Internet Services

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Last Updated: Sunday, 09 June 2024 22:24
Published: Wednesday, 18 May 2022 06:48
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Getting Internet connection

 

What are the different types of Internet connections?

There are primarily 5 different types of Internet connections available in the market:

  • Dial up Internet connection - OBSELETE - This is how internet connection used to happen in early 2000 and before. This has been phased out since mid 2000s as wired phone lines are mostly gone. To get a dial up internet connection, one needs only a dial up. phone connection without any hassle of an external modem. This is the slowest (download speed up to 28 or 56 kbps) of all the available internet options but it used to be the cheapest option (as low as $10 per month). Another disadvantage of having a dial up internet connection is that your phone line will be busy during web surfing. Moreover only one person can access internet at one time. If there are two or more people trying to access internet in the same home with one phone line, that was an issue. Popular names in business were: NetZero, AOL, EarthLink, MSN, PeoplePC.
  • DSL Internet Connection - OBSELETE - DSL is "Digital Subscriber Line" internet. This is also mostly gone as of 2020, and is only offered for remote areas. DSL uses same copper lines of phone to transmit/receive internet data, but it uses digital signals over the phone line. That means it doesn't tie up the phone while using internet, as phone uses analog signals, so the two types of signals can coexist. To get a DSL connection, the bare minimum requirement is to have a phone connection at home and the self installation kit including a modem from the ISP. DSL internet speed (which varies from 1.5 mbps to 6 mbps) is generally 70 times faster than the traditional dial ups and moreover home networking where in more than one computer can access the same internet connection at one time is possible via wireless network. Some of the big companies in business were: AT&T, EarthLink, Verizon, Qwest
  • Cable High Speed internet connection - This is the most popular option for most of the geographic locations in USA as well as in poorer countries. There are no more hassles of being hooked to a telephone line. Cable internet comes through a coaxial cable to a modem, much like the coaxial cable brings a cable TV connection to your cable box.  To get a cable high speed internet connection, you need to have cable lines coming to your house or close to your house. Most of the areas in USA are served by one or more cable companies, as they have put elaborate network of cable lines under the ground. Installation of cable modem and needed wirings is done by a installer provided by the Cable company or ISP and it may be free or charged depending on the specific plan or vendor you choose to go with. This is the fastest way to access web and the speed (varies from 5 mbps to 8 mbps) is almost 100 times than the traditional dial ups. It costs about $50/month. But now a days, you can get faster Fiber or satellite internet (see below) for same price, so go with cable internet, only if you don't have the below 2 options, or price is a lot lower. Some big names in business are: Comcast, Road Runner (affiliated with Time Warner)
  • Fiber High Speed Internet connection - This is the latest and most popular internet connection. Fiber broadband (sometimes called Fiber internet) is an internet service delivered over fiber optic cable. This is different from traditional cable internet, which transmits information by sending data over copper wires. Fiber has the potential to transmit data at faster speeds than DSL or cable-based internet, but it may not be available everywhere, as it requires it's own fiber lines, which are costly to lay. It has speeds over 5 Gbps and is the fastest internet connection available as of 2022.Big players in this market are AT&T, Spectrum.
    • INDIA: In India,Fiber internet plans go for about $10/month with speeds of 100Mbps+. Reliance, Airtel etc have their fiber wires and boxes coming to nearly every neighborhood. so, it's very likely, that they will be able to pull their fiber cable to your home with a router provided for free. There's no setup charge, but they bill you for 3 months upfront, and then the plan rolls over on a monthly basis. So, the first time you setup, you have to pay about $30 for first 3 months, and then $10/month thereafter.
  • High Speed Satellite internet connection - This comes in handy at locations where neither DSL, Cable or Fiber exists. As the name implies, satellite internet gets its connectivity capability from satellites in space, just like satellite TV does. Satellite internet is typically available in more locations than either cable or DSL internet because a connection can be accessed anywhere that is not obstructed by trees or large buildings (by putting an antenna on roof or unobstructed place). Satellite internet works by using a satellite dish that receives a signal and then carries this internet signal into the home via cable to a modem or router. Satellite internet is high speed but not fast as cable or Fiber. However it's lot more expensive than all other options. Big players are Starlink, HughesNet.
    • This link has more details: https://www.satelliteinternet.com/
    • As can be seen, the speed is low at < 100Mps and prices are > $100 a month. Data is also capped to a low limit.
    • ex: HughesNet, provides one of it's its 'recommended' plan including 20GB of monthly data and 25Mbps download speeds for $70/month. It's very expensive for the speeds you get.
  • 4G/5G Cellular Home Internet: This is a brand new internet service that reaches to you via the cell phone towers. Companies like AT&T, T-mobile etc provide cell phone service using these towers. Now they provide internet service using the same towers to your home over the air. In the past, it was difficult since over the air data speed was low with 4G. Now with advent of 5G, speeds have gotten much faster. This service is available anywhere you can get a cell phone signal. Tmobile is a leader in this area.
  • Cell phone "Hotspot" mode: This is your cheapest option if you don't want to pay for internet services. Most likely, you already have a cell phone service, along with a smartphone. All smartphones have a "hotspot" mode, where you turn your phone into a wifi modem/router. Once you turn "hotspot" mode on, give your wifi hotspot a network name and assign a password, it starts appearing as a "wifi" network router. Now you can open your laptop, and connect using wifi to this "hotspot" network, and browse internet on your laptop. Of course, internet speeds are dependent on what speeds your data plan supports. Speeds are at least 25Mbps with any big cell phone provider in USA.
    • INDIA: In India, with companies like Airtel and Jio, you can buy phone plans for $5/month which gives 75 GB data for a month with speeds of 25Mbps+. This is good enough speed to do your office work. You can also buy additional 50 GB data chunks for about $2-$3. When traveling to India, I buy a SIM card with unlimited talk, text and 150 GB of data for about $10/month. Plan rolls over from month to month and you pay for a month at a time, so you can cancel it anytime. Once you are done, just discard the SIM card. Even though plans say 2GB/day for 30 days, there's no daily limit. You are allowed to use 2GB*30=60GB within a month anyway you wish. Once you run over your 60GB limit, you have to recharge an extra 50GB or 100GB depending on your need.

