How to save on internet service?

[Seeker]

Originally Posted by tabbycat31

I wish I had an alternative for internet service. I am paying Cablevision $90/month for cable and internet that dosent work all the time.

I have no landline, and have no desire for one.

How about Satellite TV & Internet?

New Jersey Satellite Internet Access

Newark Satellite Internet Service Providers

$90/month for intermittant service does not sound like a good plan.

[Broken Arrow]

There is a small service here called Clearwire. Last I checked, it was $40 a month, and the first 3 months is $10. As far as I can tell (and it's not far ), it uses broadband cellphone technology. So, speeds are faster than dial-up, but slower than normal DSL or cable. If the reception is reliable, I'd seriously consider it. For now, I'm getting reliable DSL for a little bit more (after negotiating with my provider's customer service rep.)

[tabbycat31]

Seeker, to be fair it includes cable and my TV works fine.

Off to check out hte links. I keep hearing about Clearwire, wishing it would come to NJ.

[tabbycat31]

Skyway sounds interesting, and they have local numbers, however it sounds like a dialup service. I could not find any FAQs on their page.

[Seeker]

Originally Posted by tabbycat31

Skyway sounds interesting, and they have local numbers, however it sounds like a dialup service. I could not find any FAQs on their page.

The page there describing fees include speeds.

They describe a dial-up process to "connect" then satellite speeds of 1.5 Mbps down to 256 Kbps (those speeds are comperable to DSL/Cable speeds).

You'd have to talk with them about specifics on how'd it work without a phone line (if it could in their case).

Satellite ISP |Satellite Internet Access Plans

[Seeker]

There's also a couple of articles about Clearwire and Jersey here (unfortunately I cannot access the articles and am not sure if it's the firewall at work here preventing my access or something on their side). But you might be able to view these....

NJ.com Search: clearwire

[KatieNK]

I signed up for Verizon's lowest DSL service and it was $13/month for the 1st 6 months and then goes up to $18/month. I needed phone service at my house for a WAH job so I thought I would switch my cable to DSL. With the cost of the phone, it isn't that much cheaper than my $40 cable bill but like I said, I needed the phone anyway.

[eisor]

We don't have a home phone. We knew getting DSL would require it though. We looked into different options. AT&T offers a $10 DSL product (you have to search for it on their website) and then basic phone is $17.99. So, for $28 a month you can have phone and internet. There is a 12 month contract.

We went a different route. We have Charter cable. For $14.99 a month (no contract) we get internet. We were required to purchase cable, but it is only $4.99. So, for $19.98 a month, we get basic cable and cable internet.

[mikewoodbooks]

We pay $80.66 a month with Embarq (formerly Sprint) for bundled DSL and phone in the Houston area. The base rate is $60.40, but there's $20.26 of taxes and surcharges added. One way I've found to save is to sign up for their minimum DSL speed package. Then after you've been with them a while, threaten to switch providers, but offer to stay if they'll increase your speed. I think we started out with 786kbs and we're getting 2 or 2.5 mbs now.

[mikewoodbooks]

Oh, one more thing. You have to constantly watch your providers ads. They'll often put out special rates for new users that are cheaper than the rate you pay. Call them up and threaten to switch providers if they won't treat you, a loyal customer (thus far) to the same deal they're giving new users.

[topwaystosave]

A lot of people don't know enough about Direct tv but its usually cheaper than cable. It gives you a lot more stations and every channel is digital. I've had it for over 4 years and love it. No one comes close to the amount of HD channels it overs too. Consumer reports a few months ago ranked it number in TV service only behind Fios which isn't available in my area.

If you put your Verizon cell phone on your home phone bill you usually can get a discount too.

[SusanP]

Originally Posted by project15

i have at&t dsl without a landline in the suburbs of chicago. I dropped the landline about 3 months ago. $23.99 a month for the slowest speed which isnt too bad at all. Call them up and ask about "dry dsl"

I've been thinking about dropping my landline also. I get phone service and DSL from Verizon, word on the net is Verizon does have "dry loop" but they don't like to admit it. I'll be giving them a call tomorrow.

[meatloafkend]

Maybe I'm missing this somewhere, but where do you get really cheap dial-up? I live in the country, so high speed really isn't an option.

[fruitbowlk]

Originally Posted by meatloafkend

Maybe I'm missing this somewhere, but where do you get really cheap dial-up? I live in the country, so high speed really isn't an option.

I had aol for 9.99 a month.

[meatloafkend]

Thanks fruitbowlk. I think I pay $25 or something. I will be giving them a call!