Two companies announce new DSL availability

High-speed Internet availability is growing in Magic Valley with this week’s announcements from two telecommunications companies.

By Virginia S. Hutchins
Times-News writer

Denver-based telecom giant Qwest Communications International Inc. on Wednesday said its high-speed Internet service — dubbed Qwest DSL — is now available in Ketchum after Qwest invested to upgrade the local network.

And OneWest.net, a regional Internet service provider based in Jackson, Wyo., and Idaho Falls, made its DSL service available to businesses and homes in and around Jerome.

Digital subscriber line, better known as DSL, enables subscribers to use their existing phone lines to browse the Web or send e-mail while talking on the telephone. The always-on, immediate-access Internet connection permits users to make and receive phone calls without interrupting the high-speed service.

DSL users can send and receive large files such as photos, documents, music and video much faster than with dial-up Internet connections. And Internet-based gamers with high-speed connections can interact in real time with players elsewhere.

Companies that spread DSL availability typically tout the offering as an economic boost. Qwest and OneWest.net weren’t exceptions.

"Our investment is part of Qwest’s ongoing commitment to Idaho and our recognition of the positive impact broadband services can have in today’s economy," Jim Schmit, Qwest president for Idaho, said in a statement.

With Qwest DSL, customers can surf the Internet at speeds ranging from about 256 kilobits per second to 7 megabits per second, the company said. The highest DSL speed is about 125 times faster than a traditional dial-up connection. Even with the slowest, a customer can download a large, high-resolution photo in seconds versus more than a minute with a standard dial-up, Qwest said.

"I’m pleased that Qwest is investing in our area’s economic development by bringing high-speed broadband services to Ketchum," Rep. Wendy Jaquet, D-Ketchum, said in Qwest’s statement. "This gives our area another broadband option to help ensure continued economic growth and success and helps us remain competitive with other communities."

Potential Ketchum customers can call Qwest to find out whether the company’s DSL is available at their locations — 1-800-244-1111 for residential customers, or 1-800-603-6000 for small businesses.

OneWest.net said its DSL speeds are as much as 20 times faster than dial-up Internet connections.

"We’re very excited to be bringing today’s most modern, efficient and cost-effective Internet connection technology to the smaller communities of the West," Jeff Rice, OneWest.net’s chairman and chief executive, said in a statement. "Being a small, Idaho-based company ourselves, we intimately understand the needs of families and small businesses here."

OneWest.net is launching its Jerome DSL service with a first-two-months-free offer and a free dial-up account to use from the road. OneWest.net can be reached at 1-866-663-9378.

Times-News Business Editor Virginia S. Hutchins can be reached at 735-3242 or [email protected].

http://www.magicvalley.com/news/business/index.asp?StoryID=3113