Internet

Hi Lee,
Yes there is high speed internet access on St. Thomas. My husband works for a company there, but I didn't want to advertise here. You can feel free to email me if you have questions about cost for the one service that I know of. Islander might know of more than one service.
Teresa

The cost is about the same as you would pay in the US.

The cost is higher in the VI. Stateside (Chicago) you can get a DSL for $26.95 per month or a cable modem for $44.95.

High speed connections where avaialble in the VI ten to cost around $100.

Jim

Can you get T-1 lines installed down there? If so how long does it take?

Hi Liz,
I don't think individuals can have a T-1 connection. Companies could, but it would take a lot of money and good connections with the local phone company to obtain.
Teresa

Hello,

(For DSL)

VIPowernet is at around $79.99/month (1st two months sometimes at a special of $59.99)

and Choice at around $99.99/month

--Islander

Islander,
My insider told me that Choice has dropped their high speed internet prices to about $50. Very recent event.
Teresa

From what I know, Choice has dropped their prices from one servicing location only- the rest are still at the higher price.

Here's the high-speed internet offerings I know of:

VIPowerNet/Vitelco/Innovative- DSL lines. Relies on the local copper.
Choice/VIAccess- Wireless DSL.
Ackley Communications- Wireless Broadband, services St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix.
SurfCoralBay.com- services Coral Bay, St. John.

You don't have to have an "in" with Vitelco to get a T1, but it is pricey.

Why buy a dedicated T1 from Vitelco when you can get T1 service from an ISP?
Not sure about Choice, but Ackley and SurfCoralBay both offer T1->multi-megabit speeds.

LR