Questions for Part Time Villages Residents Using Xfinity Internet Service
 

After over five years, we are finally considering getting high speed internet service at our Villages home. Xfinity offers a budget internet only plan that is 25 Mbps for $20 per month for the first year, then it jumps to $43 per month based on current pricing. They also stated that part time residents can turn the plan on and off based on when they are at their homes. When the plan is turned off, they charge $8 per month to keep the plan on hold.

My two questions are: 1) has the putting the plan on hold thing worked as seamless as Xfinity claims? Can you simply call if you are flying down for a couple of weeks at various times throughout the year and easily turn the plan on and off? 2) are you able to stream video content, without buffering, from services like Netflix and Amazon Prime with 25 Mbps? I would greatly appreciate feedback from anyone who has experience using this service. Thanks : )

We have the 25Mbps plan and have never seen buffering on Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime streaming. We primarily use a Fire Stick but have also used the Xfinity Flex box and the Smart TV features of our television.

We are currently in our first year of the budget plan. We didn't know about the stop/start feature so we missed out on that.

Edit: Just ran three speed tests from different providers: 23,6Mbps, 24.96Mbps, and 25.3Mbps all while streaming the football game

You may want to clarify it with Xfinity. Several posters on other internet sites have said that the minimum Xfinity seasonal hold period is 90 days and the maximum period is 215 days. Also, I wouldn't trust 25 mbps for streaming. When you pay for internet service they say that the speed is "up to 25 mbps". So, they don't guarantee that speed.

There are some limits on the vacation holds for the service. I think you can do it only once a year and it is really geared for snowbirds who might want service for 6-7 continuous months. You can't turn service off and on for a long weekend.

25mbps should be plenty for watching those services on a single TV at a time. Might need to up it if you are trying to watch 4k content or multiple TV's at once. Talk to them, if you find you are buffering, you can add more Mbps for a small $$$ increase at a later date.

Cable/internet/cell phone companies NEVER guarantee speeds. Check the fine print.

If Century Link is available in your area you might look into their offerings. I think that is the company that has decent rates and grandfathers people in, so your rate won't ever go up as long as you keep the service. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

kathy

Yes the shutoff is mostly seamless but it isn't available for just 1 or 2 weeks. There's a minimum. I don't remember what the minimum was. I also agree about the 25mbps. for $50 you can get up to 100mbps from xfinity for a year. And then when your year is up, tell them you want whatever the "new customer" special is (it's the same deal that you had all year), or else you'll cancel, and then sign right back up with the new customer special anyway. That's what I did. For 2 years so far I'm paying $50/month for 100mbps.

About that speed: the speed only applies if you hook your device (computer, or TV, or laptop, or tablet) directly to the modem. If you are hooked up to a router, and the router is the thing connected to the modem, your speed is reduced significantly since it's on a shared connection.

The more thing you have turned on, that are connected to that service, the slower the speed across each device. If you only have one device and no router, you get that 100mbps easily.

I've had Century Link fiber optic in the area of St. Charles Blvd since 2011 and only had one outage in that entire time. I pay $49 a month including tax and guaranteed for life for 100mpbs speed, it usually tests out between 80 and 88.

I vaca house online, takes 5 minutes, and only takes 24 - 48 hours to start or stop.

I don't know what you mean by "I vaca house online." But no matter how seamless it is, how quick it happens, how many hours to start or stop, there's still a minimum requirement. You can stop service for a minimum of "x" weeks or months at a time. You can stop it for 2 months, minimum, or 3 months, minimum, or 1 month, minimum. You can't stop service for just a couple of weeks. It's not an option.

Well, the 100 mbps is download speed (upload may be different) always measured by the modem hardware, and can be limited by home network devices or broadband useage on your network branch. Device speeds really depends on the quality of the devices in your network, and the load/size of the broad band network to which you are connected. My network design is Modem -> router -> switch -> wired devices with 1 wireless device, (wired to ceiling wireless access point) and 7 wired devices. The switch is a gigabyte switch, so that is not the bottleneck. The nat router is high speed, with two ports, with 1 port directly to streaming hard wired television, and the other to the switch for all the other devices. Wife and I worked on our laptops with streaming TV on during the day, and never have had speed problems (I push alot of data around back and forth). At night with everyone on the TV streaming, occasional buffering issues which is the broadband network branch usage with spectrum in Marsh bend.

With the current network up north, the additional of the entire city school system on video on the network, last 5 months, only 1 day did we have work connection issues, and that was on the spectrum end. . . not ours. However, talk to the neighbors on our branch, and they are always having drop issues, due to their home network design, not the broad band network.

normally, there are always issues with networks which are complex, but always best to have quality home network components, and wired wherever possible.

sportsguy

After further research, I have learned that the minimum hold time is three months and the maximum is nine months. It is definitely a plan designed for snowbirds, who come to their homes once per year for the entire cold season. It is not a plan for snowflakes, who come to their second home often throughout the year for several shorter stays, even though their total time there during the year might be the same or longer.

