Am I out of broadband options?

vsp · 08-21-2001, 02:44 PM

For reference, I live just outside of West Chester, in an apartment complex (hence, I can't go hog-wild requesting wiring changes).

Verizon says thbbbbbpt, no ISDN or DSL for me where I live.

Comcast@Home didn't immediately freak when I entered my zip code, and I am an existing Comcast (TV) cable customer. However...

* I would need to have another cable jack installed, which is $$$ up front (that's whatever the local maintenance crew would charge, plus $150 if the cable guy needs to come in to do work).

* Either $200 for a cable-modem purchase or I eat rental charges (and get to worry about frying hardware that isn't mine).

* Plus the cost of firewall software that'll work with Win98.

* I'm not sure if I get an Ethernet card with their starter kits -- if I don't, that's more bucks.

* And Excite@Home appears to be ready for the dot.com retirement home. http://slashdot.org/articles/01/08/20/171203.shtml for details on THAT. I do not want to start service and have it go kaput a month later.

Are there alternatives out there that I'm not considering, or should I start the torchlight brigades to petition Verizon to expand?

jeff. not too hopeful

elSicomoro · 08-21-2001, 06:52 PM

jeff, there is a very simple solution: Flee Chester County.

Seriously though, you may wish to check out <A HREF="https://register.earthlink.net/cgi-bin/wsisa.dll/broadband/main.html#33">Earthlink DSL</a>, as it should be available to you. I have their dial-up service (via their Mindspring buyout), and it's not bad. (Although it was better under Mindspring.)

mbpark · 08-23-2001, 10:12 AM

The DSL is still going through Verizon's lines.

Who else are they going to go through, Covad?

The best solution, since they're not bankrupt, is Comcast. It seems that everyone else is!

vsp · 08-24-2001, 08:22 AM

Comcast may not be bankrupt, but I spoke with one of their salesdrones last night regarding cable-modem service. It's (a) not QUITE available in my area yet ("around Thanksgiving", sez the drone) and (b) they're not quite sure what's going to happen when @Home folds. "They [Comcast] will either do it themselves, or find someone else to carry it. Yahoo, maybe."

Oddly, Earthlink's web page said "Sure, no problem" to DSL on my line, even though Verizon's said no way. This makes me wonder exactly what's going on here -- it's not as if Earthlink's people will be running their own fiberoptics to my apartment complex. (That, and I trust Earthlink as far as I can throw them.)

Looks like I wait, for now.

jeff. Ah, well... 56K isn't THAT terrible, compared to the ~30K max I had over the lines in my last abode.

lisa · 08-24-2001, 08:54 AM

It's quite possible that one DSL provider will say "ok" when another says "no way." It depends on their requirements. Chances are that if ANY of them say "no" that you're far enough away that you won't get as much throughput from the one who says "ok". But, if the alternative is 56K...

You might consider Telocity. I have them now and think their service is teriffic. They are one of the few DSL providers who actually acknowledge the existance of something other than windoze and max. Also they ALWAYS give static IPs -- none of this PPPoE garbage that is a PITA to set up and adds overhead to the throughput.

In addition, Telocity has no setup charges and no minimum contract. Suffice it ti say that I am a satisfied user of Telocity.

If anyone DOES plan to call them, let me know... I think I can get a referal for a month or two free.

elSicomoro · 08-24-2001, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by vsp
Oddly, Earthlink's web page said "Sure, no problem" to DSL on my line, even though Verizon's said no way. This makes me wonder exactly what's going on here -- it's not as if Earthlink's people will be running their own fiberoptics to my apartment complex. (That, and I trust Earthlink as far as I can throw them.)

I would just be wary of them. I had a really bad experience with them about 3 years ago on dialup service. My biggest beef with them was that you had to jump through hoops to actually find a number to call to talk to a human being. That, and I hate their parent (Sprint).

Apparently, things have gotten better. Since their buyout of Mindspring, I've had no major problems, other than a few dialup issues.

