Internet and Phone Services in Bethel (Hope: how much, live, move)

[spleenificus]

Hello again,

Hope I am not posting too much- just really want to get as much information as possible before I move.

Can I get cable Internet in Bethel?
(Don't want cable tv at all...)
Who is the primary carrier and how much should I expect to pay?

Also, what about mobile phone service?
I have Nextel now but really don't have any expectations that it will work up there.
I will need to use long distance quite frequently and hope that will be included in the monthly fee.
Then again, I may be hoping to much.

Thanks for your time.

Best,
-Merlin

[Blueberry]

Sorry, I can't help you much.

I believe GCI just acquired all communication rights in the YK Delta, so phone and internet service will be through them unless you opt for satellite. I think cable internet is available. I have no idea what any of it costs. (Basic internet rates are around $40/mo for dial-up and $75 for broadband.)

Your contact at the hospital could probably answer these questions very quickly.

[spleenificus]

Thanks Blueberry,

I should'a thought of asking the hospital folks- they were very helpful.
Looks like I can get Internet and mobile phone service trough GCI, but I have to get cable tv as well if I want cable Internet.
I really am not much of a tv watcher, but if I must I must...

By the way, mobile phone with long distance included s $100 for 1200 monthly minutes through them, with nights and weekends at no charge.
Overall not too bad; much less than I expected.

This move is really beginning to look up.
Thanks again to all on this forum that have assisted me thusfar.

Best,
-Merlin

[Glitch]

The cable Internet access Blueberry is referring to is local only. Bethel is not connected to the Pacific fiber-optic land line. Which means that ALL phone and Internet communication must be through the satellite, and there is up to a 2 second lag. I have a client in Bethel with a cable Internet connection through GCI and performance is no better than 56Kbaud on the best days, and half that normally.

[spleenificus]

Glitch,

Thanks for the clarification on the issue.
Just the fact that there is Internet access there makes me feel better though.
Glad to know its limitations, as unfortunate as they may be.

Best,
-Merlin

[karlsch]

I recently moved from Bethel but lived there for 13 years.

I had cable internet WITHOUT cable TV. It wasn't superfast, but it was much, much faster than dialup. There was a monthly download limit, however - if you exceeded it, you had to pay extra.

DSL was also available with no download limit.

There is a very slight lag in telephone communications - nowhere near two seconds.

[spleenificus]

Karlsch,

Thanks a lot!
Good info to have, since I am pretty much an Internet addict.
Looks like I will be paying more than I expect.



Best,
-Merlin