October 1998: TelAlaska Expands Internet Services with Purchase of Web Services Firm

     TelAlaska and WEBDesign jointly announced today that they have entered into an agreement under which TelAlaska has purchased WEBDesign, a web services firm. The purchase is in conjunction with TelAlaska's recent acquisition of Finite Technologies Service Corporation, and further expands the company's newly formed TelAlaska NetWorks group.

     "Our customers rely on a single point of contact to deliver a variety of integrated services," said Francis LaChapelle, Director of Network Business for TelAlaska Net Works. "The addition of web services, e-commerce and Internet marketing improves our ability to respond to our clients needs for business and network services."

     Kay Ashton, Web Project Director, will continue to direct WEBDesign's operations, according to Mr. LaChapelle. "Kay brings Internet expertise on web strategic planning, design and marketing that is difficult to find in Alaska." Ms. Ashton previously worked for SPRY Inc., creators of Internet In A Box, for CompuServ as Senior Marketing Communication Director, and at Internet Alaska as Marketing Director.

     WEBDesign builds professional Internet marketing tools so that Alaskan businesses can expand their marketing and sales to reach worldwide audiences. WEBDesign offers web services such as, e-commerce, web hosting, database development, strategic planning, design and implementation of web sites and Internet marketing. "By understanding a company's business objectives we can design an Internet-based business solution, a web site that reflects a company's image and a web program that can achieve measurable returns," said Ms. Ashton. Understanding business objectives to create business solutions, that's our job."

     TelAlaska NetWorks currently offers LAN, WAN, data and voice network solutions statewide, and dial-up Internet services under the service name of ARCTIC.NET in Anchorage, Eagle River, Girdwood, Unalaska/Dutch Harbor, Galena, and Cooper Landing, with plans for expansion to Sand Point and Fairbanks in the near future. TelAlaska has provided rural local telephone service in over twenty communities throughout Alaska for thirty years. It is the parent company for three rural telephone companies, Interior Telephone, Mukluk Telephone in Alaska, and TelHawaii on the big island of Hawaii, and has recently introduced long distance telephone service through TelAlaska Long distance. TelAlaska is also the parent company for Eyecom Cable company servicing Girdwood, Port Lions, Galena and Unalaska.