Are Verizon, Comcast & Dish really the only internet in town? (Pittsburgh: costs, FIOS)

[Kippy]

Originally Posted by Hopes

I understand the technology just fine. I'm pointing out that it's no longer a cheap option for people who want dialup (believe it or not 3% of internet users use dialup in America) to save money when the phone service alone costs $45.

Do you know what surfing today's internet would be like on a 56k connection? That whopping 3% of people are using dial up because they are either insanely ill-informed, or they live in such a remote area that they have absolutely no alternative.

Since you are familiar with the technology, then you'll know to cross satilite off your list.

[Hopes]

OMG, Kippy. I was around when the internet wasn't readily available to the public.

Dialup is all that was available in the beginning. I've used satellite too.

I currently have the highest speed internet available.

I'm just comparing internet options in the area.

[DaBurgh]

As a comparison down here in GA I have Comcast and pay only $28 after all of the fees for the slowest service, which is all I need. The only other option is ATT U-verse and other option through Direct TV

[greg42]

Dish at $49 is likely bundled Verizon or something. Real satellite internet is both expensive and has transfer caps like a cell-based service.

There's very little competition in the consumer space and at the low end. There may still be some other sellers of DSL but they will still use a Verizon loop for the "last mile" to your house. As a veteran of businesses with DSL I can tell you that it can set up a finger-pointing issue when there are problems.

In the end you have Verizon or Comcast. Lesser of evils for me has been Comcast.

[Stijl Council]

We had Speakeasy for a couple after we moved here. They do resell connection from someone else, or at least they did when we had them. We ended up switching because we were tired of losing our phone and internet every time it rained, but it's been quite awhile and hopefully they've fixed that problem...

We did like them where we lived previously, which is why we started out using them here.

[greg42]

Speakeasy was merged into Megapath. We had the latter's service at work for years although from yet another pre-merger company. It was okay most of the time but better before merger.

Megapath isn't competing in consumer space to my knowledge. It's no good when you're looking for best price.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

Sadly Comcast and Verizon are really the only game in town when it comes to any sort of high speed ISPs. We could get into a long conversation with how terrible and backwards ISPs are in the United States (especially now with talks of net neutrality dying). What a lot of us are hoping for is for Google Fiber to come to town.

[Goodjules]

Originally Posted by Aqua Teen Carl

Sadly Comcast and Verizon are really the only game in town when it comes to any sort of high speed ISPs. We could get into a long conversation with how terrible and backwards ISPs are in the United States (especially now with talks of net neutrality dying). What a lot of us are hoping for is for Google Fiber to come to town.

I have Comcast and have had no problems. I have a friend who works for Google Fiber. They did a test rollout in Kansas City, I believe. Next time I talk to her I'll see if they have any plans for Pittsburgh.

[metalforever]

Originally Posted by Hopes

How can you still use Clear if it's no longer available?

Sprint bought it but they didnt shut the service off.

My satellite internet is approx 1.5mbit and is $40 a month. It's truly unlimited. I usually push around 50gb a month.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by metalforever

Sprint bought it but they didnt shut the service off.

My satellite internet is approx 1.5mbit and is $40 a month. It's truly unlimited. I usually push around 50gb a month.

It seems you are grandfathered in (for now), and they're not taking new customers.