— from Chris Brems —
The newly formed Doe Bay Internet Users Association (DBIUA) presented their initial findings on Saturday, January 25, to a standing-room-only crowd at the Doe Bay community room.
Chris Brems, DBIUA board member, gave a recap of the internet service problems facing Doe Bay residents. He explained that CenturyLink has shown very little interest in upgrading its system to better serve the Doe Bay community.
“Orcas Island was a tag-along when CenturyLink purchased Qwest – to get the larger Northwest market, they had to take us,” said Brems. “We’re what is called a legacy system – old copper telephone wire technology. Because of Doe Bay’s location and limited growth, CenturyLink is not willing to invest in solving our problems.”
Chris Sutton, also a DBIUA founding board member, explained the results of the group’s explorations. Using proven state-of-the-art wireless technology, a fast, stable internet service can be provided to most Doe Bay area residents. When asked why CenturyLink isn’t exploring that solution, Sutton replied, “CenturyLink doesn’t do wireless.”
Feedback from those who heard the presentation was enthusiastic.
Point Lawrence resident Stu Stephens commented, “I was surprised to hear that my neighbors are having the same internet issues I’m experiencing. When I’ve called CenturyLink to complain, they always tell me the problem is with my equipment.”
“To learn that we in Doe Bay are paying the same amount for our on-again, off-again 1.5 mbps internet service as those just down the road in Olga, who receive 6 mbps with no service problems, makes me furious,” said Judy Whiting, Doe Bay resident.
The DBIUA group laid out an implementation plan. “It all appears doable,” explained Sutton. “All of us will need to make a small investment in equipment, but the payoff in being able to keep in contact with the outside world, for pleasure, education and business, will be well worth it.”
For questions, contact DBIUA via email.
CenturyLinks problems, which are our problem, isn’t just in the Doe Bay area. I live across from Ship Bay and I only get 1.5 Mbps. on a good day and lose internet service every day up to 10 times a day for a few minutes each time. They also use to try and tell me it was my equipment and when I let them know I knew it was due to bandwidth exhaust they finally started just admitting it and say there isn’t anything they can do about it. I’m also told that I’m paying for “up to 10 Mbps.” not guaranteed it. I think it’s pretty much an island wide problem.
Doe Bay isn’t the only area not functioning up to what service is being paid for on the island. I am in the North Beach area and I pay dearly for my High Speed DSL service. However, the service-speed paid for is only a portion of that being provided due to antiquated equipment on the part of Century Link. They(CL) didn’t tell me this, one of their service persons did when I asked him why the small service speed icon on my computer always reads less than 3/4’s the rate I’ve been paying for for years now. This is not a failure on my part it is directly related to the service-equipment of CL itself. Their wires are too old-small to carry the rate they offer and I pay for. Why offer me a rate of speed that can’t be provided? I get it, they(CL) get to make more and more money while I and everyone like me looses with every month that passes. When the “company” says to me it’s my end that failed I know that to be untrue as my equipment has the capacity for the speed of DSL I’m paying for. It’s time for Century Link to step up and provided us all with the proper and full provision of the service we are paying for. We make it possible for them to do business, us, each and everyone, customers.
I now live near Orkila (3mbps on a good day), and I actually had better, faster CL service (~8-9Mbps) when I lived in Olga. Apparently there are five CL drop depots around the island, and the distance you live from them dictates your speed and reliability. I am now attempting a point-to-point wireless install with Orcas Online – fingers crossed. This issue is *critical* to the survival of my business and my ability to live here. I can’t yet afford the outlay for fiber (even though it is pretty close to where I live already) but when I can, I will. Frankly, I would give quite a bit to be able to stop giving CL my money and complaints. I am inspired by the DBIG, and hope to learn from your findings!