720.hdr.sgml : 20041207
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041207194334
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-04-038720
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041203
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041207
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041207

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GENERAL COMMUNICATION INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000808461
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS (NO RADIO TELEPHONE) [4813]
		IRS NUMBER:				920072737
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			AK
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2550 DENALI ST STE 1000
		CITY:			ANCHORAGE
		STATE:			AK
		ZIP:			99503
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9072655600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2550 DENALI STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1000
		CITY:			ANCHORAGE
		STATE:			AK
		ZIP:			99503

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MAGNESS FT INVESTMENT CO LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001081991
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CO
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-15279
		FILM NUMBER:		041189471

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O BAKER & HOSTETLER LLP
		STREET 2:		303 E 17TH AVENUE SUITE 1100
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80203
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3038610600
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-03</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000808461</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GENERAL COMMUNICATION INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GNCMAGNCMB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001081991</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MAGNESS FT INVESTMENT CO LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O RAYMOND L SUTTON, BAKER &amp; HOSTELLER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>LLP 303 EAST 17TH AVENUE SUITE 1100</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DENVER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80203-1264</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-12-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>76668</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-12-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>620608</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>620608</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">On December 3, 2004, Magness FT Investment Company LLC (&quot;Magness FT&quot;) agreed to liquidate.  In connection with this agreement, Magness FT distributed 76,668 shares of Class A Common Stock and 620,608 shares of Class B Common Stock (representing all of Class A and Class B Common Stock held by Magness FT) to each of Gary Magness and the Estate of Kim  Magness (the &quot;Estate&quot;).  At the time of the agreement, Mr. Magness was the sole member and manager of Magness FT and the Estate owned a 50.0% economic interest in Magness FT.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Each share of Class B Common Stock may be converted at any time, at the holder's election, into one share of Class A Common Stock upon the surrender of the Class B Common Stock converted.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Magness FT Investment Company LLC</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: /s/ Gary Magness, Gary Magness, Manager</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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