PMT

Direct Communication/Star West provides the basic infrastructure and telecommunications services to the residents of the predominantly agricultural community of Rockland, Idaho. Star West's backbone network consists of optic fiber and fiber distribution throughout the town via existing and new optical fiber and electronics. FTTP service will be extended to residents, businesses and a community center. The community center will be made available for both scheduled instruction periods and open access, where any resident will have Internet access and email, community bulletin boards, web hosting features and the capability for future services such as state educational resources, distance learning and telemedicine. Direct Communications is one of 17 independent telephone companies in Idaho. Founded in 1974, the business has expanded from 300 subscribers to more than 4,000 in Oregon and Idaho. Also housed in the Direct Communications office is a call center providing technical support for companies in Washington, California, Arizona and Nevada. And there's an Internet business, Direct Internet, a subsidiary of Direct Communications Star West. It provides high-speed Internet to 2,500 subscribers in small towns that larger companies pass over, such as Soda Springs, Pingree, Aberdeen and Montpelier.