Alternative Cable and Internet Providers

[BarTopDancer]

This will sound bizarre coming from an IT girl but I need some directions/pointers on alternative cable and internet providers.

I am aware of DirectTV and Dish Network. Each has their pros and cons and I'd like to hear both from anyone who has experience with them.

The larger issue is alternative internet providers. I know DSL comes in through the phone line. Are there other alternatives? Company suggestions?

I currently have Cox for both and have nothing but trouble with them for service and customer service. I am about done with them.

Any and all input is welcome.

Thank you!

[mousepod]

Surprisingly enough, I've had no problems at all from Time Warner for both cable and internet. We have a couple of cable cards in our TiVoHD and haven't had any glitches, and our internet service hasn't been down at all (that I know of) since we turned it on the first week of September.

[barfownz]

Try Verizon FIOS. Just got it a few months ago and i love it.

[BarTopDancer]

Unfortunately I am in the Cox service area and FIOS isn't available here yet. :(

[CoasterMatt]

DSLExtreme (http://www.dslextreme.com) for DSL is my favorite provider.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

DISH network really pissed me off. My sister had them and they cheesed her off too. She now has DirectTV and has had no issues.

My issue was they and thier billing double charged me for months and then when one wasn't paid, they shut off the cable and wouldn't turn it back on until I paid - even though I told them that I was getting double charged. Asshats. :)

[barfownz]

Unfortunately I am in the Cox service area and FIOS isn't available here yet. :(

AHHHH. Once FIOS is around, You should indeed get your hands on it.

[BarTopDancer]

Yes, I will. My friend was in their very first OC service area. It's beautiful!

[Kevy Baby]

DSLExtreme (http://www.dslextreme.com) for DSL is my favorite provider.I'll second that emotion.

Earthlink sucks because of their India CS. Their stupid script cost them me as a long term customer. Despite my detailed explanation, they were unable to believe that their 6-year-old modem had any problems and that I somehow blew out three NIC's all at once. (Somehow, those NIC's suddenly repaired themselves when I plugged in my new DSLExtreme modem.)

With satellite, I believe that DirecTV has more HD channels (if that is an issue). We had no issues with Dish when we had them for eight years. Unfortunately, if I want HD in our condo, I am stuck with TW Cable (who needs more HD selections).

[katiesue]

I'm another Time Warner fan (but I don't have HD). I've got them for cable, internet and phone. No issues in forever. When I've had issues customer service has been really helpful.

[wolfy999]

Time Warner must have improved over the years. We had them about 5 years ago and CS was horrible. We have DirectTV now, and not even a glitch so far, well except when it rains in solid streams and our dish can't find the satellite. Internet we use AT&T, but I know there is better out there, but too lazy to look.

[CoasterMatt]

If you need an excellent resource for finding an ISP, try DSLReports.com - you can find out how a particular ISP fares in your own service area, and they have really good forums to help with troubleshooting.

[Kevy Baby]

Internet we use AT&T, but I know there is better out there, but too lazy to look.Make the switch to DSLExtreme. It is VERY easy to switch and cheap too. Good CS.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Time Warner must have improved over the years. We had them about 5 years ago and CS was horrible. We have DirectTV now, and not even a glitch so far, well except when it rains in solid streams and our dish can't find the satellite. Internet we use AT&T, but I know there is better out there, but too lazy to look.As a counterpoint to Katiesue, I've had horrible customer service from Time Warner (though the actual cable and internet service has been stellar). And you and I were not alone seeing as the CEO got forced out this year due to the perception that Time Warner customer service was a nightmare (especially for those that got swallowed up in the Comcast/Adelphia aquisition).

[BarTopDancer]

Ok, so DSL Extreme for internetz. I need to check my phone jacks and see where they are in relation to my network. Does anyone know if I need active phone service? I wanted to get rid of my landline.

And it's between Dish and Direct. I don't have HD. But I need FSN, FSNPT, FSW and Versus.

