Toledo based Internet Service Provider TOAST.net is using 2005 to debut DSL service throughout Sylvania at a cost of only $29.95 per month.
Sylvania resident Kevin David, TOAST.net's President and CEO, said "We're very excited to be able to offer DSL at such a competitive price. We'll continue to focus on top quality customer service, but now we can do it with DSL at a price that's as low as anything out there."
David went on: "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 national DSL plans, TOAST.net costs the same or less once you factor in 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 aggressive expansion into the Sylvania broadband market began early in the New Year. The push was made possible when TOAST.net partnered with Sylvania-based American Broadband and Telecommunications, a telephone wholesaler. Customers sign up with AMBT for a bundled local and long distance package that makes them eligible to receive TOAST.net's DSL package at $29.95 per month. The AMBT phone package includes unlimited local and U.S. long distance calling, caller ID, call waiting, call blocking, and call forwarding.
AMBT has served the Sylvania area and beyond for over two years.
With the Sylvania market dominated by Telco giant Verizon, the combination of TOAST.net DSL and AMBT's "America's Choice" plan offers a substantial cost savings to consumers when they switch from Verizon. Customers also see an increase in services when comparing similar plans.
TOAST.net's $29.95 DSL package includes an impressive speed of 2.0 megabits/second download coupled with 384 kilobits/second on the upload. It also includes TOAST.net's free EZ AntiVirus software for customers' home PC's, 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.
Kevin David founded End-User Computing in 1989 as a computer consulting business. In 1997, the company transitioned into providing Internet service and eventually became TOAST.net. As TOAST.net grew, the consulting portion of the business was phased out. Regardless, a large percentage of technicians and engineers stayed with the company and moved directly into customer service. "We've been lucky to hang on to long term, talented employees," said David. "Where else can you get on the phone quickly with a competent technician like you can with TOAST.net? We know our customers by name."
Subscribers continually rank TOAST.net's customer support as a top reason for satisfaction. TOAST.net doesn't charge for its technical support as some ISP's do.
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 [Internet connections capable of faster speeds] keeps growing, so we keep growing with it," said Mr. David. "Our infrastructure's in place and we offer unparalleled support. 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.
"We're very happy about our partnership with AMBT," David continued. "We're one of the few local ISP's still in existence so it feels good to team up with another local company in offering a great service from within the community."
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