I also learned that one can put their internet service on a low cost hold plan that completely shuts off the service. For a larger cost, the internet service can be put on a hold plan with limited speed and data that stills allows smart home monitoring and security systems to work remotely.

I only understood some of that (I'm a software and component PC person, not much of a network person). But my network is just xfinity with my own Netgear modem and router. My desktop computer is plugged directly into the modem. Our TV (which has a Roku stick) is in another room, the laptop is on a desk on the other side of my office. We have two cell phones (which are set to wifi when we're home since we don't have unlimited data on our cell plan), I have a tablet in the bedroom that I use for news, the weather, alarm clock, and e-book, and I have a wireless printer in another part of my office that all devices except for the TV have access to. My sister also has access to the printer remotely from Connecticut.

With all those things running on a fairly low-end high-ish speed Netgear modem and router, we have only very rare hiccups on the TV. Other than that, we can do everything we need, and I can watch movies on my desktop (I have a 26" monitor and wireless in-ear headset).

OBB,

Sounds like you are doing fine! I am originally trained in Finance but have supported IT most of my career, other than 5 years in M&A / global consolidations, with the first 5 years supporting LAN/WAN network R&D in the early 90's with some of the peeps on the Ethernet standards committee, so I have learned from experience with lunch discussions and actual WAN / LAN usage experience. Now I do finance database design work as a SQL Server dba, so I work with the network and security peeps every once in awhile. . and ask them network questions when I get stuck. .. ie, i know enough to be real dangerous but to also ask the right questions

So in your house, most all of your devices can individually handle the speed requirements, so when all on the same network, then the network components and design are the limiting factor. . . which is why I tried to give examples of a higher end design to eliminate home design issues, or when the broadband can be the limiting factor at certain times of the day. Went to best buy and they didn't understand why I was doing it when looking for components. . . and i needed two closets to get enough room for everything, in a new build. Had to call Galaxy back in because they wired it wrong, they didn't believe me until they got their network guys to the house.

So I just happen to be particular in my entire work environment with technology, including my network, pc specs and software. . . as I am sure you are with your pc and software. . . (learning python as an old dog is very, very slow)

sportsguy

OP asked is it was as easy as Comcast claims, didn’t ask the minimum or maximum of hold. Just answered the question, YES it’s easy to do. Who would stop service for couple of weeks?

Since 2009 have put Comcast on vaca hold, (north) or seasonal hold, (TV)

North at both homes, minimum is 30 days max is 6 months. In TV minimum has always been 90 days, and the maximum I have used is 9 months, with no problems. I go online, and remove whichever hold on either home, while driving, by the time I arrive it up and running.

I find it a better deal to cancel service when leaving. If gone for more than 3 months you are treated as a new customer and get the introductory rate.

It works well if you are a true snowbird and are in TV for one extended period and away for one extended period as you are allowed just one "hold" per year and it is for a minimum of three months.

If TV is more of a "holiday home" for you and you visit several times a year you can still only put the service on hold once.

Turning the hold on and off is very easy - just a phone call to an automated service. You have to provide departure and arrival dates, but you can change these. We have arrived without remembering to activate the service but a phone call had it up and running within the hour.

Our experience of cancelling the service then coming back on the cheap, introductory deal has not been the same as an earlier poster's. Xfinity keep your account details and, in our experience, won't treat you as a new customer until you have been away from them for two years.

You were lucky with Century Link. The sales rep told me I would have the same speed as I had with Comcast so I switched. Biggest mistake I ever made! When I called Century Link to complain they said they couldn’t up the speed because of my location (village of Caroline)...I kept getting dropped from my recorded programs and well as live TV. I was back with Comcast within a month and have not had an issue since. Be aware of false promises. Century Link HAD to know I wasn’t going to get enough speed to stream and yet they promised I would have no issues at all. 😣

You are correct re: Centurylink.

Something to think about in our absence we kept CL internet live because we had 2 NEST cameras so we could keep our eyes on the interior of the home.

We have Century Link for our internet with the Grandfather pricing for 80 Mbps. Recently we put it on vacation mode, when we called to have it turned on they told us that they only have 25 Mbps at $49.00 available in our area. Sent a message to talk to a supervisor and still waiting for a explanation. We have always been very happy with their service but think that this is their way of getting out of the original plan we had. I guess this means buyer beware!!!

I have Spectrum Internet (only) for $49/month with up to 200 mbps. On a good day it is only 3/4 of that (and there are few good days). I have 2 TVs streaming Netflix, Hulu, etc. and I still could use more bandwidth. A streaming channel can buffer forever until I exit out, go to my wireless connection, disconnect and then reconnect. I have to do this at least 2-3 times per day if not more. I really wanted CenturyLink with their fiber optic service but they said our new build in Bradford wasn't covered.

Trust me, do NOT get their 25 mbps! You will be sorry.

