Cable Modems In Trinidad
This article provides some details about the Internet service provider (ISP)/data service from Flow Trinidad Limited including pricing for Flow's broadband.
A brief history
Cable television service on the island of Trinidad was originally provided by several independent cable television companies (AJ Cable, Cableview, Rainbow Cable, Transcable). These companies were eventually merged to form the Cable Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (CCTT). The company made an unsucessful attempt to diversify into the residential Internet service provider (ISP) business under the brand name of "Fiberline".
In February 2006, it was annnounced that Columbus Communications Limited, a multi-national telecommunications company with investments throughout the Caribbean, had purchased CCTT. Columbus stated that the island would be upgraded to an all digital cable television service as it prepared to offer "triple-play" service, that is, television, data (Internet access) and voice phone service over the same line. According to its website, several areas were to be upgraded by the end of 2006. There were delays and the actual upgrading to those areas to provide digital "triple-play" service began in early 2007.
Flow/Columbus Communications Limited does not provide service on the island of Tobago.
Residential Services and Prices
ALL INFORMATION IN THIS SECTION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE
Here are the prices from Flow's website as of November 1st, 2007.
Link: http://www.flowtrinidad.com/click/content.cfm?contentID=DEA1C8E8-A398-426F-E381B748411A5C65
Prices are VAT inclusive and in TT dollars
u-click 20
$69.99
2Mbps download, 256Kbps upload
20 hours per month, 1 email address
(a rate of $1.00/minute will be applied for usage in excess of the package entitlement)
u-click Unlimited 1
$189.44
2Mbps download, 256k upload
unlimited access, 1 email address
u-click Unlimited 2
$349.99
6Mbps download, 1Mbps upload
unlimited access, 3 email addresses
u-click Unlimited 3
$689.99
15Mbps download, 2Mbps upload
unlimited access, 5 email addresses
Other fees (applies to all residential packages)
link: http://www.flowtrinidad.com/click/content.cfm?contentID=8BFDE106-B8F2-858F-688143822E3E6989
Existing Flow customer Installation fee:
installation fee: $114.99 no installation fee until the end of December 2007
modem fee: $459.99 no installation fee until the end of December 2007
Internet only customer Installation fee:
installation fee: $158.70 no installation fee until the end of December 2007
modem fee: $689.99 no installation fee until the end of December 2007
Reconnection fee (disconnection due to non-payment): $115
Reconnection fee (customer requested disconnection): $92
Optional charge
modem insurance (covers replacement of damaged modem) (this is a monthly fee): $11.50
(replacement of) Stolen Modem (insured modem)
free
(replacement of) Stolen Modem (not insured)
full price of modem
Notes:
- Installation fee is a one time charge.
- Modem fee is a one time charge.
- Customer keeps the modem.
- Flow broadband internet access is only available in areas which have DIGITAL cable television service.
Business Services and Prices
ALL INFORMATION IN THIS SECTION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE
Here are the prices from Flow's website as of November 1st, 2007 (prices are VAT inclusive and in TT dollars).
Link: http://www.flowtrinidad.com/business/internet/index.cfm :
U-click Business Lite
$632.49
1Mbps download / 512kbps upload
U-click Business 1
$1,149.99
2Mbps download / 1Mbps upload
U-click Business 2
$2,299.99
6Mbps download / 2Mbps upload
U-click Business 3
$5,174.99
9Mbps download / 3Mbps upload
Other Fees (applies to all business packages)
Existing Corporate Cable Customer : $574.99
Corporate Broadband only Customer : $848.69
Availability of Flow Digital Packages :
As of September 20th, 2007, these are the following areas where Flow Trinidad is offering (or will be offering in the near future) digital service (and hence broadband access) :
East
Brazil Village
Curepe
El Dorado
Five Rivers
Macoya
Tacarigua
Trincity
Tunapuna
St Augustine
St Joseph
Valsayn
South
Pleasantville
Rio Claro
Tarouba
West
Cascade / St Anns
Diego Martin
Glencoe
Goodwood Park
Maraval
St James
Westmoorings
Woodbrook
Technical details
According to this message on the official TTCS discussion mailing list (http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ttcs/), Flow is using the Arris Touchstone TM502G Telephony Modem to provide data (and eventually voice) capability to its customers.
