NRTC Names Data Partners
Staff -- Multichannel News, 3/19/2001
The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative last week said it signed strategic partnerships with two-way, high-speed Internet-over-satellite providers Hughes Network Systems' DirecPC division and StarBand Communications Inc.
The NRTC serves rural communities across the country.
"Rural Americans were among the first to embrace satellite technology," NRTC president Bob Phillips said in a press release. The NRTC markets DirecTV Inc. direct-broadcast satellite service within its member territories, and sells programming for larger C-band satellite dishes.
EchoStar Communications Corp. competes for rural customers with its Dish Network DBS service. EchoStar dealers also help market StarBand service by bundling it with the Dish video product.
StarBand said Monday that it has 25,000 customers for its high-speed data service. Earlier tis month, the company withdrew plans for an initial public offering.
