Recommendations, or warnings about Internet Service Providers? (Bradenton) (HOA, houses)

[Euginald]

Thanks in advance for any advice or information you have to share:

The Mrs. and I will be relocating to Bradenton, (Palma Sola area) in one month. It looks like our best bet for High-speed internet may be Frontier Fios. As I understand it, they used to be Verizon, but there has been some kind of changeover.

I need reliable high-speed, (50mbps or better) as I often work from home with large media files. Does anyone have any experience with Frontier, or care to recommend another provider they feel is reliable? I have Xfinity now, in a major city, and they have generally been fine, but at least according to their web-site, they do not service that area.

Thanks again for your help!

[Sunshine Rules]

You might want to check out Spectrum (previously Bright House): https://www.spectrum.com/services/florida/bradenton

[Euginald]

Thanks for the tip!

[bbronston]

I have Frontier and it is pretty good but not perfect. I can’t say for sure that it’s not my router but I do have moments when the speed drops or it is out completely. It never lasts long but it is annoying.

[MattMN]

Service-wise, Frontier Fios is fine (yes formerly Verizon), Charter Spectrum is fine, Comcast Xfinity is fine. They will all have a variety of speed packages to choose from, and should deliver consistently.

Where people have problems is with pricing, or introductory rates expiring, or poor phone service. I don't think there's a clear-cut winner in this regard. So you either pick-your-poison and just stick with them, or switch providers every couple years to keep taking advantage of each one's "introductory rate".

Personally, I've had Frontier Fios for two years at two different houses, and the service has been solid.

[Euginald]

Thanks for all the responses. Between this and a Manasota forum on Reddit, it seems like the preponderance of opinion leans slightly towards Frontier. I like the idea of symmetric fiber, and cat-5 from the box. I think I'll start there.

[photoman_6]

if you live ina hoa contrilled development, you'll be stuck with the company they have contracted for. Else, you may have to go with a satellite provider, since the wiring infrastructure will be controlled by the company.

[swainsellsflorida]

We have had Spectrum and I have noticed that our bill keeps getting higher and higher. The internet is spotty so I wouldn't suggest them. There is Verizon Fios also depending on the area you will be in as well.

[MattMN]

Originally Posted by photoman_6

if you live ina hoa contrilled development, you'll be stuck with the company they have contracted for. Else, you may have to go with a satellite provider, since the wiring infrastructure will be controlled by the company.

Note that this definitely varies by neighborhood and HOA. Some contract with one provider, some include internet in your HOA dues. Others don't do anything and it's all up to you. We have a new neighborhood, and everyone gets their own provider; HOA is totally out of it.