I've considered the @Home service, given that it's available where I live. But there are other things to take care of first...not to mention, I think I'd rather have DirecTV or digital cable first.

vsp · 08-24-2001, 12:23 PM

I checked www.telocity.com, and was redirected to its new name of DirecTV DSL. I entered my address and phone there, and got a "Sorry, no can do" response.

That's three no's and a yes, and the yes was Earthlink.

As for Digital Cable, I considered that and turned it down flat. I looked at what Comcast offered beyond the Basic/Standard package, and saw no more than three or four channels I'd have the least bit of interest in (the Cartoon Network, Game Show Network, BBC America, maybe Sci-Fi or some of the Discovery offshoots). For an extra $15 or so per month, that's just not worth it to me.

Heck, as it stands right now, I only watch a handful of the ones I already have. Comedy Central, the Weather Channel and the basic UHF/VHF channels are the only ones I can honestly say I watch more than once or twice a week, unless something catches my eye when channel-flipping or there's something going on in sports.

(I just looked up the channel listings on comcast.com, and it appears that Cartoon, Game Show and Sci-Fi (among others) were recently added to the Basic lineup. If so, that's even less reason for me to upgrade -- other than BBC America, the only thing I'd want it for would be ordering PPVs, and I can go down to the Stadium Grille to get my PPV wrestling fixes.)

jeff. unashamed to admit that he watches grown men pounding each other into goo in the name of sports entertainment

elSicomoro · 08-24-2001, 08:06 PM

Truth be told, Comcast probably has the best basic expanded setup of any cable company I've seen. For $44 a month, I get 60-70 channels, plus PPV if I want it. My parents pay $10 a month a less and have AT&T in St. Louis...and it is just horrible. I've actually been pleasantly surprised by the way Comcast works, at least here in NE Philadelphia. I can only assume that it is due to the competition presented by Dish Network and DirecTV, since they can actually compete with cable and now offer local service.

I know in some parts of the Philadelphia area that RCN is making inroads and offers solid service (local phone service, long distance, internet, DSL). Unfortunately, Comcast cut them off at the knees here in the city.

russotto · 08-26-2001, 08:13 PM

Comcast is tied for second-worst major cable company. Adephia is worst.

I think I've solved my broadband problem. I'm moving to a place in Trappe which is only 7000 feet from the CO, so maybe Verizon or a reseller will service me. (I want static IP and preferably _SDSL_, which Verizon itself doesn't provide)

08-21-2001, 02:44 PM	#1
vsp Syndrome of a Down Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: West Chester Posts: 1,367	Am I out of broadband options? For reference, I live just outside of West Chester, in an apartment complex (hence, I can't go hog-wild requesting wiring changes). Verizon says thbbbbbpt, no ISDN or DSL for me where I live. Comcast@Home didn't immediately freak when I entered my zip code, and I am an existing Comcast (TV) cable customer. However... * I would need to have another cable jack installed, which is $$$ up front (that's whatever the local maintenance crew would charge, plus $150 if the cable guy needs to come in to do work). * Either $200 for a cable-modem purchase or I eat rental charges (and get to worry about frying hardware that isn't mine). * Plus the cost of firewall software that'll work with Win98. * I'm not sure if I get an Ethernet card with their starter kits -- if I don't, that's more bucks. * And Excite@Home appears to be ready for the dot.com retirement home. http://slashdot.org/articles/01/08/20/171203.shtml for details on THAT. I do not want to start service and have it go kaput a month later. Are there alternatives out there that I'm not considering, or should I start the torchlight brigades to petition Verizon to expand? jeff. not too hopeful

08-21-2001, 06:52 PM	#2
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	jeff, there is a very simple solution: Flee Chester County. Seriously though, you may wish to check out <A HREF="https://register.earthlink.net/cgi-bin/wsisa.dll/broadband/main.html#33">Earthlink DSL</a>, as it should be available to you. I have their dial-up service (via their Mindspring buyout), and it's not bad. (Although it was better under Mindspring.) Last edited by elSicomoro; 08-21-2001 at 06:55 PM.

08-23-2001, 10:12 AM	#3
mbpark Lecturer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Carmel, Indiana Posts: 761	DSL there The DSL is still going through Verizon's lines. Who else are they going to go through, Covad? The best solution, since they're not bankrupt, is Comcast. It seems that everyone else is!

