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Ashland Fiber will connect for SOU Dorms will offer high-speed access; network also contracts with schools By VICKI GUARINO ASHLAND -- Students living in university housing will have faster Internet access in their dorm rooms than most people have in their homes come fall. Southern Oregon University and Ashland city's fledgling high-speed data network have signed a $558,000 contract to wire all 700 university residence rooms to the city-owned network. The deal includes five years of service, including Internet access for students. A total of 1,095 connections will be provided, all at a speed of 1.5 megabits per second. That is 20 to 30 times faster than residential connections with 28.8K or 56K modems. University officials say Ashland Fiber Network received the highest rating among top bidders for the contract. Proposals from five providers were reviewed by a university panel for a range of features including speed and capacity, security, reliability, cost and ease of administration. Also important to the university, says spokesman Tony Boom, was finding a provider whose system would be compatible with the university's computer network. For Ashland Fiber Network, obtaining the contract has been an important undertaking. "We hoped to have the university as a major client," Ashland city manager Mike Freeman said Tuesday. Getting SOU into the city network had been part of the planning of the system for several years, Freeman said, although the new system would be financially viable without the large contract. Ashland Fiber Network is in the shakedown phase now. The city and two commercial clients are hooked up, and the system is being tested. The network is set to begin regular operations July 1. The network already has signed another public education client -- Ashland School District. The district signed a $59,000 contract to have Ashland build a computer network linking all seven schools and other facilities. The Ashland Fiber Network also will provide Internet access for two years, Freeman said. The school district system is to be completed this summer. The much larger university system is to be completed by Sept. 30, about the time the fall term begins. At SOU, the new hookup not only is viewed as an aid to students but a commercial boost for the university. "To be competitive with other universities, we have to offer these services," said SOU spokesman Tony Boom. SOU students have had to rely on their own modems and Internet accounts to gain Web access. In addition to providing in-room Internet access, all 14 residence halls will provide access in lounge areas. Installation is to begin in June. The contract provides $100,000 for installation expenses and $91,600 per year for Internet and service fees for five years. Funding will come from student residence hall fees, a school technology resource fee and the university's general operating fund. Ashland Fiber Network is offering cable television, Internet and high-speed data connections to residences, businesses, schools and public agencies within the city. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA