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Difference between revisions of "Internet"
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| Raw Bandwidth || ADSL2 in 4months, but Ethernet over Copper work around avil || 3 or 5 symmetric || $360 or $475 / mo. || Yes | | Raw Bandwidth || ADSL2 in 4months, but Ethernet over Copper work around avil || 3 or 5 symmetric || $360 or $475 / mo. || Yes | ||
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== Internet options for Oakland residents == | |||
Relevant email thread starting Nov. 23, 2013, with some good info: [http://lists.sudoroom.org/pipermail/sudo-discuss/2013-November/004670.html] | |||
=== DSL === | |||
* DSL is a digital Internet signal transmitted over an ordinary phone line. It's typically faster than dialup, and it uses the line in a way that allows simultaneous use of the phone. | |||
* The phone lines in Oakland are owned by AT&T, and you can buy DSL service (called "UVerse") through '''AT&T'''. | |||
* Other Internet Service Providers also sell DSL service over those same lines; you can get this service without any direct business relationship with AT&T. | |||
* '''Sonic.net''' is one such service. DSL plus phone costs a little under $50/month (including taxes, equipment rental, etc.) | |||
* The quality and length of the phone line between your house and the [[wikipedia:Class 5 telephone switch|telephone exchange's central office]] will dramatically affect the speed you can expect. In parts of West Oakland (and elsewhere?) the lines are very poor. On poor lines, you might get speeds like 3 MBit downstream, and 1 MBit upstream -- enough for a video stream like Netflix or a video call like Skype, but not enough to do multiple high-bandwidth tasks at the same time. | |||
=== Cable === | |||
* '''Comcast''' is the cable TV provider for (all of?) Oakland. You can get Internet service through their lines. There are several speed categories; all are faster than DSL. Comcast offers many different packages; typically you will have to get cable TV and/or phone service along with your Internet connection. Many of their plans require a 1 or 2 year contract, which you will probably not be able to get out of if you move or change providers. | |||
=== WiMAX/other wireless === | |||
* Many cell phone providers now offer home Internet service that may be competitive with the options above. For instance, '''[http://shop.sprint.com/mysprint/shop/plan/plan_wall.jsp?tabId=pt_data_plans_tab&flow=AAL&planFamilyType=null Sprint]''' has plans as low as $35/month. | |||
* '''[[http://Monkeybrains.net MonkeyBrains]''': Currently available in San Francisco only. (Not sure about the note above, though?) | |||
=== Building-specific === | |||
* '''[http://www.webpass.net/ WebPass]''' offers ''very'' fast Internet (100 Mbps) for $50/month, but it is only available in apartment buildings that have made an arrangement with WebPass. If you live in an apartment building, use their web site to check if your building has WebPass. | |||
=== Mesh === | |||
* Some Sudo people are currently (fall 2013) trying to establish a "mesh" network that would allow you to make wireless network connections to your neighbors, and perhaps the Internet or other services. This is an aspiration, but will hopefully become a reality soon. See the wiki page '''[[mesh]]''' for techy details, or the more public-facing site: | |||
* '''[https://peoplesopen.net peoplesopen.net]''' | |||
=== Dialup === | |||
* Dialup Internet used to be the only common way to get online. Your modem allows your computer to "talk" over your phone line to the Internet. You can't use the phone for voice calls while you are online. The speeds are very slow compared to all other options listed here. | |||