DSL Provider Speakeasy this week announced increased upstream bandwidth, a new Wi-Fi incentive package, and a new Personal Technology Assistant (PTA) customer support program. According to the company's press release, the ISP will be instituting a minimum download/upload of 1.5Mbps/256 Kbps for all of their DSL customers (Many basic customers now have a 1.5Mbps/128kbps RADSL connection). The changes don't affect existing SDSL customers, though they can quickly switch to the new tiers if they qualify, according to one rep we spoke to.

While the speed changes have been discussed in our forum for quite some time, the company also today announced a new Wi-Fi initiative. Until October 31, 2003, new customers can select any standard DSL package for $29.95 per month for 3 months, and will receive a Netgear wireless router, PCMCIA card or USB adapter for an additional $49. According to Speakeasy, 40% of their customers already utilize wireless technology, and the company sells itself as one of the more "Wi-Fi friendly" operations around.

More interesting perhaps is the company's introduction of a new 'Personal Technology Assistant' customer support initiative. Users will receive one point of contact for all of their DSL problems, avoiding the common '50 answers from 50 different techs' conundrum often faced by broadband users looking for support. It could also be helpful (if works as advertised) in avoiding the common irritant of having to explain an often complex support issue to half a dozen support reps each time you call your ISP (all of whom usually follow a tedious and time consuming support script).

Speakeasy, which is making every effort to take their business to the "next level", recently brought in Bruce Chatterley to take on the positions of CEO and President. The company, which is poised to take in $50 million in revenue this year, hopes to double that total with Chatterly's assistance. The company, while usually fairing fairly well in our review index, hasn't been without their fair share of growing pains.

Casting a menacing shadow over this fiscal optimism is the FCC's Triennial review, which could prove to be a thorn in the side of many smaller telco competitors. While the ruling will slowly phase out line-sharing over three years, it for the time being left certain loopholes that will allow some providers to continue receiving decent rates from the baby bells (though, as we've mentioned, those holes could soon be narrowing). When we spoke to Speakeasy founder and former CEO Mike Apgar recently, he didn't seem to be terribly flummoxed or discouraged by the ruling, and was optimistic (at least publicly) that his company could weather the coming industry shift.

"Six out of seven of our new customers are switching from another broadband service provider that failed to meet their needs in one form or another," he says. "We have anticipated an FCC ruling in essentially this form for over a year," adding that his company is "well positioned to grow and continue to address this market demand indefinitely." Speakeasy hopes their size will allow them to successfully negotiate rates with the bells if necessary as the competitive landscape shifts.