After a long battle with technology, Micah DesJardins wrote: > I don't need an ISP for email, hosting or any other "service" other > than the connection itself. It looks like FastQ will cost me more > than the data only option from Qwest. What's the benefit that I'm > missing on going with FastQ over Qwest if they're using the same line? This is a good question. "Data only" plans from wire carriers sound like something they'd want to keep *very* quiet, since the services ISPs offer are a lot less useful now that everyone has @webmail_providers and @webhosting_providers. ISTR reading something a while back about "Internet dial-tone", but it was either content-free or a *long* time ago since I can't remember any details. It'd be very interesting to see cable networks get more open--telco networks have been made more open, after all. I wonder how much money the cable companies will spend fighting that. FWIW, I'm using Qwest as the wire carrier and Deru as the ISP. No problems at all with Deru; they're good people. Qwest has had 3 wire problems in the last 5 months. I think my experience there is atypical. (Or the revenue enhancement devices they recently put in at the nearby large intersection screwed up various telco things.) -- "Oh bother," said the Borg, "We've assimilated Pooh." --MHR on alt.fan.pratchett There is no Darkness in Eternity/But only Light too dim for us to see --------------------------------------------------- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss