More access to high-speed Internet

A satellite company has begun offering high-speed Internet access across Wisconsin for as low as $49.95 per month.


WildBlue Communications Inc. offers 512 kilobytes per second download (to a computer) and 128 kbps upload (from a computer) for $49.95 monthly. That download speed is slower than most cable Internet, phone DSL (digital subscriber line), or wireless services but almost 10 times the fastest dial-up access.

That's significant because WildBlue's main target market is the millions of people who don't have access to other broadband services, said Brad Greenwald, vice president of sales and marketing for the Denver-based company.

"In Wisconsin there are huge pockets of folks who don't have access to cable modem and DSL," Greenwald said. "Most customers we're getting are on dial-up service. We're also an alternative for people who don't like their cable or phone company."

WildBlue offers two faster levels of broadband, with the top level at 1.5 megabytes per second download and 256 kbps upload for $79.95 per month.

"Businesses tend to go for the higher speed services and consumers tend to go for the lower priced services," Greenwald said.

WildBlue charges $299 for its equipment package, which includes a rooftop dish. Installation, normally $179.95, is being offered free through May 15.

WildBlue, a private firm whose largest shareholders include Liberty Media and the National Rural Telecom Co-op, technologically can offer service to anyone in the country who can host a receiver facing the southern sky. But it has been ramping up its marketing efforts by areas.

"We now have a good nexus of dealers and retailers in Wisconsin and are actively marketing in the area," Greenwald said.

To find a local dealer, go to www.wildblue.com or call 1-866-WILDBLUE.

WildBlue has no plans to get into the satellite TV business, but it would consider partnerships with satellite providers DirecTV or DISH Network, which use many of the same dealers, Greenwald said.

"We talk to those guys from time to time and there are good reasons why we might co-market our products," he said.

Greenwald said the company "essentially took the cable modem and adapted it to the satellite market," using relatively basic satellites.

"Our goal is to try to keep all the smarts


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U.S. Lags Behind in High-Speed Internet Access

The U.S. continues to lag behind rich nations in Europe and Asia in adopting high-speed Internet connections, a critical form of technological infrastructure, according to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The U.S. ranked 12th among industrialized nations, with 16.8 broadband subscribers per 100 inhabitants, as of December, the OECD said. Iceland overtook longtime leader South Korea for the top spot. Countries in Northern Europe filled seven of the ...


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Bedford Park to pay for high speed internet Access

Lots of companies tout the great deals they have on DSL Internet service, but Bedford Park has them all beat. The village has agreed to pick up the tab for any resident who wants digital subscriber line Internet access.

In a deal with AT&T, Bedford Park will pay all costs, including monthly access charges, for the company's AT&T Yahoo High Speed Internet. The telecommunications company said it's the first time a municipality has entered into such an agreement with AT&T, which formerly was SBC Communications.

AT&T Illinois representatives will be on hand Monday and Tuesday at the village hall on the 6700 block of Archer Ave. to sign up residents, said Virgil Pund, general manager of AT&T Illinois.

He said there are about 205 homes in the village.

Bedford Park officials approached AT&T about a year ago regarding Internet access, Pund said.

"The intent is to bring the technology to all residents," he said. "The village views this as a way to provide a service to families and residents of the community."

Pund said AT&T wouldn't disclose


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I Love High-Speed Internet

After five days without my cable modem (an inadvertent accident in the backyard that I won’t even try to explain), we’re cruising along at high speed again at the Bluey home. Being that I do most of my writing when I’m NOT at work, it’s been a difficult week getting much accomplished these past five weeknights.

It’s also taught me how much I’ve come to appreciate high-speed Internet. I can’t imagine going back to dial-up—this past week I was using my Verizon Broadband Access PC card, which is tantamount to dial-up.

I want to apologize to all of our readers who didn’t get their normal dose of content this week, especially on our Right Angle blog. Our team still produced a ton of great material, but you can call me a slacker for not posting as much. It’s nice to be back in business, firing on all cylinders again.


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