Malvern of Madison

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Internet Service in Malvern

Introduction...

Before we start, some definitions:

	1. Dial-up - Internet service provided over plain old telephone lines with speeds up to 53 kilobits per second.
	2. Broadband - Internet service provided over telephone lines, cable TV lines, power lines, from Satellite, or from fixed wireless terrestrial antenna. Broadband, for this discussion, is defined as an Internet service that provides download speeds greater than 200 kilobits per second.

What is Available in Malvern...

Here are your options in Malvern:

	1. Dial-up Modem. Like described above, this is what most of us have in Malvern. This system has been around for years and is available in most places. Pro's • There are many good Internet Service Providers - lots of choices. • Relatively cheap - service can range from $11 to more than $20 a month. • Usually, this service is easy to set-up. A do-it-yourself project. • Many computers have dial-up modems already installed, if not, modems are cheap. • No outside antenna or dish required - only a phone line. Con's • Dial-up service is slow compared to Broadband - even worse if your phone lines are noisy. • You must "Dial-up" each time you need to use the service. • When in use, your phone line is tied up. • Upload and download speeds are different (asymmetric). Selection of Dial-Up Providers Crucial Computer (Madison) 540-948-6464. Crucial Computers is a Madison-based business owned and operated by Brian Galasso. They provide Dial-up and Satellite Internet service. Call and ask Brian for the details. Earthlink PeoplePC

	2a. Broadband over Cable Lines. High-Speed Broadband is delivered over the same lines as your cable TV signal. Cable TV is widely available even in rural areas. However, a modern/upgraded cable network is needed for Broadband. Fortunately, Comcast completed an upgrade in Madison County in early 2008, with Broadband services beginning March 25, 2008. Pro's • Use existing wired infrastructure • Offers tiered service - different speeds and prices. • Very Fast - from 768 kilobits per second to 16 megabits per second depending on plan. • Always on - no need to make a new connection each time. • Does not require a phone line. • Can service more than one computer. • May be combined with other cable services for a discount. Con's • Must have a Broadband capable line to the home. • Need professional installation. Installation can run $100 or more. • Expensive. Home subscriptions run from $25 to $68 a month. • Upload and download speeds are different (asymmetric). • Weather-related outages, same as cable TV. • Connection speed depends on how many people in your area are connected at the same time. Cable Providers Comcast 1-888-COMCAST, Comcast has local offices in Charlottesville and Culpeper. They have many options and services for TV, Broadband, and Digital Voice. Please contact them for a list of these services, prices, and any Promotional Specials they may be running. For a local representative contact Evelyn Taylor at 434-566-1973

	2b. Broadband over Satellite. An antenna on a Satellite transmits and receives signals from a dish mounted on/near your house. Pro's • A "wireless" solution. Bypasses limitations in the existing communications infrastructure. • One of the few options for Broadband in some rural areas. • Price has come down as competition increased. • Offers tiered service - different speeds and prices. • Fast - from 400 kilobits per second to 1.5 megabits per second depending on plan. • Most are "always on" - no need to make a new connection each time. • Most (not all) do not require a phone line. • Can service more than one computer. Con's • Need professional installation. Equipment and installation can run $300 or more. • Requires an outside mounted satellite dish (even if you have a satellite TV dish). • Expensive. Home subscriptions run from $35 to $80 a month. • Upload and download speeds are different (asymmetric). • Latency - as the satellite is so far away, users will suffer a slight lag time. (Note: This may be important if you play online games or use voice over IP) • Weather-related outages, similar to satellite TV. • A phone line may be needed in some installations. • Need an unobstructed view to the satellite. Selection of Satellite Providers Crucial Computers (Madison) 540-948-6464 Crucial Computers is a Madison-based business owned and operated by Brian Galasso. They provide Novatrope Satellite service. Their plan provides Satellite download speeds with a minimum 400 kilobits per second - uploads are via phone modem. Call and ask Brian for the details. Sure Site Satellite (Madison) 540-948-5880 Sure Site Satellite is a Madison-based business owned and operated by Malvern resident's Rick and Jennifer Curtin. They provide HughesNet Satellite service, a technology that has been around for about five years. They have TIERED SERVICE plans available with download speeds ranging from 700 kilobits per second to 1.5 megabits per second - no phone line required. Installation and equipment rebates are often available. Ask for Rick.

	2c. Broadband using Fixed Wireless Terrestrial Antenna. A local tower-mounted antenna transmits and receives signals from an antenna mounted on your house. Pro's • A "wireless" solution. Bypasses limitations in the existing communications infrastructure. • One of the few options for Broadband in some rural areas. • Offers tiered service - different speeds and prices. • Fast - from 400 kilobits per second to 1.2 megabits per second depending on plan. • Always on - no need to make a new connection each time. • Upload and download speeds are the same (symmetric). • Does not require a phone line. • Can service more than one computer. Con's • Need professional installation. Installation approximately $300. • Requires a directional antenna. • Expensive. Home subscriptions run from $50 to $90 a month. • Wind-related outages. • Availability is determined by distance and/or obstructions between home and tower. Wireless Providers Virginia Broadband (Culpeper) 1-877-299-8222 Virginia Broadband (VABB) is privately held by a group of investors, partnering with REC Rappahannock Electric Cooperative. VABB is headquartered Culpeper, VA. They provide wireless Broadband Internet service, a technology that has been available for 2-years in Culpeper but is new to Madison (11/2006). They have TIERED SERVICE plans available with speeds ranging from 400 kilobits per second to 1.2 megabits per second - no phone line required. Ask for Lisa Knight.

Summary...

Bottom-line is that Broadband is available in Malvern using several different technologies. One may suit your location and budget. You will have to closely look at the options to determine what is the best value for you. You should do additional research on the Internet or through local users to find who has the best user experience.

Local sources for Broadband:
Cable

Comcast 1-888-COMCAST, 434-566-1973 or 540-256-1616

Satellite Broadband

Crucial Computers (Madison) 540-948-6464

Sure Site Satellite (Madison) 540-948-5880

Wireless Terrestrial Broadband

Virginia Broadband (Culpeper) 1-877-299-8222.

And don't forget to check the telephone and power companies from time-to-time. You can never be too up-to-date on these things:

Allegheny Power

Rappahannock Electric Coop

Verizon DSL

[Last Updated: 04/03/2008]

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