Finding the Best ISP service

Gabriel_Pitt

I've lived abroad for five years, so I'm way out of touch with who's who and what's what when it comes to getting internet service in the states. I'm moving to Annapolis, MD and am wondering if anyone has recommendations for what company offers the best service and price advantages. There seem to be quite a few offers of package deals where cable, TV, and phone like with the DISH network. Can anyone give me help by naming good ISP providers, and what packages I might want to look at?

Feral

If Verizon FIOS is available in your area, I have heard very good things about it.

Sadly it is not available in my region at all, so I have no direct experience with it.

embrik

I can't help directly, but Broadband Reports should. You can click on the "Use Address Instead" link on the right to throw in the details about where you'll be, and it can tell you what's available, etc.

MrMonroe

Speedtest.net will give you the same thing as well.

Gabriel_Pitt

I have a cell phone, so I don't think I need a whole cable/internet/phone deal (and I suppose cable is optional as well). Skype became a big thing after I left - is it possible to just use skype as an emergency back up as needed for a cell phone if I do something stupid, like put my cell phone through the wash?

MrMonroe

Yes. Landlines are a waste of money now, and they'll go out before your cable internet in a storm unless you have digital voice.

For me, Comcast gave me internet for a heck of a lot cheaper as a first-time customer if I was willing to buy basic cable.

Gabriel_Pitt

Looking into things, Comcast seems like it'll be my best bet too. Anyway have anything to the contrary to say about that?

PolloDiablo

I would recommend going with Verizon. I live just north of Annapolis, and we can get FIOS here. It's a bunch faster than cable, and I prefer dealing with Verizon over Comcast. When I was with Comcast, there was a bunch of slowdown, and the internet service was really spotty. That and I needed to call in to register my MAC address for the modem three times before it finally stuck in their system. And the price for everything goes way up after the first two months or so.

I might have just been unlucky, but I greatly prefer Verizon to Comcast.

edit: Yeah, that said, Comcast still gets the job done. They're the big player in the market around here.

rfalias

Not to be picky, but...

ISP = Internet Service Provider

"Finding the best Internet Service Provider Service"

"Can anyone give me help by naming good Internet Service Provider providers"

Sorry, its a pet peeve.
That said, Comcast is generally fine. Every company will have their problems no matter what. FiOS would be awesome if you can get/afford it. I hear good things about it, now that it isn't burning houses down and all.