PS: Not to be rude but if you can afford to buy a (I assume 2nd) home here with all the fees and so on and fly back and forth to here, don't be a cheapskate and skimp on the Internet.

Yep...cheapest easiest way to go.

The nominal bandwidth that you contracted for (200 megabits per second) is not your issue. Netflix consumes about 4-5 megabits per second for 1080p and about 15-20 megabits per second for 2160p (aka 4K). We have had no issues with streaming Netflix at 1080p to two sets with a nominal bandwidth of 10 megabits per second. You have something else going on. For example, if you are using Wi-Fi to your sets then perhaps you have a very poor Wi-Fi connection.

Be aware Xfinity has the worst customer service! Put me on hold forever. Left my number no callback, for a simple billing problem.

That’s incorrect

Re: Century Link: The service you can get from them is location-dependent. We are between 466 and 466a and they are only able to supply 10 mbs in our area. So Comcast is our only choice for anything faster, as far as I know.

BUT - if you PAY for 50MBS and you're only getting 25MBS, contact the provider for a refund of the difference in cost. I don't think they can charge you for a service you're NOT receiving.

If you're paying for 50MB and you're only getting 25, then plug your device directly into your modem, and don't use a wifi router. The speed is for direct connection to the cable, NOT to a router that acts as a go-between for all your devices.

Ohiobuckeye
 

Believe me that $43. dollars that 2nd yr. “won’t stop there. Remember they’re in business to make money. Within 5 or 6 yrs. you’ll be paying $150. a month. Good luck but if I were you, check with someone that has Infinity, I bet you’ ll be shocked to here that that $43. won’t stop there! All cable Co. raise your bills every year.

Yup they do. And all you have to do, to mitigate that, is wait til your last month of your yearly contract and tell them "I want the current deal for new customers." If they say it's not available for existing customers, you tell them "Okay then I don't want to renew my contract next year. Please cancel my service. BUT - before you do that, just keep in mind the second you do, I'll be signing back up as a new customer so I can get the new customer deal. So how about we just save everyone time and energy and you renew my current contract and pricing for the next contract period?"

That's exactly what I did, and continue to do, every time the contract is up for renewal.

Century Link
 

Century Link, if it's available in your area. $50 a month for life.

We've been doing the seasonal hold for years at both The Villages and our PA house and it has worked great. Even when we changed our return plans and called in just a few days to a week prior to return, it was up without a problem. There is a time limit on the turn off, just as others have said, as well as the small monthly recurring charge.
Regarding the 25m plan, it was not sufficient for us and we increased right away. We do some work from our home so are both on internet, email during the day plus we did experience some buffering during downloads and movies.

Have had 25 Mbps service for 2 years and it has always "speed tested" at or above the 25 Mbps. Never a buffering issue. And we have a lot of IOT devices sharing the stream including multiple Tvs.
No problems here.

I am a Network guy ...
 

If you have your computer plugged directly into your Modem, how are you connecting the Router?
If via the Computer, you are creating a bottleneck by invoking the Internet sharing protocol.
With the speed and computing power of modern Routers, you are best served by going directly from Modem to Router and having all devices access via the Router.
The hardwired Ports are capable of higher bandwidth than the wireless Radios within the Router.
By employing Giga-bit switches, you can expand the wired Network extensively thus maintaining a higher connection quality.

"...A streaming channel can buffer forever until I exit out, go to my wireless connection, disconnect and then reconnect...."

In all probability, your issue is your wireless integrity in the configuration; not your Spectrum service.

As a simple test get a Cat 5a (or Cat 6) "patch cable (extension cable) and connect your device that is buffering directly to a Router port and see if the buffering quits. They make these cables in varying lengths; get one long enough to reach any device you have and you can test any one whenever you wish.

Century Link issues...
 

Be aware Century Link has two types of Internet service.
DSL and Fiber.
Fiber is lovely.
DSL uses the old old telephone lines (POTS) to send data.
DSL is an absolute disaster. Low speeds, forever getting "Circuit Problems" you are better off using Cellular HotSpots.
AND, yeah .... CL lies ...

..Clarify?
 

You keep saying "..plug your device directly into your modem.."
Is your Modem a combination Modem/Router ( as are the ones provided by Xfinity)?
OR is your Modem separate from your Router?
If they are two separate boxes, you should not advocate to "plug your device directly into your modem".
NOT the way to go.

Ohiobuckeye
 

. You’re exactly right, all of these cable Co.do the same exact thing but they’ll give you a song & dance why theirs is the best but the consumer want a fixed cable bill, forget it, it’ll go up every yr. I know what I’m about to say has nothing to do with cable bills in TV but where we live now we get FREE Cable & Internet through our HOA. Our daughter has live here in the same Subdivision for 8 yrs. & it’s never cost her nothing YET. We were paying $165. a month when we lived there.

We have cable and internet totaling $130 a month. Not sure the speed but it works good. I did not turn it off but hope to this summer. I was under the impression you could only do this once a year but if they let you do it all the time that will save a lot.