[IP] Edge Bandwidth: 18mbps connectivity widely available in U.S., we just don't realize it.

[David Farber <dave@farber.net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Thomas Leavitt <thomas@thomasleavitt.org>
Date: November 25, 2007 5:36:15 AM EST
To: dave@farber.net
Subject: Edge Bandwidth: 18mbps connectivity widely available in U.S.,  
we just don't realize it.

Dave,

I've been noticing that prosumer level router/firewall combo devices  
(under $500) have started integrating dual WAN interfaces (with  
bonding capability) as a standard option. In the process of evaluating  
solutions for providing a consulting client of mine with options for  
expanding their WAN capacity, it occurred to me to wonder if someone  
had taken this to the logical next step, and created an affordable  
device that bonded more than two WAN interfaces. Lo and behold, a  
brief search in Google produces this product: the PePLink Balance 30,  
which load balances *three* WAN interfaces, and costs less than $500.

http://www.peplink.com/products/balance-30/

There's a business class version with more features, the 300, that  
costs $995.

I'm sure there are other devices out there. This means that your  
average prosumer, small office is no longer limited to a choice  
between 6.0 DSL and 10 mbps shared media cable internet. For under  
$200/mo., you can get an 18 mbps connection, anywhere DSL is generally  
available. It also means that, if ADSL2 is available in your area, you  
can get up to 45 mbps download speeds, for under $400/mo. (c.f.  
launchpad.net's 15/1 ADSL2 service @ $129.95/mo., http://www.launchnet.com/adsl2+_dedicated_soho.php 
 ). Upload speeds are still pathetic (1.0 per bonded line), but  
considering that people still pay $359/mo. for a T-1 line, $390/mo.  
for twice the upstream connectivity starts looking pretty good.

Gotta wonder why no ISP has bought these things at a discount, in  
volume, and started selling "18.0 DSL" (or "45/3 DSL") as a standard  
service. Is there some technical issue that makes installing three DSL  
lines to a typical premises difficult? No indications to that effect  
in my experience.

Regards,
Thomas Leavitt


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