This is a bunch of shit! My ISP is supporting Rockwell's technology. Read on if interested why.. I'm going to have to find new ISP!
DMCI announces it will be supporting 56K modem access, based on the Rockwell/Lucent Technologies K56Flex technology. We will be making this available initially in our Hillsdale facility within 45 days, and soon thereafter, in some but not all of our other facilities. We have no plans to support the US Robotics X2 technology. When a single, universal 56K standard exists, we will support it as soon as practical.
We encourage you to read through the following sections for more information, and to give us some feedback on your plans to upgrade to 56K modem speeds by filling out our brief 56K Survey.
BACKGROUND ON 56K MODEMS
As many of you are aware, there are "56K" modems available on the market. This refers to a modem with a theoretical connection speed of 56,000 bits per second. Currently, DMCI supports speeds up to 33.6, or 33,600 bits per second. (for more information on what this means,ÿ go to PCWebopedia)
While 56K technology has existed for over a year, two competing "standards" have existed, one by a major modem manufacturer, U.S. Robotics and the other by a consortium of companies led by communication giants Rockwell and Lucent Technologies. US Robotic's technology is called X2 and Rockwell's technology is called K56Flex.
These two technologies are NOT compatible with each other. This has left you and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) with a choice between the two technologies. Because supporting 56K technology is particularly expensive for an ISP, we and most other ISP's have simply waited to see which technology might "win" or whether a true standard will develop. Selecting the wrong "standard" could be devestating, even fatal to an ISP.
In addition to the expense and uncertainties surrounding this issue, we have real concerns about the true speed of 56K access (typically between 41K and 43K) and the stability of the new technology.
BASIS OF DECISION
Yet, while neither has "won" and there is yet no single standard, it is clear to us that
A) agreement on a true 56K standard is many months, perhaps a year or more away
B) customers are eager for 56K speed
C) the Internet industry is based on open standards
D) proprietary technology rarely wins over competing open standards.
E) suppliers of critical Internet technologies are almost uniformly supporting the Rockwell/Lucent K56Flex technology
F) The diversity of K56Flex tools for ISPs are greater
G) Most K56Flex equipment may be upgraded to an eventual standard
56K ROLL OUT TIME FRAME
Initially, DMCI will support our Hillsdale facility with 56K access. We will use this as an opportunity to learn and master the technology, then extend 56K service to Jackson, Adrian and Angola, Indiana. We are investigating the possibilities of 56K service in Stockbridge, but do not yet have enough information from the phone company to make that decision.
DMCI will be performing internal testing the 3rd and 4th weeks of December. We will do limited beta-testing of the service the first few weeks in January. If all goes well, we plan on offering 56K access in Hillsdale towards the end of January.
We will be extending 56K to Jackson, Adrian and Angola within two months after Hillsdale access is established. Stockbridge may be upgraded if proper facilities exist at the phone company.
WHY NOT HAVE 56K IN ALL THE COMMUNITIES DMCI SERVICES?
There are significant technical and logistical hurdles that make it unlikely we will soon support 56K access in our other dialup points of Addison, Camden, Homer, Hudson or Litchfield. These hurdles primarily exist at the phone company level, not the ISP level.
In order to achieve 56K service, the connection may not pass through more than one digital to analog "switch" at the phone company. Most of the communities that won't get 56K access have either no switches, or require crossing multiple switches. This makes 56K access impossible.ÿ If and when these hurdles are removed, we will consider 56K access in these communities.
IN HILLSDALE, JACKSON, ADRIAN AND ANGOLA, WILL ALL CUSTOMERS RECEIVE 56K SERVICE?
Only customers who have requested 56K service will receive it, and only when local conditions support 56K speeds. Note the reasons 56K is not available in some of our communities. Even within Hillsdale, Jackson, Adrian and Angola, some customers must cross multiple digital to analog switches, or have poor quality phone lines. These may make 56K access either impossible, or slow.
Note we are not yet taking requests for 56K access.
56K ACCESS PRICING
56K access requires an ISP purchase new equipment, phone lines and additional bandwidth (i.e., the leased phone circuits that connect us to the Internet) This expense runs many thousands of dollars per site. Because of this, DMCI cannot offer 56K access for the same $17.95 monthly fee we currently charge. Pricing will be $19.95 a month for 56K access. Annual pricing plans are not yet determined. 56K customers will connect to a separate modem pool than 33.6 customers.
COEXISTENCE OF 33.6K ACCESS AND 56K ACCESS
Because not all customers have K56Flex modems, and because some customers want the lowest monthly fees for Internet, DMCI will maintain our normal service, as well as a new 56K service for an undetermined period of time. Eventually, all modems and hence all service in these facilities will be 56K service.
If you do not want to change your current service, you don't need to do anything.
When our 56K service is available, if you want it we will need a request from the account owner to change to 56K access and to change the monthly fees. 56K users will connect to a different pool of modems than 33.6 customers. Currently we do not have an application form on-line. We are not yet accepting requests for 56K service. We will notify you when this form is available.
WHAT IF I HAVE AN X2 (US ROBOTICS) 56K MODEM?
If you have a 56K modem based on the US Robotics X2 standard, you will NOT be able to connect to DMCI at 56K speeds. You will only connect at a maximum of 33.6 speeds and should stay with the standard $17.95 per month service. There will be a truly universal 56K standard within the next 6 to 12 months. When this standard exists, we will support it. At that time, you may upgrade your modem to support the standard and connect with our service at 56K.
INFORMATION GATHERING PHASE
We would like to target the number of users who want 56K access, with the proper amount of equipment. We want to ensure you do not receive busy signals when you connect to our service. At the same time, we do not want to waste resources by over-supplying our facilities.
We've created an on-line 56K feedback form. If you have an interest in 56K access, please fill out this form. This will help us ensure you receive the same excellent service you are accustomed to. |
