Can't get DSL. What to do?

[hhh8785]

I saw somebody posting about starband and it got me to want to post.

I called verizon and they said that the first test showed we could get dsl so we ordered it. then a few days later, we got a card from them telling us we couldn't get dsl. no explanation. just a no. so we called. they said no. just a no. then i emailed them and finally i got a reason why i couldn't get it (since i am well within the boundaries or their service) and it was because my line is run with 26 gauge wire. that made me pretty mad.

now i ask you: would they rewire my line for cheap or free? how long would it take?
if i can't get it rewired for some reason, what would you recommend that is broadband for me to investigate? ( i have aol and can't stand it, and yes, i'm ashamed of it, so i need something better) i looked into cable but can't get it here. i was wondering if their are any cheap satellite isp's who do residential stuff, and verizon told me about a new "g-lite" thing. anybody heard about this g-lite? verizon won't tell me anything about it. any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

[TechJumper]

The problem might even be with your lines. What has to happen for you to get DSL is the local (within 3 miles, EXACTLY) shop, has to be wired for it. go to www.verizon.com/dsl (http://www.verizon.com/dsl) and continuously click on your home to see if it is dsl ready. A big database sorts through the clicks and tallys the hits. If they see that your line is a heavily clicked place, they might speed up the process.

Best,

Michael Morelli
TechJumper

[jad1097]

http://www.direcpc.com should get you going with a dish but I am not sure about the price.



[This message has been edited by jad1097 (edited 11-02-2000).]

[KRAMER]

I believe that Starband used to be the "g-lite" or "Gilat-to-Home" your talking about, if I understand things correctly. From the site it seems due to be out in November. It sounds pretty cool since you receive and "transmit" with the dish. DirectPC used a phone line to transmit data, which is why I never considered it as a choice. Supposedly Radio Shacks are going to sell this product, so contact your local Radio Shack and ask them about it. My only worry is that inclement or overcast weather might cause problems. Read about it at www.starband.com. (http://www.starband.com.)

[Axel]

if you get cable - you might ask about a cable modem and go that route until DSL is available to you.

Actually - I can promise you they won't re-wire your house for free - don't get mad at Verizon - this is something your home-builder/contractor did to you..... not Verizon - if it is in-fact a wire size issue.

The only possibility I can see is if you have something called inside wire maintenance on your telephone service. - Then, there's a small chance they might do the wiring for you. This is something which would show up itemized on your monthly bill.

Otherwise - there are independant telephone contractors out there who will re-wire your house for telephone service - but they aren't cheap.

[Axel]

My above post assumes that this is an inside wiring issue. If the wire size problem is out on the pole ( extremely doubtful - pole wiring is pretty standard nation-wide ) you are out of luck for now.

But don't lose heart - you placing that request indicates to Verizon that you want to buy something they sell. The bean counters will eventually get around to upgrading the pole wiring to "open the market" in your neighborhood. See if you can get your neighbors to place similar requests and see what happens. As Verizon is currently recovering from a merger - this might take some time.

[This message has been edited by Axel (edited 11-03-2000).]

[voogru]

I have the starband so you can email me anytime about questions.

Heres some pics of the dish
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-voogru

[This message has been edited by voogru (edited 11-03-2000).]

[This message has been edited by voogru (edited 11-04-2000).]

[wyvrn]

Is there a wireless (microwave) internet company where you live?

[hhh8785]

Well I know there is at least one satellite internet company around here, but i don't know if they do residential internet, and it is too expensive. since i can't get dsl yet, i am trying to find any cable companies who can hook me up to them, but i haven't found any. at&t @ home isn't here yet. i've looked around and haven't found any other companies who will do it here.

as for why i can't get dsl, yes it is a telephone line problem on the poles. they told me it is because i have 26 gauge wire. my friend told me that most places are run with 24 i think. they said to get dsl with 26 gauge i need to be within 9000 feet of them, and i am like 12000 feet from them. if verizon can't get it to me, would like internet america or another dsl company be able to get me dsl?

also, if you have any other ideas on what i could get, i need something that can be shared between three or four computers.

does anyone know anything about isdn? verizon's site was very vague about it, at least from what i read.

[Joel Kleppinger]

hhh, you don't want ISDN... or at least you don't want to pay for it. In my area, it is about $200/month for unlimited access. What you want to lobby your phone company for is ISDL. It is ISDN speeds over a DSL line at the DSL price... and can go out for miles from the phone switch.

[hhh8785]

i've never heard of this ISDL. if my phone company (gte/verizon) can't get me DSL, how could they get me ISDL? and i don't know that they do ISDL. their site doesn't have any info on it as far as i know. and how much does ISDL cost? any more information on this ISDL would be greatly appreciated.

[desmocat]

IDSL can go farther out because the bit rate is only about 128Kbps. The reason it can go out the extra distance is the lower bit rate must take into account the attenuation of the signal because of loop length/resistance/inductance and maybe a few other properties that might come into play that I don't know about. The providers sign you up for a guaranteed download rate depending on how much you want to shell out($$ wise) and the distance limitations pretty much guarantee that they can hold up their end of the bargain.
One of the reasons your line will get bounced is if you sign up for example,384Kbps service,and they do a test and find out your line is only capable of say 290Kbps they will not do it. This keeps them from getting hauled into court for not delivering the service level that they charge you for.

See if you can get them to do a loop qual and see what your line can handle,but as stated above, I bet you are good for IDSL,and 128Kbps aint too shabby,sure beats regular dial-up.. Mp

[wyvrn]

if verizon can't get it to me, would like internet america or another dsl company be able to get me dsl?

No. Verizon owns the phone lines, Internet America is just the ISP. You will have to use Verizon as your line provider regardless of who your ISP is, at least that is how it is here in Irving.