Comcast, CenturyLink or any other option for ISP? (Louisville, Superior: sales, leasing)

[AceShopper]

For internet service provider in Louisville/Superior area, are there any other choices besides Comcast (Xfinity) or CenturyLink (Qwest) ?

I saw an ad for "Frontier" (not the airline ) but cannot find more info on them. I used to have Earthlink before I moved here, but looks like they do not provide high speed internet here - only dial-up (Who uses that anymore?)

I am looking for minimum 90kbps speed so that my VOIP phone works. I have been using DSL in the past month and have been able to do my normal internet browsing and watching Netflix etc without any problems. So, I am thinking of starting at the low end and going up in speed if I need to. Not a hardcore gamer so I don't think I need "blazing" speeds.

Any recommendations ? How has been your experience (speed wise) with your ISP ?

[AceShopper]

Okay I will answer my own question (since it looks like no one uses an ISP here )

Comcast (who I was trying to signup for) was interesting. I went to their local Louisville office and they told me rates of $62/mo if I got *just* the internet plan. The lady actually told me to go online and shop for a better deal.

So fine: I go online and end up chatting with the sales rep since the ID verification step kept failing (They ask for a DOB and SSN and do some sort of online lookup which kept reporting that I have incorrect information) So, the rep somehow bypasses this step, but she finds that the previous owner had Comcast at that location and since their account is still active, I won't be be able to sign up today - I will have to go to their local office with some proof that I am the new owner and then they will be able to create an account for me. Further, I am told of a $7/mo modem lease charge, a $35 one time installation fee and another $65 (or maybe she said $99) activation fee. (Didn't they just say the location has Comcast service already in place ? So, what's up with these "activation" fees ?? )

At this point, I basically gave up on Comcast and called CenturyLink. 15 minutes later, I am done and will have the service started in 3 business days. Here are the details : Signed up with CenturyLink for their $30/mo for 6 months and will be leasing their cable modem for $5/mo. For my address, the rep said that speeds upto 7Mbps are possible. There is a $20 one time activation fee and they did not charge me any installation fee since I am doing the self-install. The turnaround time of 3 business days is what clinched it for me

I will try and report back if CenturyLink holds up their reported speeds for my use and any "interesting" things that happen with them. With Comcast, I had enough even before signing up!

[qfrost]

We got CenturyLink right away and I did a self-install. So far it's fine, though the wireless modem seems a bit on the weak side - I may install a booster just to get coverage in all rooms. The only other thing is we bundled it with the phone line - and the first bill was over 100 - which caused a WTF moment. I believe my wife checked and there was an error - so we'll see.

[AceShopper]

Originally Posted by qfrost

We got CenturyLink right away and I did a self-install. So far it's fine, though the wireless modem seems a bit on the weak side - I may install a booster just to get coverage in all rooms. The only other thing is we bundled it with the phone line - and the first bill was over 100 - which caused a WTF moment. I believe my wife checked and there was an error - so we'll see.

Unless you don't have a cellphone, I would highly recommend VOIP phones from Lingo (the one I use) or Vonage. You can get unlimited plans for around $20/mo.

I think I might have a WTH moment with them too - My order confirmation is listing a new billing telephone number and I specifically told them I need internet service only without phone .. So, let's see. I am going to call them today to clarify before I get my first bill :-)

[mic111]

Originally Posted by AceShopper

Unless you don't have a cellphone, I would highly recommend VOIP phones from Lingo (the one I use) or Vonage. You can get unlimited plans for around $20/mo.

I think I might have a WTH moment with them too - My order confirmation is listing a new billing telephone number and I specifically told them I need internet service only without phone .. So, let's see. I am going to call them today to clarify before I get my first bill :-)

We get Internet with out phone from CenturyLink. They use the previous owner's phone number as the 'billing' number. It is just a way they track your account through their billing system. We don't actually get billed for any phone service. We've been very happy with their Internet access. We have our own wireless broadband router attached to their DSL modem. I think our total charge is $40 a month. We get the lowest plan and run NetFlix as well as our computers through it. The speed on their lowest plan is adequate for what we do.

[qfrost]

At some point I expect to be working occasionally from home through a remote connection. We have the higher speed package (there were only two from what I recall), so that'll be the real test.

[AceShopper]

Originally Posted by mic111

We get Internet with out phone from CenturyLink. They use the previous owner's phone number as the 'billing' number. It is just a way they track your account through their billing system. We don't actually get billed for any phone service. We've been very happy with their Internet access. We have our own wireless broadband router attached to their DSL modem. I think our total charge is $40 a month. We get the lowest plan and run NetFlix as well as our computers through it. The speed on their lowest plan is adequate for what we do.

Cool - That is great to hear ! I will have the same setup - since we got countless devices at home connecting to our WiFi network. Yupp - It will be $40/mo after the promotional period ends. At that time we will revisit the cost by a quick phone call that says "Hmmm - Looks like Comcast is offering a better deal - Care to match ?"

[qfrost]

Yes, savvy consumers ALWAYS ask for lower prices once any grace or promotional period ends. I was able to get NFL Sunday ticket for free one year by asking.