Details about this device can be found here:
http://www.arrisi.com/product_catalog/listers/index.asp?id=385
A PDF "Spec Sheet" can be downloaded here: http://www.arrisi.com/product_catalog/_docs/_specsheet/060510_Touchstone_Telephony_Modem_TM502G.pdf
The cable modem service uses the same network infrastructure as the cable television service. Therefore, you will not receive service (tv, data, voice) if there is an outage on the system between you and the head-end.
Outages can be caused by: fallen utility poles, damaged cables, vandalised cables or related equipment, stolen cables or related equipment, electrical outages, natural disaster, man-made disaster, etc.
F.A.Q.
- Can I use the cable modem connection for online gaming?
- Can I use the cable modem connection for VoIP?
- Can I use my Linux machine with the cable modem internet service?
- Can I use my Mac (OS X) machine with the cable modem internet service?
- Can I use my web-based email (e.g. GMail, Hotmail, Yahoo, etc) with the cable modem internet service?
- Can I use my instant messaging/chat service (e.g. AIM, Yahoo messenger, MSN chat, etc) with the cable modem internet service?
- Does Flow support IPv6?
- Can Flow's internet services/devices support Multi-Homed Devices using Border Gateway Protocol to achieve ISP redundancy and connection teaming?
Yes
- Can I buy and install my own cable modem?
- Can I self-install the modem provided by Flow?
- Does Flow use TSTT's Domain Name Servers?
No.
- Will the cable modem connection be virus free?
No. The connection is simply a "pipe" for data. You will need to update or patch your operating system and applications, install anti-virus and anti-spyware utilities, etc. to prevent malware infection.
- Can I use the cable modem connection for downloading via the Bit torrent protocol?
Yes. However, torrenting is very bandwidth intensive and you may be subject to financial penalties or bandwidth throttling if your torrenting is having a negative impact on other cable modem customers in your area. Contact Flow for further information if necessary.
- When will Flow upgrade my area for Internet service?
Contact Flow for that information.
This page: http://www.flowtrinidad.com/click/content.cfm?contentID=DEA1C8E8-A398-426F-E381B748411A5C65
has a list of digitial ready areas (scroll down the page).
- Can I get Internet service without television service?
Yes. Contact Flow for further information.
- Can I share my cable modem internet connection?
If you mean within your own property: yes. Additional equipment (NOT provided by Flow) will be required.
If you mean with neighbours/friends/family in your residential area: no. It will violate your "Terms and Conditions of use"/"Service Agreement".
- How many computers can I connect to the cable modem internet service?
If you mean within your own property, then as many as you need (additional equipment NOT provided by Flow will be required). One reminder: the bandwidth/speed will be shared amongst all machines and therefore reduce the overall bandwidth/speed available for downloading, video conferencing, VoIP, etc.
- Can I host my own (Web, FTP, email) server or torrent tracker on my cable modem connection?
Most likely yes. Contact Flow for further information.
- What is the Flow policy regarding spammers using their system?
Using Flow's system for spamming is a violation of the "Terms and Conditions of use"/"Service Agreement". Spammers will be shut down.
- Is the cable modem Wi-Fi compatible?
The cable modem itself (Arris Touchstone TM502G Telephony Modem) has no facility for Wi-Fi. You can purchase (NOT from Flow) and install separate equipment in order to use Wi-Fi with your cable modem internet service.
- Cable internet is a shared service, what is the expected slow down customers will have at peak hours?
Flow says its network has been designed to avoid this problem.
- Does Flow use bandwidth from TSTT?
No. Flow Trinidad uses bandwidth from the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS) ring owned by Columbus Communications (parent company of Flow).
