DD>> I'm not sure that cable modems are the answer either.  Remember the 
DD>> bandwidth is shared by other homes on your segment.

BG> As you're well aware, I live in a rather low-tech 
BG> area where new technology 
BG> is often ignored, so that may actually work in my favour...

DD> Good point - not much take up with cable TV in your area then?

 BG> Let's just say that I can't see Optus recouping much of 
 BG> a return on their investment in our area for at least 
 BG> another 200 years.  Although they are currently calling 
 BG> around even more frequently than the JWs, the 
 BG> connection rate is running at less than 5% (and that's 
 BG> after nearly 8 months of this area being wired for cable). 

Cable modems have a lot of potential, if Optus/Telstra don't get too
greedy. Having first hand experience with the OPTUS trail in Sydney, 50k
cps is not uncommon from ANU and Latrobe universities to Sydney. Pinging
these sites results in 0ms round trip times. Of course there aren't too
many (read zero) others on this segment at present.

Telstra's announced $95 per month (and 25c mb after the 1st 400mb) is way
to high for the average home user IMHO, but if either provider supplied
Cable TV AND Cable modem for $50 per month I think connection would be the
norm instead of the exception in a lot of homes, probably even in your area
Bill!

regards, Peter.

--- Maximus/2 3.01