DSL Recommendations

iluvbrooklyn

I'm about to move into a situation where I will only need to provide an internet connection (preferably DSL) for my apartment. The thing is I've not had a land phone line in about 8 years (which was in Manhattan), so I feel very out of the loop when it comes to dealing with phone companies. Are there options, or am I stuck with one provider, like cable TV? Are there different packages to choose from?

I realize this is probably a very basic question, but does anyone have the time to give me a little tutorial so I can make a good decision?

Thanks!

booklaw

If you scroll down the list of threads a bit you'll find a recent discussion entitled "best internet provider..." which discusses, among others, speakeasy.net dsl and verizon dsl. If you do a search of the board I'm pretty sure you'll find other discussions on related topics.

booklaw

If you scroll down the list of threads a bit you'll find a recent discussiin entitled "best internet provider..." which discusses, among others, speakeasy.net dsl and verizon dsl. If you do a search of the board I'm pretty sure you'll find other discussions on related topics.

squindar

Subject: Re: DSL Recommendations

iluvbrooklyn wrote:

internet connection (preferably DSL) for my apartment. The thing is I've not had a land phone line in about 8 years (which was in Manhattan), so I feel

If you want DSL w/out a landline phone line, the industry term is "naked DSL". Speakeasy.net starts at about $50/month for that. Verizon has naked DSL starting at $20, according to their website (look for "DSL - No Verizon home phone", and you'll have to click a few "show other options" links, because they don't feature it)

For me, the attractions to Speakeasy are a) their support people are tech-savvy, so if you have a service issue, you don't get somebody reading from a script who's step #3 is "reinstall windows", b) it has been very reliable for me, with very limited downtime and c) they specifically allow me to run servers on the line.

But, for a typical residential user I'm not sure it's worth the extra cost over Verizon DSL. I did just check the verizon DSL site's prices and they laughably provide for a premium tier of tech support at additional cost: $15/month!

brooklynjack

I have been very happy with Verizon tech support for my DSL and now since I got a Verizon router/model all in one box I have one stop shopping and no "check with you router manufacturer"

veets

We had speakeasy dsl for many years and because of the service we needed it was not that rock bottom price of $50. At the time we switched to cable I think we were paying $78 a month. Speakeasy was reliable and the few times I needed some techincal intervention they were great.

iluvbrooklyn

And if the apartment is already wired for a phone connection do I have a choice between Speakeasy and Verizon? Or do I have to have them come in individually to wire themselves into the apartment? I"m really going for cheap and reliable since I'll only be using to get onto the internet when I'm home - nothing serious.

brooklynjack

you will have your choice of many many ISPs, cloud9.net is another one. they all go over the same copper wire to the Verizon Central Office. The difference is in the number of lines multiplexed together and how they get out to the internet from the Verizon CO.

hitokiri

mind you, it doesnt matter what isp you use so much since they all "rent" the phone lines which verizon pretty much owns.


if you must use a telephone based broadband service, try fios from verizon. (if its available)

DSL is so outdated in terms of speed. Cable is 50x better

brooklynjack

hitokiri wrote: DSL is so outdated in terms of speed. Cable is 50x better

Experientialy I disagree with you. I don't feel a difference between my DSL and the TW Cable I used to have.

bluemagoo

Checkout dslreports.com for lots of good broadband info.

I would forget about getting DSL & look into either a cable company broadband connection or Verizon FIOS.

toadette

I have to say my TW cable is pretty slow. I have Road Runner Standard (step up from RR Basic, supposed to get "up to" 10 Mbps).



This is an average to better test result for me. Note it was run at an off-peak time.

Just signed up for Verizon's higher tier of DSL - 3Mbps. We'll see how it goes.

booklaw

I also have Road Runner Standard, and just (at 11:52 AM) tested my speed. It is considerably better than Toadette's:
8.94 Mb/s download, .49 Mb/s upload.

bluemagoo

FWIW, my test results on my laptop using in house wireless router & cable modem via Cablevision's Optimum Online service in the Old Mill Basin section (11234):

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toadette

Color me very jealous. Just ran another test, same result. Crazy that your speeds are 10x mine!

booklaw

If memory serves, the speed of a cable connection will vary according to the number of modems drawing upon the particular cable. It may be that Old Mill Basin has lower density of use than Park Slope.