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To: Annette who wrote (26757)	7/24/1999 10:22:00 PM
From: puborectalis	Respond to of 41369

GTE cuts price of high-speed Internet link by Peter Lewis Seattle Times business reporter Broadband enthusiasts who live in GTE territory - that includes Kirkland, Redmond, Richmond Beach and all of Snohomish County, among other places - have something to smile about: The race to provide fast Internet service to Western Washington is heating up. GTE this week announced it will sweeten its digital-subscriber-line (DSL) service by offering faster Internet access for less money. DSL, introduced in this region last summer, runs over standard telephone lines. It allows "voice over data," meaning users can connect to the Internet at the same time they talk on the same phone. Even the slowest DSL speeds, at 256 kilobits per second (kbps), are about five times faster than the fastest dial-up modems, which can move data at the rate of 56 kbps. Also, DSL connections are constant, meaning there is no need to dial in or to worry about busy signals. GTE's newest DSL package, called Bronze Plus, includes Internet access provided by GTE.net at speeds up to 768 kbps, for $49.95 a month, with no limit on the amount of data that can be transferred. (The breakdown is $32.50 for the DSL service and $17.45 for Internet access). Formerly, the cheapest DSL package available from GTE cost $60 a month at speeds of up to 256k. Consumers do not have to buy GTE's Internet access, however, and a number of independent Internet service providers have teamed up with GTE, as they have with US West. Only GTE telephone customers can get GTE's DSL, and only US West customers can get US West's. To receive DSL, users must live within two to three miles of a central office that supports the service. Even then, only 55 percent to 60 percent of customers will qualify because of line "noise." Installation, equipment and set-up fees can cost up to $300. GTE spokesman Bill Kula acknowledged that the sweeter deal was driven in part by competition from cable-modem providers such as AT&T and TCI's @home service, which offers high-speed Internet access in Seattle and Mercer Island. US West also recently lowered its package rates for full-blown DSL service. In addition, it recently introduced a "part-time" DSL/ISP package for $37.90 a month for a dial-up form of DSL. Copyright © 1999 Seattle Times Company