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=== Cable === | === 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. | * '''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. | ||
=== Fiber optic === | |||
* Fiber optic based Internet is outrageously fast. In Oakland it seems to only be available as a business service, not residential. See '''[http://sunstreamnetworks.com/internet/ Sunstream]''', '''[http://www.fastmetrics.com/fiber-optic-internet-availability-map.php#.Urnl_WRDvPc FastMetrics]''', and '''[http://lmi.net LMi]'''. | |||
=== WiMAX/other wireless === | === WiMAX/other wireless === | ||
* '''[http://www.lmi.net/services/high-speed-wireless LMI offers point-to-point wireless]''' service, which involves installing an antenna on your rooftop. You need a line-of-sight to either the Berkeley Hills or Sausalito. Setup cost is high because of the installation (over $300) and 6 Mbps down/3 Mbps up costs about $55/month. | |||
* 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. (You also may be able to "tether" your existing cell phone, providing Internet service to your laptop, without even signing up for a new plan; this can be really useful as a temporary measure, but is probably not practical for everyday use!) | * 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. (You also may be able to "tether" your existing cell phone, providing Internet service to your laptop, without even signing up for a new plan; this can be really useful as a temporary measure, but is probably not practical for everyday use!) | ||
* '''[http://Monkeybrains.net MonkeyBrains]''': Currently available in San Francisco only. (Not sure about the note above, though -- perhaps it is coming to Oakland??) | * '''[http://Monkeybrains.net MonkeyBrains]''': Currently available in San Francisco only. (Not sure about the note above, though -- perhaps it is coming to Oakland??) | ||