usi wireless/internet options in mnpls (Minneapolis: apartment, home, price)

[mhc.]

I did find an old thread with a similar topic but I would like to get some more current opinions on usi wireless (maybe/hopefully it has gotten its act together since the last thread?!).

I will be moving to minneapolis in a couple weeks and while I know my new apartment can receive coverage from usi, I am wondering if that is really my best bet?

This system appeals to me because I don't need or want cable or phone service so the idea of only paying for what I need sounds great! I have a desktop and a laptop and will need a reasonably fast connection.

Is the service reliable? Fast? How is USI with customer service? Is set-up complicated?

Any advice/input/opinions would be greatly appreciated...and if you suggest I DON'T go with USI, can you suggest any other service?

Thanks in advance!

[Cruz Azul Guy]

I have the service along with their modem and I like it. I don't have an ideal signal but having a stucco exterior on my home doesn't help. The connection improved immensely when I upgraded to a "G" router. USI is well worth the $12 I pay a month compared to what I'd be paying with Qwest or Comcast....$40-60/month.

[Clifford63]

Originally Posted by Slig

I have the service along with their modem and I like it. I don't have an ideal signal but having a stucco exterior on my home doesn't help. The connection improved immensely when I upgraded to a "G" router. USI is well worth the $12 I pay a month compared to what I'd be paying with Qwest or Comcast....$40-60/month.

USI is a very good value. The do have good customer service.

Many people do not know this, but you can order a qwest DSL connection without voice service. That will drop the price by at least $20. Some buildings with multiple units are not able to provision DSL due to multipexors. Generally, if you can get DSL in Minneapolis, the service is good. I was near 50th and France and could have had up to 12 Mbs connection if I wanted to pay for it. I had the 7 Mms, which is a little slower than typical comcast connection, but much more stable and consistant.

Comcast is expensive, but the pros are it is widely available and fast. Customer service is lacking, and the shared bus architecture is very poor in terms of data privacy and security. Bandwidth is not dedicated like DSL, so other people like your neighbors kids can saturate a segment and slow you down. Comcast has some rather odd policy in place as well. They are clearly not net neutral.

[whoopsie goldburg]

i have a question too...i'm moving to a new apartment july 1 and i don't want comcast anymore. but the manager of my new building says "we use comcast in this building." does that mean i can't use USI? does it matter?

[Cruz Azul Guy]

Originally Posted by whoopsie goldburg

i have a question too...i'm moving to a new apartment july 1 and i don't want comcast anymore. but the manager of my new building says "we use comcast in this building." does that mean i can't use USI? does it matter?

It shouldn't matter, but I'd call up USI and ask them about your situation.

[Thegonagle]

Originally Posted by whoopsie goldburg

i have a question too...i'm moving to a new apartment july 1 and i don't want comcast anymore. but the manager of my new building says "we use comcast in this building." does that mean i can't use USI? does it matter?

Assuming you can get a stable signal from USI, it won't matter. USI is wireless, so the only thing the building people will possibly know is that you're not using Comcast, not that you're using someone else--and they wouldn't really care anyhow, because they have no right to tell you that you can't use a wireless internet service (just like they have no right to tell you that you can't use a cell phone service in lieu of a landline).

[whoopsie goldburg]

cool, thanks for responding.