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is it dumb to go with qwest?

Cherry_PieCherry_Pie
edited July 2011
...for internet service? They're offering $14.99/mo for 1.5 mbps- is that fast? Or slow? Or normal?
Comcast won't come down lower than $39.99/mo which I don't feel like I can spend right now.
I can maybe go without and just use my iphone at home but that seems like a bummer route.

I'm sure there are like 6 other threads dealing with this exact topic but I can't find them right now and the qwest lady is going to call me back in an hour to see if I want to Go For It. If I sign up today they'll waive the $22.95 activation fee.

Help?

Comments

  • MatthewMatthew
    1.5 isn't that fast.
  • ThickeningAgentThickeningAgent
    is that $14.99 a month already on top of a landline phone account you have with them? i have always been under the assumption that you could only get DSL through them if you have a landline?
  • Cherry_PieCherry_Pie
    No land line required!
  • ThickeningAgentThickeningAgent
    double check that. if true, send me a link cause i might sign up too!
  • Cherry_PieCherry_Pie
    Oh I checked. It's real.
    qwest.com yo.
  • Loose_ThreadLoose_Thread
    What kind of a contract are we talking about here
    I mean how long do you have to promise to honor it
    And will they rescind it gracefully if it "Sucks?"

    Just some thoughts
  • Cherry_PieCherry_Pie
    No contract, it's mellow.
    Good thoughts.
    I think I will do this?
    Seems weird but the other option is no internet. For me.
  • ManInTheIvoryTowerManInTheIvoryTower
    edited July 2011
    I love DSL and think for folks that don't need to torrent or watch ESPN3 via their Xbox360 all day 1.5M download is just fine but Qwest/CenturyLink's pricing structure is a rip off. If you want to do DSL only buy "internet basic service" from Qwest and choose a local ISP.

    The stomach-turning deets: http://www.qwest.com/residential/internet/broadbandlanding/pricing_details_popup.html

    You are committing to a year of BUNDLED internet and phone service (unless the service sucks, then you can leave in the first month or two no problem) and they gloss over the modem rental charge. Your total cash outlay looks like this:

    OPTION ONE: $67/mo
    $22/mo for 1.5M internet ($15 + $7 to rent the modem)
    + $45 for Qwest Home Phone UNLIMITED

    OPTION TWO: $62/mo
    $20/mo for 1.5M internet ($15 + $7 to rent the modem)
    + $25/mo for Qwest Home Phone PLUS

    The better route is to go with "Qwest Internet basic" service so you can pick your own ISP, your charges will be closer to this:

    OPTION THREE: $43/mo (UPDATED with modem rental fee)
    $25/mo to Qwest to cover "line charges" (1 year commitment, otherwise $28)
    $7/mo to Qwest to rent a DSL modem
    $10.80/mo to Spiretech.com for 1.5M service (1 year commitment, otherwise $13/mo)
  • ManInTheIvoryTowerManInTheIvoryTower
    edited July 2011
    And FYI Comcast has a 1.5M service that I just noticed (new?) called "Economy Internet" for $27/mo that will probably be cheaper than all the above.

    OPTION FOUR: $34/mo (+ installation?)
    $27/mo for Economy Internet + $7/mo to rent the modem
  • swamp_knobbler_mahanswamp_knobbler_mahan
    1.5mbps seems it would be really slow for most things. Mine in London was 3 or something and it was pretty frustrating. Anybody else have experience with innernette this slow?
  • Cherry_PieCherry_Pie
    Good info dudes.
    I talked to them today and was told no phone line required (this is also printed on the mailer I received.) When I call to order the service I'll triple check just to be sure. Hopefully it meet my needs and if not I'll investigate that cheaper comcast deal.

    Internet should be free.
  • ManInTheIvoryTowerManInTheIvoryTower
    edited July 2011
    @Wanda: Please make sure ask them if it requires any "bundled services", rather than using the term "phone line". Also ask them for an estimate of the total monthly bill, including estimated taxes/fees, modem rental and any bundled services. (Extra credit: then report back.)

    They might be bundling IP-based (Internet) phone service which uses your bandwidth rather than POTS (Plain Ole' Telephone Service)*. This way they can say that it doesn't require a "phone line" and not be lying.

    Unless there is a new service offering that is not listed on their website which is highly unlikely, you are about to signup for services that you do not need.

    Regarding 1.5M service, I had Clearwire/WiMax service at this tier and yes it is noticeably slower than your standard broadband which is 8-20M. However, to put it in perspective for a non-power user, an MP3 song will take 8 seconds to download. But at the least, your bandwidth-spoiled friends will complain when they visit :)

    *Yes that is a real telco industry acronym.
  • ManInTheIvoryTowerManInTheIvoryTower
    edited July 2011
    I did finally find a site with standalone pricing specials for just internet service from Qwest-- no other bundled services required. But it's $30/mo for six months (not bad but remember your modem rental will probably add $7/mo) then it goes up to $40 for 1.5M service. Or $45/mo for 7M service which is probably worth the extra five bucks a month at that point.

    http://www.qwestdeal.com/standalone.html

    OPTION FIVE: $37/mo (+installation?)
    $30/mo internet service + $7 for modem rental
    NOTE: only good for six months, options 1-4 are all good for one year
    ANOTHER NOTE: you can choose a higher bandwidth service (7M) for your six month intro period
  • Cherry_PieCherry_Pie
    Wow- thanks for going so deep for me FT!
    I will ask about the bundling and the 7M when I call next. I did ask about the 7M last time I called but they said it wasn't available in my location. ? I'll ask again just to be sure.

