[Cialug] Fine Print - Broadband suggestions?

[Dave Weis]

Dave J. Hala Jr. wrote:
> Its interesting that mediacom has different install prices for the two
> different speeds. I wonder if the install price is a gouge, or just an
> attempt to offset the price of the CPE.

At one point they required the 15 meg connection to use a 
mediacom-provided router. That might be part of it. If you upgrade from 
one speed to 15 they also require an install.

dave

> On Wed, 2007-08-29 at 12:17 -0500, Brandon Griffis wrote:
>> So here's the compare list I've come up with so far:
>>
>> Mediacom - 8mbit/512kbit.  $40/month/6 month then $55.95 + $30
>> install.  OR  15mbit/1mbit.  $60/month + $99 install
>> Qwest - 3mbit/640kbir.  $46.99/month.  OR  1.5mbit/896kbit.
>> $36.99/month (+ $5 for the modem  baring the Best Buy deal) (1 year
>> then +$13, or 2 year con.)
>> Internet Solver - 3mbit/896kbit.  $45/month
>>
>> Iowa telecom seems to only be available if you have an existing land
>> line. 
>> Wild Blue doesn't seem to be available for my zip 50316, and the
>> latency with satellite makes this a low possibility for me anyway.
>>
>> Is there anybody else I should be looking at?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Brandon
>>
>>
>> On 8/29/07, Brandon Griffis <brandongriffis at gmail.com> wrote:
>>         I'll look around for that.  Can anyone recommend a good ISP
>>         compare site?  broadband reports doesn't seem to work terribly
>>         well for Des Moines.
>>         
>>         I just realized I should have specified in my first email that
>>         my house is on the near east side of Des Moines.  Very close
>>         to University and E. 14th. 
>>         
>>         Mediacom isn't out of the running.  They just don't have the
>>         killer deal I thought they did.  Also, I kind of take issue
>>         with paying an "install fee".  I'm not trying to be snotty, I
>>         just figure if I'm signing up to do business with a company
>>         they should cover that cost.  (I've been with many ISPs and
>>         Mediacom is the first that's charged me an install fee). 
>>         
>>         -Brandon
>>         
>>         
>>         On 8/29/07, Dean <W5GXL at arrl.net> wrote:
>>                 My neighbor has Wild Blue... He had to upgrade it to
>>                 the fastest
>>                 service and he stated it was still too slow.. Think he
>>                 is into
>>                 stocks.   He can't wait until December when his
>>                 contract runs
>>                 out ...   We have a local 900Mh system in this county
>>                 that is running 
>>                 3000 kbps for about $40 a month..  It is working well
>>                 in this area.
>>                 You may shop around for a local wireless
>>                 provider.  They are popping
>>                 up all over.
>>                 Dean
>>                 Spencer Ia
>>                 
>>                 On Aug 29, 2007, at 10:44 AM, Dave Weis wrote: 
>>                 
>>                 >
>>                 > Send me your address offlist or you can check what
>>                 we can do at
>>                 > http://connect.internetsolver.com/qualify/
>>                 >
>>                 > dave
>>                 > 
>>                 > Brandon Griffis wrote:
>>                 >> So I'm looking to set up service and had planned to
>>                 go with
>>                 >> Mediacom as I've seen several ads for a 12 month
>>                 special for
>>                 >> Internet access for $20.  But apparently there's
>>                 some fine print 
>>                 >> in the commercial that the deal is only available
>>                 as an upgrade
>>                 >> when you already have cable TV.  Best they can do
>>                 is a slower
>>                 >> service for $40 for 6 months.
>>                 >> So now I'm shopping. 
>>                 >> Any suggestions for decent internet service (and
>>                 just internet
>>                 >> service)?  I don't plan on getting a land phone
>>                 line or cable TV.
>>                 >> Thanks,
>>                 >> Brandon
>>                 >>