[ale] Cablemodem problems, considering DSL

[Lane Oden]

On Jan 20, 2008 9:33 PM, Ken Cochran <kwc at theworld.com> wrote:

> Summary, 2 questions:
>
> 1.  What's wrong with my cablemodem Internet service?
>
> 2.  Would the better choice for DSL be ATT/Bellsouth or HiWaay?
>

1. I don't know. And I'm not going to try and authoritatively make up an
answer for you. My Charter service is generally solid in my area. The only
issues I've had have been due to defective CPE gear. A few years ago, I
lived in one of Charter's smaller markets and had some periodic service
issues.

2. Regardless of which option you choose for bandwidth, you're looking at
ATT copper. HiWAAY has pretty good customer service and provides reliable
Internet service in my area. Granted, I live in Birmingham and not in ATL.


> Any idea(s) what's going on?
>
> Until recently, my only broadband option has been cable; DSL has
> recently become available here and I'm considering switching but
> the only providers I'm aware of who service this area are AT&T
> (formerly Bellsouth) and HiWaay.  Speedfactory & Speakeasy don't
> serve here.  Any ALErs with HiWaay experience(s)?  Looks like my
> only option for any kind of reliable Internet service is going to
> have to be DSL (or dialup - even that works more reliably than
> cable but my max dialup speed is 28800).  Not much choice here.
> Bellsouth is cheaper but I think HiWaay has Alabama-local
> customer service/support (I plan to investigate further).  I'm
> aware of the problem(s) list members here have with ATT (e.g.
> port blocking, warrantless wiretapping, etc); what of HiWaay?
>

I personally know some of the team at HiWAAY. Last I checked, their basic
philosophy was that it's their job to provide Internet access and that's
that. I'm sure that, in compliance with laws, they'll provide whatever
records they are court ordered to provide. And like I said. It's all ATT
copper, so there are no guarantees that ATT can't provide the FBI with the
information they're looking for anyway. When in doubt, tunnel sensitive
traffic.

I grew up in Huntsville where HiWAAY got started and have lived in
Birmingham for a couple years now. They do have Alabama-local support.


HTH,

Lane
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