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Wasn't this already tried once?

I also found it hard to believe this one, too, but at least the Chicago system has a well-documented history. Here there is just a couple photos which clearly indicate very different tunnels, neither of which seems adequate for trains larger than G scale or so; also look at the comments in TFA.

Yeah, I noticed that information on the ameritech page linked in the article. It's CERA link shows pictures of some of the fiber runs in the tunnels back in 2000. The tunnels are so full of fiber that you have to duck down at the intersections to avoid hitting your head on the conduit.

Heck, I worked two blocks east of that plant for years. The plant itself is one full block south of the Sears Tower - across the street from 311 S. Wacker (the "White Castle Building" for those of you in the area). For a while, I had to drive into the area and parked in an underground parking garage in the recently renovated Insurance Exchange Building (an old Beaux Arts building next to the Chicago Board of Trade). During the renovation, they switched to the new cold water system for A/C - you could see the tubes crawling along the ceiling of the garage.

Yep! (4152'34.00"N 8738'8.17"W). The other building is on State and Adams (the building with the big fans on top at 4152'46.52"N 8737'38.43"W).

Chicago has unique legacy of tunnels running to the sub-basements of most of the buildings of it's downtown area. ComEd uses some of these for electric distribution and also for the chilled water pipes (and return).

unlimited local phone service.

10 cents local toll and long distance.

call waiting included.

caller ID included.

800 number (if I wanted it).

unlimited dial-up internet.
At the time I got this, it was $25.99 per month. However, about 6 months ago, that price rose to $39.99 per month. But, I still pay $25.99 per month because the service said they would honor that deal as long as I do not cancel (according to them, I was a "good customer"). Even at $39.99, it is still a bargin!

Even if I did not have this deal, I prefer an unlimited internet package so I do not need to worry about running up the internet bill. Screw the per hour toll!

IANAL, but there are definite TOS issues. Do you think Ameritech, AT&T, charter, etc... are conna let you even THINK about this?

and I quoteth from ameritech, my dsl provider:
"7. CUSTOMER SUPPORT
Basic ADSL Internet Access, as applicable, is a single IP Service intended for use by a single user. You shall not use the Service in a manner that is inconsistent with this intended use. SBCIS will not provide support for the installation or ongoing management of a customer premise router with your Basic DSL Internet service. Primary and Secondary Domain Name Service is not provided as part of the Basic DSL Internet Access Service. "

joltage shoulda checked the bandwidth proveder contracts first. even if they don't cover it now, they have the right to change it whenever they want.

We, in Holland Michigan (Birthplace of Slashdot!), have been struggling with this for quite a while, as we have a City-owned fiber infrastructure, and a city ordinance that restricts commercial fiber build-outs. The local residents have suffered because the local cable company (now AT&T) has been very slow to provide enhanced cable services (read digital cable and cable Internet access) because of the restrictions. Currently the City cannot actively compete as a CLEC due to municipal law. They are trying to change that.

It's quite a battle here in Michigan with Ameritech. They will do all in their power to protect their Monopoly/Oligopoly. Lots of info available at Neil Lehto's page

The all-important, all-missing, Last Mile alternatives are what drives Municipalities to enter the communications infrastructure foray. Residents and resident business demand broadband, and can't get it (cost-effectively or at all) from their local communications provider. The advent of Broadband Cable and wireless, however, puts any Municipal infrastructure solution further down on the list for resolving last mile communications problems.

I am getting IDSL from Northpoint / PhoenixDSL in the Ann Arbor, Michigan area. I am paying $40 per month for a static IP, domain hosting, and all the usual ISP amenities.

They guarantee a minimum of 128 Kbps (typical for IDSL), but I usually run at 130 to 135 Kbps. That translates into 16 to 17 K / sec in the browser. I know it's not the greatest, but it is a distinct improvement over my previous 26.6 Kbps limit. (Damn you, whoever invented the multiplexer.)

From initial order to final installation was twelve weeks. However, I don't blame Northpoint for this; Ameritech (the local telco) is notorious for its poor service.

Installation, router, and first two months service were free, thanks to a mid-summer promotional offer.

All in all, I'm satisfied. I knew installation would take a while, so the trick was to order it and forget about it. That way, when it finally arrived, it was a pleasant surprise.

If you're in Ameritech land, http://www.ameritech. net/dyn/ndNSAPI.nd/ndLoop/pgAvailability can tell you if you are able to get SpeedPath (their ADSL product).

They are saying no support for Unix or Linux. Mac support is comming. Here is their reply to my inquiry:

Hello John,
Thank you for contacting Ameritech.net!

We currently have no plans to support Linux or Unix with the SpeedPath service.
Ameritech.net Customer Service
http://www.ameritech.net

Original message follows:
-------------------------
What about Linux or Unix?

At 10:32 PM 6/2/99 -0700, you wrote:

>Hello John,

>Thank you for contacting Ameritech.net!
>
>This e-mail is to clarify Ameritech's support of the Macintosh platform for
>high-speed Internet access using ADSL technology.

>Ameritech.net SpeedPath runs from an ATM switch through ADSL to the customer's
>PC. The ATM platform was selected as the interface to the PC for high-speed
>service by Ameritech as well as a number of other industry leaders. In
>order to connect to the service from the computer, an ATMF-25 network interface card
>needs to be installed. The ATMF-25 network interface card requires a PCI slot
>inside the computer. While some newer Macs do have PCI slots, the majority of
>Macs do not, and instead have Ethernet network interface cards, which are not
>compatible with the ATM architecture. We are currently investigating the
>availability of drivers for the newer Macs that come equipped with a PCI slot,
>and will let our customers know when this type of connection is available.
>
>Please be assured that we do intend to support the Macintosh platform in the
>future, and are doing as much as possible to make that a reality. We will
>alert you via e-mail when the service is available for the Macintosh. Thank you for
>your patience.
>
>Ameritech.net Customer Support
>
>Ameritech.net Customer Service
>http://www.ameritech.net
>
>Original message follows:
>-------------------------
>
>Are you planning on supporting any OS other than Windows95? (MacOS? Unix? Linux?)