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Having just moved (and thus done my shopping for a new internet connection), I found it pretty galling that I was pretty much expected to either get a $30 land
by blahedo 15y ago
Having just moved (and thus done my shopping for a new internet connection), I found it pretty galling that I was pretty much expected to either get a $30 land line or a $50 cable-TV package if I wanted to get internet. Technically I didn't need to get the bundle, but they didn't even list prices for an internet-only connection.
I have line-of-sight to our local water tower, though, so I was able to get a wireless internet connection and bypass everyone else. It's not super-high-speed, but I have 2.5 down and 1.5 up, and that's not too bad... and I have the moral satisfaction of not paying anything at all to either the cable companies or the telcos.
- prpatel 15y agoTelco's don't usually advertise "naked DSL." If you search hard enough it's out there.
- paul9290 15y agoSame goes for cable companies here in the states. For example Comcast you can buy your own modem then pay $42 a month for Internet when u subscribe to local cable channels for additional $15. You can also just subscribe to Internet for $60 sans local cable. Further if you live in apartment complex an open wifi access point is the cheapest!
- nitrogen 15y agoFurther if you live in apartment complex an open wifi access point is the cheapest! Be careful with this one, since a combination of some recent court cases could be used to argue that accessing an open access point is a violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and result in penalties more serious than if you'd stolen a gift card and used it to buy Internet access (IANAL).
- gcb 15y agoI could get naked dsl from ATT only after i found this phone number in an old blog comment! spread it 1-800-288-2020
- nantes 15y agoHey, as a WISP employee myself, thanks. It is really frustrating sometimes that potential customers have been trained that the duopoly the article mentioned is reality. In truth, there is a vibrant, resourceful, and outspoken group of entrepreneurs out to take all of the incumbents marbles. But, like the article says, we have to fight at every turn for access that telco's and cable co's take for granted.
- chc 15y agoIt is a reality in most places. I've looked for smaller ISPs in several areas where I've lived, and there is nothing. It's basically AT&T or Cox/Time-Warner or jump in the lake.
- nitrogen 15y agoI'd love to support an independent ISP, but there is none serving my area with 50+mbit/s speeds.
- magamiako 15y agoExcept wireless ISPs don't come close to the offerings of a copper connection, let alone the connectivity provided by a fiber connection. Harp all you want about how "awesome" wireless is, but until it can push 40ms across the US and back consistently at high bandwidths, you're screwed.
- magamiako 15y agoYou think 2.5Mbit is "not bad"? This is what's wrong with the country. 2.5Mbit is dogshit slow. Your freaking bluetooth wireless mouse is faster than that. Now think about that for a minute.