LOCAL INTERNET PROVIDER “TOAST.NET” SLASHES DSL PRICE, MATCHES LARGE ISPS ON BROADBAND

TOAST.net Internet Service is using 2005 to debut DSL service throughout northwest Ohio at a cost of only $29.95 per month.

With the broadband (fast Internet) market dominated primarily by large telephone and cable providers, TOAST.net is proud to compete in this dynamic environment. Prior to 2005, the company was less of a presence in broadband, but now, thanks to a reorganized business model, TOAST.net is pushing hard to offer a better service at a better price than the major players. 

Kevin David, TOAST.net's President and CEO, is looking forward to the company’s new place in the local market. "We're very excited to be able to offer DSL at such a competitive price,” David said. “We'll continue to focus on dial up and web hosting, but now we’ve made DSL part of the bigger picture at a price that's as low as anything out there.

"In many cases, our DSL costs are substantially lower than the cost of other broadband technologies such as cable or satellite. Also, when you look at the real cost of the national DSL plans, TOAST.net costs the same once you factor in the large providers' hidden fees. We charge $29.95 per month. That's it." 

There are no start up costs for the additional hardware required to connect as TOAST.net provides the DSL modem at no charge.

TOAST.net's $29.95 DSL package offers an impressive 1.5 megabits per second download speed coupled with 384 kilobits/second on the upload. It also includes TOAST.net's free EZ Antivirus software for customers' home PC's which is a $40 per year value. Additionally, customers receive a limited amount of dial up service should alternative connectivity be required-- when they vacation, for instance.

DSL is an acronym for “Digital Subscriber Line.” It’s a fast Internet technology that works over customers' existing phone lines; unlike dial up, however, it doesn’t prevent customers from speaking on the phone while surfing the Internet. The advantage DSL holds over cable is that it’s a direct connection between the individual customer and the ISP. Cable, for instance, might offer up to 1.5 megabits per second, but that can be reduced dramatically depending on the usage of other households connected to that particular cable line. This isn’t an issue with DSL.

TOAST.net’s DSL package requires a one year contract on the part of subscribers but the price is locked in at $29.95 per month. 

Kevin David founded TOAST.net in 1996 with a focus on dial up access. Previously, David ran a successful consulting business called End-User Computing. To this day, TOAST.net retains many of the skilled engineers from End-User Computing. These highly qualified engineers transitioned into phone support and have helped build TOAST.net's reputation for unparalleled customer service.

Subscribers continually rank TOAST.net's customer support as a top reason for satisfaction. Unlike other ISP's, TOAST.net doesn't charge for its technical support.

Aside from DSL and dial up access, TOAST.net provides web hosting and email packages as part of its business core.

The company's new focus on DSL comes amidst sweeping changes in the Telcom/Internet sector. As large Telcom and cable giants merge assets and newer, ever faster Internet technologies surface, TOAST.net sees its DSL service as a way to keep offering a high value to consumers. "The demand for bandwidth [faster Internet connections] keeps growing so we keep growing," said Mr. David. "Our infrastructure's in place. From a technical standpoint, a customer service standpoint and a pricing standpoint, our DSL package is the best there is."

The brisk jump in 2005 DSL sales seem to confirm David's optimism. 

Currently, the $29.95 offer is available to customers throughout northwest Ohio, Findlay, Fremont, Fostoria, Sandusky and other areas within the 419 area code.

"We're very happy about DSL," David continued. "We're one of the few local ISP's still in existence so it feels good to offer enhanced services to the community."

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