Internet Access (Atlanta: cost, land, deal)

[mistersocks]

I'm setting up internet access for my parents. They're here about 1 week out of every month, so they just need the basics. I'm probably going to go with AT&T, as they have a $20/mo. plan that doesn't require a voice line. I gather that Comcast is the only other game in town, correct? Just thought I'd put it out there in case there's something I'm overlooking.

[atlantagreg30127]

While there are smaller companies and alternatives out there, yeah, pretty much in terms of short term and CHEAP, AT&T standard speed DSL will be the way to go.

Here's a little known cheaper AT&T factoid, that may not apply to you since it does require a phone service, but it's worth reading about:

AT&T launches $10 DSL it hopes no one signs up for
. Clark Howard talked about it too, but you'll have to sift through his site to find it: clarkhoward.com: Save more, spend less and avoid rip-offs

[mistersocks]

Thanks, Greg. For the $20 deal with no land line, you can't sign up on the internet, it has to be by phone. For the $10 deal, I bet they make you send a telegram or possibly smoke signals. Can't wait for a little more competition in this area. Verizon, are you listening?

[atlantagreg30127]

They are going to be experimenting with a service in Atlanta soon (if it hasn't already started limitedly) where you'll be able to get wireless internet via a small 'dish' type device you'd put on your house, and then either hard wire it to your computers inside like dishTV, or use a wireless receiver to pick up the signal on your PC or your laptop's built-in card. Cell towers would be used to transmit the signal, but it's different somehow than what the cellular companies and dish companies are offering. But it's a while before it rolls out and I'm sure it'll cost more than $20 a month.