[Arctic Fox]

The monthly charge for the slowest internet has just gone up to $48 (it was $30 last year) so I looked for a better deal.

They are offering "Now" for $30 a month, no contract, so I decided that would work for me.

I tried switching on-line but ended up going round in circles. The Chat assistant was useless but I eventually persuaded it to give me an agent. After ten minutes the agent (Moses) said he had limited access to my account info so couldn't help me, and just cut me off. I fought my way back to another agent (I****a) who sounded promising and offered to cut my bill. After 30 minutes of idle chat she came up with an offer of $55!

I eventually found out that you can't have Now if you already subscribe for another service, so you have to cancel that, then wait a few days (without any internet) for the Now equipment to arrive.

I have scheduled an appointment at the Rolling Acres store and am hoping that they may have the equipment there so I can switch without interruption. Judging from the fact that the earliest available appointment is next Friday I think there must be a lot of people who have just had a rate increase and want to renegotiate.

Comcast never fails to disappoint with its lack of appreciation of its customers - I am "Platinum" but I suspect that's just to boost my ego as I don't see any benefits from having been with them for ten years. Sadly, no other choice in this neck of the woods.

[retiredguy123]

Have you tried to make an appointment at their other office on Rt 441 in Leesburg, near Babettes furniture? I never do business with Xfinity on the phone or on a chat.

[Bill14564]

You might take a look at TMobile 5G internet.

- They used to have a 30-day free trial
- There is a store in Pinellas plaza
- I believe it is still $50/month with no contract required

*** Since it works over the cell system you need to have cell reception. It works well in my home in Hillsborough and I know it works well at the RV park at 44 and 75. But this is why the 30-day is valuable - you can bring it home and give it a try then return it if it isn't for you.

Very easy to set up. I changed the SSID and password on the TMobile modem and all my devices connected immediately.


I believe both Verizon and AT&T offer similar devices but I haven't looked into those.

[mtdjed]

Verizon option may be wonderful but alas, not available. I've been on waiting list for a year scanning the horizon for a new tower going up. Can't get any hint from them.

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Have you tried to make an appointment at their other office on Rt 441 in Leesburg, near Babettes furniture? I never do business with Xfinity on the phone or on a chat.

Thank you, rtg123. I have an appointment at the store in Rolling Acres next Saturday. Like you, I never achieve anything on the phone but the people in that store have proved to be very helpful over the years.

[MorTech]

You can't use your own modem/router with Xfinity NOW. You need to get their Xfinity NOW kit which contains a cable modem router.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by MorTech

You can't use your own modem/router with Xfinity NOW. You need to get their Xfinity NOW kit which contains a cable modem router.

The reason for this is because with the NOW system they are using old refurushed cable modem/routers which they are providing to you. If you ever cancel the service you don't need to return the equipment.

I don't know for sure but I think Xfinity had tons of old cable modems/routers since they have upgraded their equipment. They also needed a basic internet service so that's how they came up with the NOW system. I'm not saying it's bad, just interesting to know the details. It seems $30 is about the lowest price for basic internet right now.

I agree, if you can get the fixed wireless service from T-Mobile or Verizon, that may be a better way to go for the long term.

[Bay Kid]

Such a shame we have to waste so much time to save a little. I wasted over an hour a few weeks ago with Comcast....

[Overlook1]

Yeah I always dread the yearly Comcast negotiations! Have to say the store people will get you into a better plan than online or phone. I can usually get same service or a little better within $5 of current plan. But I have no “extra stuff”.

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by jrref

I think Xfinity had tons of old cable modems/routers since they have upgraded their equipment. They also needed a basic internet service so that's how they came up with the NOW system. I'm not saying it's bad, just interesting to know the details. It seems $30 is about the lowest price for basic internet right now.

Yes, the need to use their modem/router is why I would have no internet while waiting for it to arrive, so I'm hoping someone has turned one in recently at the local store and I can just take it with me.

Now is billed as having no contract, and there doesn't seem to be a limit on the number of times you can put it on vacation plan each year - their normal internet is limited to once a year.

It is currently $30 per month but prices "can" increase, for which we must read "definitely will" increase, but worth giving it a shot. If it doesn't work out I just cancel it (nothing to return) and sign up to the original internet - probably with a better deal than they are giving long-time customers!

[MorTech]

"- probably with a better deal than they are giving long-time customers!"

You can count on it! You have to actually quit them so that they remember how much they loved you and want you back

[westernrider75]

Originally Posted by mtdjed

Verizon option may be wonderful but alas, not available. I've been on waiting list for a year scanning the horizon for a new tower going up. Can't get any hint from them.

A friend tried the Verizon offering but if you stream it doesn’t work well. If you just need internet it’s probably ok and I believe it’s $35.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

Yes, the need to use their modem/router is why I would have no internet while waiting for it to arrive, so I'm hoping someone has turned one in recently at the local store and I can just take it with me.

Now is billed as having no contract, and there doesn't seem to be a limit on the number of times you can put it on vacation plan each year - their normal internet is limited to once a year.

It is currently $30 per month but prices "can" increase, for which we must read "definitely will" increase, but worth giving it a shot. If it doesn't work out I just cancel it (nothing to return) and sign up to the original internet - probably with a better deal than they are giving long-time customers!

The service should work but just remember you are getting the cheapeast most basic internet service that Xfinity can provide. Actually, I haven't seen anything cheaper from any company unless it's been subsidized by the government.

Please continue to provide updates on getting the equipment, the install and what you think of the service. I'm sure there are lots of people who might want to get this service.

There are a couple of youtube videos on this product.

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by jrref

Please continue to provide updates on getting the equipment, the install and what you think of the service. I'm sure there are lots of people who might want to get this service.

Will do. If the store people can drop our current rate to $30 (which they have done twice before, although just for a year each time) we may go with that. If they can't then we shall switch to Now.

[mraines]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

The monthly charge for the slowest internet has just gone up to $48 (it was $30 last year) so I looked for a better deal.

They are offering "Now" for $30 a month, no contract, so I decided that would work for me.

I tried switching on-line but ended up going round in circles. The Chat assistant was useless but I eventually persuaded it to give me an agent. After ten minutes the agent (Moses) said he had limited access to my account info so couldn't help me, and just cut me off. I fought my way back to another agent (I****a) who sounded promising and offered to cut my bill. After 30 minutes of idle chat she came up with an offer of $55!

I eventually found out that you can't have Now if you already subscribe for another service, so you have to cancel that, then wait a few days (without any internet) for the Now equipment to arrive.

I have scheduled an appointment at the Rolling Acres store and am hoping that they may have the equipment there so I can switch without interruption. Judging from the fact that the earliest available appointment is next Friday I think there must be a lot of people who have just had a rate increase and want to renegotiate.

Comcast never fails to disappoint with its lack of appreciation of its customers - I am "Platinum" but I suspect that's just to boost my ego as I don't see any benefits from having been with them for ten years. Sadly, no other choice in this neck of the woods.

I don't know what "NOW" is. How do you get internet so cheaply? I would not complain if I had your bill. I recently went over my data allotment and also went to the store on 441. I asked why I am using more data when I live alone and haven't changed anything. I was told that if I stream, the streaming is getting better HD or something so I am using more data. Not being tech smart, I accepted this explanation. They adjusted my bill and gave me unlimited data, but it's certainly not as low as yours.