Well, the happy Sprint guy came today to see if we can get Sprint Broadband (wireless broadband).
In so many words: no.
The installation survey result was “Technically Unsuccessful” because of “obstruction – trees blocking!” Yup. Those huge cottonwoods on the north side of the lot line. But they sound neat in the wind, and they block the neighbors’ sight lines. So there.
That is, for the time being, the end of my broadband adventure. Clearly, after the recent Qwest adventure, DSL is not in our immediate future. AT&T Broadband determinedly gives back a cheerful, “Sorry, our service is not yet available in your area,” and advises me to leave my e-mail address with them (given that the company is on the auction block, I’m not holding my breath anytime soon). And now Sprint is a washout (though they were fast, cheerful, efficient, and accurate, if unsuccessful. Which puts them a leg up on their competitors).
So here I sit, stuck with (wait for it) 49,333bps narrowband. It could be worse, I suppose.