Today, Chuck asks:

Being a Bellingham native as well, I am really getting frustrated of the lack of internet providers. Currently I have Qwest as I have Directv and the famous “Bundle and Save” program… well I am now doling out 133 clams for TV, phone and internet. I love the Directv but Qwest charges me 47 dollars for a phone and 26.99 for DSL. Is there nothing else out there?

Any other options that you know of?

I definitely hear where you are coming from. But to honest, you pretty much nailed the options available - cable or DSL. Now this is not to say that you could not also consider Satellite or (shudder) Clearwire.

Neither of these is really worth a hill of beans and you will find both to be about the same cost if not more.

This said, I don’t think you will be able to find a better deal on Internet costs than DSL, however I would say that the bulk of the cost appears to be your phone, which may mean it would be worthwhile to look at a VoIP option such as offered by Vonage, Comcast or someone else. Sorry I was not able to be of more help.

Do you have an IT-related question? Perhaps you are just burnt out on writing on the walls with crayons? Whatever the comments may be, drop me a line, and you too can “Just Ask Matt!” Please address comments to the comments section above, my email address is for questions - thanks!