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Ashland Fiber Network can meet new goals Still, the Internet and TV service is expected to lose money until 2006-07 ASHLAND - The city's cable television and high-speed Internet services continue to gain hookups at a pace that will allow it to meet revised goals set for July, a quarterly report released Jan. 15 shows. Ashland Fiber Network was better able to serve returning Southern Oregon University students this fall, which helped boost hookups, according to Dick Wanderscheid, who oversees AFN. Uncertainties about competitor Charter Communications' Internet service during November may have helped also, said Wanderscheid. "Last year when the students returned there were a lot of multiple dwelling units we couldn't serve," said Wanderscheid. "(We're) able to serve more people because more of the city is built out." Goals for the system were lowered earlier this year after it failed to reach previous targets. The new goals mean AFN will lose money until the 2006-07 fiscal year. Earlier a profit had been projected for 2003-04. Cable TV hookups numbered 2,033 at the end of December. The system has a target of 2,404 hookups by July. It had 1,384 in June 2001. Connections increased by 197 between September and October, when SOU students resumed classes. Residential Internet hookups have increased from 1,353 in June 2001 to 1,974 at the end of December. AFN needs to hook up 67 customers per month to reach its goal of 2,373 by July. There were 145 additional connections during September and 128 during December. Revenue has exceeded projections each month since July and expenses have been underneath estimates for all months except October. Service should be available to 99 percent of city residents by June if AFN receives a budget transfer from the city that will allow speedier system construction, said Wanderscheid. The transfer was included in the revised plan. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.