[lizziebith]

I had an awful time dealing with TWC after they took over Adelphia. I've had Dish ever since with no problems -- and the difference in HD quality is as spectacular as was advertised. I love Dish's lineup like MonstersHD and GalleryHD. Haven't had signal problems or CS problem yet...

I've had AT&T/Yahoo DSL (in all it's permutations) for 8+ years -- and it's been out maybe twice (once when squirrels chewed through the wires outside). I don't like the new bloated and ad-heavy home pages we were recently forced to adopt though. I do like the halving of my bill for being a longtime customer!

[BarTopDancer]

I don't like the new bloated and ad-heavy home pages we were recently forced to adopt though. I do like the halving of my bill for being a longtime customer!

You can't force your homepage to be Google or blank?

[lizziebith]

Yeah, I could, but I really loved my old Yahoo one! At least they allowed to me to keep the same color scheme. Although you bring up a good point -- I should consider looking at other home page options!

[blueerica]

On Verizon FiOS for a moment...

I loved the service and had few problems, except that it got friggin' expensive once the special price wore off. On top of it all, having the Verizon phone line was a real drag, considering we hardly used it before (long distance blows) - so we threw the babies out with the bathwater and we're getting cable, internet and phone for about the same price we got just internet and phone, plus there aren't any long distance charges. Oh, and it wasn't with a special, limited-time price, so I know it'll be affordable for quite a while.

Now I get to watch shows like Project Runway (http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/showthread.php?t=6699).

[Jazzman]

All I can say is to avoid anything related to Comcast as though it was the harbinger of the plague. I have never in my life experienced such crappy service as from them. Twice we had cable "installed" (and paid for it even though we live in an apartment that is all wired up and all they actually do is type a few key strokes to turn it on, but whatever) and both times they charged us for the premium cable package when all we ordered was basic. Both times they refused to take the charge off until we paid it, in which case they would supposedly credit the difference to our next bill. We of course said no way in hell and just let it lapse. Total BS. Right now we have no TV and are just fine, but we're contemplating satellite when 24 comes back.

Beware the Comcast. BEWARE!!!!

[Moonliner]

I say you go with FIOS. We have it for Internet and TV. Damn nice except for a few DVR issues.



Oh, and I just heard. Evil Knievel is still dead. Bummer.

[Kevy Baby]

Oh, and I just heard. Evil Knievel is still dead. Bummer.Ya don't say. Someone should start a thread about that.

[BarTopDancer]

I say you go with FIOS. We have it for Internet and TV. Damn nice except for a few DVR issues.

Unfortunately I am in the Cox service area and FIOS isn't available here yet. :(

Oh, and I just heard. Evil Knievel is still dead. Bummer.

Is Regan still dead?

Oh and my options are Cox cable, DirectTV or Dish Network.

[Moonliner]

Is Regan still dead?


I'm afraid so. Generalissimo Francisco Franco is also reported to be still dead as well.

[Kevy Baby]

How about Elvis?

[blueerica]

How about Elvis?

I heard he left the building.

[Not Afraid]

Is Castro dead yet?

[Moonliner]

How about Elvis?

No, Elvis is not dead. He just went home.

[€uroMeinke]

Verizon teased us with FIOS, saying it was coming soon and we could "reserve it" but haven't heard a thing in months - I guess the original flyer didn't generate enough interest.

[Not Afraid]

I thought we got a mailer from Verizon yesterday?

[€uroMeinke]

The Secret!

[BarTopDancer]

Ok, Looking at DSL Extreme and DirectTV.

Anyone know if I need an active phone like to use DSL (yes, I know it goes through the phone line but I really want to get rid of my landline).

[CoasterMatt]

you need to have an active phone line to use DSL- but you can get bare minimum, not even have a phone hooked up to and just use it for your DSL line (I did that for a while when I lived with my parents)

If you have any more generic questions about DSL, I'd recommend the forums at DSLReports.com.

[BarTopDancer]

That was a bust. My place does not face the correct direction for DirectTV. Without that I am not switching to other internet and phone access.