Jennifer Smith is the writer and publisher in the family. The newsletter for Chase 3000 that introduced the high-speed network to existing subscribers included somewhat conservative estimates about the speeds that subscribers would enjoy. The newsletter served to explain the benefits of wireless, explain the subsidized pricing, and outline some of the educational opportunities available to those with high-speed connections. Wireless connections are not magic, and in some cases they have been oversold by advocates in both industrialized countries and developing countries. However, they can offer a low cost alternative to other options, assuming that government regulations will permit the use of such networks. Steve Smith attributes part of his success to the fact that everyone knew him, and he had a good track record running the dialup ISP which he claims is one of the smallest in the nation.

The grant was for $350,000 and was matched by Chase 3000 and the Smith's non-profit, EIII. It would provide 400 high-speed connections and funds for 225 new computers for those who had old equipment or had never owned a computer. Users were asked to pay approximately 25% of the cost of the gear, and 25 low-income homes received $1600 in equipment for $120. Part of the money will be used for a community technology center set up in the Imperial Senior Center which will have ten computers, a scanner, digital projector, and popular software. The center plans to charge $2 per hour but with the first ten minutes free. However, Smith wants to complete all the wireless installations before setting up the technology center.

Businesses were not permitted to obtain the discounted equipment, but they can pay full price and then the standard monthly fee of $25 for the high speed connection. Smith was careful to explain that material downloaded from the Chase 3000 server would transfer very quickly, but for files and web pages from the Internet, he did not promise more than 128 kbps. In reality, people are getting much faster access, and as in large towns the time between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. are the most congested. In rural Nebraska that's a relative term. Smith had observed a modest amount of Napster activity, but after their losses in court to the recording industry and the subsequent restrictions imposed on the company, Smith has seen a 30% decline in such traffic over the past few weeks in March 2001. He hopes that interest will grow in online learning and that his subscribers will realize they have the tools to take part in remote, self-paced classes.