Internet Service Question

[iammattfried]

Hey there IRC:

I'm getting wireless service for my apartment, however I wanted to get a general feel of which service is more reliable: Time Warner or Verizon.

I freelance from home, so having a strong, consistent signal is my top priority; and with these economic times, price is an immediate second.

Let me know folks!

 

[Joey]

Wireless is separate from your internet provider, though many providers now bundle a wireless router in when you sign up for the package (I know Verizon does). If they provide one, it'll be good. If not, you can buy a simple home router for $50 or so.

Verizon
+ FioS! Latest technology, super fast, and NOT Time Warner.
- Slightly more expensive, and unlikely to be noticeably faster than cable unless you are a nerd who does nerd things (torrents, games)

TWC
+ It's fast (enough) internet from the same people who bring you cable TV.
- It's fast (enough) internet from the same people who bring you cable TV.

I'd go with FioS. You can probably get a really good starting rate, though they might do a weird contract lock in. Time Warner also has atrocious customer service, and it's hard to imagine that Verizon is more incompetent.

 

[jomama]

How about Earthlink?

 

[Joey]

How about Earthlink?

Earthlink is sold by TWC; same with RoadRunner. There are slight contract differences depending on which 'provider' you get in costs/features, but it's still cable internet from Time Warner.

 

[d_chadwick]

As far as Verizon, Fios (fiber-optic line) isn't an option everywhere. I know it's not possible here in my part of Williamsburg, anyway. Their other choice is DSL, which runs over your phone line.

The phone lines where I live are apparently old and shitty, and Verizon said I'd be unlikely to get their "faster" DSL speeds. Between that and the fact that I was endlessly dicked around by Verizon's lame-ass customer service just trying to get my line installed, I gave up on them and got Time Warner Roadrunner for $30/mo.

So far, it's great. I had some connection problems for a while, but they came back and reinstalled the line and now it's rock-solid.

 

[TerryJ]

As was mentioned in the first reply, wireless itself is separate from your internet provider (unless you get a bundle where they throw in the wireless router.)

If you want a strong wireless signal, look at different wireless routers. I've had Netgear, D-Link, and Linksys routers. The Netgears were the worst (they needs constant resetting and one died), D-Link was pretty good (especially compatibility over XboxLive.) Lately I've gone through a couple Linksys (Cisco) routers. They have been pretty good at supplying a solid wireless connection.

The latest versions are "Draft-N" (802.11n) routers. Your computer and other wireless devices might use the slightly older, slower 802.11g. You can save money by buying a good Linksys 802.11g router, though, if you don't actually own any "N" devices.

(Also, I use Earthlink via TW Cable. It has been pretty good for the last few years.)

-Terry

 

[ScottF]

I had tax for the last 5 or so years I was in NYC with minimal to no problems.

i meant twc not tax.

 

[iammattfried]

As far as Verizon, Fios (fiber-optic line) isn't an option everywhere. I know it's not possible here in my part of Williamsburg, anyway. Their other choice is DSL, which runs over your phone line.

I hear you, Damian. I don't believe that Fios is available in my building in Park Slope either.

Fios, at the most, I think is only available in certain parts of Manhattan for now.

The more I'm hearing, it sounds like going to Time Warner may be my best option.

P.S. Jodi - I don't subscribe to Earthlink specifically because the company's owner is a Scientologist, and he donates a portion of his yearly profits back into the Church of Scientology.

 

[Resnik]

I had tax for the last 5 or so years I was in NYC with minimal to no problems.

i meant twc not tax.

Freud much?

 

[Will Choy]

I had an experience like Damian. The age of my building's wires prevented me from getting a faster Verizon connection. I eventually dropped it all together when I discovered I could steal an even faster and pretty consistent wireless signal from neighbors.

 

[noeld]

I use NY Connect over Time Warner. I was trying to support a local business, but who knows if it really is.

Also of note. If you have internet through TW and do not have cable through them Roadrunner will be an extra $10 (I think, but maybe $5) per month, but Earthlink and NY Connect will not.