Parts Of State Stranded Without Broadband

In most of Connecticut, dial-up Internet access is a thing of the past, along with rotary phones, pagers and portable cassette players.

[Konnecticut_Bett er_Yet]

Well, ironically, if it wasn't for yuppies like Bob Corrao infesting this state maybe we'd have some remote outposts left. But we don't. Don't like it, Bob? Why don't you go back where you came from, and take the rest of the yuppies with you?

[Cromwell Observer]

Why the hell should I pay a tax to cover the cost of supplying high speed internet service to some rich New Yorker's home in CT? These people don't have to live in Sharon or any other remote town. No one held a gun to their head and forced them to move there. If they don't like living in a place without high speed internet access, MOVE! But don't tax me to pay for it.

[Milt Friedman]

Given the likely customer base here, a surtax on cpaital gains taxes might be a fairer means to pay for this. But why is it the government's obligation to provide this to folks who choose to live way back in the hollow?

If we were Maine, and there was a lot of rural poverty, there might be good public policy grounds for government intervention here. However, Mr. Roraback's new constituents arrive in NW CT hat in hand,, demanding the rest of the state pony up for expensive open space acquistion projects and now this---yep,let's let folks in Shelton subsidize Sharon's lifestyle. These folks made their coin in the private sector; let the private sector dela with them

[Charles Lombard]

Another case of bailing out rich on th backs of consumers.
If they can afford to live in the northwest corner, they can afford to pay for their own cable hookups.

[Bill Generous]

What next? Another tax to help pay for the monthly bills for the high-speed service?

[ray]

"Even million-dollar homes in western Connecticut towns, like Sharon, that are known as rural retreats for wealthy New Yorkers, suffer a 1990s link to the Web."

Sorry- but you chose to live there. I'm not sympathetic, and I shouldn't have to pay for your cable hookup.

[lol]

They just don't want to pay. There's satellite, Wireless and the option of renting office space where it's available.

[huskyoranges]

the cable companies don't mind raking in profit on the monopolies they own. But when it comes time to throw a little cash back they moan. Sometimes you have take a little bad with all all the good.

[Ken]

Be it internet, water, electricity, or whatever: if you choose to live away from a populated area, then you should have to pay to get service brought to you.. I'm sick of all these universal service charges and other crap that makes me subsidize someone else's poor planning/choices.

[Wealthy net users]

These wealthy rural people are probably Democrats. They want somebody else to pay for their services. Typical . . .

[AndyB]

There are other alternatives technologies to DSL and cable, one being RF (radio frequency).

[duh]

Ummmm...
Then move?

Only CT people could complain about this and make it "newsworthy"

these are the same people who move to the country and them complain about the smell of farms that have been there for a hundred years..

[Rob]

It's Simple... move to a town that has the services you want. You live in the country to get away from all the crap in the city... including the internet.

[Milt Friedman]

or they move to big cities and demand that DOT remove highway overpasses.

One constant. Send the bill to the suburban working stiff.

[Rudy]

We live in central New Hampshire and some areas have the same problem. There is a company that installs "dishes" in trees to provides to provide the access. The town that town of Sandwich NH is using this technology.

I do not know all technical or economic factors involved, but I do know people and businesses who did not have broadband access now have it.

[honest abe]

ditectv satalite has free installation . check into it it also has internet connection

[How it is reported]

Would the response to this story be different if the reporter had talked about small businesses or school kids who could not get access instead of the transplanted New Yorker. Like it or not, high speed internet is becoming like having phone service--it is almost a necessity.

[DSL Installer]

Tough crap.....doesnt look like there is much sypathy here for the AH's.
Move near an air port ya get planes.....live on the intercoastal ya get ocean racers....live in the sticks ya get 26 gauge copper.....to F'en Bad..as one stated go back to where you came.
I sold a lot here in Tolland Cnty and told the bitch that bought it to quit dumpling used kitty litter on to my other lot....now Iam the AH....

[wendy]

Unbelievable. The legislature is considering a tax to help pay for the cost of internet access to one of the richest areas of the state. Once again, take from the people who can least afford it and give to the ones who can.

With all the money in that area, if the residents want better internet service why can't they get together and pay for the installation themselves?

I live in an area that provides DSL or cable internet but guess what...I still have dial up simply because the other options are too expensive for my budget. Maybe I should complain to the legislature and they can institute a tax to subsidize my costs. Oh, forgot....I'm just a middle income tax payer.

Politicians, get real.

[Joe from East Lyme]

This service is available by satellite dish