That's why I'm upgrading myself off of AT&T and on to a modern provider.
I read that as "on to a modem provider". That might be the way to go.
AT&T won't upgrade millions of DSL users to fiber despite billions in subsidies
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Re: AT&T won't upgrade millions of DSL users to fiber despite billions in subsidies
#32My first thought is "ok well then give the cash to a company that is actually willing to do it". IMO Starlink would be the best option for these rural areas, simply based off the fact that they have a track record of providing broadband to very rural areas + they don't have to run any fiber to connect a new location. Starlink is very expensive though which is where I would expect a govt subsidy to step in and bring t…
This seems like a terrible idea. Satellite internet doesn't just cost money; having all those satellites in orbit have real non-monetary costs. They have a huge impact on astronomy, and they increase the probability of accidents which cause space debris.
Fair point though I would make a counterargument that with or without those subsidies, those satellites are still going up to space so wouldn't it be better to offer the service to as many folks as possible so that the most people get the benefit of satellites and we while we wouldn't offset the costs of putting sats up in space, at least we can offset the per-capita cost.
Re: AT&T won't upgrade millions of DSL users to fiber despite billions in subsidies
#33Earlier quoted context omitted.
This seems like a terrible idea. Satellite internet doesn't just cost money; having all those satellites in orbit have real non-monetary costs. They have a huge impact on astronomy, and they increase the probability of accidents which cause space debris.
Except the satellites are already up and functioning, the service is available today. We will look crazy for burying thousands of miles of wires to residential in the future.
Except we won't, because the satellites are wildly over congested and wires are, frankly, far more reliable.
Re: AT&T won't upgrade millions of DSL users to fiber despite billions in subsidies
#34My first thought is "ok well then give the cash to a company that is actually willing to do it". IMO Starlink would be the best option for these rural areas, simply based off the fact that they have a track record of providing broadband to very rural areas + they don't have to run any fiber to connect a new location. Starlink is very expensive though which is where I would expect a govt subsidy to step in and bring t…
Does Musk need more government charity? He's made a lot off begging, we can see whether he puts more restrictions on companies that are non-viable without government handouts but considering most of his haven't been, I can't imagine it.
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Re: AT&T won't upgrade millions of DSL users to fiber despite billions in subsidies
#35They ran fiber down the street connecting to the street my grandparents are on, but didn’t go down theirs. But of course they’ll gladly charge more for “up to” 50mbit when it’s only 25 on a good day. They’re all criminal.
Re: AT&T won't upgrade millions of DSL users to fiber despite billions in subsidies
#36[deleted]
Re: AT&T won't upgrade millions of DSL users to fiber despite billions in subsidies
#37My first thought is "ok well then give the cash to a company that is actually willing to do it". IMO Starlink would be the best option for these rural areas, simply based off the fact that they have a track record of providing broadband to very rural areas + they don't have to run any fiber to connect a new location. Starlink is very expensive though which is where I would expect a govt subsidy to step in and bring t…
The rural broadband subsidies would work much better if they were not available to large ISPs. The scaling effects of last mile internet installations are basically negligible.
For instance, a neighborhood of a few hundred houses in the mountains outside of Silicon Valley started their own fiber to the home ISP. It cost something like $10K per house to wire it up and monthly payments are much lower than starlink.
We need more of that. If some small rural ISPs decide they are better off expanding than getting subsidies, that’s fine. Stop paying future subsidies.
Re: AT&T won't upgrade millions of DSL users to fiber despite billions in subsidies
#38I gave up on waiting. I live in Silicon Valley, and was stuck with a 50Mbps DSL line from AT&T. Insane.
Internet connection is a personal top priority when choosing a residence. Why haven’t you moved?
A usable Internet connection is important. I certainly wouldn't move because I "only" had a reliable 50mbps connection. That's about what I have (not in Bay Area) and don't really have a complaint.
Re: AT&T won't upgrade millions of DSL users to fiber despite billions in subsidies
#39And they got their incoming president who will run the country like a business and let them carry on doing nothing.
Re: AT&T won't upgrade millions of DSL users to fiber despite billions in subsidies
#40I gave up on waiting. I live in Silicon Valley, and was stuck with a 50Mbps DSL line from AT&T. Insane.
Internet connection is a personal top priority when choosing a residence. Why haven’t you moved?
Because moving out of the bay area, even with shit internet, is extraordinarily stupid if you work in tech.