DComTalk.com

I am looking for a DSL provider in McKinney Texas. I've checked
dslreports.com, but the search for providers for my area code &
prefix brings up a list of 363 ISPs, the 1st 6 being "No Name
Stored". Obviously, this is not a very useful function. Is there
a more useful way to find a provider?

My local phone service is with SBC and they sent out a mailer
several months ago saying DSL is now available in my area. I'd
like to find out if I have any alternatives other than SBC. There
are other ISPs that can provide service other than SBC, right?
Not ruling out SBC, but I want to make an informed choice.

Also, the on-line prequalification I've done to check availability
indicates that DSL is available, but note that I am over 20000
feet from the CO, so service may not be as fast. Is there a more
reliable test that can be done without actually ordering, to know
what speed I can get BEFORE I make a decision?

TIA

Mark

Mark,

I'm in Plano and had better luck with dslreports ... I'd
suggest trying Covad and/or Speakeasy (covad.com /
speakeasy.net) with the disclaimer that they will try to sell
you more than you need. Certainly call SBC (or Verizon) and
ask as many questions as you can think of. Presumeably you
are looking for ADSL, but ask about availability of other types
of DSL (like IDSL, SDSL, etc.). They won't offer them unless
asked. Challenge their numbers, if you see a technician working
on a phone company switchbox in your neighborhood stop and ask
questions (They can be very friendly and informative about
what's REALLY available in your area -- the people on the phone
are just reading a script, not looking at what's really there).

Good luck!

dj

Mark wrote:
I am looking for a DSL provider in McKinney Texas. I've checked
dslreports.com, but the search for providers for my area code & prefix
brings up a list of 363 ISPs, the 1st 6 being "No Name Stored".
Obviously, this is not a very useful function. Is there a more useful
way to find a provider?

My local phone service is with SBC and they sent out a mailer several
months ago saying DSL is now available in my area. I'd like to find out
if I have any alternatives other than SBC. There are other ISPs that can
provide service other than SBC, right? Not ruling out SBC, but I want to
make an informed choice.

Also, the on-line prequalification I've done to check availability
indicates that DSL is available, but note that I am over 20000 feet from
the CO, so service may not be as fast. Is there a more reliable test
that can be done without actually ordering, to know what speed I can get
BEFORE I make a decision?

TIA

Mark
Another ISP search engine at http://www.isprank.com/State/TX/Mckinney.html

Mark,

I'm in Plano and had better luck with dslreports ... I'd
suggest trying Covad and/or Speakeasy (covad.com /
speakeasy.net) with the disclaimer that they will try to sell
you more than you need. Certainly call SBC (or Verizon) and
ask as many questions as you can think of.