I now have Clear(wire)

Feedback.pdxradio.com message board: Politics and other things: I now have Clear(wire)
Author: Newflyer
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 9:53 pm
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Just singed up in person earlier tonight.

The company is called Clearwire and the service name seems to be just "Clear."

In the last four hours, I've already had to call tech support because the modem didn't want to work, and it seems I have a weak signal in my area. To make things even better , I've now had it completely stop working for no apparent reason (and while trying to post this, no less!).
Yes, when it works its fast, however I'm starting to wonder if my subscription lasts past the "7-day risk-free" period. If not, it's back to dial-up.

Author: Andrew2
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 10:34 pm
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My friend in outer SE Portland just got Clear today, too. She's getting 3Mbps down/about 400Kbps down. Not bad. No word yet on how reliable her connection is (she also has the modem), but she will use it a lot so no doubt will complain if it has issues like yours.

Author: Receptional
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 12:39 pm
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Didn't Clearwire recently merge with SPRINT?

Here's an item from the official 'Clear Launch' in Portland:

http://www.slashgear.com/clearwire-portable-wimax-wifi-router-imminent-1430359/

Author: Darktemper
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 1:22 pm
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Are they using the same wireless gear of the now defunkt Metro-Fi?

Author: Andrew2
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 1:33 pm
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Er, no. Metro-Fi was WiFi with local access points tied into their network. Clear is using the entirely new WiMax technology. There are no antennas on telephone polls. It's more like wireless broadband. Intel has been heavily involved in pushing this technology for years (so they can make the chips for it). I think they have people in Hillsboro who have been part of developing it. One reason it was launched here.

You need what they are calling a "modem" for WiMax. Clear is selling/leasing either a box that looks like a conventional DSL or cable modem or a little USB dongle (also called a "modem") so you can use WiMax on your laptop whereever you are, like wireless broadband.

Andrew

Author: Jr_tech
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 2:09 pm
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Is this similar to the little USB dongle that Cricket is pushing?

Author: Andy_brown
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 3:04 pm
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Comparisons and confusion between WiMAX and Wi-Fi are frequent, possibly because both begin with the same two letters, are based upon IEEE standards beginning with "802.", and are related to wireless connectivity and Internet access. However, the two standards are aimed at different applications.
WiMAX uses licensed spectrum to deliver a point-to-point connection to the Internet from an ISP to an end user. Different 802.16 standards provide different types of access, from portable (similar to a cordless phone) to fixed (an alternative to wired access, where the end user's wireless termination point is fixed in location.) WiMax is developed primarily for wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN), with a transmission range in order of few kilometers.
Wi-Fi uses unlicensed spectrum to provide access to a network. Wi-Fi has primarily been developed for wireless local area network (WLAN), with the transmission range of upto 100m. Wi-Fi therefore is often used for last-mile delivery, such as in hotspot.
WiMAX and Wi-Fi have quite different Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms. WiMAX uses a mechanism based on connections between the Base Station and the user device. Each connection is based on specific scheduling algorithms. Wi-Fi has introduced a QoS mechanism similar to fixed Ethernet, where packets can receive different priorities based on their tags. For example VoIP traffic may be given priority over web browsing.
Wi-Fi runs on the MAC's CSMA/CA protocol, which is connectionless and contention based, whereas WiMAX runs a connection-oriented MAC.
Despite these differences, both 802.11 and 802.16 define P2P and ad hoc network, where an end user communicates to users/ servers on other LAN using its access point or base station.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WiMAX

The available bandwidth on a WiMax connection is heavily dependent on distance from point to point. A commonly-held misconception is that WiMAX will deliver 70 Mbit/s over 31 miles/50 kilometers. In reality, WiMAX can only do one or the other — operating over maximum range (31 miles/50 km) increases bit error rate and thus must use a lower bitrate. Lowering the range allows a device to operate at higher bitrates. In practice, this means that in a line-of-sight environment with a portable Mobile WiMAX CPE, speeds of 10 Mbit/s at 6 miles/10 km could be delivered. However, in urban environments they may not have line-of-sight and therefore users may only receive 10 Mbit/s over 2 km. In current deployments, throughputs are often closer to 2 Mbit/s symmetric at 10 km with fixed WiMAX and a high gain antenna.

Author: Andrew2
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 3:20 pm
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Jr_tech: Is this similar to the little USB dongle that Cricket is pushing?

Kind of. Different technology, same idea. You can also get a USB dongle for WiFi if your laptop happens not to have a (working) integrated WiFi card. So the USB dongle is just the way to get the network card you need for any particular technology. There are apparently built-in (miniPCI) WiMax cards you can get as well, since Clear says you will be able to get built-in WiMax cards soon. Verizon and AT&T have their own built-in wireless broadband cards you can get to use with their cell-based internet services. No standard here, unfortunately...

