[Cialug] [Slightly OT] High-speed DSL availability in DSM metro

[Dave Weis]

I think there might be some confusion as to what it actually costs to do the FTTN upgrades/installs. We (Internet Solver) have done similar projects but not on the same scale as Qwest obviously. From what we have seen, just the equipment in the box on the side of the road is $10k+, then add in the labor to set the pedestal, bring the fiber to the area, etc, it's easily $30k on up. Cities are divided up into distribution areas which usually have 100-200 homes in them. You need to install a box like this in each distribution area. There is also the problem of right of way, getting permission to install the box, getting permits, getting power, etc. After you get all of this outside work done, you need to aggregate all of the fiber and route the traffic. I've seen some of the equipment that has been installed to support this and it's absolutely massive and brutally expensive.

dave



--
Dave Weis
515-224-9229
djweis at internetsolver.com
http://www.internetsolver.com/
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________________________________
From: cialug-bounces at cialug.org [mailto:cialug-bounces at cialug.org] On Behalf Of PAUL COWLEY
Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 1:37 PM
To: cialug at cialug.org
Subject: Re: [Cialug] [Slightly OT] High-speed DSL availability in DSM metro

Qwest FINALLY executed on their plans to bring FTTN in my neighborhood in Ames over the past couple of months... as well as a change from ADSL to VDSL.  However, this was after at least two years of telling other potential customers (my next-door neighbors!) that DSL wasn't available in the area at any cost.  I can only assume this was due to lack of available ports in the DSLAM.

That said, I've submitted an order to upgrade from 1.5Mbps to 12Mbps (the top speed they're offering), due to install next Monday.  I'm not complaining about 12Mbps, but it's a far cry from the 40Mbps they're advertising... even with brand-new fiber and VDSL equipment - all in a new neighborhood with (presumably) good enough quality copper to the home to support the higher speeds.

What I don't quite understand is why Qwest seems so unwilling to make ANY investment into their infrastructure, even in core areas where the payoff should be relatively fast.



Paul
KB7VML

> From: bofh at visi.com
> To: cialug at cialug.org
> Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2011 13:19:31 -0600
> Subject: Re: [Cialug] [Slightly OT] High-speed DSL availability in DSM metro
>
> I just called Qwest, and received the runaround again:
> "With the New Year, they're looking at upgrades, but we
> don't know where or when".  As I told them, I dislike
> Mediacom (left them due to the outages), but I'm about
> ready to leave Qwest--and will drop the voice line.
>
> Seems like everyplace I go outside the Des Moines metro
> area has no problem with getting high-speed (7 Mb/s+)
> connections--metros and rural areas alike. Des Moines has
> become an even worse technology backwater than it was.
>
>
> On Wed, 19 Jan 2011 12:53:09 -0600
> jrnosee <jrnosee at gmail.com> wrote:
> > I concur. I live on the border of Waukee and Clive/Urbandale. Every time I check it says I'm only able to get a 1.5 > connection.  (Although I have gotten some reports that it may be due to no open 7mbps+ ports free on our
> > DSLAM?!).
> >
> > I REALLY want to drop Mediacom. We loose our connection or most of our bandwidth on cable at the drop of a
> > hat. I got home Monday night to .9mbps downstream. 0.9!!!!! on a 12mbps connection! Does anyone know any
> > outdoor cable monkeys for mediacom? They were supposed to come put a new line in for us MONTHS ago and
> > never did. They just keep sending the indoor guys who scratch their (butts) heads and say "well, it's fine
> > right now."
> >
> > Seriously... Any takers? $20 on that being the outcome of yet ANOTHER mediacom appointment I've got
> > tomorrow morning.
> >
> > At least they dropped my price for all the hassle I've had.
>
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