Foo - Requesting internet sevices like Comcast that does not require landlines suggestions.

My current internet service is Comcast and the special is over costing around 70 bux a month to run. I want to switch to a new service with cheap specials but does not require landlines to run it because we don't have landlines... and haven't for about 6 years now. To reactivate the Comcast special promo we'll have to cancel and wait 3 months before we can. I cannot live 3 months without internet let alone 3 days! So some internet services suggestions that is fast and cheap (preferably broadband, cable) would be nice. I live in California, Elk grove. Hope that helps. Thanks!

I don't understand how you can have cable without landlines. Do you mean you have underground utilities? Or do you live on a boat and use subsea cabling?

Either way, you can consider digital satellite...

I can't guarantee you'll stay on introductory pricing forever. You should always research how much the service costs before signing up to introductory pricing. Especially when there is a service commitment involved.

I have AT&T Uverse & Internet. Have had it for over 2 years. Love it.

sorry no cable then. just broadband or whatever that doesn't require landlines. i took a look at uverse but it's expensive and unavailable for my location.

Verizon and Sprint both have adapters that plug into the computer and use the G3 system just like some smartphones. Speed depends upon location but can be quite good n some areas.

I don't know how they compare where you are, but here, compared to Comcast, the satellite thing is slow, the G3 system is worse. Neither is cheap.

G4 mobile wireless and an aircard?

basic HughesNet satellite service is $69/month. They TELL you that installation is free, but since the installers are contractors, they REALLY REALLY don't want to get on your roof for the free install. They'd rather charge you @200 to plant a pole in your lawn.... plus, start up fees are @ $500... it's been awhile, maybe more. It's not super fast, but it's dependable, and unless you need to download alot of stuff, the basic package is fine.

I am "fortunate" as my neighborhood is dually wired and can switch between Comcast and Brighthouse when the special expires. Brighthouse sent around a killer offer right as my Comcast special was expiring and locked in for 2 years.

I assume by landline, you are referring to the old phone system rather than cable. The phone company tries to compete with cable by bundling satellite. Unfortunately, the ONLY way to get the internet at the $15-$20 rate with any of them is to bundle, which with the phone company means a mandatory landline. Otherwise I can get the same level of internet performance for $50...such a deal!

Looked at satellite and their internet is a joke - requiring service from from either cable or phone at the solo rate, making it not cost effective. The other thing I dislike about satellite is their misleading advertising - giving a reduced rate for one year in big bold print, then hidden in the fine print is the locking you into a 2 year contract. Deceit is not the way you earn my business.

Is there a local ISP that delivers wireless broadband? There's a local biz (http://www.mercury.net/highspeed/?view=overview) that has decent interent service but it is very location dependent. That is, trees and such can interfere with reception. Can't argue with ~$23/mo. I can't get it due to some tall cedars nearby, otherwise I'd drop ATT dsl in a heartbeat. Although that's been very good for several years, the bundling catch is the only way to get "cheap" service.

Cheap and wireless? The neighbor's wifi can't be beat.

Check with your telephone company. I assume by landline, you mean POTS (plain old telephone service). I know the baby bell here can get us DSL without POTS and they call it a "dry" line. You can get DSL here for about $30/mo without telephone.

The other thing, call Comcast. Tell them you can't afford the current price and were thinking about switching. Ask them what promos they can offer you. Every time I try to switch to DSL here, Comcast always gives me some promotion that makes the deal stay sweet.

^ Dry Loop. That's what I have (att) and it alone is $35/mo

Call comcast and tell them you've found another option for internet, that so and so will give you internet at some lower rate for 3 months, and that you'd like to deactivate your account. Their customer service representatives are trained to go into "retention" mode and will begin questioning you and eventually lower your rate again.

Cheap and wireless? The neighbor's wifi can't be beat.

With their explicit permission, of course. :)



Call comcast and tell them you've found another option for internet, that so and so will give you internet at some lower rate for 3 months, and that you'd like to deactivate your account. Their customer service representatives are trained to go into "retention" mode and will begin questioning you and eventually lower your rate again.

Sometimes I think we need ask ourselves if what we do is ethical. Compare your response to this one, which is a matter-of-fact, to the point and tells no "white lies". He is simply allowing them the opportunity to compete and gets the same result.


Every time I try to switch to DSL here, Comcast always gives me some promotion that makes the deal stay sweet.

Sometimes asking, with the explicit threat of leaving, doesn't work.

Neighbor accidently cut his cable line when gardening. Adelphi (now Comcast) stated would be $75 to repair. Fair enough, he did accidently cut the line.

However, with the neighborhood dually wired, Brighthouse would install new service for free. He gave Adelphi the opportunity to deviate from their establised policy, including management escalation. He is now a Brighthoue customer.

It is the old adage...The customer is always right, no matter how wrong they are.

With their explicit permission, of course. :)




Sometimes I think we need ask ourselves if what we do is ethical. Compare your response to this one, which is a matter-of-fact, to the point and tells no "white lies". He is simply allowing them the opportunity to compete and gets the same result.

Is it unethical if you have the intent of leaving? To me this is basically saying "I'm discontinuing your service, but I'll reconsider if you are willing to match this price."

Is it unethical if you have the intent of leaving?

No, I really don't think so. If that was implicit in your first reply, then I'm sorry I misunderstood.

The bottom line is that if you feed disinformation on purpose to the company's representative, it's not ethical, IMHO.