Andrew

Author: Jr_tech
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 9:21 pm
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I don't think the Cricket dongle is a WiFi setup. It appears to behave like a dial-up modem only it is connected to a cellular (Cricket) network.

Author: Andrew2
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 9:53 pm
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I'm sure Cricket is not a WiFi setup. It's some kind of wireless broadband like Verizon's or AT&T's. What I meant was, "USB dongle" is kind of a generic term for a wireless card. A "USB dongle" could be WiFi, Cricket, WiMax, etc.

FYI, I use my T-Mobile (Motorola) cell phone with a $20/month unlimited data plan to tether my laptop the internet. My cell phone has a cell modem that works with their (slow) Edge network, and I connect my laptop to it via Bluetooth. No dongle required. Some Verizon and AT&T phones allow this "tethering" as well, without any cabling or dongle.

Andrew

Author: Newflyer
Sunday, January 18, 2009 - 10:15 pm
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Well, I'm back on dial-up right now, posting this.

Since I was home for several waking hours of today, today was the first day I realized that the modem loses the signal about once an hour, and re-acquiring the signal is long enough that it breaks/corrupts any downloads and/or connections that are already in place.

I can't find even a simple coverage map on their website... only that service should be "available" at my address. Further checking of the TOS indicates that, even in coverage areas, that acceptable connections aren't guaranteed. As I posted a few days ago, on night number one, a tech support rep. confirmed that a minimum level of service is better than what I have now.

I did find one place that the signal was better... but family will absolutely refuse to have computer equipment grace the dining room table. Moving the computer and/or running a huge cable from one room to another also isn't an option around here.

My dial-up provider might be slow in comparison, but it's much more reliable than this. And the price is no comparison–$7.95/mo. for the dial-up provider I've used for the last 7 years, vs. $35/mo. for this thing. And, this is a full $35/mo. than I've been paying, as everyone knows that with any kind of high speed connection that one wants to hold onto at least a basic dial-up account as backup.

However, I thought I'd pose this question to others in the peanut gallery here. That question is:
Keep or returnheap?

Author: Andrew2
Sunday, January 18, 2009 - 10:19 pm
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How about setting up a wireless router from your Clear modem? My friend who just got Clear with a modem like yours has asked me to do exactly that for her, so I'm going to one of these days soon. It should be routine. Wireless modems can be had cheaply. I haven't paid more than $10 for any of my last three wireless routers (they all still work but for one reason or another I have spares).

So could you put the Clear modem in that sweet spot and connect it up to a wireless router? Then use WiFi to connect up your desktop to it? ($10 for a desktop wireless card.)

Author: Andy_brown
Monday, January 19, 2009 - 12:00 am
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Clear wire states on their site:

"The Clearwire modem is compatible with standard wireless and ethernet routers,"

(they also have their own option called "Clear Plugs")

http://www.clearwire.com/support/networking.php

Author: Jr_tech
Monday, January 19, 2009 - 12:08 pm
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What is the physical set-up of the Clear sites... are they on cell phone towers all over the place, or do they cover the Portland area from a few Broadcast towers?

Author: Newflyer
Monday, January 19, 2009 - 1:10 pm
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Buying a bunch of additional equipment doesn't meet my needs. Neither does stringing a bunch of cables around the home and/or setting up a home wifi network.

Also, I've been connected via my dial-up every time I've been online today. I already don't miss not-so-Clearwire.

I'm minutes away from calling to cancel. Wish me luck!

Author: Darktemper
Monday, January 19, 2009 - 1:16 pm
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Mrs. Cleo said to watch for "Clearwire" to be on the PDXRadio Corporate Deathwatch thread real soon!

Author: Andrew2
Monday, January 19, 2009 - 2:03 pm
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Newflyer: Buying a bunch of additional equipment doesn't meet my needs. Neither does stringing a bunch of cables around the home and/or setting up a home wifi network.

Well, enjoy dial-up then!

Author: Newflyer
Monday, January 19, 2009 - 2:54 pm
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Well, enjoy dial-up then!
Have been for the last 7 years. I know it's "slow," but it works.

BTW, canceling was extremely easy, especially since I know how to deal with CSRs. My side of the conversation included stuff like "The sales rep. told me I could cancel for any reason within the first 7 days and all charges would be reversed, that's how you can provide me with quality customer service today."

The entire thing (including hold time and being transferred) took less than 15 minutes.

