Document text
CLEAR Temp: 90 °F Wind: NW at 10 mph Friday, August 29, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend July 30, 2003 WANTV plans its exit, sets termination date By CHRIS ABBEY Mail Tribune WANTV doesn’t want the Rogue Valley anymore. The wireless cable network’s last day of operation locally will be Aug. 25. And the company doesn’t even want its hardware back: Paperwork sent out this week to current subscribers includes the information that the company will not take back its equipment unless subscribers request appointments with a service technician within 30 days. The system has been operating in the Rogue Valley since taking over the Microlink service in 1995, but began edging out of the area in early 2002, when the company closed its Medford office and transferred customer service to an office in Kennewick, Wash. Advertisement The letter to subscribers included an offer to "transition" to the DISH Network, a satellite system, with a rebate offer that amounts to free installation: pay $49.99 and receive a credit for the same amount on their monthly payments. The basic package by DISH Network offers "America’s Top 50" channels and one receiver and costs $24.99 a month. As with most cable and satellite systems, more channels, services and receivers are available for higher fees. Additional receivers are about $5 more per month. A "transition specialist" answering the phone number provided in the WANTV customer packet said that local TV stations will be included in the DISH service in the Jackson County area. The former Microlink company came to the area several years ago to offer a package for people who couldn’t get regular cable. It also provided the option of purchasing fewer channels at a lower price, which was not then available on cable television. Local cable providers responded with a lower-priced version of their own. The DISH Network offers more channels for about the same cost subscribers were paying for WANTV. Current WANTV subscribers can call 800-654-9329 to request removal of the equipment or for more information, or see the company’s Web site at www.dishnetwork.com . Reach Assistant Tempo Editor Chris Abbey at 776-4408 or e-mail [email protected] . Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times