"Dee D. Flint" wrote in
:


"Jim Hampton" wrote in message
...

"Dee D. Flint" wrote in message
...

The universal access with multiple choices means very heavy
investment as now that could be construed to mean that BPL, DSL,
cable, and WI-FI all need set up in our rural areas to provide those
choices. Guess what! Ain't gonna happen.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE


Dee, correct me if I'm wrong. Isn't there available direct satellite
internet available? As long as one has an unobstructed view to the
Southwestern sky? (I subscribe to Direct TV - but use DSL as it only
costs me $29.95 per month). I think it runs $49.95 per month (the
same as DSL costs in Sun City, Florida). As far as broadband over
powerline, we all know it isn't going to happen in rural areas. I'm
really curious about those broadcasters with deep pockets and what
will happen to channel 2 and 3 television. Of course, analog tv is on
its' way out which will probably save BPLs real quick demise ....
maybe.

73 from Rochester, NY
Jim AA2QA


I imagine it is available in some areas. However I was attempting to
make the point that it will not be economically feasible to provide the
same wide variety of choices to a rural area as a metropolitan area. A
rural area will be more limited in the internet access choices to pick
from.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE



The cheapest satellite Internet access in the US is Starband, which is
$40/mo for 768k speed. However, the combined cost of equipment and setup is
$600!!! This is why I still have dialup, no other broadband being
available. It is possible to find the equipment used (some people sell it
when they get DSL or cable in their area), but the setup fee is still $240.
That's not a typo, it's $240 for setup, not $24.

In my case I think both DSL and cable are available on the other side of
the street! One friend suggested I should get Wi-Fi and link into one of my
neighbours, paying a cut towards their broadband bill. He knows someone
who linked their house with their business premises by Wi-Fi, but says they
lose the connection when it rains!

BPL is set to cost only about as much as DSL and maybe nothing to install.
Some people would go for it just because they don't have a spare 600 bucks
to buy and set up a satellite system. I would almost be tempted if it
wasn't for ham radio. Cable Internet is $55/mo here. That includes $15/mo
for basic cable TV, whether you want it or not. DSL is $35/mo. I am sure
that some people would try BPL instead, as it doesn't need extra wires or
Wi-Fi.

73 de Alun, N3KIP