I live in a fairly dense suburban section of Dallas a mere 3 miles from TI's headquarters, yet I cannot get DSL at my house[1] because I am too far from a CO. When we moved in (2008), the only only internet options were Time-Warner cable or a T1 line, which is what I went for. U-verse only rolled out about two years ago. Granted its not Austin, but what you say should apply here as well.
I would also like to point out that, back in 2008, TWC refused to sell me business-class service because I wasn't a business. Even if I formed one, the only business-class service they would run to our house was their basic "Teleworker" service.
[1] This may not be completely true, as AT&T claims they can provide it. I don't know how they can when others cannot, but their website may only be claiming that based on straight-line distance from the CO rather than loop length.
I would also like to point out that, back in 2008, TWC refused to sell me business-class service because I wasn't a business. Even if I formed one, the only business-class service they would run to our house was their basic "Teleworker" service.
[1] This may not be completely true, as AT&T claims they can provide it. I don't know how they can when others cannot, but their website may only be claiming that based on straight-line distance from the CO rather than loop length.