127 Comments:
I got a letter from them telling me my internet was going from 45 to 60 bucks the same day I got an ad from them saying "20 bucks a month for four months! sign up today!"
they cant eat my motherfucking ass. Ever since they took over my wireless router stopped working too. Bitchass motherfucking thieves. I don't want or need cable tv, so they're going to charge me extra booko dollas for having internet? suck shit, jerkbags. I only wish DSL didn't suck so badly.
»» Submitted by tmay at 1:54 PM on January 5
ps, who wants to get a class-action suit going?
»» Submitted by tmay at 1:55 PM on January 5
My Favorite part was where they are lowering the Internet Rate for cable subscribers by $2 but now requiring you to rent your modem for $3 a month.
When are they going to get that City wide internet thing rolling?
»» Submitted by Mpls Simpleton at 1:56 PM on January 5
seriously, I know the rules are fucked up, but how is this legal? being forced from one provider to another and then having your rate jacked up ridiculously? Especially after promises were made that it wouldn't happen?
I mean, I know exactly how it's legal, but WHY the fuck do we allow it to be legal? Oh right, because the cable providers have deeper pockets to bribe lawmakers with than consumer joe you and I.
»» Submitted by tmay at 2:01 PM on January 5
wait, so on top of the fifteen buck increase they're going to pop another 3 bucks on there for RENTING the fucking MODEM?
You have got to be fucking shitting me.
»» Submitted by tmay at 2:03 PM on January 5
seriously, what's next? ground rent like in baltimore?
»» Submitted by tmay at 2:05 PM on January 5
Yes, that's just what we need to solve the problem of poor service from a monopoly provider - a government provider!
BTW, can we get a class action suit going against TMay for his use of the language?
(Now commence with cussing me out!)
»» Submitted by Jordi F. at 1:58 PM on January 5
Qwest baby! Their fastest DSL is only about $50 for folks (me) without a main phone line.
Comcast is a sham. It's legal, though, because our laws allow it. We wanted to change...but sadly voters overlooked the cable television monopoly last November and reduced us to peons. So this is what you get, I guess.
»» Submitted by »»» kwatt at 2:05 PM on January 5
hey, sorry about the swearing, but this kind of extortion really really really really irks me.
Can anyone suggest sanely-priced but not awful-quality alternatives in the city? The city wifi won't be out for a while, so I need something between now and then...
»» Submitted by tmay at 2:06 PM on January 5
kev, how fast is it? and how reliably fast is it? I always had reliability problems in the past with DSL, and everytime it rained my speed dropped to a crawl ...
»» Submitted by tmay at 2:08 PM on January 5
Sadly, $60/mo. is how they do it in St. Paul. I was surprised to hear y'all were paying $45.
»» Submitted by »»» jeremy at 2:09 PM on January 5
wow, i guess i'm on the bright side of pissed! Yeah, simpleton, i saw that too -- excellent stuff.
My second thought, after kill-kill-kill (er, j/k bff), was also about the city wireless network. But after looking into it it looks like the speed is just 1 - 3 Mbps . . . is this fast enough?
»» Submitted by »»» spaceman at 2:06 PM on January 5
what's the speed of your DSL, kevin?
»» Submitted by »»» spaceman at 2:11 PM on January 5
. . . it strikes me as wrong/weird/stupid that my internet will now cost more than my water/trash bill or electric bill.
»» Submitted by »»» spaceman at 2:12 PM on January 5
I don't even have a television, but I was appaled when I read their tv package prices. No wonder people sit on their asses getting fat and watching tv .... they can't afford to go out or eat healthy after they pay their cable bill!
Also, telcoms/cable/data providers are some of the biggest scam artists in the country. They get rich selling lines the government subsidized the cost of, then manage to up their rates ridiculously on the same consumers whose tax money paid for their infrastructure, citing "increased infrastructure costs" or some garbage. Excuse me? Double dip much, asshats? Then they use all that cash they're raking in to pay off politicians to make sure they can continue to do so.
Honestly, their overhead is nowhere near high enough to justify the prices they charge unless they are the most colossally mismanaged companies ever.
»» Submitted by tmay at 2:10 PM on January 5
I got that letter, too. $60, with $10 off for the first six months and $5 off for the next six. Significantly more expensive than Time Warner's $45.
I would go to DSL (don't need* anything as fast as high-speed), but you have to buy a phone line, too. Maybe now that they're raising rates, though, the DSL will make more sense...
»» Submitted by »»» Jerad at 2:12 PM on January 5
I'm curious to hear about DSL speed and how happy you are with it. I need upload speed too, is that any faster?
»» Submitted by »»» chuck at 2:15 PM on January 5
I'm in same boat.
I don't think there's any good way around this if I want to stay on a cable modem. According to the Comcast website, I can buy Basic Cable* for $12.76 per month. I assume I don't need a cable box or any other gizmos to get basic cable.
(I'm not sure whether the addition of local programming is worth an extra $12.76 a month -- although it would finally give me the opportunity to see what DeRusha looks like. What's that worth, ladies?)
According to Comcast, my new total would be $58.71 -- which means I'll save like a dollar, which might be lost in the ton of no-doubt-expensive caveats** and the fact they want to charge me $75.17 to "install" this crap.
Feh.
*Basic cable is:
2 TPT - 2 Children & Family
3 CNN News & Info
4 WCCO - CBS
5 KSTP - ABC
6 Metro 6 Regional Access
7 TBS Superstation
8 WUCW-CW
9 KMSP - FOX
10 WFTC - My Network
11 KARE - NBC
12 KSTC - IND
13 TPT - 17
14 MTN City Cable
15 MTN Public Schools
16 MTN Public Access
17 MTN Public Access
18 QVC Lifestyle
19 C-SPAN2 News & Info
20 KPXM - i Independent Television
21 C-SPAN News & Info
22 WGN
23 Shopping Channel Lifestyle
73 Leased Access
74 Home Shopping Network Lifestyle
75 MTN Public Access
76 MTN MN-DOT Live Traffic
77 MTN NASA Select
78 MTN MInneapolis
79 MTN City Meeting Channel
97 EWTN/NJT/TBN Lifestyle
98 ACCT (AM) MTV2 (PM)
99 Univision -WUMN Multicultural
116 Time Warner Cable Information
121 Shopping Channel Lifestyle
122 Shopping Channel Lifestyle
123 Shopping Channel Lifestyle
124 Shopping Channel Lifestyle
125 Shopping Channel Lifestyle
126 Shopping Channel Lifestyle
127 Shopping Channel Lifestyle
** Pricing and service offerings displayed on this site are for residential Comcast customers of participating Comcast systems only. Commercial and business pricing and service offerings differ. Prices do not include taxes and franchise fees. Services and pricing are subject to change. Services are subject to terms and conditions of Comcast's subscriber agreements and other applicable terms and conditions.
Comcast Cable: Prices do not include local tax, franchise or installation fees. Prices are subject to change. Not all products available in all areas. Certain services are available separately or as part of other levels of service. You must subscribe to Basic Service to receive other services or levels of service of video programming. Equipment required.
Comcast High-Speed Internet: Equipment fees not included in monthly service charge. Prices do not include applicable taxes, installation or franchise fees. Pricing, content, and features may change and may vary by area.
»» Submitted by mike s at 2:15 PM on January 5
hmm, qwest's website says 47/mo for "up to 7Mb/s" DSL. That's only a couple bucks over what I'm paying now, and much much less than this comcrap bs. But I really have concerns with reliability and would like to hear from people with qwest before I switch.
