news / press room

DakotaCom.net extends DSL service area

Proving that a local ISP can win the battle versus national giants such as AOL, Earthlink and others, local ISP DakotaCom.net recently stretched its reach outside the Tucson metropolitan area. DakotaCom.net president Pam Crim announced last week that her company is now providing high-speed DSL services to the cities of Yuma and Sierra Vista.

The expanded service connects the two cities with DakotaCom.net’s growing DSL network infrastructure. Unlike a regular dial-up connection, the sort of service upon which DakotaCom.net was founded, the newer breed of DSL connectivity provides a continual Internet connection which does not interfere with phone lines, as well as delivering a much faster connection, meaning significantly shorter download times.

At the same time, Crim also made the announcement that her company will be connecting The University of Arizona to its high-speed network, as well. DakotaCom.net already provided dial-up services for the university, but will now plug the establishment into its DSL service, which will be made available for both students and administration.

Philanthropy online

In an effort to streamline its grant-providing efforts, the Arizona Community Foundation will soon be taking its statewide service into cyberspace with a proposed online philanthropic marketplace.

Local Web developer Ephibian has been contracted by ACF to design, build and manage the centralized system. On top of establishing universal access to the new market platform, Ephibian will also be helping establish a user-friendly face to the site so that both grant donors and seekers can access real-time information about philanthropic gifts.

Completion of the project will take an estimated four months, as Ephibian engineers design the Linux-based operation.

Beyond this construction period, Ephibian will also be offering training seminars to ACF employees and others who will be using the platform.

ACF officials believe the new system will enhance the organizations’ grant-making abilities, which provided $17.5 million among 14 affiliates in 2000.

AT&T Wireless briefing

The Westin La Paloma Resort hosted the very first executive briefing of AT&T Wireless at the beginning of the month. More than 60 representatives from local companies attended the event, including officials from the city, county, university, Raytheon and Tucson Electric Power.

Covering issues which are likely to have a great impact on Tucson and southern Arizona, the corporate giant briefed the representatives on its efforts regarding third-generation wireless and the AT&T system being built out in Southern Arizona.

AT&T also recently announced that Joe Cristiani Mobile Communications was named the AT&T Wireless No.1 dealer for the year 2000. With about a dozen locations in the Tucson metropolitan area, Joe Cristiani has been an AT&T partner and authorized dealer since 1997.

Trico sells Ina offices

With plans to move into a new facility by next spring, Trico Electric Cooperative arranged the sale of its Ina Road office building to the town of Marana last week.

The $2.9 purchase, approved by the Marana Town Council on May 22, will close on June 30.

As Trico’s new headquarters on West Tangerine Road will not be ready until sometime next year, the electric provider will remain in the current building until that time.

Health-care learning online

Providing a system which will provide online learning opportunities for health-care providers, the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association launched CareLearning.com. Created alongside 35 other state hospital associations, the Web site will provide interactive health-care courses in Health and Safety Compliance Training, Medicare, Medication Administration, and other areas.