Comments on: Alternatives!

By: nelson

nelson — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:25:24 +0000

Better take Clearwire off your list… They Cap!

By: Nathanael

Nathanael — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 18:38:59 +0000

Long term, y’all need to campaign for municipally-owned FIOS. There is no damn reason the wires should be private monopolies.

By: Larry

Larry — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 01:28:30 +0000

Yea I have Rochester RR.

The rep I talked to from Earthlink said it was a new policy that went into effect about 2 weeks ago, so that makes it right after all this started.

By: Mazakman

Mazakman — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 01:25:44 +0000

Interesting. Are you on the Rochester TW billing ? I have also been considering Earthlink, but I have no desire for any interruption in service.

By: Larry

Larry — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 01:17:29 +0000

I’m in Albion NY

By: Mazakman

Mazakman — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 01:15:32 +0000

Where are you located Larry ?

By: Larry

Larry — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:46:55 +0000

I just called Earthlink about switching over, asked them if there would be a disruption of service to switch over and I was told there is a new policy and the Road Runner service would need to be disconnected first before their service can be setup.

By: Toradora

Toradora — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 04:05:28 +0000

Austin – Round Rock Metropolitan Area folks can try inputting their addresses with:

-ATT (obviously…WTB VERIZON FIOS)
-Embarq (www.embarq.com)
-Suddenlink (www.suddenlink.com)
-Grande (www.grandecom.com)

FWIW I think the outlying towns (Leander/CP – RR – Georgetown – Hutto – Del Valle – Manor – Etc) fare better with alternatives here. Not to sure about Austin proper, as I live in Cedar Park and am buying a home in Hutto..

Embarq may be the best bet, as they were formerly Sprint, and should be somewhat entrenched.

By: Tommy

Tommy — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:01:39 +0000

Anyone know whether WiMax (Sprint, I think?) will be coming to town?

By: Chris Currier

Chris Currier — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:34:44 +0000

From Earthlink online chat (noon 4/17):
Thank you for choosing our secure EarthLink Sales chat. All agents are currently assisting other customers. Thank you for your patience. You are number ’1′ of ’1′ customers in line. Your estimated wait is ’0′ minutes and ’1′ seconds.
Hello and welcome to EarthLink’s secure live Sales chat. You are chatting with Roger P..
Roger P.: Hello. How may I help you today?
Chris: Will Earthlink be capping service in Winston-Salem?
Roger P.: Since our service is also through TWC lines, we assume that we would also get the caps, however, we are still working with TWC to understand the logistics and how it applies to us.
So – no answer for Greensboro TW service area….I will likely switch anyway rather than support TW….

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 01:25:37 +0000

I remember back in the mid 90′s I was on AT&T’s dial-up unlimited plan. Even then, I downloaded a lot of data but nothing compared to what I do today. Well, supposedly AT&T sent an email to all of their subscribers stopping the unlimited usage plan but I never received the email or official notification of the account change. When I got my bill, it was over $400 lol. Fortunately, they took the charges off since I never received any notifications and ended up canceling their service because of the change. I did let it be known why I was canceling and that I was unhappy with the change.

Nowadays, I am a big Usenet fan. I download 720p tv shows all the time to watch them on my HDTV via PC. Each file runs 1.4GB or more and I could easily blow TW’s caps in no time. Also, I do a lot of gaming, run a FTP server, and watch online video. These caps will stifle innovations. Services offering movies and tv episodes online, like Netflix and Hulu, will be vastly affected by these ridiculous usage caps if imposed. Hopefully, that will never happen.

I live in the Charlotte, NC area and fortunately there are several ISP’s here, thankfully. We have TW, AT&T Uverse which I am currently with, AT&T DSL, Windstream in certain areas though, Cricket wireless, Verizon wireless, just to name a few.

Lastly, I would like to expand on what HP Clark pointed out. I don’t think people realize how big security updates from like MS are sometimes. Almost all software companies have patches, security updates, or other downloads from their website. 1GB/mo is just nothing nowadays for even the lite user if they are simply just updating their antivirus software or downloading the latest windows security updates. Also, there are so many things that use the internet now, ie gaming consoles, tv’s, Bluray players, ect… TW is literally trying to screw the customer out of more dough. They know all of this.

By: Patrick Velyk

Patrick Velyk — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:47:41 +0000

That is a very misleading statement from what I have seen. Check out this article http://www.betanews.com/article/Tests-of-Time-Warner-broadband-cap-rescheduled-debates-continue/1239815400 . It’s pretty much the announcement we have already seen.

By: T.M.

T.M. — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:43:45 +0000

I’d want to get that in writing. Or see it in writing at least. Is it on their website?

By: HP Clark

HP Clark — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:39:09 +0000

I downloaded a bandwidth meter and in two days had used over 1.3 gig. There was no downloading of movies, videos, or music, just mail and a few searches, one small file upload, and program updates like IE, anti-virus, etc.
However, as long as my computer is on and the cable modem is on, I am getting .01 mb charged to my usage every few seconds, even if I am not technically “on the internet.” Don’t get up and go to the bathroom, answer the phone or take a break while your computer is on… it’ll cost you!
So, unless you have a switch to shut the modem off, you’ll be charged even if your computer is idle. I have my modem connected to a separate surge protection strip and often shut it off when working on client accounts (I work at home most days).
There isn’t going to be any so called “savings” from TW, just many unsuspecting souls thinking that caps won’t matter to them.
Wait till you get the bill!

