Broadband updates (haves vs. have-nots)
JWN readers might remember my lament here last July about the "digitial divide" in Central Virginia (and beyond) between those who can get broadband and those who cannot.
Alas, I'm still stuck with Wildblue Satellite. It's better than dial-up, when it works, and when it's not raining. Embarq's DSL is still about 900 yards to my east and 1200 yards to my west.
Comcast has bought up the bankrupt Adelphia cable/broadband assets. When I called them, a representative (sitting at a computer in Toronto) assured me I could now get Comcast - but that was six months ago.
Meanwhile, progressive states like Oregon and Vermont are moving ahead with creative initiatives to bring broadband to their entire populations. But here in vuhGinyah, well, gosh, why would governmnent of, by and for something other than the people want to interfere in the miraculous chaos of the free market?
That's not quite fair. Our "radical" experiment here with Broadband Over Powerline via our electric "cooperative"continues its four year tradition of going nowhere fast. In January, CVEC blamed the company providing the technology (IBEC) which in turn blamed the latest delays on a lowly chip company (DS2). With an alleged "line noise" problem solved, we were instructed to watch for a March update. Of course, it's now April. If past pattern holds, we'll see a new message shamelessly appear in about July, with yet another drumroll announcement to watch that space for a "full roll-out" by Christmas. Not. Even if we get it, the announced speeds for BPL (256 mbs) are half what I now limp along with via Satellite.
A solution!?
At long last, however, those of us on the wong side of the digital divide may have a solution, one oh so fitting for the frustrating *$%#^* that we've endured. It's an amazingly simple, ecologically friendly, and almost "free" solution: Google's TiSP DSL service, just announced on Sunday. If you haven't read about this already, check it out.
That's funny. Someone at Google must have had too much free time.
From the Google TiSP site:
In-Commode Package Delivery
With professional installation service, you can also have your Google Checkout purchases delivered directly through the sewage network into your bathroom. Each package comes pre-sealed in a watertight and nanobot-resistant bag made of biodegradable corn-based plastic. For a limited time, TiSP subscribers who sign up for a Checkout account will receive free bathroom delivery on their first ten Checkout purchases.
Of course if you've got a septic system you're probably S.O.L. :)
Oh Helena!
This is an April Fool's Joke!
Seriously Scott, you might investigate wireless ISPs in the area. ATXL I think offers service near you.
Why thank you Vadim. Alas, I tried wireless via ntellos, but apparently with their wireless broadband (via Microwave?), you need to have line-of-sight to the service's towers.... (on Carters' Mountain) And here in Albemarle County, we have lots and lots of tall trees. (usually, that's a "good thing")
I would have mentioned these odd ball details too, but didn't want to lose readers before the punch line.... :-}
Yet your atxl link is interesting - I'm impressed. Perhaps they're using cellular radio connections. But their monthly prices appear in the stratosphere:
http://www.atxl.net/2002/plans/plans_home.asp
Perhaps these prices will come down - especially as Nextel rolls out its wireless broadband options....
And as for Google's TiSP, in case anybody's still wondering, yup, we have our own septic tank. But I had heard the google whiz kids were working on linking local "system" via ground water transmission lines. Hah!