23 replies to this topic

[uwfan]

I got my phone bill a couple of days ago and my neatly packaged phone and internet became undone. I'm still trying to figure out how they think they will get paid when the credit card I gave them years ago is expired and they decided to undo what I did when I packaged my long distance service payment and internet service payment together....

I guess it's time to move beyond dial up....

So, any suggestions for providers out there? I know my area has Qwest and Comcast as DSL providers. I'm also noticing I need to have a separate Internet Service Provider if I go with Qwest (not sure how that works yet). I attempted to get info online with Comcast and of course my dial up took so long I never did get any info on Comcast... I may have to head to the library this week and see what their internet can provide.

Anyone have any thoughts on the matter... I can use all the help I can get!

[Capn Jack]

If it's available - FIOS is great (Verizon) - i have no stock btw - my local AT&T is now touting "me too" about fiber, but I don't really know the details.

[finGrabber]

I have ATT Uverse which bundles my phone and internet together and is roughly equivalent to FIOS.

I had DSL from ATT before this and the service I have now is so much faster. I also prefer Uverse or FIOS to DirectTv...with DirectTv, I had to reset the receiver at least once a month if not more often; the picture I have now is much more clear too.

The downside to all this is it is more expensive than dial-up, but alot less agravating!

[scubaski]

# 1 -FIOS if avalible
# 2 DSL, both from Verizon, Fios much better.

[georoc01]

I've had Qwest in Colorado and now have Comcast. Comcast is definitely faster.

I dropped my land line and now just use my cell phone so I don't bundle phone service with my internet.

[uwfan]

Well I checked out FIOS...sigh... not available in my area. Thanks everyone for your help, I'm still looking and hopefully can sort it all out before year end...

If you know of other sources for DSL/higher speed internet I'm all ears.

Qwest only provides up to 3Mbps in my area... (choice of 1.5Mbps or 3Mbps... not sure why I am worried about it, I only get 56kbps right now ...if I'm lucky! LOL!)

If you're in the Denver metro area, particularly south Denver metro... any advice ??

[WreckWench]

Heidi check out georoc01's post which posted as you were posting your last reply. Since he is close to you his info is more applicable. Also he is a bit of a computer/access snob so whatever he uses MUST BE GOOD!

[uwfan]

Heidi check out georoc01's post which posted as you were posting your last reply. Since he is close to you his info is more applicable. Also he is a bit of a computer/access snob so whatever he uses MUST BE GOOD!

Yep, saw that...thank you George! I have been wondering if there were any other choices here besides Comcast and Qwest... need to get more info on Comcast before I make the leap. Thank you WW.

[Bubbles]

Have you considered getting an air card from your wireless provider? I know the speed does not compare to FIOS, but it is definitely faster than dial-up. Plus it is mobile and can be used outside your home, especially when you travel.

[uwfan]

Have you considered getting an air card from your wireless provider? I know the speed does not compare to FIOS, but it is definitely faster than dial-up. Plus it is mobile and can be used outside your home, especially when you travel.

Um, how do I say in spite of my job (teaching children tech skills...)...I live in the dark ages...still have land line, only have a cell phone that is pay as you go for emergencies (very cheap option btw)... oh, and I have rabbit ears for my antennae (upgraded with the switch to digital tv, but get even less reception than before)...

I'm looking for something in my home because I only borrow wifi with my ipod touch (oh yeah, I guess I sort of left the dark ages there!) when I do travel on SD.com trips (my only real travel lately) and also because I have my mom living with me and want both of us to have access to internet from the house (we share and tie up the phone line at various times, but it works).

If I were living by myself (could happen in the near future when some living arrangements change) and if I went to no land line, I might consider this though, Thanks Beth!!

[peterbj7]

I obviously don't know anything about specific ISPs in the US, but overall I would be surprised if broadband were more expensive than dial-up, given more than minimal usage. Once you have broadband the internet becomes addictive, and I suspect you'll be surprised how cheap it is. Don't go for a high end service, at least in the beginning. And transfer to an internet phone - that'll save (much of) your current phone bill.

[uwfan]

I obviously don't know anything about specific ISPs in the US, but overall I would be surprised if broadband were more expensive than dial-up, given more than minimal usage. Once you have broadband the internet becomes addictive, and I suspect you'll be surprised how cheap it is. Don't go for a high end service, at least in the beginning. And transfer to an internet phone - that'll save (much of) your current phone bill.

Okay Peter, now you are talking about something I've HEARD about, but have no idea how to put into place... If I did go with an "internet phone", I would agree my total phone and internet would probably be at least as cheap as what I pay in local, long distance, and internet connection... but how do you "transfer to an internet phone"....

(Otherwise, adding in a local and long distance provider does make my total bill higher... broadband/DSL is still more expensive than my current dial up option, after the "special" offers go away in a couple years... and even the special offers are a few bucks more a month, which is why I've stuck it out this long...remember, I'm a teacher... lower wages but higher vacation costs!)

[Landlocked Dive Nut]

Costs are relative to speed here. Dial-up is $10-$20 per month depending upon provider....that's pretty cheap! DSL is faster than dial-up of course, but still slow & unreliable compared to cable modem (I have 5 stores using DSL to access our point-of-sale software on my server here in Kansas City). Here, you can get DSL for $29-$39 per month in your home, and cable access for $49 per month. I've never priced DirecTV access (mainly because I use their satellite TV, and I really don't want the second dish on my chimney!)

I don't mind paying the $49 per month for internet access because I use it to work from home (both my regular job and my volunteer work on this site), and the entertainment value per-hour usage is pretty cheap when you break it down!

[shadragon]

but how do you "transfer to an internet phone"....

There are many hundreds of options. Three main ones I know of are:

Skype - free calls to other Skype users, low LD rates for calling actual phones.

Vonage - Plug your home phone in and use it like any other phone.

MagicJack Same type of thing as Vonage. No experience with this, but sounds interesting.

[rkymtwy]

I'm in Denver and a former telecom professional for years. I switched to a Comcast bundle years ago and I definitely recommend it and no I don't work for them. I had lots of issues with my DSL and with Comcast you will have cable modem with good speeds and of course TV. I also am using the VoIP service and have no problems with it. If you are a new customer to Comcast you should get a good price. If not negotiate with them, it works every time. Also the phone service includes unlimited long distance.

Edited by rkymtwy, 29 December 2009 - 11:02 AM.