Re: Connect Kentucky is fooling everybody in http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r18480685 en Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:38:24 EDT Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:38:24 EDT Re: Connect Kentucky is fooling everybody http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19321260 batterup : 20/20 FIOS for sixty dollars, Ma knows best.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19321260 Thu, 25 Oct 2007 03:45:19 EDT Re: Get the Facts Straight http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19320315 cooljoebay : I am surprised to see this forum but not shocked. I initially fell for the inaccurate stats on the KYconnect website a year or so ago and now I realize that they are a farce.

95%?? Get real.

There's no way that that much of KY has broadband capability. I suspect that they are including satellite broadband. If that's the case then bring the figures way back down because dish internet is the worst next to dialup. Why? Because it's unreliable, most often gets knocked down to dialup speeds, lures you into a long term lease for A LOT OF MONEY. This service is a joke.

I emailed kyconnect and they offered me WildBlue. I laughed and sent back a rude response. I couldn't help myself. I told him that if he was as involved in knowing about broadband as I am, then he would understand the crappy ripoff scheming that is typical of satellite carriers, and that I wasn't interested in a crappy substitution for the REAL THING. He didn't reply back. Who cares.

Supposedly back in May there was a meeting in my county for bringing in a broadband company. I have yet to see any progress. Harrison county has always been super slow to bring anything good unless it's another fast food joint.

Oh well, I will probably have to resort to getting AT&T broadband for 60 a month but I'll be lucky to get three bars on a good day. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19320315 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 23:00:56 EDT Get the Facts Straight http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19015995 anon : These posts from Muni Wireless might help round out the facts of the other side of the story. ConnectKentucky has been very good for KY. The state had 60% coverage two years ago and now has 95% coverage - at an average speed of 1.5mbs according to the Speed Matters web site. And the ConnectKentucky maps show that ALL providers and technologies have been part of their model --> More below

Thursday, Aug 30, 2007 a 4:08 pm Drew says:
Correct me if I am wrong, but the Connect Kentucky initiative is not specifically a DSL model. It also encompasses wireless access from what I understand. I have had the opportunity to sit down and talk with someone who helped put the project together and there was never a mention of it strictly being DSL. If it was simply a DSL solution, there is no way that they would be able to get the coverage that they state they have.

So I have to disagree with this post on the merit that it is inaccurate, from what I understand about the project. If it was in fact only DSL, then I would see the issue, but since it is not, I can't agree with this topic.

Friday, Aug 31, 2007 a 6:25 am David Hemingway says:
There are some very valid comments in this article and comments but there are some initiatives ConnectKentucky is supporting outside the local incumbent telco and DSL. I happen to be very involved with one of these projects and neither DSL nor the local incumbent telcos are involved.

The firm for which I am employed, Digital Connections Inc., is in the process of deploying a wireless broadband system in an area of western Kentucky. This region is known as the Green River Area Development District. It consists of seven counties encompassing over 2,600 square miles. Broadband is available in several of the communities in this area and there is a substantial number of users outside this coverage area the have options of satellite or dialup. We are not an incumbent telco. DCI is deploying an entirely wireless infrastructure. This is partnership with Cinergy Communications who is providing the ISP services and the local county governments. While multiple options have been considered, wireless kept coming to the top of the list as far as covering these areas in an economically viable model. ConnectKentucky supported and assisted the GRADD personnel in working through the RFP, review and selection in awarding the RFP. ConnectKentucky’s, Brian Mefford, uses this example as an emerging model in some of his speaking engagements across the country. The addition of Chip Spann should also show their commitment to the wireless alternative to DSL. Mr. Spann successfully implemented a wireless broadband solution a few years ago in another part of Kentucky with a much tougher terrain than GRADD region.

I understand ConnectKentucky’s emphasis on DSL to start. The incumbent carriers have a commitment to their areas and have deeper pockets. It is usually easier and less riskier overall for the incumbent telcos to provide the service. But for some areas they have no desire to provide service because the payback is unachievable in an acceptable timeframe. To reach these areas government money will need to be spent to provide broadband service. The county governments in the GRADD region have stepped up to the plate and are making this commitment to its citizens. ConnectKentucky has done its best to get broadband deployed without costing the local governments any capital or operational monies. But in this case and sure to be more similar, government may be required to assist providers.

To reach these outside areas is where ConnectKentucky has been open to embrace alternative solutions. They openly supported the model GRADD is implementing from the beginning of their involvement. It should also be noted that an additional ConnectKentucky initiative is to educate the public on the applications that can benefit the areas such as e-commerce, etc. I don’t know wireless is a solution that would work in the mountains of eastern Kentucky but I am sure ConnectKentucky would look at any type of service to boost the broadband coverage. I also know they have investigated BPL services as well.

Bottom line, whether you agree with ConnectKentucky or not, they have companies like DCI and Cinergy Communications and local governments trying to put together solutions to provide broadband service to the unserved and / or underserved areas. Some may find a solution and some many not. This GRADD project would not have ever happened if ConnectKentucky had not spurred that interest.