Author: Mikekolb
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 7:29 am
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Living out in the sticks has provided less-than-stellar internet experiences. We had dialup for a long time, waiting for the fulfillment of the local telco's (Embarq) promise to string their DSL this far up the road. That's been 6yrs now and nothing on the horizon yet.

Cable's not an option out here, so we went with WildBlue satellite internet. It's $50/mo and pretty reliable. The download speed is just fair, at 512kbps (but head & shoulders above dialup), and there's a "fair-access" download limit of 7500Mbs in any rolling 30-day period, so downloading anything other than a tune here and there isn't an option.

The dish LNB has burned-out twice in 3yrs, but replaced in a timely fashion. A heavy rain squall will blank the signal, but never for more than a half-hour at a time.

Overall score: a solid "B", especially compared to the alternative.

Author: Tadc
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 1:37 pm
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I also signed up for Clearwire about a week ago.

When I got the box home, I found that I only had 1 or 2 bars of signal in most of my house, but I did find a particular place and orientation that gives consistant 3 bars of signal.

This seemed to work pretty well, although their peering point to the general internet seems a bit oversold - during evening hours, I can pull 3000kbps from the Integra Portland speed test site (http://integra.net/speedtest/) but only 800-1300 from other major internet tests. I was able to hit 4000 from San Jose once though, on a Sunday morning.

So far so good... but once the recent winds started, I began having issues where the signal would fade and/or lose sync momentarily when a strong wind blows.

I'm still a little undecided if I'll keep it, but I'm now officially past the 7 day trial. I still haven't disco'd my DSL though, and I was sure to sign up for a month-to-month deal... no 2 year agreements for me!

Author: Andrew2
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 1:41 pm
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Given that Clearwire is still so new, you might give them a chance to get their act together. It could be that they will upgrade their modems too (perhaps something you can do yourself - a firmware upgrade) to improve connection speeds.

Author: Jr_tech
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 2:17 pm
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"When I got the box home, I found that I only had 1 or 2 bars of signal in most of my house, but I did find a particular place and orientation that gives consistant 3 bars of signal."

Do you know the distance to the transmitter site?

Author: Vitalogy
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 2:20 pm
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I've had Comcast for close to 9 years. In fact, when I first signed up, it was TCI @home, then AT&T Broadband, then Comcast. In that time, the price has never risen and I've been without service for maybe a few hours over those 9 years. I'm not a Comcast advocate by any means, but I have to say they've set the standard with network speed and reliability in my experience.

Author: Andrew2
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 2:23 pm
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Yeah, I've had similarly good experience with my Qwest DSL, which I've had since 2001. Rock-solid reliable. I've run my web server and email server off of it since 2005, so it has to be up most of the time.

Author: Alfredo_t
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 2:36 pm
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Verizon DSL...The connection of choice at 386server.info :-)

I have two questions about the Clear Wire "modems":

1) As a subscriber, do you own the modem, or are you leasing it?
2) Is the antenna built into the modem, or is there some provision for connecting a higher gain antenna?

In defense of Newflyer, what I got out of his posts were that he was not satisfied with the customer service experience provided by Clear Wire and that the reliability of the connection currently available did not meet his expectations. I think that these are legitimate reasons for considering the service not to meet one's needs. Some people's living situations (because of family or roommates) won't allow one to place a modem just anywhere. If external antennas are an option, some people are going to run into problems with family, roommates, or CC&Rs over mounting outside antennas. As the old saying goes, "you can't please all the people all of the time."

Author: Skybill
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 2:36 pm
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I'm with you Vit.

I've had Comcast since it was AT&T Broadband.

There was a time when their servers had some kind of virus a few years back and it was down for a day and a half or two days, but other than that it's been rock solid.

They just did a speed upgrade a month or so ago.

On the speakeasy.net speed test I used to get about 4.5 to 5 Mb download and just under 1 Mb upload speeds. Now, since the upgrade, I get 25+ Mb download and 8.5+ Mb upload speeds.

I don't believe the tests are accurate, but it's plenty fast!

Author: Andrew2
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 2:49 pm
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Alfredo, FYI, my worst EVER customer service experience was with Verizon DSL, when I was trying to help my Mom get her DSL connection fixed. It was clearly their problem, not a problem inside the house or with the computer, and it took five separate phone calls just to convince them to send someone out to fix the outside line. This tech was amazed she'd EVER had service and it took him two days to fix the lines completely. The CS people I talked to at Verizon were the least trained, most clueless people I've ever dealt with; it seemed like each person I called had just started that day and was reading from a checklist.

Unfortunately, Verizon DSL was the best option she had/has for budget internet. Be lucky you've had no customer service issues with Verizon!

