Internet Options?

**guitarchitect7** · 11-07-2011, 08:45 AM

Currently where I'm located I'm able to get the 12 mbs package from Quest for my internet. Even though I only average about 10, it's been a nice upgrade. Prior to that I had the 7 mbs package that only averaged about 5. The issue now is I'm moving and all that's offered where I'm going is 5 mbs which is just darn slow.

So my question becomes, what other options are there? I know mediacom has theirs, but I have refused to give them my service up to this point, but I'm not really sure what their normal rates are either (I do see a new customer price of $30 for 12 mbs). I looked at Verizon's mobile hotspots, especially with 4G coming soon, but that means a tiered data plan and only 5 GB of data for $50. With as much Netflix as I watch, I would exceed that easily.

So are there really any other options? Or is this it for me....

**snowcraig2.0** · 11-07-2011, 09:02 AM

I am stuck with Qwest (Century Link now). All we can get is 1.5. It is horrible.

**Ames** · 11-07-2011, 09:02 AM

The only good options would be cable or dsl. So yeah that's pretty much it.

**bosco** · 11-07-2011, 09:04 AM

There might be options via a satellite dish.

**CompCy** · 11-07-2011, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by snowcraig2.0

I am stuck with Qwest (Century Link now). All we can get is 1.5. It is horrible.

I wish I could get 1.5 Mbps, it would be a big upgrade from the no Internet service that I can get from Century Link or Mediacom...

**brianhos** · 11-07-2011, 09:30 AM

What are you really doing that 5/7mbps is just too slow? Or do I need to ask?

**guitarchitect7** · 11-07-2011, 09:44 AM

Ha! Nothing that can't be asked.

Basic things like Netflix, online gaming through consoles, etc. I have definitely noticed less lag, better start up times, even watching videos through Youtube was far better. I don't have to convert down to the 240 resolution anymore just to watch highlights of a ISU games.

Well, this kind of sucks I guess. I was hoping the 4G option would be feasible, but that's not meant to be used all the time. Instead paying more for less. I have my phone, that I could use the hotspot for, but then if I'm not there, then there's no internet, plus I'm sure data connectivity reliance is spotty at best.

**3TrueFans** · 11-07-2011, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by brianhos

What are you really doing that 5/7mbps is just too slow? Or do I need to ask?

I definitely notice anytime my connection slows during peak usage times, even if it's just to 6 or 7mbps instead of the usual 12mbps.

**cyfanatic** · 11-07-2011, 10:41 AM

Not much help...but my community is in the process of installing fiber to each home...can't wait for the installation!

**TedKumsher** · 11-07-2011, 11:26 AM

How times have changed. x2 or K56flex?

**guitarchitect7** · 11-07-2011, 11:32 AM

Sounds like we were able to pull out a 7 mbs package through Direct TV. Got a 6 month introductory price, and then jumps up to $45 a month. Not sure how we got 7 as 5 was all that was listed.

Check on prices for mediacom and although you get a better introductory price, they make up for that once the contract runs out.

And yup, doesn't appear to be much for options either. Go figure!

**brianhos** · 11-07-2011, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by guitarchitect7

Sounds like we were able to pull out a 7 mbs package through Direct TV. Got a 6 month introductory price, and then jumps up to $45 a month. Not sure how we got 7 as 5 was all that was listed.

Check on prices for mediacom and although you get a better introductory price, they make up for that once the contract runs out.

And yup, doesn't appear to be much for options either. Go figure!

Latency on a dish is going to be MUCH higher than DSL or Cable. May give you better bandwidth but latency sensetive apps will perform much worse, online gaming especially.

**guitarchitect7** · 11-07-2011, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by brianhos

Latency on a dish is going to be MUCH higher than DSL or Cable. May give you better bandwidth but latency sensetive apps will perform much worse, online gaming especially.

It's actually Century Link (Qwest) that is providing it. so it's true DSL not a dish.

We were existing Direct TV customers. By contacting them, they offered 7 mbs versus the 5, why I had not idea. But they run everything through Century Link for bundle packaging.

Now contacting Century Link, they only offered 5 mbs - again not sure why but I confirmed it online too.

So, through dropping my current internet, using her name as a new customer, etc., etc. we got what we needed, now just have to wait a week to get the same equipment I already have so I can "install" it myself.