»» Submitted by tmay at 2:18 PM on January 5
For anyone switching to DSL, I have a bunch of those phone jack filters if you need them. I'm guessing they probably only give you a couple for free.
»» Submitted by Mpls Simpleton at 2:29 PM on January 5
Don't do it. Qwest's DSL service sucks. Big time. I had it for two years with a home phone line, then finally switched over to a cell phone and cable internet after spending yet another 45 minutes on the phone being volleyed back and forth between Qwest and my ISP:
Qwest: We've run a line-check, and it appears to be a problem with either your ISP or your modem.
ISP Dude: We've run a line-check, and the problem is definitely on Qwest's end. Here's their tech support number...
Qwest: Nope, definitely not our problem. We could come over and check it out, but it's $75 for a in-home visit.
ISP Dude: Qwest is retarded.
The DSL speed for normal browsing is acceptable, for watching videos is painful.
»» Submitted by »»» leigha at 2:26 PM on January 5
make sure you're double checking if you're paying by credit card, too. When we got switched we set up pay by credit card and didn't double check them. Then we got the letter saying we owe 300 dollars and were going to have our modem turned off for 3 months non-payment - they took almost 3 months before they could make credit payments work, so they just kept saying we weren't paying and taking on late fees.
The customer service guy was really apologetic and removed all of our fees right away, then told us to contact the city if we had more problems. The city knows comcast is a joke.
»» Submitted by »»» rew at 2:28 PM on January 5
I have the basic cable/high-speed Internet option from Comcast. The basic cable is worth the extra money so I can watch "Dancing with Johannah" on MTN. Best public access show, ever!!
»» Submitted by neon-mamacita at 2:27 PM on January 5
leigha, it sounds like you didn't have your service directly through qwest, though?
But I know those sort of problems well, I had to help my parents troubleshoot the same kind of shit with SBC/pacbell/AT&T whatever they're called now. The tech support in india kept insisting it was the computer and it needed to be formatted and have windows reinstalled. "no, nothing has changed on the computer, it just quit working." "can you please be clicking on 'control panel,' yes?"
God, biggest waste of 4 hours of my life. That's why I'm afraid to get DSL, because they screw up a translation in the system and you're SOL for service for days because they won't admit it's their problem and keep telling you to format your hard drive and reinstall windows. At least when my cable went out it was back up within a few hours. DSL problems like that never fix themselves. And there's the speed thing I mentioned above.
I want to hear more about the qwest high-speed option, though.
»» Submitted by tmay at 2:40 PM on January 5
also, can't we, like, protest at city hall or something? they probably don't have any power, but they can yell at comcast and give them bad press that they probably don't want...
»» Submitted by tmay at 2:47 PM on January 5
Comcast deserves to be flushed down the terlet.
They're the worstest!
I have Qwest DSL wireless for $45/mo (that price includes the phone line and modem rental). No problems, no complaints. Fast speeds, video looks great, range of the transmitter is awesome. I'm just an everyday average websurfer, though. I don't have need for huge uploads, file transfer, or business purposes. I download iTunes once in a while, and use Skype, but that's about it, and I've had no issues for the 6 months I've been with them. Customer service has been great. They never screw up my bill, my speeds never change. Setup was a snap too.
I think a lot of people in my building camp out on one another's wireless signals, though. I can pick up a TON of them, many unprotected. But I'm too chicken to get caught, and I like my neighbors.
»» Submitted by Bx at 2:31 PM on January 5
My ISP was a company called LocalLink - but I still had to have the DSL line through Qwest. LL was super helpful, Qwest was not. That's all I have to say about that.
As for the DSL download and upload speeds - maybe Bx or Kevin could run a quick speed test and then report back?
»» Submitted by »»» leigha at 2:53 PM on January 5
"Yes, that's just what we need to solve the problem of poor service from a monopoly provider - a government provider!"
The wi-fi network is a private provider - USInternet. I'm fairly certain the city can't do anything about a national corporate merger, unfortunately.
Comcast sure does suck, though.
I think this is the most relevant thing said so far:
"They get rich selling lines the government subsidized the cost of, then manage to up their rates ridiculously on the same consumers whose tax money paid for their infrastructure, citing "increased infrastructure costs" or some garbage."
Unbelievable and terrible for the future of our economy. We're supposed to have a nationwide fiber-optic network right now(like much of Europe and Asia have) - and we gave telecoms huge tax breaks because they promised to use that money to build it! This goes WAY beyond partisan anything, it's just unbelievable.
»» Submitted by Anonymous at 2:57 PM on January 5
I have Qwest DSL and have had it for the past 8 or so years. I just went wireless in our house.
Qwest and I have had our moments over the years, with some really dark, dark times. But overall they've been excellent. In terms of speed, it's not a Porsche, but it ain't no Yugo either. I can watch little kitties falling into bathtubs and foreign despots being hanged at a pretty quick clip.
Overall, I just hate thinking about any of this. Just let me watch "Top Chef" and log on to MnSpeaK and I'm happy. Unless mNSpeAk is sucking at the moment I log in.
P.S. tmay - that was some of the most wicked and delicious swearing I've read since my mom's birthday card.
»» Submitted by »»» nateek at 3:05 PM on January 5
Qwest sucks.
Cable service is great and I expected them to do this when they raised my business line by $30 a month. I can justify the cost a little because I'm using VOIP and don't pay for a phone line but this stinks. I want a fast connection at home but only use it for a couple hours on the weekend.
»» Submitted by Shad at 3:06 PM on January 5
I'm in the same boat. I'm pretty peeved - I distinctly remember them saying rates would stay the same. Slimy bastards. These are the same fucks that are running the anti-net-neutrality ads heavily on cable. All they want is more money, more money, more money.
Calling Comcast this afternoon to give them the ultimatum - keep my rate the same or I'm jumping ship to Qwest.
I'm also lodging a complaint with the Minneapolis cable commission - everyone else who is getting hit with this huuuuuge rate increase should make a complaint as well. This is just unfair.
And actually, you can get Qwest 7mbps DSL for $41.99/month if you don't want the MSN services or e-mail or anything. Pretty good deal.
I wish Minneapolis would hurry up with their wireless.
»» Submitted by caryc at 3:15 PM on January 5
This is, indeed, a load of crap. I'm in the same boat as tmay (no tv, just internet) and I'm pissed. Comcast can suck my balls.
»» Submitted by prozack at 3:14 PM on January 5
Not to defend Comcast here, but basically, this is the same rate structure the "old" Comcast customers were under. In Maple Grove, St. Paul, etc. If you had cable, you got a $15 discount from the normal $60 fee. It seems logical to bring all their customers under the same rate structure.
I know this is the "comcast rate".
That said, I didn't ask for my cable company to change. My service has been the same. I'm not seeing any benefit, therefore why should I have to pay more?
I guess I just don't feel a buyout is a fair reason to raise my rate. And it's not like it's just like $2-3.... It's $15. That's bloody crazy, a more than 30% rate increase!!!
That's why I'm either keeping the old rate, or switching. I think $60/month for internet is insane, ESPECIALLY from a company that wants to double-charge other companies to communicate with me.
»» Submitted by caryc at 3:33 PM on January 5
I got the cheapest modem I could find at it was disfunctional so I have paid for a month of Qwest without ever being able to use it. Sad face. I just know that I will not pay for cable television unless it is baseball season to I guess Comcast will always be too expensive.
We could protest, math guy, but it won't do any good.
Welcome to America, home of the free market.
»» Submitted by »»» kwatt at 3:32 PM on January 5
I have Qwest high speed and I love it. It's fast enough for me.
»» Submitted by Ingrid at 3:37 PM on January 5
I did the little speed test thingy.
