Re: Phone companies, sheesh

I agree that it doesn't make much sense to buy satellite from a reseller instead of directly from the satellite provider.

However, there are reasons to choose DSL over cable for Internet, especially if you are using satellite for TV. As far as I have heard, cable will only give you a single dynamic IP address; and it's a violation of the terms of service to run any servers. Furthermore, you have to share the cable bandwidth with other subscribers, and if you are perceived to be using too much bandwidth the cable company will cut you off for a year.

DSL is effectively a dedicated private line to your ISP. You pay the phone company for a fixed bandwidth which is dedicated to you (and you alone). The details such as running servers, static vs. dynamic IP addresses, blocks of IP addresses, etc. are between you and your ISP; the phone company has nothing to say in the matter.

That level of freedom is worth it.

The phone company, which actually controls and owns my pipe, is reduced to nothing more than a pipe provider to my ISP. I like keeping them that way. They have no control my IP layer or anything higher (including my DNS, web, SMTP,...).

The phone company is not my ISP. I declined that "service", and use an independent ISP. My ISP sells me a static /29 netblock, and routes to it. They also run my DNS server as a freebie, but I could yank that authority at any time (I choose not to because they do a fine job of it). I'm contractually obligated to my ISP not to be a spammer or to do illegal stuff (they don't want to get blacklisted!). Other than that, what goes on my Internet link is my business.

I certainly pay a premium for this; but when I hear about the crap that people who have Comcast go through, I wouldn't consider giving it up.

-- Mark --

http://panda.com/mrc
Democracy is two wolves and a sheep deciding what to eat for lunch.
Liberty is a well-armed sheep contesting the vote.
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Satellite high speed and P2P.
    ... offered a high speed satellite solution. ... Is this blocked by the ISP ... Have you considered setting up a wireless mesh network through a chain ...
    (comp.sys.mac.comm)
  • Re: Satellite high speed and P2P.
    ... offered a high speed satellite solution. ... Is this blocked by the ISP or is there some kind of firewall in the modem I'm using? ... Have you considered setting up a wireless mesh network through a chain ...
    (comp.sys.mac.comm)
  • Re: Can anyone explain .........
    ... actual fiber is a common carrier and just like the phone company, ... trying to stream another video feed at the same time. ... be around for very long unless they are using your ISP or paying ... media content you are paying to access from a 3rd party who ...
    (alt.home.repair)
  • Re: The Screw is tightening:Illegal downloaders face UK ban
    ... I have no idea of the price, but there are satellite downlinks ... telephone uplink ties you to a UK ISP and so it doesn't help for the ... civil service interview trick. ...
    (uk.legal)
  • Re: Is there a free ISP for testing a modem
    ... Although I pay them a premium price for their service, their support ... I still think it's my ISP, and they will never admit to being ... twice to see what speeds I get. ... cheaper than the phone company wants to test my line. ...
    (alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt)