4-Bob,
I was quoting the cable modem rates available here, but I don't actually have the service myself, although a number of my neighbors and associates do. The $39.95/month rate is for unlimited use, and everyone says the speed is "T-1 like". Myself, I'm using IBM Internet connection, which is $19.95/month unlimited use via dial-up. I have a USRX (3Com, now) X2 56k modem (IBM supports X2 56k service at almost all of their POPs (points of presence)). I am VERY happy with IBM, they have about as much service availability in the US as anyone, and outside the US probably more than anyone, the service is VERY highly rated (see PC Mag or the PC World reviews), but it's very basic -- absolutely pure, uncensored internet, but no proprietary content like AOL or CServe.
As to why I don't go cable modem, I haven't yet convinced myself I need to spend $40/month on any internet service, I don't want to change my E-Mail address, and I have a problem getting a cable line to the wall that my computer is on in my house. Also, my problem is not transmission speed -- if I look at my external modem (which has lights), my problem is that most of the time the RxD (receive data) light is not lit at all. Data that is not coming through doesn't come through any faster with a cable modem, ISDN line or satellite than with a dial up line. In other words, the problem is usually not my speed to the internet, but the speed of the server at the other end, and the Internet in the middle (long downloads being an occasional exception). |