I got 1220 kbps download and 641 kbps upload on my Qwest wifi.
Keep in mind there are variables like browser (I'm on the latest Firefox), processor (I gotta new Macbook with Intel 2 gig duo), signal strength (I had full), OS (I'm on 10.4.8) and other apps/pages open (I had another page open, and 1 other app). So it won't be the same for everyone. Their faster speed is available for $64/mo., I believe.
I'm thankful just to have ANY access at all, so I'm not super picky. Picky enough to not be able to stand dial-up, but not so persnickety that I need the ABSOLUTE fastest. Or Comcast. Bleah.
»» Submitted by Bx at 3:45 PM on January 5
I love free markets. I think this bump equals the bump in my health insurance. Of course, I'm getting less service for that.
»» Submitted by »»» domenic at 3:54 PM on January 5
Here is a site for the switch-over for Time Warner users: Look at the answer under "Will my monthly fee change with Comcast High-Speed Internet" It says "PRICE ADJUSTMENTS WILL NOT BE REQUIRED BECAUSE OF THIS CHANGE" (in invisible ink is says "suckers")
I spoke with a rep. today; she said sorry, see ya then. Oh, she also said "we can give you 4 Mbps at a lower rate" The lower rate . . . $57.95.
Anyone in Minneapolis that is interested can file a complaint here.
»» Submitted by »»» spaceman at 3:47 PM on January 5
That said, I didn't ask for my cable company to change. My service has been the same. I'm not seeing any benefit, therefore why should I have to pay more?
I guess I just don't feel a buyout is a fair reason to raise my rate. And it's not like it's just like $2-3.... It's $15. That's bloody crazy, a more than 30% rate increase!!!
exactly! Plus don't forget your *new* equipment rental fee! That bumps it up to 18 bucks a month more. They're ripping us for a 20 dollar asshole with no tangible benefit in service!
I did the little speed test thingy.
I got 1220 kbps download and 641 kbps upload on my Qwest wifi.
is that KBps or Kbps? Bytes vs. bits makes a big difference. Also do you have the 5-7Mbps line or the cheaper 1.5? If it's the 1.5 you're probably talking Kbps and that sounds pretty fair. I'm just wondering if the 5Mbps comes anywhere near what it should.
Calling Comcast this afternoon to give them the ultimatum - keep my rate the same or I'm jumping ship to Qwest.
I'm also lodging a complaint with the Minneapolis cable commission - everyone else who is getting hit with this huuuuuge rate increase should make a complaint as well. This is just unfair.
And actually, you can get Qwest 7mbps DSL for $41.99/month if you don't want the MSN services or e-mail or anything. Pretty good deal.
I'm going to do the same on both counts. I just re-looked at the qwest website and saw the $42/mo deal, but when I do the thing where I try to sign up for it I only have the $47/mo MSN deal and I don't want MSN crap polluting my pipe. What gives? Do I need to just call them up?
»» Submitted by tmay at 3:56 PM on January 5
Per the cities website, wireless should be "largely completed" (whatever that means) by Nov. 2007. But, I also signed up for the e-mail updates a couple months ago, and still haven't heard a peep yet.
»» Submitted by »»» bedubbau at 4:06 PM on January 5
yep the city network should be completed in 2007 -- but again, anyone know what the speed is going to be?
»» Submitted by »»» spaceman at 4:09 PM on January 5
If it's the 1.5 you're probably talking Kbps and that sounds pretty fair.
Dat's what it iz. Sorry I wasn't more specific.
Like I said, plen-T fast for little old me, and I use Skype with no probs.
»» Submitted by Bx at 4:10 PM on January 5
tmay: when you talk to a sales rep ask them for the rate for 7mbps dsl without MSN, just qwest.net as your ISP. should be $41.99 as I was quoted yesterday.
»» Submitted by caryc at 4:13 PM on January 5
If it's the 1.5 you're probably talking Kbps and that sounds pretty fair.
Dat's what it iz. Sorry I wasn't more specific.
Like I said, plen-T fast for little old me, and I use Skype with no probs.
»» Submitted by Bx at 4:10 PM on January 5
also, here's the complaint I wrote on that link posted above to the city:
I was a Time Warner cable internet customer until the recent Comcast takeover and during the transition Comcast promised not the change the monthly rate for service ($44.95/mo for 5Mbit service with Time Warner). Now Comcast has sent me notice that they are changing my package to a Comcast package and forcing me to pay $59.95/mo for the same service, as well as a new $3/mo "equipment rental fee" for a total of $18/mo more than my previous bill. After they claimed that they would not change the rate without proper notice (see here: http://www.comcast.com/welcomemn/faq.htm):
"Will my monthly fee change with Comcast High-Speed Internet?
Price adjustments will not be required because of this change. All prices reflect the increased value of our service, new product enhancements, and investments to continually improve the quality of our network and customer service. Any price adjustments going forward will be planned and communicated to customers well in advance of any change."
However I recieved notice yesterday that my february bill will be jumping considerably. I do not consider that 'well in advance of any change' and believe that Comcast is doing business in bad faith and lying to their customer base (who did not sign up for their service and have been forced into it). A 30+ percent price increase for the same service and no particular need on their part is simply unacceptable. The only significant change between Time Warner and comcast was the speed changed from 5Mbps to 6Mbps, but that is hardly appropriate call for such a large increase in charges. Since Comcast has a monopoly on the cable business in the city, I have absolutely no recourse in the matter and can't necessarily 'take my dollars elsewhere.' Furthermore, I require a high speed internet connection at home for both my quality of life and professional duties, so I cannot simply cancel internet service either. I am aware that DSL service is also available in the city, but that does not excuse Comcast from abusing their position as the only cable internet provider in town.
»» Submitted by tmay at 4:05 PM on January 5
Before good old capitalism takes it in the chops any more here, be aware, the marketplace for cable TV is not a free one. Cities grant exclusive franchises to one provider. Not an outrageous act, perhaps even necessary, given the start up costs necessary for creating the infrastructure. (If open competition were allowed, it might not be feasible for any provider to establish a network and recoup costs, end result being nobody gets cable). However, if cities are going to grant these franchises, they need to make sure the provider is being held accountable for costs and not gouging based on their government granted monopoly.
The free market, in a larger sense, exists in non-cable providers of the same service. For TV, try sattelite, or live with over the air broadcasts. For Internet, it's DSL or dial up. Costs/benefits present for each one. Go with the one that meets your needs best - vote with your pocketbook. If enough people are dissatisfied with Comcast, they can be driven to change (or be run from the marketplace).
»» Submitted by Jordi F at 4:10 PM on January 5
Capitalism and free market can suck all the bits and pieces listed above.
What's irked me until reading this was that my service has been significantly worse since the change from Roadrunner. I had to restart my modem and hub about 2 times during the whole Time Warner reign, but am averaging once per week since the buyout.
Now I'm truly pissed.
Thanks tmay for posting a sample letter. I will be complaining to the city with an altered version9 of that momentarily.
»» Submitted by Paulie at 4:32 PM on January 5
Ps, does anyone know anything about how you actually go about filing a class action lawsuit? I found a local firm that looks like it does antitrust class action suits:
http://www.mansfieldtanick.com/
Plus it says they give antitrust award money that isn't claimed to charities. I like the sound of that. I just know nothing about the mechanics of starting such a thing. Do I just email them and ask? Do they cover the costs under the assumption they'll win and get a fat cut of money as part of the settlement? How many people do you need to get it going? Don't they put out ads looking for people to sign into it? This is one area I'm rather clueless about.
