Internet Access and the Black Community

[TheEpitome1920]

I recently moved to the south side of the city. As I am an internet junkie I am trying to find a DSL provider. How come I cannot find a single company that provides DSL in this area? Is that just a coincidence or is there something bigger at work here?

[reddawn18]

I think its something bigger. Its like NY. I live in the Bronx and for years the city part could not get DSL but the country part could. Now that the city part can get it, the prices is outlandish! Girl, good luck. If you have satelite capability like DirecTV, you can have (so I am told) the same internet experience as DSL or broadband.

[mccoyred]

Don't do it! In my quest to cut the (coaxial) cable, I researched DirectTV's broadband service. You either plunk out $500 up front then pay $49.99 per month OR pay $99 per month forever.

Comcast DSL is $29.95/ computer start up costs then approx $54.95 per month....Verizon DSL is approx $39.95 per month with no set up charges.

Originally posted by reddawn18
I think its something bigger. Its like NY. I live in the Bronx and for years the city part could not get DSL but the country part could. Now that the city part can get it, the prices is outlandish! Girl, good luck. If you have satelite capability like DirecTV, you can have (so I am told) the same internet experience as DSL or broadband.

Also, if you live near a 'gentrified' area, you may get DSL sooner than you think...its MARKETING folx.

[reddawn18]

Originally posted by mccoyred
Don't do it! In my quest to cut the (coaxial) cable, I researched DirectTV's broadband service. You either plunk out $500 up front then pay $49.99 per month OR pay $99 per month forever.

Comcast DSL is $29.95/ computer start up costs then approx $54.95 per month....Verizon DSL is approx $39.95 per month with no set up charges.

Now, I didn't know that. All I know I already have the service for the TV. They never told me that I had to plunk down 500 beans for a start up.

[Sistermadly]

I used to work for a DSL provider, and the main reason why you can't get DSL in your area has to do with the proximity of your home to something called a "switch" - a major routing station that directs traffic for all of the phone exchanges in your area. Also, if the switching hub in your area is old, or your home doesn't have fiber optic phone lines, you won't get DSL in your area.

Cable internet is fine - in many instances, it's faster and more reliable than DSL. I'd look into that as an option.

[Jill1228]

They are jacking the price up on DSL in my area so we are gonna switch to cable

Originally posted by Sistermadly
I used to work for a DSL provider, and the main reason why you can't get DSL in your area has to do with the proximity of your home to something called a "switch" - a major routing station that directs traffic for all of the phone exchanges in your area. Also, if the switching hub in your area is old, or your home doesn't have fiber optic phone lines, you won't get DSL in your area.

Cable internet is fine - in many instances, it's faster and more reliable than DSL. I'd look into that as an option.

[ms_gwyn]

I live in what many perceive to the be 'hood (aka the wood) and I have DSL....maybe it has something to do with what Sistermadly has written??????