08-24-2001, 08:22 AM	#4
vsp Syndrome of a Down Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: West Chester Posts: 1,367	Comcast may not be bankrupt, but I spoke with one of their salesdrones last night regarding cable-modem service. It's (a) not QUITE available in my area yet ("around Thanksgiving", sez the drone) and (b) they're not quite sure what's going to happen when @Home folds. "They [Comcast] will either do it themselves, or find someone else to carry it. Yahoo, maybe." Oddly, Earthlink's web page said "Sure, no problem" to DSL on my line, even though Verizon's said no way. This makes me wonder exactly what's going on here -- it's not as if Earthlink's people will be running their own fiberoptics to my apartment complex. (That, and I trust Earthlink as far as I can throw them.) Looks like I wait, for now. jeff. Ah, well... 56K isn't THAT terrible, compared to the ~30K max I had over the lines in my last abode.

08-24-2001, 08:54 AM	#5
lisa Etherial Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: CA Posts: 153	It's quite possible that one DSL provider will say "ok" when another says "no way." It depends on their requirements. Chances are that if ANY of them say "no" that you're far enough away that you won't get as much throughput from the one who says "ok". But, if the alternative is 56K... You might consider Telocity. I have them now and think their service is teriffic. They are one of the few DSL providers who actually acknowledge the existance of something other than windoze and max. Also they ALWAYS give static IPs -- none of this PPPoE garbage that is a PITA to set up and adds overhead to the throughput. In addition, Telocity has no setup charges and no minimum contract. Suffice it ti say that I am a satisfied user of Telocity. If anyone DOES plan to call them, let me know... I think I can get a referal for a month or two free.

08-24-2001, 12:23 PM	#7
vsp Syndrome of a Down Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: West Chester Posts: 1,367	I checked www.telocity.com, and was redirected to its new name of DirecTV DSL. I entered my address and phone there, and got a "Sorry, no can do" response. That's three no's and a yes, and the yes was Earthlink. As for Digital Cable, I considered that and turned it down flat. I looked at what Comcast offered beyond the Basic/Standard package, and saw no more than three or four channels I'd have the least bit of interest in (the Cartoon Network, Game Show Network, BBC America, maybe Sci-Fi or some of the Discovery offshoots). For an extra $15 or so per month, that's just not worth it to me. Heck, as it stands right now, I only watch a handful of the ones I already have. Comedy Central, the Weather Channel and the basic UHF/VHF channels are the only ones I can honestly say I watch more than once or twice a week, unless something catches my eye when channel-flipping or there's something going on in sports. (I just looked up the channel listings on comcast.com, and it appears that Cartoon, Game Show and Sci-Fi (among others) were recently added to the Basic lineup. If so, that's even less reason for me to upgrade -- other than BBC America, the only thing I'd want it for would be ordering PPVs, and I can go down to the Stadium Grille to get my PPV wrestling fixes.) jeff. unashamed to admit that he watches grown men pounding each other into goo in the name of sports entertainment

08-24-2001, 08:06 PM	#8
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	Truth be told, Comcast probably has the best basic expanded setup of any cable company I've seen. For $44 a month, I get 60-70 channels, plus PPV if I want it. My parents pay $10 a month a less and have AT&T in St. Louis...and it is just horrible. I've actually been pleasantly surprised by the way Comcast works, at least here in NE Philadelphia. I can only assume that it is due to the competition presented by Dish Network and DirecTV, since they can actually compete with cable and now offer local service. I know in some parts of the Philadelphia area that RCN is making inroads and offers solid service (local phone service, long distance, internet, DSL). Unfortunately, Comcast cut them off at the knees here in the city.

08-26-2001, 08:13 PM	#9
russotto Professor Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,788	Comcast is tied for second-worst major cable company. Adephia is worst. I think I've solved my broadband problem. I'm moving to a place in Trappe which is only 7000 feet from the CO, so maybe Verizon or a reseller will service me. (I want static IP and preferably _SDSL_, which Verizon itself doesn't provide)

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