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Beau Pré may remain disconnected
Published Friday, May 16, 2008
NATCHEZ — For most, getting online or flipping on the television is done without a second thought.
But for some in one of Adams County's nicest neighborhoods, the luxuries are simply not to be taken for granted.
Residents living in the Beau Pré subdivision don’t have the option to subscribe to either basic cable or DSL Internet service.
And that lack of service has some residents confused and wanting answers.
“I just don’t understand why we can't get service,” Elizabeth Gillon said of Internet service in her neighborhood.
Dr. Roderick Givens, President of the Beau Pré Homeowners Association, said the lack of service was also a topic of discussion at the group’s meeting.
“It’s a huge deal,” he said.
Givens said many of his neighbors have resorted to means other than cable for their television services and some use dial-up for their Internet service.
However Givens, and other residents, said dial-up is so slow it’s not a feasible option.
To compound their frustrations, residents said they can’t ever seem to find out exactly why they can't get service in their neighborhood.
AT&T’s Mississippi spokesperson, Sue Sperry, said installation of infrastructure that would bring DSL to Beau Pré has been halted.
Sperry said she was investigating why the work had stopped and did not know when it would resume.
Sperry also said she did not know how complete the installation project was when it was stopped.
And while Beau Pré’s residents can’t get DSL, Gillon said neighboring subdivisions have DSL access.
“If one house can get it why can’t they all get it?” she asked.
Sperry said there’s no easy answer to that question.
“It could be several things,” she said. “It’s not like comparing apples to apples.”
Sperry said neighboring areas that have DSL could have been wired for the service closer to their construction time or could have just been easier to provide service for.
Sperry did say that AT&T is studying ways to provide the service to the area but has no timeline yet.
Cable One’s general manager, Bobby McCool, said the cable provider is waiting for more construction in the area before committing the necessary financing to bring cable to the area.
McCool said if the necessary lines were installed to bring cable to the area, with the current population, there’s no guarantee enough people would purchase cable to make the installation cost efficient.
McCool said the area would need approximately 10 to 15 more houses than it has now before the cable could be feasible.
The line Cable One would need to install costs $20,000 per mile and McCool estimates the area would need about 10 miles of line.
Comments
Posted by natchez1 (anonymous) on May 16, 2008 at 12:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow - how many typo's in this story!
I also had no idea that they could not get DSL. That would make selling houses harder.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on May 16, 2008 at 12:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
DSL is not available to all neighborhoods (parts of neighborhoods) within the city limits.
Posted by free_radical (anonymous) on May 16, 2008 at 12:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I had no idea! :(
Posted by woodvillegal (anonymous) on May 16, 2008 at 12:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's the same for us out here in the buffalo area.The prison is the cut-off in woodville for DSL.I hope they hurry up with this because I had DSL in my dorm when I lived in Jackson and going back to dial-up at home is a nightmare!!
Posted by NtzMom55 (anonymous) on May 16, 2008 at 4:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There are many people in Adams County who do not have DSL or cable. Many have to resort to satelite TV and internet. Just because Beau Pré subdivision is more upscale shouldn't mean that they should get special treatment over other neighborhoods who have done without the services for years. However, they did get the attention of the Democrat.
Posted by jch (anonymous) on May 16, 2008 at 6:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There are areas right outside the Vidalia city limits that do not have it either. We have satellite internet and its a whole lot better than dial up. I wish we had DSL but they tell me we cant get it because there are only so many spots on a box and every spot is taken and as soon as one spot is given up another household already has their name down to get it and plus they would have to add on extra lines and etc. I told AT&T it would be to their advantage to add it on because EVERYONE in this area wants it. Until then, we will have to be content with Hughes.net
Posted by crawgator (anonymous) on May 16, 2008 at 6:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I know when I lived on airport road in Vidalia, the street behind and in front got cable and our street did not. They said not enough people lived on our road to make it worth installing. Your already in the area PUT IT IN . All the satellite companies offer internet access at speeds much like dsl, and alot better than dialup.
Posted by phoneman1 (anonymous) on May 16, 2008 at 6:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why is it when the rich in natchez dont get what they want the democrat reports on it. Just because this is an upscale subdivision does it mean that they are more inportant than the rest of the county. I do not get dsl and the democrat does not do a story on it.
Posted by Blasterhappy (anonymous) on May 16, 2008 at 7:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Amen Phoneman1! I have DSL and the service sucks because I'm at the end of the line for the DSL signal. But I have learned to live with it.
BTW
Does this paper have an editor? Does anyone proof read this stuff or us Spell Check?! Installation not instillation and a lot of can and can't miscues.
