|
Back Issues |
|
Computers
& Technology . Hungry
for a Faster Net Connection? If you've been following our obsession here with local high-speed broadband access, then you'll know that this is the 5th piece we've done on it. ... That's five times in eight issues. But what can we say? We're as hungry for it as anyone. ... As we've mentioned, there are basically three approaches to higher-speed broadband for most residential and small business users -- a cable modem, a digital subscriber line [DSL], or, though we thought it'd take much longer to roll out than it did, you can even get two-way satellite internet service if your out in the boondocks {like us} and don't want to wait. ... For now, we'll only remind you that, just because you have phone or cable service doesn't necessarily mean that broadband is available at your location. So, if you missed out on those earlier articles, or simply want some background on what each of these is all about, let us refer you to our Back Issues Computers & Tech section where you'll find a convenient list of all the articles that have appeared in Computers & Tech to date. ... In any case, what these various approaches to broadband translate into for a large segment of the DownStreet neighborhood is three major providers -- Adelphia ... for cable modem, Waitsfield/Champlain Valey TeleCom's Green Mountain Access {GMA} ... for DSL service, or the Hughes' Corp.'s DirecTV service ... for satellite internet. Resident's on the south side of Middlebury also have Shoreham Telephone, which has also begun its own rollout, for DSL. ... First
Come, First to Serve? On the don't-hold-your-breath end of the spectrum, of course, there's the old TogetherNet, now, Earthlink. They're also rolling out DSL; but at this point, Vermont isn't even one of the states listed. And as not just a national, but an international ISP, we don't foresee EarthLink putting Vermont high up on their list. Let's face it. Most of the cities they already serve with DSL -- places like Albuquerque, Atlanta, and Austin to St. Louis, Tampa/St. Pete's & Washington, D.C. -- each have a considerably larger population than all of Vermont. But trust us, even with EarthLink, eventually, DSL will probably come. ... How do we know? ... Well, we don't know for a certainty. But it's a pretty good guess. ... The fact is, up here in the Bristol Notch, we obviously don't get cable, so that's out. And our phone lines, which come from over in Lincoln, are a lot further than 3.4 miles {18,000 feet for those who like their numbers round} -- the max allowable for DSL service -- from the Bristol Central Office. So we'd more or less resigned ourselves to going the satellite route. But since we were calling CVTele about something else, we thought we'd ask about DSL up here. After less than a minute, our service rep, who'd put us on hold to find out the answer, came back on the line and said, "... late summer or early fall of 2002." Now, for those of you who already have DSL or cable, or those of you who are next on the list, that may seem like an awfully long wait. But the fact is, we didn't think that the several of us per square mile up here would ever see it. ... So now we find ourselves unexpectedly wondering whether we should simply tide ourselves over on 56k until then, or maybe go the satellite route as a temporary solution until CVTeleCom's Green Mountain Access comes our way with DSL. Of course, cable internet service is just as sweet, and some would say a bit better. And Adelphia has been busy with their own rollout of their PowerLink option. Of course, cable's not something we're likely to see up here in the Notch any time soon ... or, for that matter, ever. ... But for those on the cable route, if it's not available yet, high speed access should be coming your way some time soon. This much is for certain, though. When DSL comes our way, we're buying our ticket and getting on that train just as fast as we can. ... There's probably only one down side though. As one fellow who recently got high speed was quick to point out, he went for a weekend visit where the household was still hooked up at 56k, but he could hardly stand the wait. ... So, like one wise fellow once said about PC's as they began to go high-speed: The secret of never wanting a faster one is never getting your hands on a faster one. ... For more info about broadband services and availability from these local, state-wide and inter-/national service providers, check the following links:
Happy hunting ! ... ******* ******* If you would like to submit a feature for our Computers & Tech section, don't hesitate to let us know. Simply e-mail us at comptech@downstreetmagazine.com. The e-mail should contain your name, address, and a phone number where we can reach you. You may also send a copy of your proposed article. The text can either be included in the body of the e-mail, or you can send it as an attachment in just about any word processing format. If your piece is accepted, we will pay a small honorarium for your interest & your time. [See Freelancers Wanted for more details.] ******* ******* If you would like to advertise in this section, or throughout the magazine, please visit our Advertising Info Pages ... or call, write, or e-mail ads@downstreetmagazine.com. ******* *******. |
|
*******
******* ******* ******* For more information, contact DownStreet Magazine by ...
Phone
(802) 453-5124 All
material copyrighted © 2000-2001. All rights
reserved. |