»» Submitted by tmay at 4:46 PM on January 5
My search to get a definitive answer on the city's wi-fi speeds and pricing are conflicting at the moment, so until I get a clearer picture, I'll leave speculation out of this comment.
1. Speeds can be faster than 3mbs with certain accounts
2. The build-out is coming from the pilot area around Franklin ave. toward downtown
3. It is unclear on what the max speed will be with the new wireless access point equipment, as I'm hearing quite a wide range
4. Multiple log in accounts are still unclear at this time
I'll let you all know when I hear something concrete
Paulie -- i'm in the same boat -- I now have to reset my modem (unplug/restart computer) about once every two days.
tmay, you just need to find an attorney willing to take the case -- without us having to pay them anything!
»» Submitted by »»» spaceman at 4:54 PM on January 5
i emailed a dude a US Internet -- see what he has to say Monday I suppose.
»» Submitted by »»» spaceman at 4:56 PM on January 5
PPS- remember when minneapolis was the 'top tech city in america' or something a few years ago? message to concrapst: DON'T FUCK WITH OUR INTERNET, BITCHES!
Seriously. You don't take a crackhead's vials and expect him not to flip out, do you?
»» Submitted by tmay at 4:56 PM on January 5
why don't you all do something constructive and email/call them instead of wasting your time bitching here. Some of you forget that every problem has a source and the source is ALWAYS editable.
»» Submitted by Kal at 5:06 PM on January 5
uh, have you ever tried calling comcast? Seriously? and gotten anywhere with it? Really, honestly tell me you have ...
Plus they obviously don't even give half a shit about their aquired customer base or they wouldn't be springing this bullshit in the first place. They've already got pending antitrust lawsuits against them for jacking up their rates way above what they need to be just because they've got a monopoly in every market.
Why don't you go back and read spaceman's post where he called comcast and they offered him the 'cheaper' 4Mbps plan for 58 bucks a month? Obviously trying to talk TO comcast is a dead end and we have to go to others who can get their attention, like the city or lawyers or both.
»» Submitted by tmay at 5:19 PM on January 5
Hello rock! Hello hard place! Comcast = Evil. Qwest = Evil. The choices are quite slim... I switched to Comcast because of a 6 month ordeal with Qwest. LOOOOOOOONG story. However, I do get a discount from my employer.
As for Minneapolis WiFi, the speed is VERY much going to depend on the number of people using it. You will probably get 54 Mbs to the Wireless Hub, but the back end will be the sticking point. You will be sharing that back end with every person on that AP. So, it could be noticeably slow depending upon your neighbors. I would guess that the speed would be comparable to cable modem speeds which have the same sort of networking structure. Your actual speed depends on the number of people with cable modems in your area.
Comcast has to gouge. How else are they going to afford the lawsuit? They will very likely sue Minneapolis for unlawful competition in the internet provider realm. Can't you just smell the love?
Thanks for the boilerplate complaint letter, tmay, I used it as a base to tailor my own complaint ot the city...we'll see what happens. This rate increase is sick and depressing!
Incidentally, the city of Minneapolis does not regulate high speed internet. So while you can complain all you want to the city... they regulate cable television, not high speed internet. Just so you'all know.
how do they not regulate the physical cable line? that's asinine.
»» Submitted by tmay at 5:28 PM on January 5
ps, been on hold for a while now at comcast
lines are probably flooded with angry customers
»» Submitted by tmay at 5:30 PM on January 5
I know. I was working on this for a possible news story about a week ago (where were you complainers when I needed you!)
oh and as soon as I got on the line and started bitching about my price going up he went "you're a former time warner customer, huh?"
and then quickly put me on hold after that.
»» Submitted by tmay at 5:32 PM on January 5
and onto the supervisor
I passed that level too. now I'm onto an account specialist or something like that. I'm sure they'll have nothing to appease me either.
»» Submitted by tmay at 5:37 PM on January 5
you have got to be ch*tting me..tmay
that made me LOL
»» Submitted by Kal at 5:33 PM on January 5
If I keep this up I'll be shootin the shit with the CEO in a couple hours.
»» Submitted by tmay at 5:38 PM on January 5
oh and they made me the same 5W337 offer for 4Mbps service at the low low price of $58/mo. Say whaa?
Now I'm getting a call back from an 'account specialist' in little while.
»» Submitted by tmay at 5:40 PM on January 5
On the other hand, my modem has been behaving better than when I had Time Warner.
But then, I may be a cable company schill. My dad has worked for various cable companies nearly all my life. Which meant I grew up with free cable TV, including the movie channels, and later free high-speed internet.
»» Submitted by Elizabeth at 5:47 PM on January 5
Go, tmay go.
»» Submitted by comcraptacular at 5:41 PM on January 5
Qwest with VISI was great when 640k was the best you could get. VISI changed. RoadRunner came around, and it was faster. Now TWC changed... but 1.5Mbps
service is the best I can get at 28th & Girard S. with Qwest and ipHouse (where the VISI "good guys" went.)
As for Kevin's assertion that voting for Republicans and against net neutrality, that's just a load of shit. It's not "mumbo jumbo", it's actually anti-market legislation enabling backbone providers to arbitrarily extort content providers for more money to deliver service, rather than the existing model where consumers pay for the pipes to receive, producers for the pipes to deliver, and the telcos do their job, which is figuring out how to make the dozen or so links that are inbetween on a typical connection. Part of the (existing) market solution is peering.
»» Submitted by champs|bus at 5:37 PM on January 5
And until there's a thorough ratification for WiMax and all the hardware is in place, speeds on the Mpls wireless system will be sub-Mbit. Compare with Comcrap's standard 6Mbit/384k service, or 7M/1M {if you're lucky enough) with Qwest. Their annoying "jack my price up!" commercials hold more than a kernel of truth.
Yes, this got rambly, but what can you do with a thumb keyboard?
»» Submitted by champs|bus at 6:12 PM on January 5
Where we live we are stuck with Satalite Internet. No cable, no DSL, 10 to 24K dial up as we are on the end of a line.
Been with Direcway ($60/mo) and now with Wildblue ($50/mo) through Northland Connect. Wildblue= 512kbps down, 128kbps up. Both have been over sold to where speeds are terrible and our montly usage is artificially raised because of dropped packets (24-63% dropped). Try to change a page? "Page cannot be displayed", retry and maybe it actually loads. Have an open repair ticket for over a week, keep calling tech support and they don't have a clue. Internet forums by Engineers in the IT and communications field have stated their problems are from over selling the services.
If you've thought of satalite, forget it. Nothing but trouble plus you have the common rain and snow dropout. We knew and accepted the rain and snow interference but not the results of the overselling.
»» Submitted by Other Lurker at 5:45 PM on January 5
I didn't say anything about net neutrality. I was referring to the monopoly we grant cable companies. They won't break over night, but the groundwork needs to be laid and I don't see that happening now.
»» Submitted by »»» kwatt at 7:01 PM on January 5
Why not talk to Lori Swanson/Mike Hatch -- our two-headed AG. Seems to me that this type of consumer complaint should be right up their alley.
»» Submitted by Mr Mustard at 8:56 PM on January 5
No wonder people sit on their asses getting fat and watching tv .... they can't afford to go out or eat healthy after they pay their cable bill! -- Or maybe people feel like since they spent that much they ought to make sure they get their money's worth. Either way sucks.
I could not be more relieved that my rental company has their own communications company and as such we get pretty good discounts on our internet (was TW and must be Comcast now) and tv. First 6 mos of internet are free, and were supposed to be $30/mo after that, but they have never charged me and I've been here over a year now. I figure if they were going to raise their rates for internet, they would have given me a notice (and then probably started making me pay). Just ran the speed test (leigha, that's the best little speed test ever) and I got 2.4Mbps down and 462kbps up. Also, we get free basic satellite and about a $15-$20/mo discount on Dish Network.
