The Web: Dialup not as dead as disco, yet

UPI ^ | UPI

[2Jim_Brown]

CHICAGO, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Is dialup Internet access, so to say, as dead as disco? Or does it still have a few smooth moves left? The conventional wisdom is that broadband is overtaking good old modems as the preferred access choice of online consumers. But analysts tell United Press International's The Web the situation may not be as simple as portrayed by some broadband enthusiasts.

One of Europe's leading telecom providers, France Telecom, recently reported that it would not meet anticipated 2005 revenue projections and expressed caution about investments in next-generation broadband technologies, including FTTH and VDSL2.By Gene Koprowski

[2Jim_Brown]

Broadband's situation may not be as simple as portrayed by broadband enthusiasts.

[2banana]

I like dial up -- quick enough for me to get email but slow enough to keep hackers out.

[TexasCajun]

I got an old Black & White television if you are interested? :)

[Red Badger]

Dial-up isn't getting any faster. There hasn't been an appreciable speed increase in ten years. It has not evolved and gotten better. It is stagnant and will die an ignoble death.......

[SlowBoat407]

Bandwidth is civilization!

[CFC__VRWC]

I live out in the sticks. My choices are dialup at 22 bucks a month, or sattelite at sixty bucks a month, after I shell out six hundred for the equipment. Until that changes, I'm sticking with my dialup.

[al baby]

I got a muntz 8 track that still works Il tose it your way

[Revolting cat!]

[Paradox]

I'd be unable to download all my PrOn and wArEz without broadband. I mean, what is the internet for?

[capt. norm]

Broadband is the future regardless of whether the road to that future is bumpy or smooth.

It is inevitable that superior technology will eventually replace older inefficient technology.

[Izzy Dunne]

I got an old Black & White television if you are interested

I might be interested in that - I liked the old B&W shows - my TV shows nothing but crap.

;->

[GrandEagle]

Depends on what you use it for. Dial-up can be gotten for 1$10.00-$15.00/month. My broadband is nearing $50.00.
If all i did was surf FR, Emails, and a little shopping it would be great for me.
Unfortunately, due to work, I need broadband.
I know several folks who use dial up.

Cordially,
GE

[sandbar]

I live so far out in the country, dial up is my only choice.

[Turbopilot]

I've had a broadband connection of some form or another continually since 1998. In fact, this post is coming via my secure wi-fi router into my 4mbps cable connection. I consider broadband as indispensable as...well, my cell phone. I can understand why people may not feel compelled to switch from dial-up, but I really can't fathom anyone who has had broadband access ever going back to dial-up.

[wita]

There are some other options. Skyway and WildBlue come to mind. If you don't have to download anything to speak of, dialup is much cheaper, but time is money and downloading is not fun on dialup. You should be able to cut your dialup costs in half with a number of options. Intergate.com is just one of many.

[JamesP81]

I guess that since I do software development on the side, I need broadband, especially for the DB stuff I do over networks.

But the truth is that having a ping of 50ms in HL2 and FEAR is awesome.

[palmer]

no cable? Then use satellite, or get someone to start a WISP.

[WakeUpAndVote]

Wasn't the same said about stand alone fax machines?

Every security or fire alarm system that I have delt with uses two analog lines. One to dial out with and one for a tech to dial on. No, it will not get any faster. No one can change that. But a 26k connection is all you need on a command line.

One day analog will die out, but it will not be any time soon.

[JimSEA]

I just returned from Thailand where dial up is all I had. Here in USA dsl reduces my level of irritation vastly. No contest.

[HEY4QDEMS]

I live so far out in the country, dial up is my only choice.

The last company I worked for had to keep one modem on the mail server because one of our sales associates in Canada lives up in northern Ontario.

No broadband, no cable, no cell phone signal. I actually think she's better off.