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AOL unplugs local call for some folks Access goes via Ashland number By DAVID PRESZLER Direct access to America Online will become a long-distance call for residents of Central Point, White City, Eagle Point and the rest of the north Rogue Valley as of June 30. The Internet giant is discontinuing its 772-3994 access number, leaving customers only the 482-6635 number. Because the remaining number is an Ashland one, it will become long distance for everyone north of Medford. "I like AOL," said Central Point's Dave Brown. "It's been home for several years." Brown and other users were notified of the pending change earlier this week. He said he hasn't decided what he'll do yet. AOL spokeswoman Wendy Goldberg said the company is abandoning the 772 number because it is part of the SprintNet network and had only enough capacity for connections of up to 14.4 kilobits per second. "Ninety percent of our network is 56K capable," she said. "We are updating the rest and that's what we are doing in this situation." The shift would presumably bring more users into the modem pool accessed through the 482-6635 number, which already carries a healthy load and can be difficult to access. Goldberg said AOL plans to add more capacity to that number but she did not have any details about how much or when the upgrade would take place. The news is frustrating to people like Brown who live in the main portion of the valley but won't be able to have local access to the popular service. "I'm two miles from Medford and Medford is the main town here," he said. "I can't figure out why AOL chose Ashland for the exchange." Goldberg said she would make local technicians aware of the situation so they can work toward a solution. "We're going to make every effort to make sure we get numbers to those areas," she said. Other Southern Oregon cities are also without local direct access to AOL, including both Grants Pass and Roseburg. Users can still access AOL's services through their "bring-your-own-access" plan. Under the plan, users get Internet access elsewhere and pay $9.95 a month -- in addition to charges from the other provider -- to access AOL that way. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA