I've been wondering about this since I recently moved, and after searching for better prospects gave up and stuck with my current service... I'm guessing most people do this.
I'm in the US, and I'm not sure how ISPs price and what is offered everywhere else, but here it seems to be all about the same cost for the same services (just like every other major market here, ahem).
The only provider offering different services is the up-and-coming company Clear, who has just signed a contract with Sprint (hence, the new 4G phone exclusively from Sprint). Clear's monthly internet offer seems like a better deal, unlimited internet access wherever there's a cellphone tower in cahoots with Clear. However, I don't know anyone who has actually tried it. I'd like to, but I currently have Quest's 7mbps package and run at about 2.5mbps. Clear's offering 2-5mbps, so I can't help wonder whether or not my service would come to halt with this service.
Verizon has a similar set-up now, but the only difference that I'm aware of is that instead of a USB card granting you access, a portable router/modem is used. Again, I don't know anyone who has tried this service out.
Does anyone know any more information or have opinions about this new service, or any ISP? What service do you have, and are you happy with it?
I have heard some of Clear and I have considered switch to them. I currently have Comcast, they are probably the worst ISP ever. As for Clear I have heard only good things since they got establish, they had some troubles at first though. One thing Clear promises, and can back it up(I think), is that you get the speed they say. With many ISPs they say you get XMbps, but you and everyone around shares that internet, meaning you get less. Clear gives you a more direct connection giving you the speed they advertise(theoretically).
One thing Clear promises, and can back it up(I think), is that you get the speed they say. With many ISPs they say you get XMbps, but you and everyone around shares that internet, meaning you get less. Clear gives you a more direct connection giving you the speed they advertise(theoretically).
Hmm, so if I did switch to clear, I'd have at least 2.5mbps, which is a little less than what I'm at now on a $45 monthly bill. With Clear, it's $30 monthly for at home use, and $40 for access anywhere there's coverage. Hmmm, I seriously should reconsider switching.
What makes me hesitant is the question of If they can guarantee the mbps offered, why aren't more people signing up? Maybe it's because they're waiting for everyone else to try it like me, haha.
I have heard some of Clear and I have considered switch to them. I currently have Comcast, they are probably the worst ISP ever.
I've only heard and experienced bad things with Comcast, both their internet and cable service. Their cable goes out way more than any service I've seen, and I've heard that their internet service does the same thing. If you're not stuck in a contract you should switch to anything.
Let's talk about internet in New Zealand. Here, the country's major telecom controls most of the infrastructure, wholesaleing it to its own internet company and other competitors. Telecom NZ used to have a monopoly on the local loop. Hey, the company owns 50% of the sea cable that links the country's internet to the rest of the world. Basically, internet here is suckish. The max download speed here is 24 mbps, which is relatively low compared to that of other countries. Most people don't even get speeds approaching that number. I'm usually getting 17 mbps. That's no reason to complain, but the caps here are tyrannical. Normal caps are 20 gb or so. I'm fortunate to have 60 gb. My ISP is horrible so I can't endlessly buy extra data; only an additional 30 gb every month. Sure, 60 gb is a lot for some but when it comes to users who are heavy on internet usage (especially multimedia) it gets finished up fast.
At least the government's committed to having fibre optic connections for 75% of the nation by the decade's end. Since I live in Auckland, I can expect to already have ultra fast internet in seven years. Though really, will I still be living here by then?
Well, when I see these responses I feel the power. Here all the major telecom companies compete (well, they do everywhere), they go faster and cheaper, every year. And just now when I checked, I had a download speed pf 23mbps and I was running on 65mbps. I don't know how much things cost over there in America.
But here an unlimited connection at about 100-150mbps plus a high speed router costs $45 per months. Or about $40 per month. And next year, it will become faster and cheaper, and next next year, and next next next year...and so on.
Telecom New Zealand needs to lose its monopoly. I still feel relatively pleased. To revise what I said earlier, my max is around 22 mbps actually. Usual speed is 16 or so however.
As for North American ISPs, I can't say anything really.
I've only heard and experienced bad things with Comcast, both their internet and cable service. Their cable goes out way more than any service I've seen, and I've heard that their internet service does the same thing. If you're not stuck in a contract you should switch to anything.
Its my parents decision and they don't care, so they won't switch. Even after waiting 2 months for Comcast to fix our HBO.
The max download speed here is 24 mbps, which is relatively low compared to that of other countries. Most people don't even get speeds approaching that number. I'm usually getting 17 mbps.
And just now when I checked, I had a download speed pf 23mbps and I was running on 65mbps.
To revise what I said earlier, my max is around 22 mbps actually. Usual speed is 16 or so however.
I'm supposed to get 15mbps, I regularly get 20kbps. And getting 20mbps or above costs a fortune in America.
But here an unlimited connection at about 100-150mbps plus a high speed router costs $45 per months. Or about $40 per month. And next year, it will become faster and cheaper, and next next year, and next next next year...and so on.
That would be unheard of in the US. It's about $45 a month to have up to 7mbps, awful.
I'm supposed to get 15mbps, I regularly get 20kbps. And getting 20mbps or above costs a fortune in America.
Well, currently my internet connection/speed is payed by parents with limits. BUT when I get my own job, wow.... Well, lets just say speeds of 30mbps (download speed) would be nothing......
Well, currently my internet connection/speed is payed by parents with limits. BUT when I get my own job, wow.... Well, lets just say speeds of 30mbps (download speed) would be nothing......
Wow, what would you do with 30mbps if it's not for work? Jeez, am I too old for AG, or do teenagers 16 and older not work in countries outside the US?
Before I turned 16, I babysat and cut lawns, and I made pretty decent cash for that age I think. If you can't have a regular job yet, maybe you could do something like that.
Oh and I'm curious, how much does it cost for 25-30mbps a month where you are? (You said New Zealand, right?)
Hm, I'm belgian and I actually work for the biggest belgian ISP, Belgacom.. Up until pretty recent, every ISP in Belgium had unbelievable crappy download limit/usage allowance. And I'm talking about limits of 1Gig for the smallest, and about 75Gig for a bigger, payable connection... The past year or so the download limit has been raised a lot with every ISP here, thank god. I myself have unlimited download, of course
The speed seems to be pretty much the same here. I have a 16.5 Mbps connection, in theory. The max connection, for resident customers, not sure about professional, with Belgacom is 30 mbps, but that's pretty recent, up untill a few months ago, it was 20mbps... I have a pretty cheap connection, I pay 29⬠for unlimited download at 16.5 mbps, and I can't complain But I think the avarage belgian pays more for their connection...
