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Click Here 39 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, February 6, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend January 5, 2004 Rogue River lacks fast networks Hunter Communications hopes to provide the technical connections for such telecommunications By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune ROGUE RIVER — When it comes to telecommunications, rural residents of Southern Oregon often feel they’re stuck in the Stone Age. High-speed Internet access, cable television, cell phone accessibility and other technological advances now taken for granted in populated areas like Medford and Ashland are still unavailable or limited in much of rural Jackson County. Richard Ryan, chief executive officer of Hunter Communications and Core Digital Services in Medford, says an efficient and effective telecommunications system is a key aspect in any area’s economic development. Ryan says housing, schools and telecommunication systems are "the big three" for an influx of new residents. "If you don’t have all three, people look elsewhere to live," he says. Advertisement Ryan says Rogue River, like other rural Jackson County towns, could benefit greatly if it had better telecommunications. Ryan says medical clinics are scarce in the area in part because Rogue River lacks an efficient telecommunications network. "It’s a hub (for seniors). If we could get this area hooked up to fiber optics, it would encourage businesses to set up in Rogue River with the technology they need," said Ryan. "(These advances) allow doctors to get test results faster. Seniors could go to the doctor and get test results in real time." Ryan says local schools also could benefit from a fiber-optic network. Hunter Communications is building a private fiber-optic network in the valley and Core Digital provides high-bandwidth Internet services via that network. For three larger local school districts, slow Internet connections and crashed systems are now inconveniences of the past. Hunter Communications has upgraded Medford, Central Point and Phoenix- Talent districts over the past several months from T1 lines to high-speed fiber technology. Ryan said all three districts are officially up to speed, including 21 Medford sites, five in the Central Point district and six within the Phoenix-Talent district. All sites are also linked to the Southern Oregon Education Service District; the network allows schools to participate in state-mandated online testing without their computer systems crashing. Remote teaching, team teaching, video conferencing and other potentially money-saving changes could result if fiber optics reach the Rogue River district, he says. Ryan says team teaching can save money and jobs if a district can share the costs of a teacher who offers vital classes but who doesn’t have enough students at one school. School board member Traycee Geddes says she hopes Ryan and the district can find the funding to cut a deal and get Rogue River schools hooked up to the new technology. "It will mean our kids and staff will have a resource that other bigger districts have," said Geddes. "We’re hoping the entire cost of the project can be paid off over time using our already budgeted amount for connectivity." Shayne Maxwell, recently appointed to the Jackson County Budget Committee and chairwoman of the Advisory Task Force for Southern Oregon Calling Region, is coordinating a meeting about bringing high-speed fiber optics to Rogue River at 3 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Rogue River City and Rural Fire Protection District offices at 5474 N. River Road. "The potential for wireless Internet for rural communities is tremendous," Maxwell said. "If we have to wait till cable is laid to our door, it could take years and years and years." Maxwell also sees a benefit to competition. "We’re always held hostage because we only have access to one option for cable Internet and television (Charter Cable)," said Maxwell. "And when you open the door to competition the prices become more reasonable." Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times