🚀 go-pugleaf

I contacted GTE and all the affiliated DSL providers for the Plano TX area
this week. I don't know how this compares to other markets around the
country.

Here are the results:
DSL line from GTE (Does not include ISP charges, all speeds are in
kilobits/second)
(GTE Service level: Max burst DL, Max burst UL, CIR, Cost/mo.)
Bronze: 256, 64, 10, $35
Silver: 384, 384, 32, $55
Gold: 768, 768, 64, $70
Platinum: 1544, 1544, 192, $100
Platinum Plus: 1544, 1544, 384, $230

CIR = Certified Information Rate. This is the "smoke and mirrors" factor of
xDSL service. CIR is the highest guaranteed sustained throughput in either
direction. Speeds above the quoted CIR are subject to available bandwidth
and prevailing network conditions. In other words, buying a 256/64kbps
connection only guarantees you 10kbps in either direction at any time.

The modem can be purchased from GTE for $300 or rented at $12/mo. ISP costs
are given below for each of the service levels shown above. Add these costs
to the line cost. (Basic service and common add-ons shown also).

August Internet: $23/$33/$53/$83/$93

ConnectNet: $25/$40/$60/$90/(Platinum plus not quoted)
- 1 static IP included
- 8 IP subnet (5 usable) adds $15/month
- *** Browser only service ***
- Absolutely no inbound connections of any kind are allowed. This is not a
misquote. I asked several probing questions about this. The sales rep
stated they have placed packet filters on their routers to reject all
inbound connections. Not even FTP will work on this service according to
their sales rep.

CyberRamp: $24/$34/$54/$84/(Platinum plus not quoted)
- 1 static IP included
- Annual pre-pay discounts are available
- 8 IP subnet (5 usable) adds $29/mo

DirectConnect: $23/$33/$53/$83/(Platinum plus not quoted)
- 17% discount is paid annually
- Service option costs $6/mo allows servers
- 8 IP subnet (5 usable) adds $15/mo, also gets 35MB of web space
- Virtual domain $25 set-up, $10/mo

GTE: $25/$44/$65/$110/(Platinum plus not quoted)

Waymark: $25/$35/$55/$85/$95
- 1 static IP included
- 8 IP subnet (5 usable) adds $15/mo.
- Virtual domain $99 set-up, $99/year.

Commentary:
Given the CIR's (these are set by GTE, not the ISP), only the two top
service levels guarantee bandwidth better than a 2B+D ISDN line. If you
need consistent bandwidth up to 128kbps, ISDN is still your better choice.
the local cost of 128kbps ISDN is $120/mo ($80 for line, $40 for ISP). It
is not until the Platinum service level ($100/mo for line, avg. $55/mo for
ISP) does the guaranteed bandwidth exceed that of ISDN. If your traffic is
"bursty" and constancy is not important, DSL or (better yet) cable modem
could be cost effective. For reliable throughput, buy ISDN.

One final comment. With a CIR of only 10kbps, the Bronze service level is
too low to be a real product. IMHO this should be dropped from their price
list completely. Even the Silver plan is marginal as it will give about the
same throughput as a 56kbps dial-up modem but at twice the cost (assuming
$30/mo telco and $20/mo ISP). The DSL connection will be far more stable
than dial-up. However, is it worth the cost?

Hope this helps. Enjoy!
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