Friday, Aug 31, 2007 a 6:36 am Kelly Griffin says:
Our company is currently working on a project initiative for ConnectKentucky in Western Kentucky. It is a seven county area that covers over 2600 square miles of urban, but mostly rural territory. Most of the residents of this project have but one choice for Internet access; dial-up. The scattered towns that boast DSL have but a shadow of a coverage map. The commercial customer is mostly the recipient of this opulent service.

We are covering this area with wireless broadband. We can deliver multi-megabit service to the people that have only dreamt about having broadband for their farms or children’s education. We can even deliver quality of service which guarantees the bandwidth needed for them to also have VoIP service to compete with or replace their existing land lines.

In all of our discussions with ConnectKentucky, there has never been the consideration of asking the Telco’s to push out DSL for these unserved or underserved patrons. If it had been a profitable model to do this, they would have already had it done. DSLAM’s are not cheap and their use is one that falls under much scrutiny from their respective finance departments.

ConnectKentucky has been the advocate for many a customer that would have absolutely no voice in the their state legislature or Telco’s board room. ConnectKentucky has stepped up and asked the private business and public entities to work together to solve this immediate problem. If you believe that ConnectKentucky is not the right procedure to grant broadband to those who don’t have it, you are probably sitting in a home or apartment that has several choices for broadband.

If you still think that ConnectKentucky is bringing forth a model of “snake oil” and “political agendas” then I ask but one simple question – what is your solution and have you presented it to your state legislature or county government? It is easy for one to point out a problem. It takes creative and generous acts for someone to provide solutions. I think ConnectKentucky should be recognized for its accomplishments. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19015995 Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:01:10 EDT Re: Connect Kentucky is fooling everybody http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18993941 chizetown : ConnectKentucky is the biggest joke I have seen for my area. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18993941 Sat, 01 Sep 2007 19:21:19 EDT Re: Connect Kentucky is fooling everybody http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18485363 jarad : You would think so. The company says that it won't be an issue, and they've already had engineers out and about in the county.

But like someone mentioned earlier, I'm not fully satisfied until I can hook up and start pulling bandwidth. :p
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jarad]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18485363 Mon, 11 Jun 2007 09:29:41 EDT Re: Connect Kentucky is fooling everybody http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18484549 Portmonkey : I also have family and friends in Eastern KY. They live in Harlan County in the old coal mining camps, and they just upgraded to broadband from dialup within the past five months. I didn't ask what the speeds were but did ask one person how things were different now with high speed, and all he said was that he spent most of his time playing World of Warcraft. :D
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Eating a steady diet of government cheese and livin in a van down by the river.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18484549 Mon, 11 Jun 2007 01:13:29 EDT Re: Connect Kentucky is fooling everybody http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18484387 batterup :
said by wilbilt See Profile :

said by cbraley See Profile :

My farm is 500 yards from the county border and I cannot get broadband because I'm in BellSouth territory while my neighbor enjoys broadband because the next county is in Verizon/Windstream territory. My closest CO is over ten miles for Bellsouth yet if I was able to get Windstream I'd be 2 miles from the CO.
Gotta love those LATA boundaries. I am served from a CO in a different county and in a different service area.
This means that when I make a call to the ZIP code that the USPS says I live in, it is long-distance. It's also in a different service area, so the rates are the same as calling another state.
LATA boundaries are arbitrary and capricious. They were setup with divestiture. What the OP is describing are ILEC boundaries. These came about over 100 years ago when a company setup shop in an area.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18484387 Mon, 11 Jun 2007 00:19:55 EDT Re: Connect Kentucky is fooling everybody http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18483782 wilbilt :
said by cbraley See Profile :

My farm is 500 yards from the county border and I cannot get broadband because I'm in BellSouth territory while my neighbor enjoys broadband because the next county is in Verizon/Windstream territory. My closest CO is over ten miles for Bellsouth yet if I was able to get Windstream I'd be 2 miles from the CO.
Gotta love those LATA boundaries. I am served from a CO in a different county and in a different service area.
This means that when I make a call to the ZIP code that the USPS says I live in, it is long-distance. It's also in a different service area, so the rates are the same as calling another state.
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We were taking a vote when the ground came up and hit us.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18483782 Sun, 10 Jun 2007 22:25:37 EDT Re: Connect Kentucky is fooling everybody http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18482460 cbraley : I can tell you for a fact that in Lincoln County Kentucky, you can only get broadband service in the two largest towns. While one county in any direction you can get broadband throughout the entire county. My farm is 500 yards from the county border and I cannot get broadband because I'm in BellSouth territory while my neighbor enjoys broadband because the next county is in Verizon/Windstream territory. My closest CO is over ten miles for Bellsouth yet if I was able to get Windstream I'd be 2 miles from the CO.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18482460 Sun, 10 Jun 2007 17:25:05 EDT Re: Connect Kentucky is fooling everybody http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18481156 evilt00l : In the Jackson area I assume your referring to the rural area around there for the wireless... aren't all the hills and valleys going to severly limit service speeds and availability?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18481156 Sun, 10 Jun 2007 11:44:51 EDT Re: Connect Kentucky is fooling everybody http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18480964 batterup :
said by jarad See Profile :