More details about ARCOS:
http://www.nwncable.com/ (requires Flash to see the interactive map)
http://www.nwncable.com/Arcos.html
Links
ALL LINKS IN THIS SECTION ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE
Flow related Links
- Website: www.flowtrinidad.com/
- Flow's "Broadband Internet" page
- Internet access prices: http://www.flowtrinidad.com/click/content.cfm?contentID=DEA1C8E8-A398-426F-E381B748411A5C65
- Other fees related to Internet access: http://www.flowtrinidad.com/click/content.cfm?contentID=8BFDE106-B8F2-858F-688143822E3E6989
- List of areas scheduled for digital upgrade
- Online form for submission of queries and comments
Other links
- Bitdepth column (from the Trinidad Guardian) about Flow's broadband service:
http://www.guardian.co.tt/archives/2007-07-17/bitdepth.html
- About cable modems from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_modem
- How cable modems work:
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/cable-modem.htm
- Cable Modem Reference Guide:
- Details about the Arris Touchstone TM502G Telephony Modem:
http://www.arrisi.com/product_catalog/listers/index.asp?id=385
- PDF "spec sheet" for the Arris Touchstone TM502G Telephony Modem: http://www.arrisi.com/product_catalog/_docs/_specsheet/060510_Touchstone_Telephony_Modem_TM502G.pdf
Contact Information for Flow
Telephone
645-FLOW(3569), option 0
Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Weekend & Public Holidays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Customer Care Centre locations
• Level 1, Nicholas Towers, Independence Sq. P.O.S
• 12 Eastern Main Road, Tacarigua
• 115 Endeavour Connector Road, Chaguanas
• 7 Monchagrin Street, San Fernando
FLOW comments and queries online form
http://www.flowtrinidad.com/temp/comments_queries.html
Original Internet access rates from Flow brochure
(No longer valid. Included for reference purposes only)
Click 20
$91.99
512k download, 128k upload,
20 hours per month, 1 email address
Click 50
$164.44
512k download, 128k upload
50 hours per month, 1 email address
Click Unlimited 1
$390.99
512k download, 128k upload
unlimited hours, 3 email addresses
1 static IP address
Click Unlimited 2
$689.99
1Mbps download, 256k upload
unlimited hours, 5 email addresses
1 static IP address
Click Unlimited 3
$1,149.99
2Mbps download, 512k upload
unlimited hours, 5 email addresses
1 static IP address
Other fees
Existing Flow customer Installation fee:
installation fee: $114.99
modem fee: $459.99
Internet only customer Installation fee:
installation fee: $158.70
modem fee: $689.99
Optional charge
modem insurance (monthly fee): $11.50
Disclaimer
The creator(s) of this page and the TTCS are not affiliated with:
- Flow (or its agents/representatives).
- Columbus Communications Trinidad Limited (or its agents/representatives).
- Any other telecom provider (or its agents/representatives).
- The Telecom Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT)(or its agents/representatives).
This page has not been endorsed in any way by any of these entities.
Information on this page is subject to change without further notice.
If you use any information from this page, you do so at your own discretion and risk and you are soley responsible for any and all: financial loss, damage to your equipment or loss of data that may result directly or indirectly from such use.
In other words, if you screw-up, or your equipment or data gets screwed up, it is 100% YOUR fault! Don't blame anyone else.
original article by CR
update:
08aug2007:
- from flow's website new broadband pricing: http://www.flowtrinidad.com/click/content.cfm?contentID=DEA1C8E8-A398-426F-E381B748411A5C65
and service fees: http://www.flowtrinidad.com/click/content.cfm?contentID=8BFDE106-B8F2-858F-688143822E3E6989
- added link to bitdepth column
11aug2007
- minor correction
23aug2007
- updated FAQ
23aug2007
- Dev T - added Flow Business packages pricing
20nov2007
- minor updates
25nov2007
- minor updates, corrections to data in the residential pricing
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