So this will be helpful to the 0.01% of Comcast customers who are looking for new apartments in Minneapolis right now.
If I had to, I think I'd rather take my chances with Qwest than try out Comcast.
»» Submitted by »»» ericam at 10:52 PM on January 5
Call Comcast directly. Ask for a supervisor. I did and got a $29.99/yr deal + $3.00 modem rental fee. Seemed fair. Supervisor said she'd mail me out a letter to back this up. She gave me her name and her direct extension, as well as when she works.
This seems fair, for now, and as to why they didn't just offer Comcast Internet customers this deal to begin with is beyond me, but yeah, they want to make big $$$ off people who are too lazy to call.
»» Submitted by liked what I had at 8:36 AM on January 6
$29.99 for a YEAR?????????
»» Submitted by Bx at 9:28 AM on January 6
I have Qwest DSL right now. I signed up for it at Comp USA, they got me a $150 check (arrived in the mail in 3 weeks) and got a free modem. That was a couple months ago though.
I do not have a regular phone line. I set it up in 6 minutes. I was even working for 45 minutes with some dude in their customer service, trying to rig up the Qwest actiontec modem with my wireless router. Once he figured out I actually knew computers and could undetand the terms, he was very knowledgable and helpful, although my router soon died.
The speed iffy though. I pay $36.99 a month for 1.5mps line. That is way slower than comcast with speedburst. For example, since I do not have cable TV, I download TV shows, usally 350 mb in size. At my freinds apt with Comcast mpls, I get 250-300k / second. With Qwest, I max out at 65k/ second. And online steaming is sometimes choppy (think youtube or NBC.com episodes).
»» Submitted by Bob at 9:10 AM on January 6
Yes, I got $29.99 for my monthly rate for 1 year -- through Jan. 2008.
I'm serious. It just took a phone call. Now, get on the phone and get them to do the same for you, too!
»» Submitted by liked what I had at 11:49 AM on January 6
During the "changeover" we had a horrible experience. They tried 8 different modems and wasted our entire day. I got an additional $40 on my cell phone bill from being on the phone trying to fix the whole mess. Finally they found it was a computer error that kept the modems from working correctly. I was told only 1% of Comcast customers experienced problems. I was also told that they pulled the workers from the field because only 1 in 4 modems installed were working. Contradicting statements from the same person.
I was basically told to suck it. They finally offered to not bill me for the days my service wasn't working. Shouldn't they have done that anyway? Letting them know that I was moving to Qwest didn't do squat. It wasn't until I got a hold of a managers e-mail that I got any results. She offered to comp me two months of service. Then, she forgot and my service got turned off for non payment.
Their service is lousy. They lie consistently. They do not care about their customers.
We now use their slogan "comcastic" to mean the most horrible thing possible.
»» Submitted by »»» lkea at 2:43 PM on January 6
Did you hear how Comcast screwed up on their newly acquired business accounts??
When Comcast acquired Time Warner in the Twin Cities area. Their IP addressing scheme that we had been using for the past 2 years was reconfigured and deactivated by a Comcast (Comcast no longer had control of these former Time Warner addresses)
We were then rolled to Comcast's standard dynamic addressing scheme. Dynamic addressing works for small companies with basic fire walling, but is not suitable for VPN networking and robust hardware fire wall. . We were NOT notified of the impending change,
Nice work !! Who's the retard at Comcast??
»» Submitted by »»» Holland at 3:51 PM on January 6
We have Earthlink high speed cable internet service, but it is administered through Comcast (formerly Time Warner). Our rate is $41.95/mo, and as far as I know, it is not scheduled to change. Customer Service (the rare times I've needed it) has been good. Their website says Comcast customers would get a $45.95/mo deal (+ $3 modem charge) and I think you can find a promo deal too. See: http://www.earthlink.net/highspeed/pricing/?id=cable
The only weird thing is, when I enter my address to check pricing and availability, they say cable internet is not available in my area, even though we already have it. Not sure what's going on there......
We do have digital cable as well, but I don't think that's requiredfor Earthlink service. Incidentally, our total digital cable/DVR service bill is going up $13 too.
Oh, and the Attorney General's office seems like a great place to take complaints of this sort!
»» Submitted by jwo at 5:10 PM on January 6
for $29.99 what is the speed you are getting?
»» Submitted by what speed at 7:05 PM on January 6
6Mbbps/384kbps is what I believe the speed of my current hi-speed with Comcast. I'm getting the same service as before, just at a better rate now. (I hope?!)
»» Submitted by liked what I had at 9:55 PM on January 6
I'll second jwo on the Earthlink.
If your location doesn't show up as having High speed available, call Earthlink's support line. That seems to be a pretty common occurance (I get the same result).
My understanding is that Earthlink subscribers get the "package" price for internet, even without TV or phone service.
»» Submitted by »»» mnblrmkr at 12:38 AM on January 6
on top of the rate increase comcast also limits certain access. if found out yesterday while trying to access newsgroups (usenet) that they are limiting the transfer of data to port 119. i asked the tech guy on the line why and he said because of stolen data (movies, music, etc).
call me crazy but arent there a few hundred data sharing appears, bittorents, kazaa, whatever, as well as downloads from web and ftp. btw he said there are data transfer limits on web as well but wouldnt tell me what that number is as well as "youll never reach that amount".
whats the point of "high speed internet" if they throttle it?
»» Submitted by derrik at 9:48 AM on January 7
Comcast sucks big-time and Im making the switch elsewhere. When Comcast notified me to say they will be charging me a $3 leasing fee for the modem that Time Warner supplied for free more than a year, I said enough is enough.
I treated that slimy move for exactly what is it: a cheap and contemptible way to raise rates. And that suggested that this kind of chicanery was imbedded in the organization and was probably just the tip of a nasty iceberg.
Was I right! I was astonished to discover after the handoff from Time Warner that Comcast sharply limits your newsnet use through two secret and one no-so-secret tricks. First, they strip newsnet groups of all media files larger than say, 500 kbs. That means if you want to download a clip from the Three Stooges or an episode of Star Trek, you cant because Comcast will strip that posting from Newsnet headers. And you wont even know it existed unless you have access to another newsnet service (e.g., Giganews or Teranews).
Worse, they secretly throttle download speed to around 64 kbs.(Several times I emailed Comcast about this but they refused to reply). They then slap a monthly cap (2 gigs) on bandwidth use and if you exceed it, they cut your newsnet access entirely for the rest of the month. Sneaky bastards.
But, there is an answer to all this. First: buy your own modem on eBay (for $20 to $40) and sell it the same way when youre finished with it. Total cost: negligible. Then, switch to Earthlink. After all, Earthlink offers cable DSL using the same set of wires as Comcast, and they offer a promotional rate of $29.95 (that reverts to $45.95 after 3 months.).
Meantime, Ive moved my email account to Gmail, so I wont have to disrupt my email address while I play one of these chintzy bastards off against the others.
Its a disgusting game but whats a body to do?
»» Submitted by »»» wetheral at 11:14 AM on January 7
OK, here is a way to get away from these conniving dirtbags. Dump Qwest AND Comcast at the same time. Two idiot with one stone! Get a package from www.speakeasy.net. It is DSL, but I have nothing but good things. Depending on what kind of services you want, you can usually get what you are looking for less. If you are hooked on cable TV, your kinda screwed though. I suggest 12 step program.
Seriously, I would laugh my ass off if they raised rates 40% and lost 40% of their customers.
