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Satellite technology brings "wireless" Internet to rural areas in Montana

July 22, 2005 /

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Using satellite technology, 3 Rivers Communications in Fairfield is now offering high-speed Internet connections to homes and small businesses in Teton County.

The new service, introduced earlier this month, is called "WildBlue" satellite Internet service, WildBlue Division Manager Steve Allum said during a telephone interview.

WildBlue service is up to 30 times faster than dial-up Internet access, Allum said, and people do not even have to have a telephone to access the Internet.

Allum said the service is similar to 3 Rivers’ DirecTV format, which also uses satellite signals. Accessing WildBlue service requires the installation of a $299 satellite dish and computer modem. The company is presently offering free installation of the hardware.

By Melody Martinsen-Acantha editor

Full Story: http://www.choteauacantha.com/articles/2005/07/21/news/news3.txt

(Thanks to the Montana Chamber of Commerce http://www.montanachamber.net/ws/home.php for bringing this to our attention. Russ)