Shoot me.
I'm sitting in a cafe with a $4 coffee that I can't afford so that I can access my world. My work, my hobbies, my social interactions all happen on the internet.
And apparently, I went over my satellite usage limit. Which means my internet is down until my 30 day usage drops below a certain nebulous level.
I called to explore the options of having DSL turned on, and tomorrow is supposed to be the day.
I'm skeptical.
The big city closest to my house is BFE, and we've been down this road before. BFE's zip code and phone number match my house's, so the service system shows that we can receive the service. Then, when they flip the switch - nothing happens.
and I'm relegated to satellite internet and it's obnoxious limitations forever.
In honesty, it's a reluctant monopoly that the satellite companies have over the rural US. They know that the internet is sub-par, interrupted, unreliable, and slow.
They advertise that they're connecting rural residents to the rest of the cyber-world...but only sorta.
I'm in the sidecar of technology. Riding along getting where I need to go, but not comfortably or in control.
The fact that I am paying $70/month and unable to do my WORK that PAYS for the INTERNET is what burns my ass.
Yes, I understand the limit. They want to keep the "signal" available fairly for all users according to their Fair Access Policy. Unless I want to pay to upgrade. Then I get a bigger piece of the "fair" pie.
Of course, I can't afford to throw more money at bills - even if I will get reimbursed for it.
So, for now, you'll find me overly caffeinated, twitching at the interrupted public wifi, and watching people walk and talk in the cafe. Yes, I'm supposed to be working...but it's distracting.
Again, shoot me.
3 comments:
so sorry, that truly does suk! But hey, how's the coffee?
I couldn't get anything where I live either, so we got WildBlue. It was a 2 year contract at $70/month which we cancelled way early last November in favor of Verizon Wireless Broadband for the same price.
Beware though, They claimed we didn't ship their crap back quickly enough, and automatically vacuumed close to $400 out of our account right before Christmas, which was returned, you know, in February or something, once they were done "processing" it.
If you need me, I'll help you fight against them with badassery. We'll mob their offices with our too-big pick-up trucks and shoot down their satellites with our array of rifles.
Elizabeth - the coffee is beyond fantastic (and gone).
KYA - I am hoping that they come get their shit or I'll send it down the creek. Luckily, my company will help cover costs - but I may need pickup/shotgun support. Stand by.
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