🚀 go-pugleaf

I just recently learned about the CIR stuff... sounds similar to cable modem
limitations due to a lot of users using them at the same time. I did not
expect such a limitation to occur with ADSL. I guess an ADSL line will slow
down as more users in an area get ADSL as well.

The 10, 32, and 64 are pretty rediculously low in my opinion. 10 and 32 are
even less than most modems can do!

I'm definitely going to stick with my ISDN for a while longer. The CIR was
really disappointing to find out about.

Homebuilt LAN wrote in message <01be3fe6$e2d23ed0$0765af9d@richb-101>...
>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!
>--
>Homebuilt LAN - The Newsletter for the Networked Home User
>http://www.homebuilt-lan.com
>faq@homebuilt-lan.com
>
>