DSL on the islands!

[codeman671]

Fairpoint now offers DSL to island customers in the vicinity of Cattle Landing or Harilla Landing. I was informed about it when I called to turn my phone service back on for the season. The install was done today. No more Hughesnet latency or ridiculous pricing. They have added roughly 16 islands between the two areas to the service.

[jrc]

Can you leave your wifi open, so I can connect when anchored by Timber Island?

[fatlazyless]

Fairway now has a bright and colorfull DSL sign that's attached to the telephone pole close to the Cattle Landing staircase that announces their DSL service, so it looks like Fairway wants to be selling DSL to the islanders.

And, as everyone knows, DSL stands for Direct iSLand service or DSL!

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by jrc

Can you leave your wifi open, so I can connect when anchored by Timber Island?

I doubt my router will reach over the hill but you are welcome to try

[jrc]

Actually I just signed up for the tether plan for my Verizon Blackberry, I'm anxious to see how it works at the marina and at the anchorage.

[Dog's Ear]

We have had DSL on Whortleberry Island for several years and it is fantastic!

[fatlazyless]

Bear, Mark, Mink, Dolly, Penny, Jolly, Birch, Steamboat, Rock, Palmer & Little Pine Islands are on the Fair Point DSL sign that's posted at the Cattle Landing town dock.

Island living.....all year around....after the divorce....day-trading every .25-point of WMT.....on high speed DSL.....all year around....what possibilities!

[Little Bear]

Just had Fairpoint install DSL at my island house on Little Bear. It's lightning fast and comes with a wireless router. Lightyears ahead of my Verizon air card that keeps disconnecting.

[fatlazyless]

If you don't mind me asking, how much is the monthly charge and installation charge? Also, could someone with a laptop in a boat nearby be able to syrupticiously use your wireless connection?

[patman]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Also, could someone with a laptop in a boat nearby be able to syrupticiously use your wireless connection?

It's definitely possible for the signal to travel far enough, think along the lines of a cordless phone. On the other hand, it's very easy to encrypt and/or restrict access to the wifi access point...again, similar to cordless phones. Is it 100% secure? No, but it will keep all but the hardcore intruders away.

[Little Bear]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

If you don't mind me asking, how much is the monthly charge and installation charge? Also, could someone with a laptop in a boat nearby be able to syrupticiously use your wireless connection?

It's about $30.00/month (half of what I pay for the air card). The network is also encrypted, so nobody else can tap in.

[cowisl]

Does anyone have this service installed? Any issues? Looking to get it for Cow Island Thanks

[Little Bear]

Originally Posted by cowisl

Does anyone have this service installed? Any issues? Looking to get it for Cow Island Thanks

See post #8. I had it installed last week - it's excellent.

[cowisl]

Called today and they cant find an address? Any ideas?

[Barney Bear]

We have MetroCast cable service at East Bear Island. After one full year, we went on a seasonal program. Just call and have service started or stopped. We have FairPoint for our telephone service. We do not have internet service, but it is avaiable.

[cowisl]

Anyone that has Fairpoint - did you give the Harilla address? They are having a hard time locating us. THanks

[rick35]

DSL on Bear sounds great as I'm fed up with another summer of poor Verizon reception on my tethered blackberry. Our Directv contract expires in May and we're weighing tv/internet options including Metrocast. Are there seasonal provisions with Fairpoint?

[dog paw]

Originally Posted by patman

It's definitely possible for the signal to travel far enough, think along the lines of a cordless phone. On the other hand, it's very easy to encrypt and/or restrict access to the wifi access point...again, similar to cordless phones. Is it 100% secure? No, but it will keep all but the hardcore intruders away.

Might just be me, but the "N" wireless routers seem to have a much greater range than my old "G" We can pick up the one in our showroom across the street. WEP encryption keeps out the riff raff

Good (and bad) to see internet get out to you guys. DSL works fine for me, nice and cheap

[Bear Islander]

Originally Posted by rick35

DSL on Bear sounds great as I'm fed up with another summer of poor Verizon reception on my tethered blackberry. Our Directv contract expires in May and we're weighing tv/internet options including Metrocast. Are there seasonal provisions with Fairpoint?

Fairpoint requires a 1 year commitment just like Metrocast does. Then you can go seasonal.

Fairpoint's cheapest DSL is only $20.99 a lot cheaper than Metrocast but you have to look carefully at the upload and download speeds when you compare.

I have 5 Internet cameras so the upload speed is the most important consideration for me. For most people download is more important. If you are only doing email and some internet browsing the minimum is probably enough.

[jrc]

Just as a point of reference, I have Fairpoint dsl in Hollis. The 800kbps download speed is a little too slow for any streaming video. Hulu, Youtube or netflix really don't work. It's ok for a couple minutes of novelty video but you can't watch a movie.

[codeman671]

I contacted Fairpoint today to restart my seasonal service. They notified me that the lines have been upgraded again, they are now offering 15mb per second as a $10 add on over the 7mb standard package.

[trfour]

Originally Posted by codeman671

I contacted Fairpoint today to restart my seasonal service. They notified me that the lines have been upgraded again, they are now offering 15mb per second as a $10 add on over the 7mb standard package.

I suppose that the days are gone when Companies were happy to have customers, and would upgrade for them (at No Charge). Today however, too many of them have jumped over to the 'speculator contingency' that projects higher prices for us all just to make more money!

