Who or what are you using for Internet access?

scottmandue · 02-13-2012, 02:40 PM

So I am going down the path of wanting to dump satellite...

People keep telling me "hey, you can get everything on the internet now!"

Ok... phone provider in my neighborhood is AT&T... and they charge (what seems to me) exorbitant fees for internet access.

Wasn't there some kind of ruling that they have to share the wires that come into your house?

Can or should I go with some small local provider?

Anyone have a ISP they like and would recommend?

Thanks!

stomachmonkey · 02-13-2012, 02:45 PM

It's all too farking expensive if you ask me.

968rz · 968rz's Garage

I've been happy with happy with Earthlink cable internet for the last 10 years or so.
My brother has AT+T U-verse; he's happy with the internet but gripes about the TV.

masraum · 02-13-2012, 02:53 PM

I've got old legacy style DSL, and have been very happy with it, but I don't think you can get the same thing these days. Can you get Internet and phone through a cable company like Comcast? I know lots of folks that are happy with it.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

you need more fiber in your diet

Seahawk · 02-13-2012, 02:58 PM

Hughes satellite. No other option, really, so it is nice that it is fast and reliable.

968rz · 968rz's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Hughes satellite. No other option, really, so it is nice that it is fast and reliable.

This can be an issue if you're a gamer, the lag can kill you in a game (literally).

scottmandue · 02-13-2012, 04:00 PM

We are not gamers...

Just want to get high speed Internet and roll everything into that (phone, TV, Internet)

Checked Hughes... kinda pricey... if it isn't saving me money no point in changing.

LakeCleElum · 02-13-2012, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Hughes satellite. No other option, really, so it is nice that it is fast and reliable.

Paul - I'm interested in Hughes....Can you run speedtest.net and post your numbers? My phone is dial-up only and using a Verizon USB modem thru a router. I hate the 5 GB monthly limit.

I was under the impression that Sat. internet was no faster? Thax...

id10t · 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

Paul - I'm interested in Hughes....Can you run speedtest.net and post your numbers? My phone is dial-up only and using a Verizon USB modem thru a router. I hate the 5 GB monthly limit.

I was under the impression that Sat. internet was no faster? Thax...

I'm kinda in the country (10 miles from nearest cable outlet), but have DSL... 1.5 down and 384k up, no blocked ports, excellent uptime. I'd upgrade to the 3mb or faster, but I'm so far out that while it will provision, it has a VERY low s:n ratio and drops connection constantly. But rock stable at 1.5, so I'm happy.

If you get a 3g signal on your phone, see about getting a 3g-fi dedicated 3g -> 802.11something doohicky - creates an access point based off a 3g connection. Friend has one, works well for her when she is where she gets signal. Not sure if she has a data limit.

Satellite will be slower on the speed tests just due to the distance the data must travel - request to start connection, then start getting stuff, you go thru 2 bounces off the satellite. So it is slow for surfing web pages - click, wait 10 seconds, start rendering the page. Click again real soon. For downloading large files, or for non-live streaming stuff, it is fine, since you are only having one initial connection delay. For live interactive stuff, it lags again.

Seahawk · 02-13-2012, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

Paul - I'm interested in Hughes....Can you run speedtest.net and post your numbers? My phone is dial-up only and using a Verizon USB modem thru a router. I hate the 5 GB monthly limit.

I was under the impression that Sat. internet was no faster? Thax...

Running through a wireless router with two others on line:

0.80 down and 0.22 up.

I am miles from the nearest cable outlet and DSL lines to the house were too expensive...we've had Hughes for over ten years.

For work I use VZ wireless modem.

Moses · 02-13-2012, 05:57 PM

On my iPhone connecting to Comcast cable via Apple Airport extreme.

LeeH · 02-13-2012, 06:34 PM

Our service is through Cox cable. The service we pay for "Preferred" level which just went from $50 to $54/month. Speeds claimed "up to" 18 mbps.

However, we usually test much faster. The test I just ran was 23.6 mbps. Somtimes I wonder if they have speedtest.net set to run faster. For the most part it's very reliable and obviously quick enough for home use.

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

I don't know what it means, but here is the results on my Comcast.

Mark Henry · 02-13-2012, 07:18 PM

We're rural and we have a small provider that uses radio. We have a antenna about the size of a small (12") pizza box on the roof. Speed is faster than Hughes sat and there's no limits.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

the nice thing about Hughes sat, is that if he goes on a road trip, he stick the dish on top of his 356 and turn the car into a mobile WiFi access point...

LakeCleElum · 02-13-2012, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Henry

We're rural and we have a small provider that uses radio. We have a antenna about the size of a small (12") pizza box on the roof. Speed is faster than Hughes sat and there's no limits.

Mark, does your antenna have to be "line of sight" to a tower of some sort? If so, I have it in my area, but too many trees to use it....Thax

LakeCleElum · 02-13-2012, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Running through a wireless router with two others on line:

0.80 down and 0.22 up.

I am miles from the nearest cable outlet and DSL lines to the house were too expensive...we've had Hughes for over ten years.

For work I use VZ wireless modem.

Thanks for the info Paul and Id10t

Scuba Steve · 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Can or should I go with some small local provider?

Anyone have a ISP they like and would recommend?

Thanks!

That's what we did. Our ISP is Knology and we get tv through a huge antenna mounted in the rafters in the garage, and Hulu. Our DVR is a desktop PC in a nearby server closet with a 2TB hard drive and tv capture card.

$35/month after taxes for 12Mbit service + another 8 for Hulu. Beats our old $120/month bill and the internet is loads faster now.

Mark Henry · 02-14-2012, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

Mark, does your antenna have to be "line of sight" to a tower of some sort? If so, I have it in my area, but too many trees to use it....Thax

Yes it needs line of sight, but it can go though some trees, but for some reason coniferous trees give it problems. Providers here give you a free site survey to see if it will work for your house.