Internet options in century link and comcast dead zone

[Lena]

Hi all,

I didn’t realize it before but there are internet dead zones in the city which none of the cable internet companies serve (no wires laid). I happen to have just both a building in one of them down by White Center.

There is a slight chance Comcast will run a cable to us (if it costs them less than $3500 to do so). None of the other companies will even talk about it.

We are exploding the option of piggybacking off of someone else’s internet nearby.

However if none of the above works we will have to go with a 4G or satellite option for internet. Horrible to have to pay per usable for a business but may be our only choice.

Does anyone have any experience with these companies using them for internet for a business or home?

Thanks!

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[trickycoolj]

HughesNet has been sending me tons of fliers, it appears that my new construction address in High Point has made the “or current resident” list finally. Maybe see if they have any deals for the area. Clearwire seems like the next feasible option, last I checked with them they have a 30 day trial window to make sure their service signal is strong enough for your location. But as far as speed goes, I would definitely keep trying to press on the Comcast avenue, and definitely fill out the City’s cable survey that’s totally unacceptable that there are places without wired connections in an urban area.

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[CarolM]

We moved into our Sodo business where broadband (Comcast) was not available (and wouldn’t even talk to us about getting service). Our other options were dsl which was very expensive. We found a company called Cascadelink. It is Wimax (?) connection through cell towers(don’t quote me on this technical jargon) – all I know it that is is awesome. We have our internet and phone service through Cascadelink and have been super happy with it. Great customer service and they are local – so you actually talk to a person when you call them. We have had very few issues and they literaly work immediately on them when they do arise. Once there was a tech here before I even got off of the phone with the office! Not sure if they are available in your area but they do business and residential and I know that their areas of service are growing. Check out their website http://www.cascadelink.com

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[Lena]

I just contacted Cascadelink CarolM. Thank you for that connection and hoping they may come out to the far reaches of West Seattle.

I have hear one positive thing about HughesNet and a bunch of negative. If we have to go with someone like them Clearwire does seem a better choice.

Keeping fingers crossed for Cascadelink or that Comcast comes through.

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[clark5080]

I could be wrong but I think Cascade Link uses clears network

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[Ken]

Nope Cascade link uses its own microwave links and relays around town. They have line of sight requirements but are far more flexible than comcast and have already added several buildings in SODO to their mainly downtown (so far at the time) buildings “on net”. I have volunteered a while back to host a relay if they want to jump to WS, but I have no idea what there current footprint is. The service I know of in sodo has an excellent QOS 20 meg synchronous link which beats the crap out of comcast for upload speed used in off site and cloud storage.

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[Ken]

Lena: Roll your own wireless is also an option if you can locate a dsl or comcast customer within line of sight of your building.( or rent a small space in a building that can get either installed) I supplied fairly high speed internet to several of my neighbors several years ago by using off the shelf 802.11 hardware and directional antennas in trees and in upper story windows.

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[Lena]

No on the Cascadelink, really nice folks but we are not in line of sight to them. Ken, we are going to do very similar to what you suggest but with off the shelf point to point links to someone who is a little further away but up on top of a hill so have line of sight . Luckily my husband is tech savvy. Just ordering all the supplies to do it over this weekend. If somehow it doesn’t work we will find someone closer that we can share a connection with. Comcast is a block away so don’t have to go too far. Still may get Comcast to lay a line for us – they still haven’t decided.

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[ernieusafret]

Century link uses the telephone landline for Internet. If you have a landline or access to a telephone box, you should be able to get dsl.

The only exception that I can think of is if you have VERY old copper running to the building.

Check with your neighbors to see what they are using.

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[Adam]

Ernie,

We’ve had CenturyLink and MegaPath out to try to provide DSL – while we can get voice service, they can’t provide DSL because the copper loop length is too long.

Comcast is having difficulty, because there is no utility pole near enough for us.

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