Author Topic: Help finding an alternative internet provider  (Read 4879 times)

mbecker

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Help finding an alternative internet provider
« on: October 28, 2014, 01:10:25 PM »
I live in Gulf Breeze, FL, zip code 32563. We moved here back in April, and at the time the only internet service provider I could find that serviced my address was Mediacom Cable. Well month after month they send me a bill for more than I agreed to pay when I signed up. Usually I can call and get them to change it, but this time they essentially told me to cancel the service if I was unhappy. Thanks for the service!

I would love to switch providers, but for the life of me I still can't find another company out here. So now I'm calling on the badassity of this community to help me out and see if there are any alternatives out there I can look into.

If I pay what they want me to pay, the bill is $52.33 per month for 15 Mbps.

Thanks for the help!

VirginiaBob

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Re: Help finding an alternative internet provider
« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2014, 01:23:35 PM »
I'm in the same boat - stuck paying for my internet service from a monopoly cable company and prices keep going up.  Options available are:

1.  Don't use internet.
2.  Heavily educed speed: Dial up/DSL
3.  Share internet connection with neighbors (not sure if allowed by internet provider)
4.  High powered wireless repeater to get connection for local business that uses wi-fi (not sure if legal)




solon

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Re: Help finding an alternative internet provider
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2014, 01:48:09 PM »
If I pay what they want me to pay, the bill is $52.33 per month for 15 Mbps.

I think that's pretty close to the going rate. I pay $59.95/mo. for 10Mbps.

EarlyQuit

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Re: Help finding an alternative internet provider
« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2014, 02:23:35 PM »
I recently switched from AT&T to freedom pop, and I pay $18.99 per month for 10 GB of data (no contract). It works great for me, but I don't play online games or stream much of anything. If you do, this may not be a viable option for you.

solon

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Re: Help finding an alternative internet provider
« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2014, 02:25:40 PM »
I recently switched from AT&T to freedom pop, and I pay $18.99 per month for 10 GB of data (no contract). It works great for me, but I don't play online games or stream much of anything. If you do, this may not be a viable option for you.

I think you're talking about your cell provider, no? We're talking about home internet.

EarlyQuit

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Re: Help finding an alternative internet provider
« Reply #5 on: October 28, 2014, 02:31:33 PM »

I recently switched from AT&T to freedom pop, and I pay $18.99 per month for 10 GB of data (no contract). It works great for me, but I don't play online games or stream much of anything. If you do, this may not be a viable option for you.

I think you're talking about your cell provider, no? We're talking about home internet.

Nope, I am talking about home internet :)

There is a thread on freedom pop in the reader recommendations section of the forum, might want to check it out, there are a few of us who happily ditched AT&T and other big name providers.

mbecker

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Re: Help finding an alternative internet provider
« Reply #6 on: October 28, 2014, 02:47:53 PM »
FreedomPop was a pretty interesting suggestion (and exactly the kind of thing I was looking for), but it doesn't look like they offer anything more than 2GB in my area. Good thought though!

I do know that the price isn't terrible. I'm mostly just frustrated dealing with yet another sleazy, dishonest cable/internet provider. I hate the idea of giving them my money just because I have to, even though they've straight up lied to me multiple times. Is it too much to ask for some basic honesty?

RyanAtTanagra

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Re: Help finding an alternative internet provider
« Reply #7 on: October 28, 2014, 02:50:34 PM »
The tricky thing is cable companies own the lines and don't have to share them, so they have a monopoly on cable internet.  Phone companies though have to let others use their lines.  So first look at internet options from the local phone company, then look for resellers.  Often (always?) it is cheaper with better service to go through a reseller than directly through the phone company.  Speeds tend to be lower than cable, but still plenty fast IMO (we get 20mbps with DSL).

Daley

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Re: Help finding an alternative internet provider
« Reply #8 on: October 28, 2014, 03:34:30 PM »
You could always consult the relevant bit in the guide.

Looks like your only other option is AT&T. Trust me when I tell you that your less sinister choice is who you're already with currently.

It appears Mediacom has 3Mbps service (their "Launch" package) for around $35/month (hard to tell, they hide their prices). 3Mbps is plenty, your only reasonable choice is to opt for the cheaper plan or disconnect if you don't like the current price point, but if you think Mediacom is giving you a hard time, wait until AT&T gets finished with you after a couple years. Make sure you own your own cable modem and router instead of paying them if you aren't already. That's the best option you got in a monopoly/duopoly situation. Don't bother with satellite or mobile broadband, it's no cheaper. Don't use open WiFi if you need secure network access for banking, etc., and sharing with neighbors is almost assuredly against TOS, not to mention legally uneasy for whomever's name is on the bill if the IP address gets flagged in any sort of illegal shenanigans online. Unfortunately, the industry is trying to make internet access a $50/month or higher price point, so you're not too far out of line from the rest of the country. It stinks, but that's 'murrika for you - land of the free and home of the brave.

Phone companies though have to let others use their lines.

Not entirely true across the board. Deregulation was a cluster. YMMV.
« Last Edit: October 28, 2014, 03:38:36 PM by I.P. Daley »

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!