Author: Newflyer
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 7:04 pm
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Tadc:
Similar experience here. Decided it just plain wasn't worth $35 every month.

1) As a subscriber, do you own the modem, or are you leasing it?
2) Is the antenna built into the modem, or is there some provision for connecting a higher gain antenna?

1. For the "Home" service (with the modem, not the USB stick), the advertised price included a modem rental fee of $5/mo. As I understand, there's an option to buy the equipment outright at the time of purchase, although they don't advertise it.
2. Antenna is built into the modem. Although the information says the antenna is located on the far side of the logo, there's several different logos on various sides of the modem. So it's extremely ambiguous.

Alfredo, you're absolutely correct about the service not meeting expectations, and that everyone else who lives where I do won't tolerate computer equipment all over the place. I will say that the customer service is extremely good, like any business they obviously want to do whatever they can to keep someone from canceling, especially if it's something that can be easily fixed. In my situation, the way to "fix" the signal would have been to put the modem on the dining table, and either set up a wireless network with sufficient security (beyond my level of expertise and inclination), and/or run a huge cable to the room with the home computer to it. Otherwise, I'd be putting up with something that would stop working when the wind blows, or in some instances there'd be no reason, it would just stop working. Imagine if the same held true for something like your electricity service, and one would understand why I'd stick with a dial-up connection that's consistent vs. a higher speed service that's inconsistent.

BTW, if I were living alone, and/or with people that are more techno-friendly, I would've kept the service. However, neither are presently options for me. And just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean it won't work for everyone. Just thought I'd share my experience with others.

Author: Newflyer
Monday, February 16, 2009 - 2:08 pm
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The saga continues!

It seems Clearwire doesn't know the definition of the word "cancel."

They received their equipment back, yet are still charging me for service I'm not using (and can't use)!
Well, they were nice enough (ha!) to not charge the fee for the modem, but they're still billing me the monthly service charge.

Got off the phone with them about half an hour ago, the rep. agreed to have all the charges reversed as promised "in 3 to 5 days." Let's hope this actually happens this time around.

Author: Andrew2
Monday, February 16, 2009 - 2:14 pm
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How were you being billed? I never, EVER do automatic withdrawal from a bank account, from ANY company. That's because charges are hard to reverse - and I've had this exact thing happen two or three times in the past before I learned the lesson: no more auto-withdrawals, because the companies always say they'll cancel it but they never do.

With a credit card auto-withdrawal, it's quite easy to get charges reversed: call your credit card company and dispute the charges.

FYI, my friend is very happy with her Clear connection. I setup a wireless router on it for her and now she is happy as a clam. Seems to be quite fast. She is lucky I guess that she lives in a good spot to pick it up. I'm going to recommend another friend try it out.

Author: Motozak2
Monday, February 16, 2009 - 3:28 pm
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Newflyer sed~
"It seems Clearwire doesn't know the definition of the word "cancel." They received their equipment back, yet are still charging me for service I'm not using (and can't use)! Well, they were nice enough (ha!) to not charge the fee for the modem, but they're still billing me the monthly service charge."

Almost sounds like Clearwire must be in kahutz with American Offline.......

Author: Newflyer
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 8:10 pm
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How were you being billed? I never, EVER do automatic withdrawal from a bank account, from ANY company.
Y'know, that's another thing. They never told me that automatic billing was going to take place, until after an e-mail came stating that I was automatically signed up for it.

Author: Missing_kskd
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 2:37 am
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Funny how that works huh?

I'm with Andrew on that one for sure. Another thing that has happened is the random, "whoops!" charge, which they only catch if you do!

Gotta love those. Have always wondered if that isn't the trick of last resort to pull out a lousy quarter.

Author: Newflyer
Friday, February 20, 2009 - 9:03 pm
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Checked my account again today. Clearwire refunded 100% of my money as promised. I'll know on March 14th if the situation has been completely resolved.

Author: Missing_kskd
Friday, February 20, 2009 - 10:08 pm
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Best set a date a coupla months ahead. They "forget".

Glad you got your money though :-)

Author: Edust1958
Thursday, February 26, 2009 - 8:43 pm
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I saw the Clear folks out on the street in downtwown Portland and a thought crossed my mind... since they offer a package that has unlimited use, couldn't someone bundle the Clear Wi-Msx receiver with an Internet "radio" ... those dedicated computers that tune streaming audio feeds... to produce a Wi-Max "Radio" receiver -- totally portable with all of the variety offers by streaming audio.

Is this the new revolutionary trend for terrestrial radio?

