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Phones in remote Washington come at high cost

The Columbian
Published: April 5, 2010, 12:00am

STEHEKIN, Wash. (AP) — A decision to add telephone service in a remote Washington state town has stirred up anger among local residents.

Stehekin (steh-HEE-kin) is so cut off from the outside world that it has no roads leading to town and little telephone service. The 80-or-so locals relish the isolation and sell the town as an escape to tourists.

So when a telephone company attempted to install basic service for a handful of people who sought it, many longtime residents blasted the idea.

About 20 telephone lines were installed at a cost of $13,000 per line a year — all paid for by the federal government. The fact that it’s a government subsidy angers some residents.

Others say telephone service provides a vital function, especially in the case of emergencies.

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