Internet in Mariposa

2010-01-07 / Letters

I recently got an email from a coworker. He was moving from an area where he had 12 megabit internet download speeds to one where he would "only" have 10 megabit download speed and was wondering if he could still do his job. Looking at my paltry 1.5 megabit download speed, I assured him he would be fine.

I then checked with a friend in Colorado. She has 6 megabit download speed.

These are residences, not businesses.

When will Mariposa get "modern" internet speeds at our residences? I don't want to bash Sierra Internet/Sierra Telephone - they have done a wonderful job of wiring the county. But we need the next step. Apparently Inyo/Kern/Mono counties have just gotten a grant of $19 million to build a 10 megabit high speed backbone along highway 395 (called the Digital 395 project). Is Sierra Internet planning anything similar for Mariposa County? Can the county help get this kind of project kicked off?

I do see that Sierra Internet offers 6 megabit download speeds for business - for about $130 a month - but that's the fastest speed. But I've already been told I'm at the limit for my 1.5 megabit download speed due to where the equipment is located. In fact, we tried to get a second DSL line for our house and couldn't. They said we were too far out and it would wreck our first DSL line. I'm sure there are others like me, and I understand that it doesn't make sense financially for STI to put in equipment for a few people. That's where we need grants or federal money or something to help them give us all increased speed and access.

Yes, I can currently do my job with 1.5 megabit download speed. But I foresee a day when that won't be enough; I'd hate to have to move just to get better internet speed.

I would love to hear from STI on what they are doing to meet the future. And on a side note - why do so few motels/hotels in town offer internet access?

Welcome to 2010, everywhere but Mariposa.

Anne Brock

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We in Greeley Hill would die

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 2010-01-13 11:31.

We in Greeley Hill would die for *any* internet service at all. All we have is 26k phone lines. I wish Sierra Telephones would put something in up here. You guys don't want ATT, they absolutely DO NOT CARE about their customers!! Guaranteed you will find charges on your bill that you never incurred and they will force you to pay, or cut off your service.

Many local business are

Submitted by Patrick Pike (not verified) on Tue, 2010-01-12 15:15.

Many local business are missing out on opportunities provided by the internet. It is unfortunate, but the sad truth is that slower than normal internet speeds are not conducive to business growth in this age.

It would not really be

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 2010-01-12 12:41.

It would not really be feasible for any company to run cable throughout the county--the costs would be astronomical. Unfortunately, the majority of Mariposa residents are going to be stuck with STI. I really hope they get with the times. As technology changes, any good company would be wise to do the same. With the more network-intensive web pages springing up (youtube, facebook, video streaming, etc. etc.), this is badly needed.

The reason we don't have more

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 2010-01-12 10:08.

The reason we don't have more modern internet facilities is that STI doesn't allow any competition for services in our area. Try to get AT&T internet or any other service, you can't. All the equipment is already in place to get much better service. This is what a monopoly does, poor service and high prices.

I too would like to see this.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 2010-01-11 00:21.

I too would like to see this. My friend in Merced works for Comcast. He told me they once looked into running more cable, but decided it wasn't worth the investment. My DSL speeds are horrible.