Alternative for internet service???

[wendyquat]

Centurylink is haunting me!! After a dismal experience with Prism, mostly service related (or lack thereof), we discontinued Centurylink before our "30 day trial" was over but opted to keep their internet because we did not know of another option without changing everything to Comcast.

Today I get a bill for over $216.00 from Centurylink! My frustration is I cannot get anything via a phone number other than a recording; their online "Chat" is closed and I spent a great deal of time filling out an email to them via their website only to be told that the email was "unsuccessful". I dread returning to their office here as it took me over an hour in line to return the "boxes" when we discontinued service. BTW, we were there over 3 hours to initially sign up for the service.

I'm just absolutely FED UP with it but don't know of another option. It's almost enough to make me give up having internet at all but I can't give up TOTV!!:Screen_of_Death:

[chuckinca]

We have the Sprint Hotspot that works everywhere there is Sprint Cell Phone service - pretty much everywhere. We are snowbirds and use it in our two locations and in between.

The Sprint store near Home Depot currently is running a special (I believe until 11/12). $79 for the hardware with a 2 year contract that costs $59 a month for the service.


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[TednRobin]

We decided on Comcast, running a triple bundle special for $99 amonth with no contract. We found the internet too slow and unable to view video so we increased the internet that was $10.00/month more w no contract. So far so good. We will just discontinue the service when we head north in the spring.

[njbchbum]

tednrobin - you posted that you would 'discontinue' comcast service...did you know that you can just put the bundle on vacation for about $6/month? that's what our friends do when they fly north in april.

[CarGuys]

I am going to use my Droid cell phone for phone and internet, Recently while on a Design Team Visit I used my Droid as a wireless hotspot in a Creekside Villa.

It is only 3G nothing like Fios but it suprised me how well it performed. With my new phone and 4G coverage it will be fast enough. I can hook up 5 wireless computer devices

This will allow us internet in TV and anywhere in the country traveling. We will then use Direct TV for HD until Fios if ever gets into the Villages.

I believe many of us moving into TV who have had Road Runner turbo or better yet Fios are or will be in shock with the lousy internet service.

If your phone does not do hotspots then you can get their portable. It is another cell phone charge but bundled may be better that what you are paying now.

[Posh 08]

Check the limits on data with the hot spots. Most of the providers have done away with unlimited data.

[wendyquat]

I am going to use my Droid cell phone for phone and internet, Recently while on a Design Team Visit I used my Droid as a wireless hotspot in a Creekside Villa.

It is only 3G nothing like Fios but it suprised me how well it performed. With my new phone and 4G coverage it will be fast enough. I can hook up 5 wireless computer devices

This will allow us internet in TV and anywhere in the country traveling. We will then use Direct TV for HD until Fios if ever gets into the Villages.

I believe many of us moving into TV who have had Road Runner turbo or better yet Fios are or will be in shock with the lousy internet service.

If your phone does not do hotspots then you can get their portable. It is another cell phone charge but bundled may be better that what you are paying now.

Sounds good. I have an IPhone 4 but that would leave my husband with no internet when I'm not around, wouldn't it?

[CarGuys]

Check the limits on data with the hot spots. Most of the providers have done away with unlimited data.

Thanks, Maybe why I get away with it grandfathered on 3G but the new phone might take a hit.

Maybe we should all be like the movie " Wild Hogs! " where they all throw their cell phones away.

I sure have thought about it!:Screen_of_Death:

[CarGuys]

Sounds good. I have an IPhone 4 but that would leave my husband with no internet when I'm not around, wouldn't it?

Yep Reality check.!

Maybe why our friends use the Verizon portable hotspot and still have their cells.

I wish I had enough guts to go a year with no net and no cell bills!

Has anyone pulled this off in TV!:Screen_of_Death:

[CatskillBill]

I use a Verizon cell, so I thought the Galaxy Tab would be the way to go for $30 a month and $199 for the tab. (half off the $399 price if a Verizon customer)

What a mistake that was. First it was slower that dial up. I was pulling my hair out waiting for web pages to download. Second problem was there is a 2 gig limit each month, and then a $10 a gig after that.

The sales people tell you 2 gigs is like 7,000 emails which I thought was alot. After ten days of surfing the net I used over one gig.

Well, I took the Galaxy back to Verizon before the 14 limit to opt out of the plan.
There was no early termination fee, but a $75 restocking fee because it was used.

I was nice to put the tab in the car and surf the net while waiting for the better half to shop, and the GPS was cool, but the speed was killing me.

BTW, I live in Poinciana with good cell coverage. Went to Century Link for internet only for $44.95, no limits, and 3 MPS which is fine. 10 meg is $5 more if you need it.

