ISP advice needed

[Matariki]

I currently have Comcast Broadband. Only an internet connection through them, no cable or phone service. They just raised their rates this month and so I am now paying $68 per month for internet.

Does this seem high, or is it average? It seems like a lot to me for just internet.

I'm looking for an ISP alternative to Comcast in the Seattle area - I've used Qwest and Speakeasy in the past and wasn't all that happy with either of them either. Any recommendations?

Thanks!

[CountAllVotes]

1. yes that seems like a lot!

I was paying $29.95 for DSL (nothing else). I noted that my ISP was charging new customers $25.00 a month. I called them up and asked them if I could have this same deal and they agreed (they are a local ISP).

Hence, I now pay $25.00 a month for DSL. :thumbsup:

Needless to say I think you are paying way to much! Look for a local ISP - maybe you too can find a good deal and you'll be supporting your local community as well. :D

[Matariki]

3. Thanks for the reply

I'm a web developer and yet I have an embarrassing lack of knowledge about these things. How did you find your local ISP? How is the connection and speed?

[CountAllVotes]

6. the connection and speed is fine

it is much better than my former ISP (also a local one). They were down a lot and it was not a good experience. I was told about this ISP I now have by others in the community and switched to them.

I still have the same modems I bought from the former ISP and they work fine and did not have to purchase new ones. I have two of them (no wireless connection here). Very satisfied!

You might check your local phone book and look under internet service providers I'd suggest.

Best of luck! :)

[Hawkeye-X]

7. Speakeasy is based out of Seattle

I had them when I was living in Tucson - they had outstanding customer service but they were assholish about the contract - they bought out an ISP in Tucson and dated everyone's contracts to whatever - but it was eventually resolved.

[meegbear]

2. I checked the Comcast site for their rates ...

The things I see that are charging that high or higher for my area (just north of Boston) are the "Fast Pack Nationwide (3G) – 4 GB", "Fast Pack Nationwide Preferred (4G-3G)", "Ultra" and "Extreme 50".

Goto comcast.com and see what package you have.

[Matariki]

14. I just called them - I have the 12mbps connection. Nothing special

Their advertised price is $43 per month. I'm apparently paying more because it's not bundled with tv or phone. Also renting the modem for another $7.

I can downgrade to 1.5mbps for $37 a month. Hardly a bargain.

Comcast kind of sucks.

[Warpy]

4. It's high.

If you can get DSL in your area, look into it. It's usually a little more reasonable, especially since you'll get a low teaser rate for anywhere from three months to a year. DSL isn't as fast, but it's a little more secure. Cable broadband is almost like being on a party line and can be hacked a little more easily.

The other option for broadband if there is no DSL service is satellite. It's expensive and they have restrictions on uploading and downloading, so if you download movies or upload a lot of business material, you might need to stick with cable.

I've actually been very happy with Qwest. I've had broadband with them since they laid the cables in my area.

[mwooldri]

12. We have Clear's (Sprint, Clear, TWC etc) WiMax service in our area.

$40 a month, up to 6 Mbps down, 1Mbps up. We personally have TWC's cable service, but our family friend who can't get cable has Clear instead and it works really well for her.

[Hawkeye-X]

5. Speakeasy is local ISP for you - they are GREAT

I'm not sure why you are having trouble with Speakeasy.

Ask Qwest if they have installed FiOps in your area - we have locked a lifetime payment of $51/month for 12mbits bandwidth which is more than enough for us.

Dumped Comcast when they started raising rates constantly.

Found a better deal with FiOPs and faster too.

[Matariki]

8. I had them for years

- was friends with people working there since they were a start up.

When I moved the connection was terrible and I got stuck with their two year contract. Had to pay to get out of it even though the connection was lousy. I might try them again though if I can't work something out with Comcast.

[Winterblues]

9. It seems very high to me

I get broadband through my phone service and it is only $24. per month.

[mwooldri]

10. Are you in a CLEAR area?

CLEAR offer WiMax coverage in our area, and if you are in their coverage area and it works, it works quite well. Good enough for Netflix streaming.

I think Seattle is a CLEAR city... and AFAIK it's cheaper than $68/mo for "just Internet".

Personally I'd just research Clear, see how much it costs, see on the map if you're in their area and then call Xfinity (Or Comcrap or whatever they want to be called) and say "I'm going to Clear unless you can at least price match and offer same service".

I must have hit it lucky with the Time Warner Cable guy - he mistook me for a female who happened to have an English accent, trying to hit it on a bit... but it got me the best speeds TWC have to offer in our area at the same price as the basic offering.

Mark.

[BadgerKid]

11. A bit high.

With a cable provider, the basic cable plus internet bundle might cost a little less.

Also check with your landline telephone provider; they might offer an unbundled (a.k.a. "naked") DSL option. For my location that would cost $35/mo. (tax & fees are included/non-itemized).

[brooklynite]

13. Check dslreports.com

Will give you pricing and reviews for all area providers.

A monthly unlimited plan at reasonably fast speeds shouldn't cost more than about $45 unless you're looking for specialty features like static connections.

[Matariki]

15. THANKS EVERYONE for the input!

It's very helpful!

[4lbs]

16. That's a lot of money for broadband. They may be charging you more than normal because you

aren't a cable subscriber, just broadband.

I'm paying about half your rate as my cable company is also my ISP for 12 mbps service. However, I also get expanded digital cable, and digital phone service from them, so it's a package deal.