wfn.org | PC(USA) Launches New Internet Access Program

[PCUSA.NEWS@ecunet.org]

26-September-1996 
 
 
96375      PC(USA) Launches New Internet Access Program 
 
                         by Julian Shipp 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) launches another bold 
venture into cyberspace by making available the new "PC(USA) Internet 
Access Program," a partnership developed through the joint efforts of the 
Office of Communication, Office of Information Services and UniDial 
Internet Services. 
 
     According to church officials, the service will provide fast, low-cost 
Internet access with local-access numbers in 62 cities initially and an 
800-number plan for other sites. The program will expand to more than 200 
cities by the end of 1997 (new cities are being added at a rate of 30 per 
quarter). 
 
     Special program administrative and support services are provided by 
EcuServe, the UniDial agent for the denomination. UniDial provides a 
variety of communication services for the denomination, including inbound 
and outbound long-distance telephone service with calling cards and the 
National Communications Services Savings Program, which currently has 
roughly 60 PC(USA) churches, presbyteries and synods enrolled. 
 
     According to Joe Lyons, vice president of EcuServe, conversations 
about the future of PresbyNet (the denomination's computer communication 
system) led to the development of the Internet Access Program. Lyons said 
benefits of the program, which took about six months to develop, include 
 
          a total solution for Internet access plus PresbyNet for less 
money than users may now 
          be spending for PresbyNet alone 
          easier access to PresbyNet via the Internet 
          Internet e-mail account plus full access to the Web 
          a PC(USA)-preferred Internet service provider working in 
partnership with PrebyNet 
          to offer a customized service 
          a portion of the Internet service usage fee going to support 
ongoing electronic 
          communication enhancements. 
 
     "There was a lot of work from a lot of areas that went into developing 
this program," Lyons said.  "And though I can't speak for the Office of 
Communication, I  expect that one of the long-term objectives of this 
program might be a significant reduction of PresbyNet costs through the 
majority of PresbyNet users having Internet access," Lyons said. "There are 
cost-saving advantages throughout this program." 
 
 
      How to sign up for the PC(USA) Internet Access Program 
 
     You need two things to participate in this program: an account and 
software to access the account. To get an account, do any of the following: 
 
          Call 1-800-211-9683 (between 8 a.m. and 1 a.m. ET) and tell the 
customer support 
          agent that you are interested in signing up for the PC(USA) 
Internet Access Program. 
          Mention offer # UNI-15EFF so that the agent will be sure to sign 
you up for the correct 
          plan. You will need to tell the agent whether you are signing up 
for the local-access plan 
          or the 800-number plan and also which billing method (credit card 
or paper invoice) you 
          prefer. There is a $15 one-time setup fee for each account. 
UniDial will mail 
          customized software to you within four to six days. 
          If you currently have an Internet service provider and would like 
to switch, use your 
          Web browser to visit http://www.unidial.com/menu/signup.html When 
you do, you 
          will need to specify UNI-15EFF as your sales ID in order to 
register appropriately. 
          An e-mail registration process is now available so that you can 
use e-mail to sign up 
          with this program. Sent a note to info@pcusa.org to sign up with 
this program. Send 
          a note to info@pcusa.org putting UniDial on the subject line and 
a sign-up form will be 
          sent to you. Complete the form and then mail it to 
order@unidial.com and your 
          account information will be sent to you via e-mail. 
          If you have received a brochure about the program, you may fax an 
order form to 
          UniDial at the number given in the brochure. UniDial will mail 
customized software to 
          you within four to six days. 
          If you use Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, you can download the 
software from PresbyNet 
          -- there are attachments in "PBYWIN31 EXE" and "PBYWIN95 EXE". 
 
     If you have any trouble using the PC(USA) Internet Access Program, 
call the technical support office at 1-800-211-9683. Those wanting 
additional information about this program can call EcuServe at 
1-800-864-4606. 

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For more information contact Presbyterian News Service
  phone 502-569-5504             fax 502-569-8073  
  E-mail PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org   Web page: http://www.pcusa.org 

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