»» Submitted by »»» flet0027 at 3:52 PM on January 7
anyone else notice that since the change to comcast that your internet drops at least 3-6 times a day? maybe it's just our modem or where we live (smpls/uptown), but it really sucks and is frustrating to have your internet connection go out like it's dial-up.
»» Submitted by »»» lowkeyd at 5:22 PM on January 7
anyone else notice that since the change to comcast that your internet drops at least 3-6 times a day? 3-6? that's an undercount. ever since comcast took over ours doesn't work more often than it does. never had a problem with tw.
»» Submitted by »»» doug at 7:38 PM on January 7
I guess I shouldn't be surprised that I never got a call back from the 'account specialist, 1st class' or whatever. I'll try again later today and give twice the shit because I was lied to, then if they don't offer me a sweet deal I'll look into earthlink, and failing that qwest.
»» Submitted by tmay at 10:18 AM on January 8
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/contact/email-form-cable.asp
You have to complain to the city!
I complained about Comcast, here's what they said:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: cable issues
Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2006 16:38:32 -0600
From: Gail.Plewacki@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
To: @hotmail.com
CC: Annie.Boone@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Dear Christine,
I understand that Anne Boone on my staff has addressed your concerns regarding Comcasts failure to promptly provide requested service. I would like to try to address your other issue.
Complaint:
It would be cool to have the option to use another cable company. It's wrong that Comcast has a monopoly on cable service in this area. It needs to be more competitive because I get treated badly every time I call and I no longer wish to deal with Comcast Cable Company.
Resolution Requested: I would like another cable service in my area that I can use.
Comcast has a non-exclusive franchise agreement with the City of Minneapolis. Any other cable company is welcome to apply for a franchise. However, the infrastructure-cable and fiber laid under the streets-is very expensive and it would not be cost-effective unless a company can be fairly certain they will be serving the majority of potential customers.
In regard to your second request: the City of Minneapolis is not providing the wireless service that will become available to residents. In fact, we are going to be customers. I am supplying a link to their current website. I suspect youll see significant marketing of the service when it becomes available sometime next year. http://www.usinternet.com/company/contact.htm
Please let me know if there is anything else we can do to help you.
Gail Plewacki
Communications Director
City of Minneapolis
350 South 5th Street-Room 301M
Minneapolis, MN 55415-1300
612-673-3763
gail.plewacki@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
------------
Power to the people!
»» Submitted by Christine at 11:32 AM on January 8
I have a techy friend who says he won't be using the Mpls wifi because he thinks the company contracted to build it stinks when it comes to security issues, and they get hacked all the time. I have no way to evaluate that statement but it bums me out anyway.
»» Submitted by Tib at 1:45 PM on January 8
A. If you can, use Earthlink.
B. Most providers now strip out binary files on non-binary usenet groups. You can still get the movies and songs in the binary groups.
C. The true test of this rate increase will be the reaction of consumers. If people bitch and grumble and pay, then the price is still clearly not too high. When a price really is too high, people will no longer pay it. Could be your access is more important to you than you thought, and you were getting a bargain. Remember, price isn't an intrinsic thing - it depends on demand, too.
.
»» Submitted by »»» bobby_b at 3:44 PM on January 8
I am turning my cable box back in. I am going to pay for my own cale modem. Which in time will pay for itsel. I can det HDTV off the airwaves for channels 4 5 9 11, I have a HDTV 42 ich lcd that has its own HDTV tuner. I can use HDMI from my Panasonic Video recorder to DVD'S VHS or Hard Drive.
If I have to I can go dish and frontier DSL for everything
»» Submitted by »»» msgt at 4:44 AM on January 9
Here is the action I most likely will be taking
I am turning my cable box back in. I am going to pay for my own cable modem. This in time will pay for itself. I can get HDTV off the airwaves for channels 4 5 9 11, I have a HDTV 42 inch LCD that has its own HDTV tuner. I can use HDMI from my Panasonic Video recorder to my tv to get a better picture. I sent an e-mail for all the good it will do Comcast saying I most likely will go with dish network or direct TV and with a DSL connection. I cannot get quest in my area. I thing a class action against Comcast on behalf of the former road runner customers would be a good thing.
I am turning in my cable box on Wednesday January 10, 2007 at the Bloomington office.
»» Submitted by »»» msgt at 5:20 AM on January 9
So you all say that Comcast is a monopoly, but if I dont want Comcast I only have Qwest! So Qwest isn't a monopoly? I mean you say Comcast this Comcast that. What about QWEST?
»» Submitted by N2005 at 9:38 AM on January 9
I did e-mail them nad here is the reply
Thank you for contacting Comcast Cable.
The new prices better reflect the value of Comcast products and services. We continue to make investments in technology to provide our customers the widest possible choice in programming and products.
Comcast is adding a variety of enhancements to your service that we think you?ll enjoy. Some examples include:
.. We?ll triple the amount of available ON DEMAND programming; 95% is available at no additional charge to Digital Cable customers .. New program guide will make it easier than ever to find and choose your favorite program - including ON DEMAND - and using advanced Parental Controls .. All-digital lineup will be introduced, meaning crystal clear picture on all channels.
.. Greater programming diversity and choice: additions like our new Latino Tier, TV One, PBS Kids Sprout, ReelzChannel, Logo and more .. New digital channels added: 15 new digital channels added on January 8, 2007 .. Six new HDTV channels have been added, including: MHD: Music High Definition, Golf/Versus HD, ESPN2 HD, WFTC HD, and WUCW HD, Cinemax HD, Starz HD, that brings the total number of high definition channels to 18 .. Comcast High-Speed Internet, providing lightning-fast connection to the Internet with great features like McAfee Security, Video Mail, Photo Shop, exclusive LIVE sports, and more ? Comcast Digital Voice, providing customers digital quality phone service with 12 of the top calling features, unlimited local and domestic long distance calling with free calls to Canada and Puerto Rico, with the ability to manage your account and check voicemail online.
? World class customer service: we?re available with LOCAL customer service 24 x 7 x 365; we also schedule appointments seven days a week; we continue to invest in the kind of technology that will better serve you, the customer ? Committed to our Community: Comcast employees contribute thousands of hours of volunteer time to the local communities where we live and work, supporting education, literacy, and the arts.
We do hope that you reconsider and look at the value of the Comcast service.
Thank you for choosing Comcast.
Sincerely,
Noelle
Comcast Customer Care Specialist
»» Submitted by »»» msgt at 9:49 AM on January 9
so they're charging me more for my internet because they offer a lot of on demand tv programming? huh?
fuckwits. I'm dumping them and getting earthlink, because it's the exact same service for the same old price I had with TWC. I'll buy my own modem too.
»» Submitted by tmay at 12:23 PM on January 9
i got the $29.99 deal for 6 months . . . they are just appeasing people at this point. At the end of six months, I'll just go Mpls/US Internet Wifi.
I'll write a quick letter to the AG's Office as well; I used to work for them so I know the drill . . .
Bottom line is, when they state that "price adjustments will not be required because of this change" and it goes up $18.00 three months later, something is very wrong.
»» Submitted by »»» spaceman at 1:10 PM on January 9
Now they are lying to us.
I made my call today, some choice points that the rep tried to make:
#1 this is a "price adjustment" due to business need, not because of the merger. LOL lies.
#2 They cannot make promotional adjustments to service until the switchover happens. AHAHHA.
#3 The supervisor was "away from her desk". Sure.
Well, if I don't get a call back in the next couple hours it looks like I'm on my way to DSL land.
