University Times

Pitt faculty, staff and students can preregister for dial-up or high-speed DSL (digital subscriber line) Internet access service under the University's recently announced Internet service provider partnership with Stargate. (See University Times, Feb. 8.) Pitt entered an agreement with Stargate on Feb. 5. Services are expected to become available by March 31.

Under this plan, Pitt computer users are eligible for dial-up service at $16.95 per month, a savings of more than 20 percent off Stargate's regular $21.95 monthly rate. In addition, the $25 activation fee will be waived.

Subscribers are eligible for DSL service (where available) at regular rates, depending on the option selected. All University subscribers receive access to privileged University services, such as on-line library journals, software downloads and on-line training at no additional cost through the Pitt Stargate VPN (virtual private network) service. The agreement is extended to the four regional campuses.

By preregistering, Pitt subscribers are eligible for one of the following special promotions:

* Dial-up service subscribers will receive Stargate's Family SmartPak dial-up package, a $24.95 value, at the $16.95 per month price of the standard dial-up package. Family SmartPak includes up to four e-mail addresses, five aliases and 5 MBs of personal Web space.

* DSL subscribers will receive a dial-up account valued at an additional $9.95 per month free of charge for one year.

To preregister, go to www.stargate.net/html/news.html, Stargate's web site, and fill out the on-line form. Additional details are available from the site or by calling Stargate directly at 1-877-570-7827.