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on May 16, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe the Democrat is just following suit with it's bloggers. It takes quite a bit of time to figure out just what the bloggers are trying to say because of their typo's, misspelling, and abbreviations. Sometimes some of the blogs have to be completely passed up because of all the errors. Sometimes the bloggers are not even on the same subject of what the article is about. Does this strike a note with all the complainers?...... just wondering...... but not complaining.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on May 16, 2008 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh these poor people! We just got DSL this year and still have no cable access, and we only live 1/4 mile outside city limits. We have had dial up for years, it's not that bad compared to not having anything. Satellite service is good too. But I guess some people just want what they want when they want it. Guess what Beau Pre people, you are no better than anyone else in the state.
Posted by jaayden (anonymous) on May 16, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I used to live on Creekbend Rd and could not get DSL. The Bellsouth agent I talked to at the time said the cost of installing updated lines in those neighboorhoods was too staggering compared to how many people would actually pay for the service once it was in place.
Posted by momof1 (anonymous) on May 16, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We live between Ferriday & Vidalia, less than a mile off the main highway and can't get DSL either. It is SO frustrating. I had the dial up and my home phone phone turned off because it's so slow that it's not worth having. If AT&T did a study of how much business they've lost because of people like me, maybe they would realize that it is worth it to offer DSL to those of us stuck in limbo.
Posted by natsanus (anonymous) on May 16, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. McCool need to explain how American Idol a top rated national show can drop off the air two nights in a row. I don’t understand. The problem also occurred last year during the airing of American Idol. I am a very upset customer. I pay my monthly cable bill yet the provider isn’t providing quality services.
Posted by gottabehappy (anonymous) on May 16, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow another reason I will not miss saying bubye to Cableone!
Posted by I_want_hispeed_internet_to (anonymous) on May 16, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am one of a few in the Kingston area that cant get DSL either. Plus i had to fire Bellsouth a couple of years ago because my phone was slow & kept going dead. I went with satalite dish internet & cell phone for all my communications. But satalite internet is getting slow now & blacks out during rain & heavy clouds plus it cost $79.99 a month. I say we all need to get togather & call Bayou Internet in Monroe La. & get some hi-speed wireless signals sent to natchez & all drop AT&T & Cableone's internet & phone system since they wont cover everyone with their service. I am looking to move to another town with a rural living area with dependable hi-speed internet & phone coverage. I talked to my county supervisor a while back about this problem, but he probably has hi-speed at his house & is not concerned.
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on May 16, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have a bro at Sibley who gets DSL. Also Selma. Who wants to live in Beau Pre anyway with the small lots, stupid rules, and snobby neighbors?
Posted by grrbrts (anonymous) on May 16, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We gave praise to Al Gore for his push for the "information highway" (fiber optic's installed along the main roads). Somewhat comparable to the system of interstate highways. It's left up to the utilitarians to bring the service to the consumers, from there. So, money is an issue, indeed.
Posted by tigermom (anonymous) on May 16, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess I missed alot in the article, exactly where did it ever say that the people in Beau Pre' think that they are "better than everyone else"? Green sure looks and sounds pathetic on some of you. And by the way, NO, I don't live in Beau Pre' or anywhere close to it. Just get sick of people who can't wait to put others down to make themselves seem better.
Posted by natchez1 (anonymous) on May 16, 2008 at 11:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The problem with getting Fox 48 - was a problem with Fox 48 and not Cable-One.
I was watching the cable and it went off the air. I checked on a T.V. with rabbit ears and it was also off. I could pick up Fox 14 from Monroe - Fox 48 has lots of problems. But as it is Fox 48 - Natchez Alexandria, Cable-One chooses them as the Fox station.
Posted by Gimmeabreak (anonymous) on May 16, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Is this really news? Cyclones killing thousands, a war, a recession, gas and grocery prices through the roof, and all they can fuss about is not having what they want. Some folks in Natchez dont have air conditioning in the summer and cant afford to eat, that is news, this is not. Suck it up and go ride around in your golf carts or play in your perfectly manicured yards. I know I come off a bit harsh, but I grew up in Natchez, and many of you are right-it is not an issue until the wealthy do without. I remember how when power went out throughout Natchez, those with a little more money always somehow had power before us poor folks did. I am sorry if I offended any of you in the higher tax brackets but facts are facts.
Posted by natchezsouthside (anonymous) on May 16, 2008 at 1:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
wait til the screaming starts in Feb 2009 when rabbit ears will no longer work.
Folks will internet access who live around the areas where they don't should get a wireless router (split the cost with your neighbors) at Walmart and provide wireless access to their neighbors. Once ATT or whoever starts hearing about all the freebies getting access via wireless and not forking over the monthly fee, that will get them to provide service.
Got to work with the system you have... or don't have. hehehe
Posted by johnwentworth (anonymous) on May 16, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Any natchez democrat employees with ties to beau pre? Maybe thats why this is front page news...
Posted by rattlesnake (anonymous) on May 16, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I live in the area where they are putting the prison in and just got dsl when they started to work on it .They can have my dsl if they take the prison too. Yea that's likly to happen (NOT)
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