Internet Providers central Iowa Area

**CycloneRulzzz** · 12-29-2010, 07:33 PM

I was wondering who those of you who are in central Iowa have for internet provider? I'm using my labtop from a free wireless place because mediacom internet is out at our house. We had a problem a week ago someone came out didn't do anything. Had another scheduled visit today and after he leaves we totally lose internet and our home phone also through mediacom. The next scheduled day we could get in is Jan 4. So without internet or phone for about a week, what a joke. Does anyone have something other than mediacom and if so who do you have and is it reliable?

**brianhos** · 12-29-2010, 07:49 PM

Qwest is very reliable for me. Had DSL for 10 years now and it has never been down. It is slower than cable though.

**alarson** · 12-29-2010, 07:58 PM

Mediacom. Even when its slower at night, still faster than Qwest DSL.... and some places that isnt even an option (my townhome development is tied into Hickory Tech.... 1mbps is all they could offer me)

**serverguy** · 12-29-2010, 07:59 PM

Call Mediacom back and ask to get it escalated and keep making your way up the chain. Also post over in Mediacom forum | DSLReports.com, ISP Information. There is a Mediacom employee (MediacomChad) over there that is pretty good at helping people get issues resolved. Good luck!

**whirlybirds** · 12-29-2010, 08:06 PM

Mediacom hands down. Their customer service is the best.

**brianhos** · 12-29-2010, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by alarson

Mediacom. Even when its slower at night, still faster than Qwest DSL.... and some places that isnt even an option (my townhome development is tied into Hickory Tech.... 1mbps is all they could offer me)

Yeah but the 3mbps I get with Qwest is better than the 0mbps he is getting with mediacom right now. I choose stability over speed. If my wife could not get on facebook it would be a bad evening for brianhos.

**CYdTracked** · 12-29-2010, 09:03 PM

I used Qwest and it has been a ton more reliable than when I had Mediacom and also much less in price too. Depending on your neighborhood though will dictate what your options are. I know there are spots even in the Des Moines metro area Qwest doesn't have DSL service too and you have to go through someone like Hickory Tech or Iowa Telecom

**mg4cy** · 12-29-2010, 09:33 PM

I have had Qwest 1.5 for the last 2 years, its been reliable, but the rates keep going up as the 2 yr contract matures. They force you to bundle the land line for $30 w/ extra features you don't want. I was angry after getting the first bill because the sales lady lied about the monthly payment/fees, after asking over and over what the total and monthly fees were to be certain. I had to call back a month later and ask to cancel to get the fees back down, but the monthly payment was higher than she quoted. First year $54/mo, 2nd year $69/mo, 3rd year and on ???$$$ month. I may have to switch providers or "cancel" to renegotiate rates next month.

Any one have luck using Verizon hot spots ?

**907CY** · 12-29-2010, 09:46 PM

Under no terms would I ever go back to IowaTelecom. When they finally got DSL it went up and down with the sunshine and then they upped their fees. I have had Mediacom DSL for about 6 years and I have had to call and scream for service several times. Call and don't stop screaming until they have an emergency tech out there. Also, ask for a rebate on down time. No facebook here, but if I couldn't access my fantasy teams it would be an ugly day.

**HandSanitizer** · 12-29-2010, 10:09 PM

This is perfect!
I have a ton of experience in both.

As of Today.....I switched back to mediacom Internet.

I was price for life at 1.5Mb Qwest for $39.99 (which is stupid) They have no plans of increasing 1.5Mb in my area. My house is 6 years old and I live IN town by they way.

Mediacom..I switched away from them because I didn't like their TV package, but loved their Internet.

So I am going back to them at 12Mb for 1 year at 19.95. The 2nd at 34.95. Then year 3 I will evaulate paying $62 for 12Mb or $44 for 3Mb or get what ever deal is out then. My wife gets $50 from her work for internet so I don't really care. I just know since I have had 2 laptops, 2 pcs, 1 psp, wii, 2 Ipod touches, dishnetwork VOD....My internet has sucked with qwest 1.5Mb inet.

This is from a guy who has installed over 25 Qwest DSL lines and 50 Iowa Telecom DSL lines in remote areas for people to VPN to work...

Plus as of tomorrow I will have ESPN3.com. HeyO........
Why Qwest doesn't have that is beyond me.

my 3cents

**Rickybaby** · 12-29-2010, 11:23 PM

I just switched from mediacom to Qwest. Yeah, Qwest is really slow.

I'm not saying you will get that speed because Qwest service varies from area to area. But so does Mediacom which varies depending on time of day mostly. You might get really good speeds in the middle of the night but only 1/2 that in the evening when lots of people are using it. DSL (Qwest) is not a shared line; a dedicated connection so it is very reliable. The worst thing about Mediacom as you've discovered is their customer service. I have discovered there is good/bad with each and a lot of it depends on where you live. In one area Qwest might be your best bet; in another it might be Mediacom. Good luck.

**CycloneRulzzz** · 12-29-2010, 11:53 PM

Originally Posted by 907CY

Under no terms would I ever go back to IowaTelecom. When they finally got DSL it went up and down with the sunshine and then they upped their fees. I have had Mediacom DSL for about 6 years and I have had to call and scream for service several times. Call and don't stop screaming until they have an emergency tech out there. Also, ask for a rebate on down time. No facebook here, but if I couldn't access my fantasy teams it would be an ugly day.

Thanks for all the input. Well after trying everything we could think of we have internet and phone back for how long I don't know. I'm in Nevada so I think it's either mediacom or Iowa Telecom and as you posted Iowa Telecom is worse. I hear you on what I have bolded although I do facebook. I also need my constant CF fix so internet is a must.

**HandSanitizer** · 12-30-2010, 07:48 AM

Hmmmmm. Qwest isn't so hot in my area. Which is wierd because I live in the DM area. Must be too far from the CO or something.

Considering I pay $40/mo for this.

From Speednet
1.31 Mb Download
.58 Mb Upload
166 Ping

**Cyclonepride** · 12-30-2010, 07:56 AM

1.5 is the best I could get from Qwest in Indianola. Mediacom is averaging around 18 for me now.

**dmclone** · 12-30-2010, 08:07 AM

I went from mediacom to qwest dsl 1.5 and now back to mediacom.

Both were very reliable for me.

Mediacom is a lot faster for downloads. It's upload speed sucks donkey.

I just go with whoever has the best deal. I would probably be willing to pay up to $15 more per month for Mediacom based on the speed.

I've used VOIP for the last year and it actually seems to work better with DSL but either works fine.