ClearWire/Other Seattle Internet Service

Thanatos

I have cable and internet through Comcast. I'm canceling cable. I'm seriously considering canceling internet. Is ClearWire any good (it's available in Seattle)? Can I use a router with it? Is there another option I should be considering?

Doc

Clearwire SUCKS. A friend had them, they are crazy slow, much below what their plans promise. Just stick with Comcast, I really wish I even had them as an option. I have Broadstripe cable, it dips down below 1mbps after 6:00 or so.

IstEl

Doc wrote: »

Clearwire SUCKS. A friend had them, they are crazy slow, much below what their plans promise. Just stick with Comcast, I really wish I even had them as an option. I have Broadstripe cable, it dips down below 1mbps after 6:00 or so.

Clearwire really does suck I used it for about half a month then just stopped having internet at all. My downstairs neighbors use Comcast, and they don't even notice that me and my roomate borrow it. I know Comcast is crappy but everything else is pretty bad too.

If you live up in issaquah their optic network isn't so bad though everytime they put a new section of housing in it does down for a couple hours.

Down in renton you can get free internet (in most places) with their free wireless. it's a really awesome connection though you are sharing it with 100's of people.

Oz K. Fodrotski

I certainly can't endorse Qwest -- though okay on average, their very business seems to be that of dropping packets. Or, you know, several seconds worth of packets, from time to time.

Granted, I probably die in CoD4 all the time because I suck, but the lag spikes sure don't help.

RiemannLives

Speakeasy costs a little more but is well worth it. They have consistantly delivered the full 3Mbps I am paying for. They also have excellent support staff.

Edit: And in the area we live in they also offer 6Mbps.

DeShadowC

one other thing, prices are set by local market but a lot of times the internet with just the local channels cable is cheaper then internet by itself. For instance most markets internet is 57.95 with a 15 dollar discount if you have cable, and the local cable called limited basic in most markets. is 9 per month. So just having it and not using it tends to be cheaper.

Thanatos

You ever have Comcast, Riemann?

Fizban140

I had clearwire for about a year and the quality is pretty random but I knew someone who got amazing uploads and downloads, he had a clear shot to where the signal was coming from. So if you know where it is coming from and are close it really isn't bad. I was on the opposite side of the building though and it sucked ass.

bigpanda

Wish I could suggest something but I'm in the same boat myself. I've been watching Verizon's Fios but I doubt it will be in Seattle anytime soon due to Qwest's stranglehold on the network (Although they're already in Kirkland and Bellevue).

BP

bigpanda

Thanatos,

Will Comcast let you cancel cable and keep just the Internet service? I know I had to get uber basic just to get Internet when I first moved in.

BP

RiemannLives

Thanatos wrote: »

You ever have Comcast, Riemann?

I did when I lived in Redmond. It sucked pretty bad.

I've just had Speakeasy DSL since I moved to Greenlake.

DeShadowC

bigpanda wrote: »

Thanatos,

Will Comcast let you cancel cable and keep just the Internet service? I know I had to get uber basic just to get Internet when I first moved in.

BP

They will it just costs more. You get a $15 discount for being a cable subscriber, and the limited basic normally costs less than $15

Seattle Thread

I use Comcast... $49.95 a month for Internet-only service. I did look into ClearWire, and based on the cost of switching as well as testimonials from my friends who have used it, I decided to stick with the 'cast. It's not ideal, but it does the trick.

I had thought about Speakeasy, but I would need to start up a land phone line, and the added cost would outweigh the benefits.

Doc

Makershot wrote: »

I use Comcast... $49.95 a month for Internet-only service.

Be glad you aren't paying $65 for even slower service, like those of us who are stuck with Broadstripe do.

Thanatos

Makershot wrote: »

I use Comcast... $49.95 a month for Internet-only service. I did look into ClearWire, and based on the cost of switching as well as testimonials from my friends who have used it, I decided to stick with the 'cast. It's not ideal, but it does the trick.

I had thought about Speakeasy, but I would need to start up a land phone line, and the added cost would outweigh the benefits.

Speakeasy is advertising $55 a month for internet, no phone line on their website.

I have difficulty imagining a DSL provider getting much business insisting on bundling phone services in this city.

Speakeasy

I am the best.

No but seriously, I've heard nothing but good things about Speakeasy from people I've talked to that live in Seattle. A little expensive, but reliable and fast.

You might want to look into BroadbandReports.com to see if there's anything else, or for ISP reviews.

This just sounds like one big ego trip post.