DSL

[Robert Dinse <nanook@eskimo.com>]

     There are several people with pending DSL orders and others thinking about
DSL, and I wanted you all to be aware of something that is happening.

     Covad is re-working their offering, as far as I know now this only
involves the "Consumer Class" services.  But basically, the circuit speeds are
being increased significantly (almost doubled) for I believe the same amount of
money. 

     But we are having a difficult time getting information right now. 
Circuits that intially qualified at the old speeds have changed, and we're
trying to straighten this mess out now. 

     I apologize to those of you whose order was delayed, but the end result
should be more speed for the same money. 

     Some numbers that have been casually tossed around sound as if overall
pricing may have come down too, but web site hasn't been updated and I haven't
been able to get the new pricing info except for very casual mention of a few
items that I can't take as official without some confirmation. 

     We are also considering connecting to GTE/US West.  It is, in my opinion
technically inferior, although I understand now GTE is offering CIR's on thier
DSL circuits (Committed Information Rate, basically they guarantee that at
least this CIR thruput will be available).  No such guarantee from US West yet
(and I don't expect one, except maybe after QWest/Duetch Telephone gets done
with them), but a lot of people have made it clear to me that pricing is
everything so I'm looking into this possibility again.  Our router equipment
here is capable of both ATM and Frame Relay so we have the capability of
talking to either network.