    BTW- this is what I wrote down when I talked to the lady earlier:
    $14.99/mo for 6 months, after that it's $40/mo but she said to call and ask about new specials when I'm in the 5th month of my contract.
    Modem rental is $6.95/mo unless I own a Q1000 modem (which I don't)
    Activation fee is $22.95 but they'll waive it.

    Thus my total would be about $22/mo with no real start up costs but slow internet. I asked to make sure I didn't need a phone line and she said that was true- I'll ask again about bundling when I call.

    I'll prolly call on Thursday and let you all know what I discover! Wish me luck!
  • ThickeningAgentThickeningAgent
    1.5 isn't terrible- that's what we have at the boathouse. streaming netflix movies works fine, as long as your roommate isn't trying to do the same.
  • swamp_knobbler_mahanswamp_knobbler_mahan
    Sometimes you can buy modems for cheap from Free Geek. I would give them a call and ask if they have the model in question. You could save $7 per month!
  • ThickeningAgentThickeningAgent
    speaking of ISP options out there, are there any others? does anyone have Clear? is that any good?
  • Cherry_PieCherry_Pie
    Thanks fellas!
  • YoursTrulyYoursTruly
    this is a really great thread that I will be referring back to in a month when I am in this same boat, trying to get internet for my house. It seems crazily expensive!!! I have been lucky enough this whole time (i.e. my entire life) to either share with a bunch of housemates or to steal fast internet from elsewhere. I've never had to get it on my own and it seems stressful, expensive, confusing, and annoying. UGHHHHH

    this thread helps though, seriously. FaceTweet you are a true american hero
  • ManInTheIvoryTowerManInTheIvoryTower
    edited July 2011
    Clear service is a little spotty, or used to be. I would at least be sure to confirm some sort of policy that allows you to cancel in the first month in case you have trouble getting a signal at your place. And maybe test your bandwidth to make sure you are getting what you are paying for via speakeasy.net/speedtest.

    I also don't like their policy of not leasing modems unless you commit to a 2-year contract. You are required to purchase a WiMax router in order to go month-to-month. (EDIT: But they are only $55 at least. And they are on sale right now for 1/2 off)

    That said, I used it happily in close-in SE for a year or so. (This was when they would still lease you equipment as a month-to-month customer) That is how I know that bandwidth-spoiled friends complain when they have to sip their interwebs through a narrow 1.5M straw.
  • ManInTheIvoryTowerManInTheIvoryTower
    And you are welcome Wanda and ZA. Cheap retail broadband is a minor obsession of mine so I'm glad to share.

    OPTION SIX: $40/mo
    $35/mo Clear.com 4G Home Basic + $5/mo modem rental
    NOTE: Requires two-year commitment, can buy modem for 50 bones to save on rental

    OPTION SEVEN: $35/mo
    $35/mo Clear.com 4G Home Basic
    NOTE: $35 activation and $55 modem = $90 in setup costs

    OPTION EIGHT: $20/mo (limited to 200MB/mo! ouch!)
    $20/mo Clear.com 200MB plan
    NOTE: $35 activation and $55 modem = $90 in setup costs

    Other creative options:
    http://mobileoffice.about.com/od/phonesformobileworkers/f/what-is-tethering.htm

    http://map.personaltelco.net/

    http://www.clickfornick.com/2008/04/how-to-steal-internet-wifi-access-be-a-leech.html
  • Judar_SpitzerJudar_Spitzer
    my lady had Clear in her old apartment and it was very unreliable. They sent a technician dude to tinker with it for a few hours and it got slightly better, but I still think you could find a better option with qwest / comcast.
  • Judar_SpitzerJudar_Spitzer
    http://www.uberreview.com/2007/02/super-cantenna-directional-wi-fi-antenna.htm
    my roommate in college built one of these and picked up wi fi from a half mile away.
  • Loose_ThreadLoose_Thread
    Clear was a pain in the neck for me, service sucked. They sent a service person to the house about six times before they would finally cancel service.
  • YoursTrulyYoursTruly
    we just signed up for the weird qwest just-internet special 7M service at $34 a month total (supposedly) for 6 months, then it goes up to 45

    I am nervous
  • MirandaJulyMirandaJuly
    New wifi hotspot in my hood: "dogsbestqwest"
  • the_owlsthe_owls
    can we talk about terrible wifi names?
    in my immediate vicinity: DISEASES OF THE SKIN

    I mean, that's gross.
  • MirandaJulyMirandaJuly
    "sherpa" has been here for years, and seems chill. pretty sure it's the actual tibetans who live across from us.
  • MatthewMatthew
    mine was LIFESTYLE. Currently is Sunflowers.
  • Loose_ThreadLoose_Thread
    mine's named CABLE ACCESS
  • MirandaJulyMirandaJuly
    Mine is Deep Magic.
  • Cherry_PieCherry_Pie
    I talked with the neighbors and they're letting me use theirs- I'll just give them a tenner once a month. Theirs is called LOU DOBSON.
  • YoursTrulyYoursTruly
    This is BY FAR the best solution in my opinion.
    HOORAY
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