Also, to N2005: Qwest also is a monopoly as well. This is not a good situation. However, since I have no choice in cable providers, rather than keep getting taken from behind, I will switch to another monopoly provider that can promise not to raise rates ("price for life" deal that qwest is doing)
»» Submitted by caryc at 2:59 PM on January 9
Comcast not only raised their prices, they removed three channels form the standard package and put them on the more expensive cable packages. For me to see the exact same channels I had before will cost me an aditional $14.99 amonth on top of the rate hike. You are all right , Comcast see us as SUCKERS.
»» Submitted by wally at 5:36 PM on January 9
I tuurned in cable box today. I do not need it. I have a HDTV tuner in my new TV and I can get the loocal stations in HDTV on it. I am looking at Direct or Dish though. I am also looking at DSL which would be Frontier in my area. When I took cable box back. I complained about renting the cable modem they said I was renting it under Road Runner also it was included in the 44.95 for Internet service. So I said if I had my own modem does that mean I would have paid only 41.95 for high speed modem they said well no.
I just hate giving up all that speed by going to DSL.
»» Submitted by »»» msgt at 7:00 PM on January 9
I just called 800-COMCAST and to my chagrin they made no such offer as spaceman received. "You said you wouldn't raise charges," I said. "There is a fee increase," she said. I said I'd cancel at the end of the month. Somebody will call me Thurs to confirm the cancellation.
Can I still watch Heros off of NBC's website with DSL?
»» Submitted by Jared at 8:24 PM on January 9
Just chatted with an Earthlink Rep. They're offering $30 for 3 months and $46 after that (with modem rental fees) for high speed "up to" 8 Mbps.
»» Submitted by Jared at 9:42 PM on January 9
Jared, I think one of the tricks is to get into the office that has some of the old Roadrunner reps. Try calling the local number, 651-222-3333, and say you are a former Time Warner customer and what to talk with someone familiar with those accounts . . .
»» Submitted by »»» spaceman at 9:42 AM on January 10
X-ROAD RUNNER CUSTOMERS - CONSIDER EARTHLINK: Earthlink's high speed connection uses the same Comcast cable lines so speed is same as what you have but you WILL send a message to Comcast that their lies, special deals for some and rates are unacceptable. As mentioned, $29.95 for 3 months with Earthlink high speed gets you 7 email accounts, free installation and 10mb of webspace, and all the security features. After 3 months it goes to $45.95+$3.00 modem rental (or go buy one).
This is closer to the rates Time Warner. Earthlink told me when asked what guarantee do I have that Comcast won't force their rates on them to increase. that their rates are fixed and are not changing! They also offer Earthlink DSL through Sprint at lower rates if you want to give that a try too, other than Quest. Your email IP address will remain the same even if you decide you want to switch to cable.
For you cable people out there, consider Dish Network. I got tired 3 years ago with digital cable rate increases and the $20 or more I was paying in franchise fees and taxes. You will save $$ this way too.
You need to hear this...I called Comcast a week ago -- the 612.222.2000 (old Time Warner #). I got a rep who was sooo rude. I wanted to understand the rate increase card I received that had so many rates listed I wasn't sure what I was looking at. After I was told which rate I was looking at and quickly do the math, I asked her why am I getting a 40% increase after receiving a communication last October that my rates would not be increase with Comcast? The response "if you don't like it, take your business elsewhere!" and proceeded to be hung up on.
I returned a second call and the rep told me that ALL Time Warner customers were receiving $10 off their high speed internet with Comcast in February for the next 6 months and $5.00 for the following 6 months (slow rate increase). Since no one else has spoke of this I assume this is yet another LIE. It was the "offer" they were passing to me to stay. I asked him why this information wasn't in the communication to me and they said they were just going to implement it on those customer invoices. I have his name too because I doubt this will happen to those who stay and do nothing.
I was glad to see Fox 9 newcast on this the othernight (if you missed it go to their website and watch video). Comcast customers need to ban together and say we are not going to take this. They may own all the cable but there are options for us that will send a message to Comcast...customers just need to take them!
»» Submitted by Non-Comcast Supporter at 10:55 AM on January 10
I am thinking about dish. I understand there are weather problems with dish systems.
Earthlink does seem like a good option though, I was also thinking of using Frontier but it is DSl so a little slower t6han I would like but about 15 dollars a month cheaper
»» Submitted by »»» msgt at 11:50 AM on January 10
I have had the Dish Satellite system for about 8 years now and I have only had weather related issues about 5-6 times.
Ocassionally when there is heavy snow I have to go out and brush off the dish but then the reception come right back.
The thing with the dish is when there is a weather problem it comes back on it's own. With cable if there is an issue you have to call and wait and call and wait and then sometimes it comes back the same day some times it does not.
I have the middle, 120 channel Dish package with Showtime that gives me 11 channels of Showtime, TMC, Flix, and Sundance and the total is about $60 a month. Right now they have a deal with a free DVR upgrade also.
Some friends have DirectTV and like the system but have had some Customer Service issues.
»» Submitted by Mpls Simpleton at 11:58 AM on January 10
Oh with Dish you get Sirius Music channels for free and with Direct TV you get XM music channels for free.
»» Submitted by Mpls Simpleton at 12:05 PM on January 10
The $10 off in the first 6 months and $5 off in the next six were* mentioned in the letter I received from Comcast. Even with the $10 off, making my price $50, Earthlink's post-discount offer remains the cheaper option.
»» Submitted by Jared at 12:08 PM on January 10
another thing has happened this week.
all the cable channels stop working in our building in the evening. i'm not at home to witness it, but my bf told me about it, and sure enough, yesterday, channels 25 and up were either not working, or worked for 1 minute and then started getting fuzzy and then go completely black. this happens on all our tvs, and is apparently happening to others in our building.
»» Submitted by »»» lowkeyd at 5:35 PM on January 10
I've been on Earthlink for about a year, and I have NEVER experienced a failure, an outage, a problem, a glitch, or . . . . anything bad.
Well, except for the night I watched some "Dog the Bounty Hunter" crap. That was bad.
.
»» Submitted by »»» bobby_b at 5:43 PM on January 10
Oops. Ignore that last post. I have Earthlink for internet. I have some satellite dish for TV.
But, as I think of it, we've had no problems with either.
.
»» Submitted by »»» bobby_b at 5:44 PM on January 10
TIME WARNER CUSTOMERS CAN SWITCH TO EARTHLINK: Has anyone been told this? I was today. Apparently if you were a forther Earthlink customer before the Time Warner / Comcast transaction you are grandfathered in. Even Earthlink is NOT aware of this. It took several calls and about 2-1/2 hours time for a rep to final come to that conclusion. The National Sales Desk for Comcast had me all ready to be set up for a sweet deal with Earthlink (6 mos. at $29.95/$41.95+$3.00 modem rental thereafter) and then said she had to call the local office (St. Paul first before finalizing). The result, St. Paul said "no can do!". We aren't and haven't been setting up any NEW Earthlink accounts since October 24. Earthlink thinks its still possible so if someone knows how for me to get around this, I'm all ears. Right now, its looking like Comcast is putting the pressure to be the ONLY one selling high speed cable internet here in Mpls./St. Paul area. HELP!