A wireless company is now interested in expanding into our county. ConnectKentucky was a big help in making some of this possible, so I have to give credit where it's due.
Hold the happy, happy, joy, joy dance until it is up and running. Until then keep your hand on your wallet.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18480964 Sun, 10 Jun 2007 10:56:23 EDT Re: Connect Kentucky is fooling everybody http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18480685 AJICQ499087 : There has been improvement in broadband coverage in Kentucky. Moving up from the bottom feeding States is very impressive! :)
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low cost and fast speed is what customers want in broadband]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18480685 Sun, 10 Jun 2007 09:26:37 EDT Re: Connect Kentucky is fooling everybody http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18480610 mdlthomas : At least somebody is doing it.."your" ISP would rather just take money from the locals. where is your infastructure, are you spending MILLIONS to roll out a copper/cable/fiber plant. I am betting not.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18480610 Sun, 10 Jun 2007 09:02:34 EDT Re: Connect Kentucky is fooling everybody http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18480453 lso1123 : I live in London KY I have the choice of Cable or Dsl I chose Dsl because of price. I live about 8 miles out of the city limits most of Laurel County has Broadband service. The county is split, in the South area Bell south and Newwave in the central Windstream and Time warner In the North Windstream and back to Newwave. I have to say that Kyconnect has been a big boost in rolling out Broadband in Laurel county. The city of London is now working on free wireless within the entire city limits of London, things are looking up.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18480453 Sun, 10 Jun 2007 07:41:11 EDT Re: Connect Kentucky is fooling everybody http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18480132 jarad : I am part of the Breathitt County eCommunity Leadership Team with ConnectKentucky, and we're in the same shoes as most. There is no opportunity for broadband past the city limits, but ConnectKentucky has been valuable to us.

A wireless company is now interested in expanding into our county. ConnectKentucky was a big help in making some of this possible, so I have to give credit where it's due.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18480132 Sun, 10 Jun 2007 02:16:02 EDT Re: Connect Kentucky is fooling everybody http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18479619 batterup :
said by rjbasye See Profile :

I dropped their phone service about 2 yrs ago for VOIP and never looked back.

You have broadband so what is your problem?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18479619 Sat, 09 Jun 2007 23:25:26 EDT Re: Connect Kentucky is fooling everybody http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18479208 rjbasye : I live in area where I have only 1 choice for broadband. The telephone company, Cincinnati Bell has been promising DSL here since 1998 but I'm still 4 miles from the CO. I dropped their phone service about 2 yrs ago for VOIP and never looked back.

There are alot of people in KY that are not as lucky as I am, and most are on 26400bps dialup speeds. I don't see that changing in the near future.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18479208 Sat, 09 Jun 2007 21:54:59 EDT Re: Connect Kentucky is fooling everybody http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18479155 evilt00l : In my town which is next to the 2nd largest city in Kentucky. We only have 1 choice of broadband. I'm about 1/4 mile out of city limits so DSL doesn't run here. Which is strange considering I live in a decent sized subdivision that was built in last 10 years.

I have family in Eastern KY who don't even know the joy of true 56k dailup the best they ever connect is around 36k. They have no choice for cable television let alone cable internet. They just recently got cell coverage in their area and it only works for select carriers.

From what I've seen of this plan I think its a joke...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18479155 Sat, 09 Jun 2007 21:42:21 EDT Re: Connect Kentucky is fooling everybody http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18478942 jc100 : As I said to love, Sprint EVDO is a much better option. By using this service, you don't have to cater towards the local Telco. Nor do you have to worry about when broadband will come. As long as you can get a sprint cell tower, you will have service. I have been all over kentucky and most times I was able to. Therefore, I assume Sprint services this state. For anyone wanting a viable alternative, definitely consider this service. It is good anywhere in the lower 48 states (pending cell tower) and comes with an unlimited package for 50-60 a month!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18478942 Sat, 09 Jun 2007 20:53:04 EDT Connect Kentucky is fooling everybody http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18478597 sonnybadbutt : This whole story is a joke. The reason broadband spread through the commonwealth was the fact that Connect Kenucky gave everything to the Bell's and cable companies. They have just about legislated the independent ISPs out of business. They took whatever request the Bell's and the cables companies requested to Frankfort aan pushed it through for them. In return the big boys spread broadband out through the state. Which they would have done anyway but now thye have free reign to do pretty much what they want to do with no check on them. I work for an independent ISP in Kentucky so I know first hand how this went down. So be prepared if the Feds go with the same plan that the telcos and cables company will be your only choice for broadband.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18478597 Sat, 09 Jun 2007 19:33:52 EDT