Welcome to Inkbunny...

To view member-only content, create an account. ( Hide )

Spectrum thoughts?

by

They're running cable down my road right now. Might be able to get out from under Viasat soon! Certainly it can't be worse than Viasat, a super low bar. No way I'm switching to Starlink either, but what are your experiences with them? Anything I need to be aware of if I switch?

Viewed:	43 times
Added:	1 year ago 04 Apr 2025 18:21 CEST

23 Comments on this Journal

Leave a Comment...

AlBear

1 year ago

link

We had AT&T for over 20 years until we switched to Spectrum in 2022. So far, it's been great! The speeds they provide are actually higher than they advertise. We've been very happy with them so far. But then again, we live in the middle of the city, I don't know how it'll be in rural areas. I have a feeling that it'll be way cheaper than your Viasat. I'd say, check it out once its active. You have nothing to lose.

DanielBunny

1 year ago

link

@ AlBear

heh yeah, Viasat's price just keeps going up. Now they finally offered a DECENT data limit (though they're still claiming it's unlimited) but it's over 120 a month. If Spectrum is cheaper, faster, and doesn't have 7 second latency, I'd need a pretty damn good reason not to.

TwoTails

1 year ago

link

I need to ditch AT&T, charge too much for shit service (close to $100 for about 0.5MB/sec that often fails during daytime), but still unaware of any cheaper options.
It's out here in the boonies of course.

DanielBunny

1 year ago

link

Edited 1 year ago by Owner

@ TwoTails

heh we don't even get AT&T out here. For mobile there's only Verizon and they seem to be about what you're describing as well, and with a worse data limit than Viasat had at its recent worst, for about the same price.

edit: their MOST EXPENSIVE data limit was worse than Viasat's lowest when I checked.

Naruu

1 year ago

link

Specturm is what I've got, had it for years. They'll give you a good intro rate for the first year or two, but do expect them to keep increasing the bill over time. 500Mb internet here for like $75 a month. It works, it's up most of the time.

Noticed that most nights just past midnight they will do their maintenance and internet will blink out for a few minutes.

Their customer support is spotty, sometimes you get someone with the capacity for abstract thought, sometimes you get someone that can only read a script and gives no fucks about your problem.

There you go, hope it helps bunny... now.. take off your pants!

DanielBunny

1 year ago

link

Edited 1 year ago by Owner

@ Naruu

*squeak!*

All of this sounds better than Viasat, and tech support sounds about the same. Usually my experience with Tech support is them suggesting I reset my modem, which for a time would disconnect me from tech support so the next person would tell me to reset my modem and wouldn't help me further if I told them I already did and the next person is going to say the same. They also don't seem to want to help AT ALL if you're past the data limit.

edit: It certainly didn't help when they implemented an AI chat you have to spend time convincing to let you talk to a person.

Beartp

1 year ago

link

Actually in a area that someday might be serviced by Spectrum seems to be mixed as far as what I've heard about Spectrum. See most of the people recently getting seem to be pretty good though in areas where they've been a long time heard alot of complaints

DanielBunny

1 year ago

link

@ Beartp

That may be because rural areas have been behind everyone else on internet service for decades, ever since Dialup became obsolete. We still had only that for a long time after cable came into the picture. Satellite has.. not been a good compromise. Lotta people are experiencing cable internet for the first time.

Beartp

1 year ago

link

@ DanielBunny

I had Direct Way for a while got DSL when CenturyLink offered it till things got messed up. When they rebranded the service they stopped offering in my location.   Since broadband roll out in rural areas is taking so long especially in my area people are looking at options. Almost anything is better than nothing or 1.5mbps of course cost is always a consideration
   The cellular companies have also stepped up coverage.
   StarLink isn't too uncommon speeds lag actually pretty close to broadband their bird operate much lower than Directway or Viasat
   FWA a variation of Wifi low lag high speeds (I am using this 300mbps 22ms latency)

DanielBunny

1 year ago

link

@ Beartp

We never had DSL as an option. Hughesnet used to be kinda okay for what it was, then they started price fixing with Viasat with no consequence. I've heard Starlink is low latency, but they're expensive and the rot started to set in before they finished expanding, and if that ended up being the best option out here I DO NOT trust Musk to keep it on unlimited data. Though as a result, Viasat finally offered... not unlimited data but more data than I could use if I tried... then they lowered it, changing the terms of the plan while I'm still on it >.< but it's still okay, but still has absolutely no advantage over switching to Spectrum now that we'll soon have that option.

