US/ND-2: Internet Access by Area Code
Internet Access by Area Code
Jim Callahan (jcalhan@sundial.sundial.net)
Mon, 02 Sep 1996 22:35:21 -0700
>From Jim Callahan, JCalhan@Sundial.Net
On Monday, Sept. 2, 1996 Betty Dawn Hamilton wrote:
[Quote]
One question that I have been mulling over is *how much* connectivity is
the target here. For example, if a school district with visionary
leaders has sacrificed in other areas to gain connectivity for their
schools even though they are not considered "wealthy," will they be
eligible for any assistance? (We are networking within each campus, but
have not acquired a WAN or internet connections. I am seeking a single
commercial provider connection for my school library and will do some
fundraising to pay for it.)
I am in a rural district and have asked about ISDN and T1 lines to my
town. The last time I talked to a telco person (a year ago, so things
may have changed), he said such lines were probably not forthcoming
because *I* had been the only one to ask for one! We have little
industry, such as high tech companies, who would need such lines.
We are mainly a farming community (with 3 prisons here in town
-- I have all kinds of visions concerning distance learning there),
so digital transmissions are not much in demand.
While I am not quite sure about the technical requirements to get my
school connected, I *am* knowlegeable about instructional integration of
technology into the curriculum. I certainly want our students in this
rural community to have the same access to technology *tools* that other
students will have. I emphasize *tools* because I feel that *any* sort
of technology should be used to enhance the learning process -- and
should not necessarily be a "course" in itself beyond the initial "how
to" instruction.
Betty
[Unquote]
My suggestion would be to talk to an Internet Service Provider (ISP),
before talking to a "telco." According to Boardwatch magazine, in the
806 area code there are ISPs in Amarillo, Lubbock and Plainview.
Boardwatch Magazine's directory is available at:
http://www.boardwatch.com/isp/
Another on-line directory of ISPs is available at:
http://www.vni.net/thedirectory/
The ISPs may have their own T-1 links (provided by Telcoms) which they
might be willing to re-sell and/or the ISPs may be a valuable source of
information about the true state of communications connectivity in the
806 area code.
Jim Callahan
JCalhan@Sundial.Net