OROVILLE – GDICOM, the internet provider owned by Gold Digger Apples, has undergone some changes with new personnel and pricing for their services.

Ron Knight, who has been with the company for two years, is an installer, technician and troubleshooter. Mac Carroll, who will be heading up the sales and marketing department for GDICOM, joins him. The two say prices for GDICOM’s Internet services have come down across the board.

“Right now it $35 for .5 mgs, $45 for 1 mg and $60 for 2mgs,” said Carroll.

Most GDICOM customers receive their Internet connection via a radio on the outside of their residence or business that connects to one of Okanogan County PUD’s antennas. Some, that need even higher speeds, can connect directly through a fiber optic cable. The public untility acts as a wholesaler and various Internet Providers (IPs) then retail the services.

Knight said that advantage of the PUD system over other types, like DSL or cable modems, is the increase in upload speed – where uploads are nearly the same as downloads.

Both are excited about future plans to upgrade the PUD’s system with more towers. Within the next year to year and a half the PUD plans to have 170 towers with the ability to reach 6500 residents, according to Knight.

“That’s not just in the valley, but places like Molson, Chesaw, Loomis and Conconully,” said Knight. “They plan to reach every little creek and everywhere else.”

Currently GDICOM is offering free installation of their equipment through the end of May and the rest of May the service is at no charge for that month. The IP also has a customer referral program, where a current customer can get a month for free for every new customer that signs up and keeps his or her service for at least three months.

Knight has lived in the Oroville area since 1983; having moved here with his family from Modesto, Calif. Carroll grew up in the Tonasket area.