 

What are the different available options of ISPs?

These are the biggest players in market for providing internet services:

  1. AT&T => https://www.att.com/internet/internet-service-plans/
  2. Tmobile => Tmobile is providing the cheapest internet plans starting at $50/month. This is cellular internet (not cable or wired internet), so it's available anywhere in the country, with just a small antenna. Tmobile hasn't rolled it out yet to all the zipcodes, so search for your zipcode to see if it's available
  3. Spectrum => This is another alternative to AT&T. Usually ASpectrum is little cheaper than AT&T, but service is worse than AT&T.
  4. Time Warner Cable (TWC): They used to offer internet services as "RoadRunner". However, they were bought by Charter (parent company of spectrum) in 2016, so they don't exist anymore.

 

Some companies provide both Cable and High Speed Internet in which case it makes sense to sign up for basic cable and Internet separately to get the lowest price. With Comcast one may get both Cable and Internet for around $55-60 per month. There are some companies like Road Runner who provide just the High Speed Internet for around $30-$45 per month depending upon promotional price or location. In order to avail the High Speed Internet Service alone (without signing up for Cable) you need to reside in Time Warner network. Generally starting few months one might get discounts but the above mentioned prices are representative of long term charges.

 

 

Getting the fastest/cheapest Internet connection:

RoadRunner by Time Warner Cable used to be the cheapest option in 2010 (Time warner cable is the parent company of RoadRunner),. They provided >7mbps speed which was considered blazing fast in 2010. The only catch is that Time warner Cable/box needs to be there in your apartment complex, or home. As of 2024, optic fiber or cellular internet is available at most of the places with speeds > 100bps with prices of > $30/month. So, no need to stick with cable anymore. Usually new customers get the promotional rate. Existing customers are charged a higher rate, and that's the way business is done in USA. In order to save money, you have to keep switching internet providers. If you are not sure, who are the internet providers in your area, ask your neighbors. If you have more than one provider, you are in the driver's seat.

As of 2024, most of the internet providers have optic fiber lines coming to your or near your house. Usually rates are $50/month for > 300Mbps speed. Speeds of > 100Mbps are adequate for any office work, streaming, games, etc. Go for the cheapest plan with the longest duration.

  • AT&T => As of 2024, cheapest plan is $55/month. However, they give away rewards cards worth $100-$300 for new customers from time to time. That can bring your effective cost to $30/month.
  • Tmobile => As f 2024, Tmobile's cellular internet (not cable or wired internet) is available at most of the places in USA and costs only $50/mont with lots of promotions from time to time. You should be able to get one for < $30/month.
  • Spectrum => As of 2024, spectrum provides the cheapest plan. Their cheapest plan is $30/month for 100Mbps, and comes with a free cellular phone deal.