Author: Andrew2
Thursday, February 26, 2009 - 8:50 pm
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Sure, but it's been possible before WiMax. Verizon's EV-DO wireless broadband has been out there for a couple of years now - though I think the Clear download/upload speeds are better.

Author: Newflyer
Friday, February 27, 2009 - 6:17 pm
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I saw something somewhere at some site recently that said Noikia was making the only WiMax PDA-type device, but discontinued it.

Speaking of Clearwire in Downtown Portland, I saw this gigantic truck with a gigantic see-through trailer carrying what looked like a mobile living room and dining room and the typical "this is not..." marketing pitch.

With all the transit, radio, and TV advertising, not to mention the excessive number of fliers and direct mail all over the place, it wouldn't surprise me at all if 100% of what people are paying for the service is simply going to marketing buzz versus an actual service. I know for a fact that they lost money on me (and I won't be back), but the advertising bills probably keep piling up.

Again, I think WiMax is an interesting technology, it's just that Clearwire doesn't seem to provide reliable service for everyone at this time. Which is also too bad, as I'd heard about them well before they started service in Portland and was actually interested in their service well before I was able to try it, but if it's not going to work for me than the heck with it.

Author: Skybill
Friday, February 27, 2009 - 6:20 pm
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Twice now I've seen Clear's bright green SUV running around town.

It has strobe lights in the headlights and tail lights just like a police car does.

I don't have a problem if they run those while the vehicle is stopped in a parking lot doing a promo spot, but they should NOT be allowed to drive down the street or in one case Hwy 84 with the strobes on.

Author: Mc74
Saturday, February 28, 2009 - 1:35 pm
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Actually that new furniture place that opened up near the airport had a similiar truck to the clear one when they first came to town.

The Clear truck has someone in the back of it on a phone or lap top though.

Author: Drchaps
Saturday, April 18, 2009 - 3:09 pm
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Newflyer, who is your current ISP?

Author: Jimbo
Saturday, April 18, 2009 - 3:34 pm
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I had Verizon DSL for6 years and always had problems. A variety of them which, they said, included the fact that I was at the end of the "limits" in distance from the CO. I got to know the repair guys real well over the years. Better than dialup but would go down every couple months or so for a day or so.
Until they laid the fiber in the ground. I signed up and got it as soon as it was available, long before Comcast fibre came around. I have had Verizon fibre for two years now and my phone is perfectly quiet, no pops crackles, hum, etc. My internet has never gone down for even a hiccup. It has worked flawlessly at 10 Meg down. I have 5 computers networked together and never experienced any problems since I ditched wireless and went wired. Something about wireless signals going through the house. It was hit and miss with those at the opposite side of the house.
Your experience may vary.

Author: Kennewickman
Saturday, April 18, 2009 - 6:42 pm
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I have had Charter.net Cable Internet service since Sept of 2002. They provide 5 MEG service here and I think you can get 7 meg for a little more money if you want it , I have 5 . I went out on the Integra Portland Server and hit 4784 kbps just now . Fast enough for me.

So I am happy with what I have for 53/month.

Even though Charter is has gone Banko !

I went high speed way back because I have a Genalogy hobby that requires inspection of online census images from ancestry.com. I sure can load up all those digitized microfisch images a lot quicker with broadband ! And back then , they didnt have indexes for the census, so you had to go through hundreds of pages to find somebody in the 1880 census. Painstakingly slow on dial up. Sometimes impossible with freezups and what not.

I got used to it, especially having broadband from work, so I just saw to it that I had a budget for it from then on.

Author: Skeptical
Saturday, April 18, 2009 - 7:04 pm
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Speaking of Verizon, they have a phone line for the neighbors down the road from me lying in the creek (9 years and counting). You've heard me mention this before. I used to call them to come out and fix it (there's a break in the underground cable, so the creek wire is "temporary"), but for all practical purposes, Verizon thinks I'm lying.

So, every summer I just mow over it with my Bushwacker and Verizon sends an emergency crew out to fix it. Since the outage doesn't affect me, I don't care too much. Heck I don't care at all.

Maybe Jimbo's Verizon friends can come out and permanently fix it.

Author: Jimbo
Sunday, April 19, 2009 - 1:49 am
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Haven't seen them since I got the optics two years ago.
They recently doubled my speed at no cost to 10MBs and except for a email and a few sites, I can't tell the difference although different unrelated tests say I am at that speed.

It doesn't matter how fast your download speed is if the sites you are getting data from can't upload at that speed and are much slower. Depends on where you go. Comcast came out a month ago and said they could give me 12 MBs down and after some discussion, one of their guys admitted that I probably wouldn't notice any difference going from 10 to 12. If I wanted to pay more, I could get 30 download speed but can't see spending the money.


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