[TriLUG] local dsl

[Don Brady]

rpjday at mindspring.com wrote:

>  someone recently recommended speakeasy as an option for local
>dsl.  i checked out their web page, and it appears that even basic
>service is $90/month, as opposed to uniformly 
>
When you say uniformly,   you are likely referring to those ISP's that 
partner with BellSouth and use its DSL infrastructure.   These are 
BellSouth.Net, Earthlink/Mindspring, and Telocity/Directtv.    Those 
ISP's use BellSouth's DSL Multiplexors and ATM cloud.  I would say this 
was originally an inferior, consumer targeted service level.    It  has 
improved somewhat.  About 50% of your money goes to BellSouth when you 
use any of these.

Originally, it was not possible to get a static IP on the BellSouth DSL 
based services but now you can, only from Directtv/ Telocity.

Originally, Speakeasy was the best way to get a static ip.    They use 
Covad, which has its own DSLAM's etc. and pays BellSouth only for an 
unbundled local loop.

Most people in BellSouth territory  now use DirecttvDSL/ Telocity as the 
best way to get a single IP and 1500/256 speed ADSL.   As you say, it is 
cheaper.