In short, tell us something codeman671, did you bite? In my view, 'FairPoint should have been providing you with a 15mb per second, in the first place! And I would also check that out on a test!

Terry
trfour
_________________________________________

[geordie]

There is a lot of difference between different wireless routers. Ten years ago a wireless router would hardly provide access for a whole house, a modern AP like a Motorola 7131 could do a couple of streets. Outdoors they will work line of sight to over 3000 feet. I used to test them.

If you actually want to keep people out you need to use WPA2. WEP was broken years ago and can now be cracked trivially (the teen next door with a few hours and some interest). Even WPA2 can be cracked if you use a short pass phrase, like a simple word. So for serious security use a long non-english pass phrase with WPA2.

[no-engine]

Several days ago, Fairpoint internet was OUT from Meredith to Plymouth, no specific reason. Also out for three consecutive days a month ago. I know people who complain and subtract a prorated amount. For example, Aubachons, Meredith had no internet.
Therefore, don't be so fast to phrase them.

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by trfour

I suppose that the days are gone when Companies were happy to have customers, and would upgrade for them (at No Charge). Today however, too many of them have jumped over to the 'speculator contingency' that projects higher prices for us all just to make more money!

In short, tell us something codeman671, did you bite? In my view, 'FairPoint should have been providing you with a 15mb per second, in the first place! And I would also check that out on a test!

Terry
trfour
_________________________________________

They offered it free for 30 days. I didn't bite. Even what I have now is so much better than my hughesnet was. If we actually move to the island for the summer which is still in discussion, I may make the jump. For weekend use only I am fine with what I have now.

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by no-engine

Several days ago, Fairpoint internet was OUT from Meredith to Plymouth, no specific reason. Also out for three consecutive days a month ago. I know people who complain and subtract a prorated amount. For example, Aubachons, Meredith had no internet.
Therefore, don't be so fast to phrase them.

I am not praising them, but its better and a lot cheaper than satellite, not to mention unless we go cellular it is the only other option available.

Last month everyone had issues due to that train accident in jersey. It affected cell, land lines and data. In Milton where my office is we have been having a metrocast hiccup daily. None of them are perfect.

[no-engine]

Oh yes I understand about Metrocast.

Their only bundle is three: telephone, internet and TV. Businesses don't necessarily want TV, so the prices are high. Only other option for business seems to be Fairpoint.

[jazzman]

Oddly, I found out that Diamond Island has wired phone service (but no electricity)... The box on the side of the house said Verizon, so I assume Fairpoint must provide the service now. I don't think there are any Diamond Islanders on this forum, but does anyone know if DSL is available?

[steve-on-mark]

Originally Posted by codeman671

I am not praising them, but its better and a lot cheaper than satellite, not to mention unless we go cellular it is the only other option available.

Last month everyone had issues due to that train accident in jersey. It affected cell, land lines and data. In Milton where my office is we have been having a metrocast hiccup daily. None of them are perfect.

And having the Fairpoint DSL is much more convenient than my step-son having to run a 100 foot extension cord out into the woods so his laptop could be within range of your router!

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by steve-on-mark

And having the Fairpoint DSL is much more convenient than my step-son having to run a 100 foot extension cord out into the woods so his laptop could be within range of your router!

Had he been wearing a different shade of camo he may have gone unnoticed... Granted as soon as I looked at the router history and saw internet searches for albino parakeets and dogs *#+%ing on the island I would have know who it had to be...

[steve-on-mark]

Originally Posted by codeman671

Had he been wearing a different shade of camo he may have gone unnoticed... Granted as soon as I looked at the router history and saw internet searches for albino parakeets and dogs *#+%ing on the island I would have know who it had to be...

it's not the parakeet and dog websites I worry about with HIM!

[steve-on-mark]

Originally Posted by steve-on-mark

it's not the parakeet and dog websites I worry about with HIM!

oh, and as an FYI... I saw him packing for the lake...black turtleneck, black wool hat, and a grappling hook.... keep your outside lights on this weekend...

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by steve-on-mark

it's not the parakeet and dog websites I worry about with HIM!

I bet Bella felt otherwise!

[steve-on-mark]

Originally Posted by codeman671

I bet Bella felt otherwise!

maybe... she doesn't have to worry anymore though... Niki's bark is a little higher these days!

[jazzman]

Man, I'm getting sick of finding the perfect island home... Does anyone know if there is DSL on Big Barn Door?

Both Verizon and AT&T show poor data coverage there and I of course forgot to look while out there today.

[NoBozo]

Originally Posted by jazzman

Man, I'm getting sick of finding the perfect island home... Does anyone know if there is DSL on Big Barn Door?

Both Verizon and AT&T show poor data coverage there and I of course forgot to look while out there today.

SO: The PERFECT Island Home depends on DSL...?? I guess I missed something. I thought the Lake was to get away from all the day to day distractions.......?? NB

PS: Sometimes you have to speak up.

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

I thought the Lake was to get away from all the day to day distractions.......

Perhaps for you it is. And perhaps others seek different criteria in choosing their "perfect" spot.

My job allows me a lot of work from home flexibility. But, in order to do that I need a decent Internet connection.

Better Internet == More days at the lake (at least for me).

All other things being equal, the place with the better Internet connection wins.

You might feel otherwise, that's fine.

[jazzman]

Yea, I'm a work at home type... No need to interact with people, just computers in far awayplaces. With good internet I can probably pretty much live on an island from may through september. No good internet and it's a weekend place.