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You don't have to use Comcast. I sacrificed Comcast's speed and went with a local, privacy conscious DSL provider and I couldn't be happier. I'm getting about 6

by guelo 11y ago

You don't have to use Comcast. I sacrificed Comcast's speed and went with a local, privacy conscious DSL provider and I couldn't be happier. I'm getting about 6mbps with dual bonded phone lines. It's kind of pricey at $80 but it's worth it knowing I'm dealing with an honest business. In most areas there are alternatives and DSL is available everywhere, it's worth it even if it's a lot slower for the peace of mind. As long as you don't trade in one evil giant corp for another like AT&T or Verizon.

losingthefight 11y ago
I don't think this is reflective of most consumers in the US. I have a family of four. I couldn't imagine the kids working on school work, watching Netflix, or gaming while I try to teach online all while on a WiFi router connected to DSL. While it may work for you, the fact of the matter is that it likely will not work for many, hence the reason Comcast can get away with this crap (well, that and the monopoly).
- iotku 11y ago
  In a similar situation here, 4 adults in a household currently on DSL (Approx 10mbps down / 0.6mbps up, best available speeds on DSL here). Between two TVs using Netflix (usually no more than one at a time, but frequently) and me playing online games the connection becomes about useless. Ping times shoot up past 1000ms making online gaming impossible, downloads are obviously slow (and interfere with Netflix streaming), and there's frequent connection bugs (stalls for 2-5s seemingly randomly). Only other "Real" choice is Comcast, but I'm very reluctant due to their behavior and potential of implementing low caps. (Not currently in WA state) 4G isn't an option because data caps, sat (Which I used previously where I lived before) has extremely high latency and low caps (Obviously no multiplayer gaming there either), and of course nobody wants to deal with dialup in 2015.
- coldtea 11y ago
  >* I couldn't imagine the kids working on school work, watching Netflix, or gaming while I try to teach online all while on a WiFi router connected to DSL.* At 6mbps? Tons of consumers in the US get even less...
- izacus 11y ago
  Why would that work on a DSL?
callesgg 11y ago
A cheaper and faster way would be to buy a small cloud server install openvpn on it. Then get a nice router and configure it to send all your trafic throgh the vpn.
saboot 11y ago
I don't even have this option. It's comcast or DSL provided by AT&T only. Many apartment complexes have agreements with specific major ISPs.
johnward 11y ago
> You don't have to use Comcast. Many people do. I can use comcast or go to satellite. DSL is not even an option as I'm too far away. Satellite is not a high speed option in my opinion.
mikeash 11y ago
Really? The last place I lived had the option of Comcast or maybe Verizon DSL at 1.5Mbps. Verizon didn't know if they could provide service or not, thus the "maybe." And that was it. This was true when I moved out three years ago, and it's still true for the people living there today. So, "You don't have to use Comcast"? Actually, some people do unless they're willing to give up broadband altogether.

by guelo 11y ago

losingthefight 11y ago

I don't think this is reflective of most consumers in the US. I have a family of four. I couldn't imagine the kids working on school work, watching Netflix, or gaming while I try to teach online all while on a WiFi router connected to DSL. While it may work for you, the fact of the matter is that it likely will not work for many, hence the reason Comcast can get away with this crap (well, that and the monopoly).

iotku 11y ago
In a similar situation here, 4 adults in a household currently on DSL (Approx 10mbps down / 0.6mbps up, best available speeds on DSL here). Between two TVs using Netflix (usually no more than one at a time, but frequently) and me playing online games the connection becomes about useless. Ping times shoot up past 1000ms making online gaming impossible, downloads are obviously slow (and interfere with Netflix streaming), and there's frequent connection bugs (stalls for 2-5s seemingly randomly). Only other "Real" choice is Comcast, but I'm very reluctant due to their behavior and potential of implementing low caps. (Not currently in WA state) 4G isn't an option because data caps, sat (Which I used previously where I lived before) has extremely high latency and low caps (Obviously no multiplayer gaming there either), and of course nobody wants to deal with dialup in 2015.
coldtea 11y ago
>* I couldn't imagine the kids working on school work, watching Netflix, or gaming while I try to teach online all while on a WiFi router connected to DSL.* At 6mbps? Tons of consumers in the US get even less...
izacus 11y ago
Why would that work on a DSL?

callesgg 11y ago

A cheaper and faster way would be to buy a small cloud server install openvpn on it. Then get a nice router and configure it to send all your trafic throgh the vpn.

saboot 11y ago

I don't even have this option. It's comcast or DSL provided by AT&T only. Many apartment complexes have agreements with specific major ISPs.

johnward 11y ago

> You don't have to use Comcast. Many people do. I can use comcast or go to satellite. DSL is not even an option as I'm too far away. Satellite is not a high speed option in my opinion.

mikeash 11y ago

Really? The last place I lived had the option of Comcast or maybe Verizon DSL at 1.5Mbps. Verizon didn't know if they could provide service or not, thus the "maybe." And that was it. This was true when I moved out three years ago, and it's still true for the people living there today. So, "You don't have to use Comcast"? Actually, some people do unless they're willing to give up broadband altogether.