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General discussion

DSL not available to me... anyone have suggestions?

Dec 26, 2004 2:34PM PST

I moved last month and just found out (after 4 weeks of waiting for an answer) that DSL isn't available in my new location... Since dial-up is way too slow, can anyone help me understand my other options? I've heard a lot of people are going wireless, but I don't know anything about how to do that or if it's safe to do with just my regular firewall and virus protection.

Thank you!

Discussion is locked

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DWAY
Dec 26, 2004 5:54PM PST

Well you could try Directpc.. Go here>> http://www.hns.getdway.com/ It cost a little more but is an alternative if you have a clear view of the southern sky..

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I have Starband satellite
Dec 26, 2004 7:07PM PST

and Earthlink also offers satellite modem service.

I live on top of a remote mountain top.....my town has cable, but the houses where I am are acres and acres apart so dsl and cable are far too costly to reasonably expect we would ever be offered that service.

Very old telephone lines strung throughout here was the only option using dial up until two-way satellite service was finally offered (one way had been around for quite a while)about four years ago. I was one of the first in Virginia to have it installed. My dish is actually a dual dish.....part of the dish received the tv signal and the other part receives the modem signal, so no matter which service I may decide to turn off for a while (or permanently), I still have the other part of the dish operational. This eliminated my having to have two dishes on the property.

If you go satellite modem, a word to the wise....have the dish mounted on a pole near the house in the ground rather than have it mounted to your roof or the side of your house. In the winter, snow will accumulate on it, and you want to be able to reach it to brush it off with a broom in order to regain the signal. If it's on a roof or the side of a house up high, you won't have access.

TONI

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Check cable?
Dec 26, 2004 7:05PM PST

If you can't get DSL then more than likely no "wireless" for you too. You need to be close to a "hot spot" for wireless action and that usually means being close to where alot of people live or condense. Possibile close to a university, etc. but even then are you allowed to use any open (unsecure)facilities. You should look into cable or satelite availiability, but costly, very much so. I live in a rural area and only dail-up is available here, nothing else is worth the expense for me at this time. Google for "broadband" altenatives using that as a keyword.

Feliz Neuvo Ano Happy -----Willy

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DSL not available to me
Dec 27, 2004 5:17AM PST

I was an earthlink customer and they couldn't offer me DSL or Cable. I was however able to get DSL thru
http://www.acn.net check them out rates are pretty good.
For Example:
ACN Advantage DSL Internet Access - $29.50 a month.
Choose this plan for an incredibly low monthly rate that allows casual users to enjoy web surfing, online shopping, home banking, chatting and downloading at a new pace! This budget-friendly plan is great for the single computer.

Now through December 31, 2004, new customers who select the Advantage DSL Internet Access plan will also receive a $99 modem rebate.