DSL is impossible, T1 is expensive. Is there another option?
The folks saying that you can get DSL if you just use a different provider are most likely wrong. DSL providers all provide service over the same copper wires your local incumbent telco (in this case, AT&T) uses — they have not laid their own copper. Each of the independents works with AT&T (or Verizon, or Qwest, depending on the area) to get the line installed for DSL, so if you’re talking DSL, AT&T is part of the equation. While different types of DSL gear can get better signalling over longer distances than others, there’s still gear that AT&T may have on the line — a DLC unit that converts a fiber run in your neighborhood to short-run copper lines (which may have been installed recently), multiple load coils, or high-gauge wire. If the independent DSL provider hits one of those issues (like AT&T already did, it seems), all that will happen is that the two compa
The folks saying that you can get DSL if you just use a different provider are most likely wrong. DSL providers all provide service over the same copper wires your local incumbent telco (in this case, AT&T) uses — they have not laid their own copper. Each of the independents works with AT&T (or Verizon, or Qwest, depending on the area) to get the line installed for DSL, so if you’re talking DSL, AT&T is part of the equation.o WRONG. This is true for residential DSL lines. It is often true for business DSL lines. But there ARE telecoms that cater to business and own their own lines. If you’ve been paying attention to U.S. business news lately, you may be aware that there have been a number of regional telecom mergers and acquisitions. Why? In the late ’90s and at the start of this decade, at least a dozen or so telecom companies used venture capitol and other forms of start-up funding to spend millions to install their own high speed network lines. Most never turned a profit. The lines
Perhaps this is EVDO, but I know that Sprint and (I think) Cingular have wireless modems that plug into your laptop’s PCMCIA slot (and presumably they have a similar adapter for desktop PC if that’s what you need). I think it’s like 50 bucks a month. That aside, Sprint also has a service with some phones (using EVDO I believe) called “Phone as Modem” (I can do this with my Samsung A900). You hook a cable between your phone and PC and use the phone’s internet connection. It’s an additional 25 bucks a month on top of your regular cell bill, and unfortunately you can’t use your cell while connected using phone-as-modem. Optionally I believe you can have your connection paused if you’re getting an incoming call. Hell, getting a second phone to use solely for internet would be cheaper than $200 a month. I have tried this out just to see how fast it is – and it is FAST. Near cable-modem speeds in my area at least. Or so it seemed. I didn’t try a speed test or download any large files, but we
I pay $80/m for Verizon Wireless. Its pokey (16k/s, though may be faster in a city), but it beats the pants off dialup, and I can take it with me.
