Fastest, most reliable broadband provider in Iowa City/Coralville (Des Moines: appointed, sales) - (IA) - City-Data Forum

Pontsu · 10-22-2011, 03:23 PM

Thanks for all who responded to my inquiry on a location to buy/rent.

I've found a nice place in Coralville and it's only 10 min away from the University Hospital.

My next task is to get the utilities in place, including broadband internet. My requirement is to have speed of at least 20 Mbps, preferrably 50 Mbps. Any recommendations?

I've come across quite a few bundle deals that include phone service and cable tv. To me these are nice but not essential because I only watch tv occasionally and I rely mostly on my cellphone. Having good quality internet service is my top priority. Thanks.

il_blguy87 · 10-23-2011, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pontsu

Thanks for all who responded to my inquiry on a location to buy/rent.

I've found a nice place in Coralville and it's only 10 min away from the University Hospital.

My next task is to get the utilities in place, including broadband internet. My requirement is to have speed of at least 20 Mbps, preferrably 50 Mbps. Any recommendations?

I've come across quite a few bundle deals that include phone service and cable tv. To me these are nice but not essential because I only watch tv occasionally and I rely mostly on my cellphone. Having good quality internet service is my top priority. Thanks.

In Iowa, the only your "best" option will be probably Mediacom . Mediacom typically charges $15 extra if your have just standalone HSI. Mediacom ranked nationally among worst service providers. I recommend when you sign up with them, do not let them you fool for their sales pressure tactics and just opt to no-contract month-month service, so in case if you get disappointed, you could always switch to another ISP. Also do not rent their modem but get your own D3 cable modem from BestBuy or ebay. Qwest (now CenturyLink) may have DSL in your area, check their offerings. Its possible they may offer new fast tiers in your area, since Coralville is a new dynamic growing town in Iowa with new developments.

If you get disappointed with mediacom and dsl is not available/also unreliable in your area, your last option would be to get a regional WISP. In Dubuque its You2Square, IC may have a similar provider. It requires antenna installation on rooftop pointed to a tower. If its not available your another option is Verizon 4G LTE service. THey offer it in Iowa City and it may be available in Coralville. While this service has low caps to due its nature (since its mobile broadband) , 10 GB of use with fast reliable connection is better than Mediacom dial-up speeds. Another fast mobile broadband option available to you is AT&T Wireless. Skip Sprint/Virgin Mobile/US Cellular/Cricket and i-Wireless/T-Mobile. T-Mobile service has a very decent service in most major metro areas but it does not serve Eastern Iowa - its their partner I-Wireless. But I do not recommend them.

Good luck in your choice.

il_blguy87 · 10-23-2011, 01:17 PM

Also check this National Broadband Map.

1stpontiac · 10-23-2011, 08:27 PM

I'm thinking Mediacom will be your only option at the speeds you want. Qwest/Century Link was always perfectly reliable for me, but I think getting to 10 Mbps might be a stretch. I know its always changing, so you could call/check their website and see what speeds they offer, but I'd be very surprised if anyone other than cable modem gets to 20+ Mbps.

il_blguy87 · 10-23-2011, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stpontiac

I'm thinking Mediacom will be your only option at the speeds you want. Qwest/Century Link was always perfectly reliable for me, but I think getting to 10 Mbps might be a stretch. I know its always changing, so you could call/check their website and see what speeds they offer, but I'd be very surprised if anyone other than cable modem gets to 20+ Mbps.

Former Qwest has launched in few areas service called "Heavy Duty" where they have those speeds that high using either VDSL (that requires DSLAMs closer homes) or fiber to the home (what verizon uses for their FIOS product in East Coast). Minneapolis or Denver certainly got those. In Iowa Des Moines may have it but I do not know about CR, IC or Quad Cities (I think last one is served by AT&T).

But CenturyLink certainly invests money and even if OP does not have now too many options from them, he or she may have in near future. They certainly want to compete with Mediacom. They have plans to expand IPTV service to more areas (similar service is already offered by AT&T U-Verse).

Pontsu · 10-24-2011, 11:38 AM

Just checked out CenturyLink's pricing for stand-along broadband service and bundles combining directTV. Their prices are far superior than Mediacom. The 40 Mbps broadband combining with directTV with 210 channels bundle costs $65.89/month with a one year contract!

For comparison, Mediacom offers 20 Mbps internet with basic FamilyCable for $89.85/month for 1st year and $110/month for 2nd year with a 2-year contract.

That's a fairly lopsided comparison. Now my only question is CenturyLink's reliability in the area.

Has anybody used QWest/CenturyLink? Can you share your experience with them? Thanks.

il_blguy87 · 10-24-2011, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pontsu

Just checked out CenturyLink's pricing for stand-along broadband service and bundles combining directTV. Their prices are far superior than Mediacom. The 40 Mbps broadband combining with directTV with 210 channels bundle costs $65.89/month with a one year contract!

For comparison, Mediacom offers 20 Mbps internet with basic FamilyCable for $89.85/month for 1st year and $110/month for 2nd year with a 2-year contract.

That's a fairly lopsided comparison. Now my only question is CenturyLink's reliability in the area.

Has anybody used QWest/CenturyLink? Can you share your experience with them? Thanks.

I can only share my experience with their sales but not actual service. I have heard from few folks who own this that their service is consistent and reliable though.

When they were still Qwest I called them before I got Mediacom to ask for DSL available in my area. Their website was saying "no dsl", while over the phone CS gave quote 256kb/s (thats not broadband). I later asked the same question on dslreports and was informed from a technician who serves my area that I was wrongly informed. He said there was something going wrong in their system and that I should be able to get up to 7 mb/s.

Few months later, I check centurylink website (after their merger with qwest) and get quoted with speeds up to 12mb/s!. But when I call CS to confirm, I am told I can get only up to 7 mb/s. It does not mean they necessarily don't have 12mb available in my area, but for current conditions of my lines 7mb is probably the best what they can offer without professional installation. But I bet in order to really get accurate answer I would have to contact local technicians instead sales department.

erikko · 10-24-2011, 11:04 PM

I've been a Mediacom user for 2 years and I am very satisfied with my internet speed.

1stpontiac · 10-25-2011, 06:48 AM

I had Qwest and never had any problems with service reliability. Had my modem quit on me once and thought it was lame that they charged me a few bucks for the phone call to verify if it was the modem or if their lines were down. Other than that, no complaints.

Definitely call though...I've found the same thing as il_blguy that sometime the speeds they list online aren't actually available when you call to order.