Dumping Dial-up

[Ivan]

Okay, I've had it. I was intending to get broadband/DSL/whatever after we moved but it appears that it will be about five months before we move. I can't take it anymore.

What is the best in broadband? DSL? Or whatever else is out there. I haven't checked lately but SBC Yahoo DSL is not available where I am located. I think that would be my first choice...DSL that is.

There are so many things I'm missing out on. Dial-up is too slow for so many beneficial services and programs. Besides the time wasted with dial-up, there is so much I can use that is out there. Help.

Suggestions and recommendations appreciated.

 

[Ivan]

I don't realize they still made dial-up. I almost forgot it ever existed.

Yeah, I think my computer is hooked up by a dinosaur tail.

 

[Ivan]

bump

 

[Pilgrim]

Does your cable company offer broadband? Does the phone company offer DSL? (Or is that SBC Yahoo, which I would think would be AT&T by now?) Those are generally the choices most people have unless they live in a major metro.

 

[fredtgreco]

If you are moving in a couple of months, you may want to make sure that the service is portable/cancellable if no service is available.

Verizon is a good option for that. If it is available, FIOS is awesome. A small point: you can often get Earthlink Cable internet through your local cable company, for $5-8 less per month than the cable company's service - presuming that you don't have the super cable bundle (I don't).

 

[Pilgrim]

I was on dial up a while back because I was on an antique computer, but it was very frustrating at times.

Dial up is still the only option for many who live in rural areas where DSL or broadband are not available, unless one opts for satellite.

 

[Grymir]

Cable !!!! I'm poor, but i got cable t.v., telephone, and highspeed internet for $140 month. I am out of the dark ages!!! i never have cable tv in my life until 2005! now I can watch Battlestar Galactica and Dr. Who.

 

[Semper Fidelis]

That's funny. I was just in the PX yesterday and saw modems on sale. I remember when I was excited to get a 56K modem, which was always a misnomer because providers never provided more than 40kbps. I remember thinking it OK to wait 6 mins for a 1MB file (that was screaming). Dialup drives me nuts now when I have to use it on occassion.

Go to Find Broadband Service Now - dslreports.com I pulled up the following for Poplar Grove, IL:

Broadband options in
Poplar Grove, Boone, IL

Popular functions:
Broadband prequalification process (what can I get?)
ISP Reviews 'near' your ZIP
Locate nearest small, independent, ISP near ZIP 61065 (zoom out if necessary)
Our other maps (Check out the Verizon FiOS map)

WIRELESS providers in your area
-- AirLogic Internet Services

Compare business bandwidth options:
Looking for T1 or faster
Get competitive quotes!

Price checks:
Cheapest Broadband
Residential DSL by price

Other functions:
Top rated ISPs
Where is my CO?
Distance to CO calculator

Your neighbors (zip 610XX) recently reviewed

Verizon Online DSL
Plus: Low cost
Minus: Speed is always below (70%) what I'm playing for
Bottom line: Use them if you have no others to compare to
[read more]

Mediacom
Plus: Decent speeds, Cable TV works most of the time
Minus: Bad pings during the day, Unreliable connection in the day and evening
Bottom line: Decent speeds but terrible reliability here
[read more]

Xplornet
Plus: it sounded good because it would be just one bill.
Minus: It won't let me e-mail without getting a failure notice
Bottom line: Need help now.
[read more]

Mediacom
Plus: pretty stable internet connection and VOIP
Minus: paying for HD - not getting many channels
Bottom line: there's hope for improvements
[read more]

Insight Communications
Plus: Good speeds.
Minus: No warnings before they take down service for maintenance.
Bottom line: Good overall service. Could be better communication on outages.
[read more]

Verizon Online DSL
Plus: Cheap, but not cheaper than AT&T
Minus: Slow (68 kbits to 350 kbits for 768 service), Constant Dropped Connections, Useless/Rude Customer Service, Modem Defective
Bottom line: If there was any other service available I would switch, almost considering going back to dial-up.
[read more]

HughesNet Satellite Broadband
Plus: worlds better than dial up
Minus: high cost of satellite internet, poor tech support and communication from Hughes
Bottom line: I wouldn't consider going back to dial up
[read more]

Charter Pipeline
Plus: works most of the time
Minus: customer service "if you cannot say anything nice say nothing"
Bottom line: if you have no problems it's ok
[read more]

HughesNet Satellite Broadband
Plus: When purchased, it was all that was available besides dial up.
Minus: Not reliable,terrible support,FAP is a joke,usually never get better than 100k download speed
Bottom line: After 3 years of service I can honestly say,Hughes net is the worst service provider available,AVOID at all cost
[read more]

Mediacom
Plus: Tech was fast to come out when needed
Minus: Took several visits before tech actually made needed repairs
Bottom line: I have basic cable + 7.5 Mbps download speed for around $30 a month
[read more]

T6 Broadband
Plus: Service is real good
Minus: billing is out of control
Bottom line: looking for another provider
[read more]

Insight Communications
Plus: Used to be rock solid great company
Minus: slow, unreliable fraudulent
Bottom line: If you can get broadband elsewhere DO IT!
[read more]

Insight Communications
Plus: Uptime, nearly sticky IP
Minus: Speeds bounce up and down
Bottom line: Best bet for the neighboorhood
[read more]

Charter Pipeline
Plus: Very Few Problems with the service, rarely goes down
Minus: Lack of tiers as we had before.
Bottom line: Switched to Verizon DSL, try it, You'll like it!
[read more]

Verizon Online DSL
Plus: Good Value , works well, very stable, and you can still have DSL w/o a POTS line!
Minus: More difficult to set up if you want to use your own router.
Bottom line: I am very Happy with the service at this point!
[read more]

Verizon Online DSL
Plus: Self setup went without a hitch.
Minus: If you don't know how to set up a Network and access setup pages the Westell 6100 can be tough to access.
Bottom line: I am satisfied at this point
[read more]

Insight Communications
Plus: Reliable connection
Minus: Lousy customer service and mixed on site tech knowledge
Bottom line: If Insightbb is your only choice, you have none. Otherwise choose another ISP.
[read more]

KWISP
- These folks claim to provide coverage for 61065 area code but their coverage map doesn't support that claim. [read more]

Vonage
Plus: Reasonable call quality and prices
Minus: Looooong hold times, ridiculous overcharges on certain european landline exchanges
Bottom line: Very decent product not sure if I'll totally give up on pots yet though.
[read more]

Insight Communications
Plus: Solid and stable.
Minus: Would like lower cost and higher upload
Bottom line: For us on rural Verizon lines only game in town

 

[etexas]

I use my Cable companies High-Speed, I get a decent deal since we get a super cable package. REMEMBER!!!!! These Cable companies are like any other biz when it comes to "negotiating" a good deal! Look Ivan, you call the Cable Co. and it is through the roof,"Say to them "That is a little steep! I might check on DSL." Steak dinner says they call you back in under 5 minutes with a sweetheart deal!

 

[Ivan]

Thanks, brothers. I'll be sure to wheel and deal. BTW, we haven't made the move yet to Poplar Grove, long story but nothing bad. I'll do the search for Burlington, WI.

Rich, my dial up typical gets around 53kbps.