Beartp

1 year ago

link

@ DanielBunny

No idea if Musk will keep it as is or not. then again he's not really running it. If he has to really compete constantly unless the others follow suit as you mentioned with between Hughes and Viasat doubt he will change it or lose customers. At the moment his biggest advantages is speed low latency and anyone can set it up within a few hours at most

DanielBunny

1 year ago

link

@ Beartp

I suppose if Musk was running it, it would be worse, but even so, rot economy. Corporations charge more to provide less over time.

AmtrakSunsetWolf

1 year ago

link

I've had very good service with them. I lived 20 minutes from their office in the next town over from mine. They've never let me down and have always been up with good service.

DanielBunny

1 year ago

link

@ AmtrakSunsetWolf

Well so far what I'm hearing is at the very least there's no downsides compared to all the shit options we've had to this point. We've been behind everyone else ever since dialup became obsolete, and get gouged HARD. Now it looks like everyone in this neighborhood is about to tell Viasat and Starlink to fuck off, and it's beautiful. hehe.

Varwulf

1 year ago

link

I've had Spectrum for years. They're not bad, just expensive for what they offer. Customer service is mid at best, but that's pretty much become the average for ISPs in this country at least.

I've bought into TDS a year ago because they keep saying they're bringing fiber through my area. Half the price of Spectrum and 4x the speed. I cannot wait, but they keep pushing it back lol

Rat bastards.

DanielBunny

1 year ago

link

@ Varwulf

oof yeah, fiber here would be nice, but now that we're finally getting cable, I'd bet on everyone else getting fiber and putting us behind again. heh. Yeah sad thing is, even though they're much more expensive compared to when cable was first a thing, they'll still be the cheapest option here.

Varwulf

1 year ago

link

@ DanielBunny

I believe it. If they're the cheapest option in your area, I'd say you can do a helluva lot worse than Spectrum.

Anonytigmous

1 year ago

link

Edited 1 year ago by Owner

I've rarely had issues with Spectrum. I have their 1G internet and their mobile. Definitely a good company for mobile, $30 per line ( with 1 free line for 12 months ) but you must have their internet. We pay $50 a month for our 1G but we are on a special rate. When it runs out, it will go up to $75/mo. Just make sure to record your conversations with them and make sure they give you any deals they promise either in writing or through a note verified by their supervisor. This was the only issue I had with them, not honoring what was originally promised. Had to go through the AG's office to get them to honor it and that was only because I record ALL of my phone calls automatically ( one-party state ).

DanielBunny

1 year ago

link

@ Anonytigmous

well sadly I think mine's two-party

ZwolfJareAlt306

1 year ago

link

No experience with that particular provider, but I’ve used cable/fiber and satellite (yes, it’s Starlink) in various places over the years. Cable has been decent for me, and seems to be cheaper than satellite. Again in my own case, the Starlink has been an order of magnitude better than the system I replaced with it—an antenna getting a signal from a repeater tower.

As always, check what’s available in your area, and ask lots of questions. All the best to you in your quest for internet access!

DanielBunny

1 year ago

link

@ ZwolfJareAlt306

Yeah satellite squeezes the hell out of rural areas because it's the only option that's not absolutely abysmal mobile service, but thankfully that's about to change, and I hope Viasat and Starlink die because of it.

CharliePup

1 year ago

link

Spectrum is good if you have satellite, but expect to still have problems with them. if ANYONE offers fiber, TAKE IT. cant beat fiber with any other type of internet service type currently.

DanielBunny

1 year ago

link

@ CharliePup

There's no way we're getting fiber out here within the next 20 years I'd say

New Comment:

Move reply box to top ↑

Log in or create an account to comment.