»» Submitted by Non-Comcast Supporter at 6:34 PM on January 10
OPPS - PREVIOUS POST - I MEANT TO ASK TIME WARNER CUSTOMERS CAN'T SWITCH TO EARTHLINK
»» Submitted by Non-Comcast Supporter at 6:39 PM on January 10
I was upset at the raise in price - things like this should get faster and cheaper, not go up in price. I called and switched to earthlink today, I told comcast I was going to and I told earthlink why, no one seemed to have an issue - it was sort of funny the earthlink rep said a comcast tech will call me in a couple of days to set it up. Any I will update on my experience but I think, comcast deserves the finger for this behavior. $45 is more than profitable for them this is just gouging. BTW - how is that gas prices at the station can change on a daily basis?
peace
»» Submitted by Rich McG at 7:02 PM on January 10
Wow. I tried to setup with Earthlink twice today and both times shut down by Comcast in St. Paul. I'd be interested to know if you rec'd a welcome email from Earthlink.
»» Submitted by Non-Comcast Supporter at 7:52 PM on January 10
I was very surprised to come home last night to a voicemail from the Comcast escalation department, responding to my complaint to the city!?
»» Submitted by Paulie at 11:39 AM on January 11
I didn't have internet at all and am finally getting it at home... Called earthlink and not comcast (thx to MNspeak) -- Got the offer of 29.95 for 6 months also. So this seems standard.
»» Submitted by »»» cfors at 11:57 AM on January 11
Non-Comcast Supporter, I asked the Earthlink guy I chatted with in their sales department exactly that question (because there's a note that says "not available in Comcast areas" under the $30/$46 deal on their website). He assured me that he could* offer that deal to Minneapolitans.
But I'm not actually signing up for it until tonight, after the Comcast rep makes his final "are you sure?" phone call, so I haven't spoken with any St. Paul salesfolk yet. And I admit you're a-making me nervous.
»» Submitted by Jared at 12:15 PM on January 11
http://www.startribune.com/154/story/931561.html
»» Submitted by »»» ranty at 10:11 PM on January 11
It's official - I was able to setup with Earthlink. I have to admit my experience making this switch for whatever reasons seems like it was more complicated than most of have experienced, and what I know it should have been....all said - its done. I'm satisfied, have not noticed any difference in my speed from the TimeWarner/Comcast switch to Earthlink. But, why should I? I'm an Earthlink customer using Comcast cable lines, being billed by Comcast. If Earthlink can give its customers $29.95/mo. for 6 month and then $41.95 thereafter per month plus a $3.00 modem rental fee (Comcast modem) for a total $44.95 which is what Comcast was billing, why can't Comcast offer me - the HIGH SPEED INTERNET USER WHO WANTS NO OTHER SERVICES FROM THEM THE SAME? The key here for users still debating whether a switch will work, call Earthlink. Earthlink will connect you with the National Comcast setup lines. Do not allow the National Comcast to okay your switch with the local St. Paul office, they will refuse. I tried the first time to no avail, a second call later that day had the National Comcast person arguing with the local Comcast person about why it couldn't be done. Finally, in the end Earthlink and this National Comcast person made it happen and said there was nothing Comcast locally could do to stop it. I never asked for people to ask each other for approval during this process and why some of you have not had that experience is beyond me. I'm grateful you haven't - it sucked. I waited nervously for the software to do the switch to arrive and upon setting up still expected somewhere in the midst I'd find a glitch. There were a few...but with all things and time I got them worked through and Earthlink it working great now. My advice to all High Speed Internet Users in Minneapolis/St.Paul area - Make the Switch to Earthlink, send Comcast a message. If you have other cable services it may make sense to stay with Comcast, but at minimum ask them to re-evaluate your rates for what others are getting. For those who decide to grumble about the rate, but roll over and just pay - you deserve what you ask for.
»» Submitted by Non-Comcast Supporter at 3:55 PM on January 22
I switched to Earthlink. It hasn't beem seamless, but the real treat was in telling Comcast to "shove it." P.S. take you modem leasing arrangement of yours and stick it, too, since I bought one from eBay for $30 (and I can sell it for about the same when I'm done with it).
No more cheesy modem rental.
No more speed caps and download throttling (yes, they do both!)
No more lippy service techs.
I'm out.
»» Submitted by »»» wetheral at 4:35 PM on January 22
I interned at my ISP, road runner, and you would be surprised how much they have to deal with the government, from tax breaks, to being required to set up service in areas where they loose money. Protesting at city hall as at least one of you mentioned would probably do a lot of damage to them, they have whole departments of people just trying to snuff out bad press.
»» Submitted by Anonymous at 2:11 AM on April 22
I just totally hate COMCAST !!!!! I had comcast cable T.V. for 25 years and the internet for the last 6. The first three years of internet was no problem, then suddenly we started having problems. My son, who is a computer geek with a degree in electronic engineering, A+ cert and networking, was the one who always talked to the a-holes and they always told him that we had the issues not them! After having our house totally rewired with digital lines and a new modem (OURS not THEIRS) we had a few months of okay service. This past Feb. we had no internet, no cable tv nothing! My son called and was informed that only seven people had called in about the internet outage and there would have to be at least 15 before they would do anything about it! No f-ing way was I going to put up with that crap! I called Comcast and asked about that and was told that was not their policy and someone would be at my house that evening to fix our problem. No SHOW!! T.V. came back on for four hours that day and was off until 9:00 that night. I called Comcast and was told that they were working on the problem and it should be fixed shortly. On Saturday morning I called them to say that the internet was still down and I wanted a credit for the time that it was offline. Was told my the moron that I would have to call back when it came on line to receive a credit! WTF! On Sunday, still no internet, T.V. went off at 9:30 came back on at 1:00 and was off until 5:30! I missed the Daytona 500 because of those idiots! I made the decision to tell Comcast to F-off. I now have Dish and DSL. I love the Dish. But Comcast owes me money back and I still have not received it. 4 months! I have called them over and over again and still I haven't got my money. The first time I called they said I had some of their equipment! What? I have my own modem and none of their crap in my house! Of course my bill reflected the fact that I was NEVER billed for any of their equipment. I finally have had to file a complaint with the BBB in hopes of getting my money from those thieves. I have told their CSR's that I know for a fact that if I OWED Comcast the money they would be on me everyday! They don't care about their customers, it was proven to me in the last 4 years that we are nothing to them, people need to tell Comcast to F-off!!!!!!
»» Submitted by Jo at 1:59 PM on June 5
I have phone serve with Comcast and I only pay $5.00 a month . Ive had this service for year now but now that Time Warner took over Comcast there forcing me to change my service. I dont want to change it. Is there anything that I can do? Can they do that?
»» Submitted by foxygrl9284 at 4:11 PM on June 11
I've have Qwest 7mbps DSL in Saint Paul, and it's been garbage in the evenings since summer 2007. Every day from about 6 pm to midnight it slows way down, sometimes to a mediocre 3mbps or so that just makes it long to download large files. Other times, like this evening, it slows down so much that it's barely usable. I used to have Comcast, and I canceled my cable TV a while back, so I thought I'd go with Qwest because it's cheaper as standalone internet. Unless you can live with dismal speeds, however, I'd just keep paying Comcast.
»» Submitted by Dan_StPaul at 10:35 PM on December 6
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3 Trackbacks:
comcast charging $5 extra per month for wireless?: so my housemate, new (i just moved in 10 days ago), tells me the first bill came in, bill for the internet. i owe $21.50, which includes the basic high speed internet, plus part of the $5 extra comcast is charging for wireless…. excuse ...
AWOI - Absent without internet (reasons why Comcast sucks ass): It's been awhile since I've posted. I've been working on a big post, but I've also been stranded without an internet connection at home. I canceled Comcast since it turns out they are a bunch of lying, thieving bastards. ...
links for 2007-01-06: Internet: $60 -- Comcast Rants: Free. Cable Internet access is going up from $45 to $60 per month plus possibly an additional $3/mo for modem rental in Minneapolis, and people are NOT happy. (tags: cable internetaccess comcast qwest) ...
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