[jnieman]

We use Comcast High Speed. Have never had any trouble in 3 years. It's about $59 per month. I didn't like their cable service and switched to Direct TV, but the high speed internet has been great with never an outage.

[wendyquat]

Personally I feel like $50 and $60 a month just for internet is too much, but what do I know?:Screen_of_Death:

[Dirigo]

Personally I feel like $50 and $60 a month just for internet is too much, but what do I know?:Screen_of_Death:

We won't have cable TV or dish as we feel the value for the dollar is not there, but we happily spend $60/month for high speed internet. We use it for news, business, communication, information, socialization, and entertainment.

Just my 2 cents...

[zcaveman]

Personally I feel like $50 and $60 a month just for internet is too much, but what do I know?:Screen_of_Death:

What is your alternative for hi-speed internet?

I have always been happy with my Comcast service.

[wendyquat]

We won't have cable TV or dish as we feel the value for the dollar is not there, but we happily spend $60/month for high speed internet. We use it for news, business, communication, information, socialization, and entertainment.

Just my 2 cents...

I'm with you on the TV Dirigo but don't the the hubby would be able to do without his baseball games and westerns!:crap2:

[Dirigo]

I'm with you on the TV Dirigo but don't the the hubby would be able to do without his baseball games and westerns!:crap2:

Ahhhh yes...the sports nut would have to have cable or satellite TV that's for sure. Not a sports watcher myself, except for The Masters that is...and of course, the Super Bowl...love the ads...and the lovely Diane prefers a good book over television unless its a good British mystery show.

[billethkid]

If you have an iPhone you can have it become a "hotspot" to drive up to 5 other devices including computers. Costs an extra $20 per month to do so. You turn the feature on when when you anticipate needing it and turn it off when you don't. They pro rate the $20 based on days use.

While in the hotspot mode one can also tether their iPhone directly to a computer for internet access.

I used to use a Verizon air card (469 per month) but picked up an iPhone and pay less $$ per month when I use it as a hotspot...which is anytime we are away from TV.

btk

[hockyb]

I just moved to The Villages on October 25th. Today I received my first Comcast Bill.

$89.10 which includes $29.95 installation. So my next bill should be in the neighborhood
$59.15 /month. TV charge is $16.96/month (for what I call basic TV). Internet is $36.99/month. So far the internet service is OK, but slower than my RR turbo in Vestal, NY.

I also subscribe to MLB, over the internet, which gives me more than enough baseball. That said I am shut out for live broadcasts, in NY when to Phillies play the Mets, plus all NYY games are delayed. But they are available on demand.

I am making due with my cell phone after having a land line with the same number for 60 years. So far not a problem that I know of. Thinking of using Skype for a "land line" here in Florida. I understand I can transport Skype to NY at no additional charge. Would be interested if anyone knows about this.

[CarGuys]

Just brought home a trial phone.

New Droid Razor As we are long time Verizon customers we will be Grand fathered with unlimited Data.

Could not stall this phone. The speed on my laptop was faster than our RoadRunner Wireless. Downloads were amazing fast.

Something to consider. A cell phone as a phone and a wireless hotspot. We recieved out welcome to TV Clearlink application today. Can you all hear the shreader running?

[memason]

I believe that using the cellphone as a hotspot is a good alternative, while traveling.

However, you will not able to talk on the phone and use the internet at the same time. If you [or your spouse] are using the hotspot function and a call comes in, it will disconnect the internet.

New 4G phones might be different, but you should check first. Also, read the small print on your unlimited plan. Many of them throttle back the speed to 3G or even Edge (Verizon) after 5GB. The Verizon Edge network is painfully slow.

Surf on . . .

[2 Oldcrabs]

Brighthouse cable is available in Sanibel area. Anybody have any experience
with them?

[CarGuys]

Processing!

LOL

[Dirigo]

I just moved to The Villages on October 25th. Today I received my first Comcast Bill.

$89.10 which includes $29.95 installation. So my next bill should be in the neighborhood
$59.15 /month. TV charge is $16.96/month (for what I call basic TV). Internet is $36.99/month. So far the internet service is OK, but slower than my RR turbo in Vestal, NY.

I also subscribe to MLB, over the internet, which gives me more than enough baseball. That said I am shut out for live broadcasts, in NY when to Phillies play the Mets, plus all NYY games are delayed. But they are available on demand.

I am making due with my cell phone after having a land line with the same number for 60 years. So far not a problem that I know of. Thinking of using Skype for a "land line" here in Florida. I understand I can transport Skype to NY at no additional charge. Would be interested if anyone knows about this.

Thanks for the tip on the Basic TV @$16.95/month. I just signed up for that package after reading your post. Also got the Performance promo internet package. And they are installing the day the moving van shows up...how good is that???