Interweb companies

**Cream Soda** · 2012-12-27 15:52

Alright, so my uncle has been back for about 4-5 months now, so it looks like it's perma this time, and the power isn't going anywhere anytime soon (even though he hasn't turned the water back on yet @.@, nor the gas).

That being said, I could potentially use some of the refund from my pell grant next semester to get some basic net in the house. What kinds of rates are you getting with which companies? In the Tampa Bay Area in Florida if that counts for anything.

I just talked to bright house, and they wanted $54/month for net only, and that's only 10mbps at that. The only thing they had cheaper was 1mbps for $20/month and at that point, I'd be better off continuing to leech off the neighbors.

Not interested in TV or home phone service, so are there any options for a reasonable price and decent speed (doesn't have to be google fiber, but at least better than leeching wireless off the neighbors on a 2 bar connection); maybe $20-35/month?

**Melena** · 2012-12-27 15:54

I know some companies do an introductory offer for like 20 bucks a month for 6 months but after that you are probably hosed.

**Cream Soda** · 2012-12-27 15:57

I'd take that for at least 6 months; better for that than to have to make a longer contract anyways; since I don't know when the next time my uncle is going to pick up all his shit, leave + leave an overdue power bill with a large ass reactivation fee (because in terms of power consumption, I can afford how much I use, I was just never able to get enough to get the power turned back on to begin with); and in that case, with a contract I'd still be paying for net I wouldn't get to use lol

Edit: What's the minimum acceptable speed going to be? For example I know 1mpbs is too slow, should I be looking at 3, 5, 10, 15, etc.? The lowest speed that'll actually be worth paying for. (As I said before, 20/month for 1mpbs, I'd be better off leeching like I am now)

Edit 2:
from the 2 connections I have available to leech from
This one is faster/more consistent speeds, but I get dropped from time to time and there are times once every few days where it doesn't even show up on the list of networks to connect to
http://www.speedtest.net/result/2398196537.png
http://www.speedtest.net/result/2398215599.png

Here's the fallback connection, which is usually available all the time. (it stays connected, but has varying speeds; this is run back to back; at times makes youtube a pain)
http://www.speedtest.net/result/2398207560.png
http://www.speedtest.net/result/2398208835.png

Just got off the phone with Knology and they're offering 7mbps for $30/month (but I know you never get what is advertised), but said after new years, the speeds on all their services are increasing (but not the price) and that particular plan would go up to 12mbps. Just not sure how much of that advertised speed I'd actually get and if it'd be worth it or not.

**Skjie** · 2012-12-27 16:23

Why not keep leeching and spend the refund on something you can't already get?

**Ghost_Wheel22** · 2012-12-27 16:25

3-4 is good for internets, streaming, mmos, and moderate torrenting. After that it just depends how much is needed for downloading large files and need for reducing ping times.

**Cream Soda** · 2012-12-27 16:26

Originally Posted by Skjie

Why not keep leeching and spend the refund on something you can't already get?

I can browse with it, but I am unable to game with the faster connection due to getting dropped rather frequently and the fallback connection is just to slow to game at all

**Dryr** · 2012-12-27 16:29

Ask about contract prices. I sign up for 2-year contracts just like a cell phone and it locks me in at ~$35 a month for 8 or 10 mbs.

**Cream Soda** · 2012-12-27 16:30

hmm what's your contract break fee? I don't know if I'll even be here still in 2 years, but if it's enough to where I'd break even with the savings I've made to the time I've broken the contract, then it'll be worth it.

**Dryr** · 2012-12-27 16:41

no idea, but you can change the address it's connected to if you stay in one of their markets.

**Aylee** · 2012-12-27 16:47

Count yourself lucky I only have three options. 1) dial up 2) 5 MBA for 50 a month 3) 50 mbs (with 50 gb monthly allowance) for 75

**zoobernut** · 2012-12-27 16:49

Every company I have ever signed a contract with for TV or Internet or phone does not charge any contract break fee at all if you move and they do not offer their services where you move to. So either you get to keep the service and just transfer it to where you live or you can break your contract with them without any penalty. Make sure you read their contract terms to see what instances make them charge you the contract break fee.

The other thing to keep in mind is those services that offer an introductory rate for the first 6 months for super cheap usually (at least in my area) don't allow you to sign up for a contract that is as short as the length of that introductory rate. For example a local company ran a promo where you got a super cheap price on internet for 6 months if you signed up for a 2 year contract.

**Talint** · 2012-12-27 16:52

AT&T Uverse is in FL now, though they're not servicing all areas yet.

http://www.att.com/u-verse/shop/inde...&ref_from=shop

**Cream Soda** · 2012-12-27 16:53

Originally Posted by Talint

AT&T Uverse is in FL now, though they're not servicing all areas yet.

http://www.att.com/u-verse/shop/inde...&ref_from=shop

oh man that's fucking awesome. Thanks chief

**Skjie** · 2012-12-27 16:58

Originally Posted by Cream Soda

I can browse with it, but I am unable to game with the faster connection due to getting dropped rather frequently and the fallback connection is just to slow to game at all

See what your neighbours will pay to upgrade their connection and pay the difference. It's probably <$20/month and when you leave, you leave.

**Kobus** · 2012-12-27 16:59

I had Knology on the border of Georgia/Alabama for about 2 years and the 7-10 MBps advertised speed is what I actually received. They were a pretty good service most of the time. I had a problem for a bout a month where I couldn't connect at night. A college relocated some dorms to my apt complex and overtaxed the network, but it was resolved eventually. Knology didn't offer long-term contracts so once I wanted to leave I was done.

**Cream Soda** · 2012-12-27 17:01

Originally Posted by Skjie

See what your neighbours will pay to upgrade their connection and pay the difference. It's probably <$20/month and when you leave, you leave.

It's not necessarily their service, it's their distance from me. My laptop doesn't pick up their connections at all, so I have to use a wifi antenna and a usb extension cord to set it on windowsill just to get the measly 2 bar connection that I do get now. If I actually go sit in front of their house or something, it's fast as shit.

**Skjie** · 2012-12-27 17:04

Originally Posted by Cream Soda

It's not necessarily their service, it's their distance from me. My laptop doesn't pick up their connections at all, so I have to use a wifi antenna and a usb extension cord to set it on windowsill just to get the measly 2 bar connection that I do get now. If I actually go sit in front of their house or something, it's fast as shit.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833168083

**zoobernut** · 2012-12-27 17:04

See if your neighbors would put a signal booster outside their house and then split the service with them?

**Cream Soda** · 2012-12-27 17:05

Well, wouldn't hurt to ask

**Skjie** · 2012-12-27 17:07

Don't even need to. Put the WAP in your house where it has the best signal and your laptop can pick up from there for less than 2 months internet. And, when you move, take it with you.

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