[TriLUG] I need a really fast Internet connection at the Outer Banks.

[Aaron S. Joyner]

Greg Brown wrote:

> Does anyone have a connection with something around a 100 meg burst rate?
> If so, and if you don't mind me asking, what does a connection like that
> even cost?  How on Earth did you order it in the first place?
>
> I'm getting beyond my "just call up cable company x and get another cable
> modem" out there so it's time to start planning and thinking big
> (bandwidth).
>
> Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Greg

You're going to need to contract with a commercial bandwidth provider, 
someone like TWTC (Time Warner TeleComm) or BellSouth.  BellSouth Metro 
Ethernet probably isn't an option, but it's a reasonably inexpensive way 
to go when you're talking 100Mb/s range.  These pipes are not cheap, 
expect costs to be, frankly, out of your budget.  Then again, it never 
hurts to ask.  Ask about provisioning a DS3 (45Mb/s) or OC3 (155Mb/s), 
that'll get you to the right department and probably speaking with 
people who will, unfortunately, talk a language filled with words you 
won't understand at first (google is your friend).  Don't be too 
surprised by costs in the 5-digit range, both as an installation and 
monthly charge.  Longer term commitments on the line will get you lower 
costs on the installation and the monthly costs.  If you can't figure 
out who to talk to, shoot me an email off-list and I'll get you some 
contacts for TWTC and BellSouth.  Don't neglect to look for other cable 
of phone providers in your area, but I wouldn't expect too much on the 
outer banks (not a lot of fiber there, I suspect).

Aaron S. Joyner