By GAYLE WEBER

gweber@dailynews.net

More Nex-Tech Internet customers have been given high-speed access with the installation of two Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access towers in Hays.

The WiMAX towers provide access to people in a two to five mile radius of the towers, but Internet access still only is available to Nex-Tech customers.

"For the most part, it was due to needing to provide high-speed Internet in areas we could not reach with DSL and standard Internet coverage," said Justin McClung, Internet solutions manager.

McClung said there are two types of WiMAX Internet access. Nex-Tech has installed fixed towers that require users to have an antenna on their house pointing back at the towers.

The other type is mobile which would allow anyone to pick up a signal on their computers and cell phones.

"The reason why there really isn't a market for it yet is because the handsets, laptop cards -- they're not readily available yet," McClung said. "Until that market has matured, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to provide a network for it."

McClung said Nex-Tech has no plans right now to install a mobile WiMAX network, but will be watching the market to see if it is needed.

The WiMAX technology has been talked about for five years, but has developed slowly, especially in more rural areas like western Kansas.

However, McClung said with the two new towers, he thinks Nex-Tech will be able to reach 200 to 500 customers who did not have high-speed Internet access before.

"If a tree's in the way, hopefully we can get them service," McClung said.

Nex-Tech also is installing two towers in Great Bend and one in Hoisington soon.