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Old 04-18-2010, 04:03 PM
 
Location: Downtown Seattle!
228 posts, read 687,267 times
Reputation: 58

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I'll be moving to Seattle the second week of May. I've looked into some Internet service providers, but wanted to get your opinion on which offers the best service? Reliability, cost, etc...

Joe
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Old 04-18-2010, 10:47 PM
 
52 posts, read 249,610 times
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3 major providers: Qwest, Comcast, and Clear

Qwest (DSL): The standard speed is 1.5mbps, which is decently fast, but not fast enough if you are a serious downloader/gamer (it is what I'm currently using), I'm paying 31.99/month. I know people who got new customer $30/month deals in the past year. You also have to buy the DSL modem. You can save if you want a home phone package, but if you just want a basic phone line (dial tone only), you don't get a discount. 7mbps is available for somewhat more money, and should be comparable to cable speeds. One bad thing with Qwest is their ridiculous $1 surcharge for using your bank's online payment system to pay your bill. You have to use Qwest's online system, or mail your check in to avoid it.

Comcast (cable): faster, more expensive than Qwest. You can get a deal if you bundle with cable TV & voice, but if you don't want voice, that isn't such a good deal.

Clear (WiMax): I don't know anyone with the new 4G service, but it is supposed to be much better than the old 3G which had a tendency to cut out in bad weather and was useless in many buildings. Price is comparable to Qwest.
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Old 04-19-2010, 10:50 AM
 
474 posts, read 1,455,845 times
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Default Depends on where you live, too

Some neighborhoods can get much faster DSL through Qwest/Earthlink or any other number of providers, but if you're stuck in an area (like me) where they haven't bothered to upgrade the lines, 1.5 is where you'll max out, and probably at less than that.

Speakeasy has phenomenal customer service (local!) and great speeds. Expensive, but their customers rave about them.
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Old 04-19-2010, 11:49 AM
 
9,618 posts, read 27,348,695 times
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Comast often runs promos at a great price for six months. I was getting cable TV with too many channels and high speed internet for something like 65 per month. When it ran out I called them up and asked if they had any promos for existing customers, since I had a very nice offer from Qwest and Direct TV. They offered me another 6 months for the same price.
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Old 04-19-2010, 01:14 PM
 
37 posts, read 136,706 times
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Hopefully you won't be in an area that only has Broadstripe.

They suck.
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Old 04-19-2010, 01:41 PM
 
Location: In a place with little freedom (aka USA)
712 posts, read 1,367,026 times
Reputation: 261
Quote:
Originally Posted by ijoe13 View Post
I'll be moving to Seattle the second week of May. I've looked into some Internet service providers, but wanted to get your opinion on which offers the best service? Reliability, cost, etc...

Joe
Don't move to Seattle. To be honest it is depressing and before you know it you will have a deficiency of vitamin E and B-1/B-12. You will slowly deteriorate.

But since you will be indoors for 95% of your time, you might as well have high-speed internet. So to answer your question, move to Renton or Kirkland and you can get FIOS ($50). Anywhere else in King County you can get Qwest DSL ($40) or Comcast ($60) which limits to 250GB download per month.

COMCAST WARNING: With Comcast you will have a hard time using services like Mozy, etc to back up your hard drives, Netflix and downloading lots of music and videos. They will shut you down if you exceed 250GB in a month.

FIOS WARNING: They are soon to go out of business.

QWEST WARNING: They will try to push DirecTV to you in addition to their 1 year minimum contract or internet.

Sad to say it but go with Comcast for now until you realize you made a mistake and move back.
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Old 04-19-2010, 03:15 PM
 
Location: Downtown Seattle!
228 posts, read 687,267 times
Reputation: 58
Quote:
Originally Posted by Negotiator75 View Post
Don't move to Seattle. To be honest it is depressing and before you know it you will have a deficiency of vitamin E and B-1/B-12. You will slowly deteriorate.

But since you will be indoors for 95% of your time, you might as well have high-speed internet. So to answer your question, move to Renton or Kirkland and you can get FIOS ($50). Anywhere else in King County you can get Qwest DSL ($40) or Comcast ($60) which limits to 250GB download per month.

COMCAST WARNING: With Comcast you will have a hard time using services like Mozy, etc to back up your hard drives, Netflix and downloading lots of music and videos. They will shut you down if you exceed 250GB in a month.

FIOS WARNING: They are soon to go out of business.

QWEST WARNING: They will try to push DirecTV to you in addition to their 1 year minimum contract or internet.

Sad to say it but go with Comcast for now until you realize you made a mistake and move back.

Thanks... I think. It sounds like you're ready for some sunny weather somewhere else. Why not just go ahead and move...
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Old 04-19-2010, 03:53 PM
 
1,632 posts, read 6,845,107 times
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I've been a Mozy user for over a year and have had zero problems with Comcast.
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Old 04-19-2010, 04:13 PM
 
Location: In a place with little freedom (aka USA)
712 posts, read 1,367,026 times
Reputation: 261
Quote:
Originally Posted by ijoe13 View Post
Thanks... I think. It sounds like you're ready for some sunny weather somewhere else. Why not just go ahead and move...
Well to be honest if you are not from the PNW, it will be hard for you after 6 months to 1 year. You will see, there is "more" to the area than high-paying jobs.

If you think I am kidding, look up: "Seattle Freeze" and "Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder", "Weather Related Depression" and "Costco Blue Light".

All are related to lack of sun and are things that change people for the worst. Don't shoot the messenger.

Oh and while you are at it, don't forget to sign up for Comcast.
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Old 04-20-2010, 05:20 PM
 
Location: Downtown Seattle!
228 posts, read 687,267 times
Reputation: 58
Quote:
Originally Posted by Negotiator75 View Post
Well to be honest if you are not from the PNW, it will be hard for you after 6 months to 1 year. You will see, there is "more" to the area than high-paying jobs.

If you think I am kidding, look up: "Seattle Freeze" and "Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder", "Weather Related Depression" and "Costco Blue Light".

All are related to lack of sun and are things that change people for the worst. Don't shoot the messenger.

Oh and while you are at it, don't forget to sign up for Comcast.

To be honest, I'm not a big fan of small talk while in line at the grocery store, sitting in a café, or most other places. It seems like people here in Cleveland always want to chat everywhere I go. Maybe that's why I've decided to move to Seattle. I guess I'll fit right in with my passive aggressive attitude. Also, the weather is probably worse in NE Ohio than Seattle, so no loss there. Didn't mean to shoot you...

By the way, Comcast service has been ordered!
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