Points to note:

  • First time, you sign up with any internet provider, look for all the promotions. There should be no installation fees, all cable/modem equipment is provided at no cost and you get free wireless wifi modem/router. AT&T provides free installation, while some other companies ask you to do it yourself if you don't want to pay for installation (If .
  • After 12 months you can cancel, and sign up for the service in your spouse name (or if you don't have spouse than you have to wait 2 months, before you can sign up again for the promotional offer). then 12 months later, rinse wash and repeat the process as long as you want. You don't have to cancel the service before transferring it to your spouse's name. Once the new service is activated, the old one is automatically disconnected.
  • Remember that you have to call them before expiration of 12 months, as they will continue your service at higher price after expiry of 12 month promotional offer. If they tell you that they don't have any offers for existing customers, just tell them that you want to cancel, and then you will be transferred to the cancellation department. Tell them you want to cancel. They will offer you a deal, probably 12 month contract at $35/month or 2 year contract at $30/month. Choose whichever you prefer.
  • Note that most internet providers will move your service at no penalty if you move before your contract expires provided there is service in the new area.
  • Remember, you should never have to pay more than $30/month if you search for att/spectrum/tmobile/time warner cable/roadrunner offers on internet. Not all offers are available on their own website, so look around. You won't get best offers on their website directly.
  • You can buy wireless router (you always get them for free at various stores after mail in rebate) and then you can have wireless interent all over the phone. You can have as many computers connected to wireless internet as you want. sometimes, internet companies will try to charge you if you use wireless router, but don't fall into that. There is absolutely nothing that you should pay for this. As of 2024, fastest wireless routers are available for $30-$50 on amazon and walmart. Look for refurbished (used, like new)

 

 

 

DEALS:

 

 

2024:

 

 

02/01/2024: Spectrum Mobile + Internet plans for $50/month (300Mbps) for 1 year with $50-$100 in Visa Gift cards => expiry unknown

This is an older thread from 2022, but different deal is still available: https://slickdeals.net/f/16011433-spectrum-charter-internet-300-mbps-20-or-500-mbps-30-or-1gbps-40-mo-no-bundle-contract-price-huge-ymmv

Once you enter your exact address, you will see $50/month 300Mbps plan + $100 Free Visa card + 1 Free mobile phone line for 12 months. You will also qualify for 2 phone lines for $30/month for 12 months, as an existing Spectrum Customer (Confirmed with CS that only free line per account is allowed. So, once you get a free line with the plan, you can't get Buy one, get one free anymore). For 12 months, internet price comes out to $35/month, assuming phone line is valued $15/month. You will have to pay acivation fee for both the internet and the phone ine which is around $30+$20=$50. This may be negated by Free $100 Visa GC. $100 Free Visa card may or may not show up depending on how you get to the Spectrum website. I would suggest trying it from different sources as slickdeals, banners, google search, etc. Mine showed up after going thru some search link on google. Confirm with CS that $100 Visa Gift card offer is there on your service. As per Spectrum CS "There is a redemption period of 8-12 weeks. you must be I good standing with the account and enrolled in autopay. after the 12 weeks you will receive an email to redeem the gift card".

UPDATE June, 2024: There's also a cheaper $30/month plan with 100Mbps speed, which is more than enough for any household. You get free phone line with this too. This is lot cheaper than 300Mbps plan above. May not be available at all locations though. Your price is locked in for 2 years, which is even better.

 

 

 

2023:

 

 

 

11/21/2023: AT&T Fiber Internet plans with $350 in Visa Gift cards

https://slickdeals.net/f/17073514-new-at-t-fiber-internet-residential-customers-order-fiber-internet-get-up-to-350-in-rewards-cards-more

This AT&T offer is inferior to offers from Spectrum, Tmobile and Verizon. AT&T cheapest plan is 300 Mbps starting at $55/month. With $350 in rewards cards, and canceling after a year, you will end up paying $25/month + taxes and other fees. Not sure, if you can get full $350 in reward cards with the cheapest plan. There is $20 dollar monthly discount for ATT Fiber if you have ATT wireless and $5 if you have "auto payments", so that will make it a lot cheaper. It's not worth sticking with AT&T beyond a year or 2 as all bonus and promo rates expire.

 

 

 

2022:

 

 

 

12/11/2022: Verizon FIOS Internet plan for $25/month for 10 years

https://slickdeals.net/f/16290709-fios-internet-10-yr-guarantee-rate-as-low-as-24-99-w-select-5g-service-req-d-and-autopay-when-switching-from-cable-25

This Verizon offer is to counteract Tmobile offer. This requires Verizon phone service. However, you can get this for $30/month even if you don't have Verizon cell phone service.

 

 

12/06/2022: Tmobile Internet plan for $25/month for life

https://slickdeals.net/f/16285891-t-mobile-internet-for-25-a-month-for-life-25

Won't get better offer than this. However many zipcodes tht were previosly eligible for Tmobile Internet are no longer eligible, so you might have to wait a while before your zipcode is eligible again. However, if your zipcode is eligible sign up for this right now.

 

 

08/02/2022: Tmobile Internet offer for $30/month

https://slickdeals.net/f/15779185-t-mobile-home-internet-30-month-with-autopay-on-magenta-max-and-get-up-to-50-prepaid-card

You need to have magenta max cell phone plan to get $30/month offer. Also $50 prepaid card is free with this.