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:05:21 +0000

I called Time Warner in Austin yesterday, and they said, due to public outcry that they were suspending testing caps in our area. Not sure how long thats going to last or if suspended means “we don’t to admit we really messed up” but they are listening so get out there and make yourself heard.

By: Terry Hyland

Terry Hyland — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:30:30 +0000

Thanks for the link, this does make me feel more comfortable.

I’m changing my expired contract for a new one and for phone and internet I’m saving $20 a month. I was using HSI lite and will continue with that since it is sufficient for my needs. For HSI lite, I’m being charged $19.95 a month.

I downloaded a program to measure my use and only in a week, I’ve used 10GB. So I really wish I knew where these ridiculously low numbers of average use come from.

By: Mazakman

Mazakman — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:14:52 +0000

What are they charging you Terry ?

Also…see this link…

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Frontier-Confirms-Plans-To-Shelve-Caps-101930

By: Terry Hyland

Terry Hyland — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:13:42 +0000

Does anyone have any information on the 5GB language still used by Frontier in their Acceptable Use Policy? Should I be concerned. I need to know before I confirm my new 2 year fixed rate contract. Thanks.

By: Terry Hyland

Terry Hyland — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:10:52 +0000

I just signed up for a two year fixed rate but after looking at the Acceptable Use Policy I am nervous. So I haven’t confirmed yet because of the 5GB language. Does anyone have any info on this.

By: Dwain

Dwain — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:50:16 +0000

Ben, I don’t understand your comment. The use cap, as I’ve heard of it, is for residential users, not business users. I agree in principle, though, that this bruhaha is not very attractive for Rochester. I do hope Eric Massa wades in, along with the County Lej and town supervisors.

For myself, I’m planning to call Time-Warner today and tell them that I will be switching to an alternative service if they don’t issue a reversal of the use cap proposal by June 1.

If we could band together and publish a deadline to cease and desist, a mass desertion would have quite an impact, especially if accompanied by letters to newspapers and radio/TV reportage.

By: Tracy

Tracy — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 04:21:04 +0000

Ben~
Although everone here has had great ideas and information, your comment really hit the spot! We as Rochesterians should really be looking into this point of view.! We have lost so much business here, Everone has left, including our childen, to look for work elswhere, and no new companies will even consider relocating here now. I wonder if Paetech (sp?) whose suppoose to be taking over midtown soon, knows of this. Are they going to willing to pay this, on top of everything else in this economy. They’ve already pulled out of Paetech Park. Put a hold on Midtown. Chances are, “something” will come up and we won’t see them relocate here after all.
I am so furious about this, I can’t sand it! And I know there isn’t that many options out there for us in Livingston County. Bravo to your statement Ben….

By: Ben Throop

Ben Throop — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:31:32 +0000

As an internet startup who chose to relocate to Rochester, this is disappointing. What happened to Rochester as a technology leader?

It’s embarrassing to watch this kind of PR getting flung around with our city’s name on it. If Eric Massa is concerned about anything, it should be folks who are deciding on where they want to locate their lives and businesses who consider their Internet connection central to their livelihood as I do.

This whole thing makes Rochester look even less appealing to outsiders.

By: Daniel Cohen

Daniel Cohen — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 19:55:22 +0000

I’m sure they probably hand picked these test markets due to the lack of options available. You’d never see them roll out a ‘test’ like this in a competitive market place! I feel for you guys in Rochester!

If this kind of thing keeps up, piggybacking on the neighbors connection is going to become ultra-popular. I feel bad for all the little old ladies on the 1GB plan checking their e-mail each morning, only to get a $300 bill for d/l tons of warez and Pr0n.

The funny thing is anyone who would actually save money from the 1GB plan probably has no idea wtf a GB is. They also probably have no idea how to secure a router!

The way TW and most other providers deal with the problem of someone being piggybacked is pretty crappy as well. They’ll try to tell you how to secure your router and prevent it from happening again, but can you see your grandmother figuring that out? No offense to all the tech savvy granny’s out there! We love ya!

By: Richard

Richard — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 19:41:00 +0000

Is everyone sure that Frontier will not be charging for exceeding 5GB a month?

I found this statement in their Acceptable Use Policy:

“Frontier may suspend, terminate or apply additional charges to the Service if such usage exceeds a reasonable amount of usage. A reasonable amount of usage is defined as 5GB combined upload and download consumption during the course of a 30-day billing period. ”

http://www.frontier.com/policies/residential_aup/

It looks like even if they say they are not planning on charging, they seem to be reserving the right to charge in the future should they deem it necessary.

Any final word on Earthlink?
It looks like there might not be ANY broadband providers in the Rochester area that offer services without caps.

By: Steve in Rochester

Steve in Rochester — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:37:09 +0000

Hey

Does anyone know what time the protest will be at Time Warners building in Rochester on Saturday April 18th. I would like it go.