Directv vs. Dishnetwork

[MossRoad]

Here, you can get a cable modem without being a cable tv subscriber, except that cable modems aren't available in my area yet. They just ran a large trunk cable down the street several weeks ago, so it is coming. Cable modem prices here are 39.00 per month if you rent their modem, 29.00 per month if you have your own. DSL is not available in Indiana by the major phone company because of some deal where they agreed to upgrade the rural phone systems several years ago and have not, so the state won't let them install DSL until they fulfill that promise. Now they are arguing that they want to do it all in one fell swoop. Yeah right. The major metropolitan areas will get it first and the rural users will never get it because by the time they get around to it, some other technogy will be out that they will want to upgrade to.

<font color=green> MossRoad </font color=green>

 

[Jeff396]

I'll have to check on the DSL thing but I have a feeling it isn't available here. (My wife takes care of most of the high tech stuff). As far as getting both basic cable and direct tv.....ouch!!! I had everything you could get on direct tv and I think I was paying $89.99 plus the $39.99 for the cable modem plus the cost of the basic cable which I would think has to be at least $20.00.

Jeff

 

[Jeff396]

I didn't think of asking and noone offered that there might be a lower rate if I provided my own modem. I'll have to look into that. Thanks!!

Jeff

 

[DVerbarg]

Are any of you using, or know someone who is using, the two-way satellite links for internet access? Dish has Star-Band and Direct-TV has Direct-Way. I live in a rural enough area that my only options are dial-up, one-way satellite, and two-way satellite. I occasionally do work from home (couple evenings a week dialed in) and work is willing to foot the bill. Just looking for any experience.

DaveV

 

[Jeff396]

I had heard that they are slower than a dial up line so I didn't look any further into it.

Jeff

 

[Bird]

I periodically do a little searching on the Internet for satellite service; still don't have it; just this old slow dial up connection, but StarBand sure looks the best to me (everything except the cost, that is)./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif I'll be interested in hearing from some of our more knowledgeable members on this topic myself.

 

[TerryinMD]

Both Direct TV and Dishnetwork are providing some type of satellite service for networking.

The current Direct TV service is satellite to you and modem back to the ISP. Their two-way service is months late and I do not know what the current status may be.

Starband is a weird marriage between Dishnetwork and Guilliat (sp?). They have had their startup problems too. The two way service give you something near 500kpbs from the satellite and 128kbps up to the satellite. The norm is something in between.

Either solution is expensive.

DSL - it is being offered in most metro areas (meaning dense population centers). The baby-Bells have killed this service. The current regulations allow for colocation - meaning Covad can place equipment into a baby-Bell central office (telephone switching office). Well guess what, baby-Bells have been dragging their feet in allowing the Colocation to happen. Have you noticed that most of the DSL vendors have gone belly-up. Guess why!!! They were getting the orders but could not fullfill. With DSL you need the phone lines and CO access to be successful to do the crossconnects. Also, with DSL, the capability exists to have internet, voice, long distance, and multimedia thru one access point. This technology exists.... but is being stiffled by the lack of competition.

Ack.... off of my soapbox.

Here's my recommendation.

1. If you have access to DSL, get it. Way cool!!
2. Satellite dish (f the cable companies - excuse my french)
3. cable modem - last resort (once everyone finds out in your neighborhood - network congestion hell)
4. good ol' analog modem.

Terry

 

[Bird]

<font color=blue>The current Direct TV service is satellite to you and modem back to the ISP. Their two-way service is months late and I do not know what the current status may be.</font color=blue>

Terry, that's why I said StarBand looked best; however, I just now checked their web site and DirecPC claims to now have two way (no phone lines) service currently available. I may have to check into it again soon.

 

[TerryinMD]

Well - it's about time!!!

/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Terry

 

[Bird]

Yep, now if they'd get the price down right . . ../w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif