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Broadband (high-speed)
Internet Services (384 kbps to 100 mbps)
What is it? High-speed Internet service via the cable TV line.
Speed 15 to 100 mbps
Availability Not available to all residents in a given area. Usually
only available in or nearby a city or town.
Comments / More Details This is the fastest high-speed Internet option.
It's more expense than DSL, but around the same price as cellular or satellite Internet.
Warning: Charter is NOT forthcoming about their prices, at all. Standard rates
those tath take eeffect after the promotional period are NOT to be found! (If they
are on any of Charter's sites they are very cleverly hidden.) They currenly have
an intermdiate prices that are in effect between the promotional period and when
standard rates take affect. When you sign up, be sure to make them provide you
with ALL the prices, especially what the "standard rates" are. You have
a right to know.
This
Web page helps with some of their Internet plan details.
They say "free modem" but really the rental of their modem is inlcuded
in the prices. I found a line on Charter's site a "Charter Internet modem
is required and is included in the price." They used to charge $7/month for
a modem, now it's included in the price no matter what. If you own your own modem,
can you get a cheaper rate...? You should not be forced to pay for something you
do not need.
As of 4/2013, it appears their Internet plans and price currently are:
| |
Plan |
Speed |
Promotional
rates |
Intermediate
rates |
Standard
rates |
| |
Internet Ultra |
Up to 100 mbps |
???/month |
???/month |
$88-109/month?? |
| |
Internet Plus |
Up to 30 mbps |
$29.95/month |
$44.95/month |
$48-58/month?? |
|
- Promotional rates apply for a 12 month promotional period and only when bundled
with other services. What is the rate when NOT when bundled...?
- Intermediate rates apply for one year after the promotional period is over.
- Standard rates are the long-term rates and apply after promotional period and
the second year intermediate period.
Also, do not force them to make you get more speed than what you need. Most home
users will do fine with 3 to 12 mbps! But now they may off no other option for a
lower speed other than their Internet Plus plan, which provides up to 30 mbps much
more than needed for most users.
Their Web site says current customers with cheapest service plans (such as Lite or
Express) will be able to continue using those, or upgrade their service if they like.
The rates above only apply to new customers.
NEW: Data Cap Charter now has a data cap, limiting how much data can be transferred
per month, see their Excessive
Use Of Bandwidth page. They claim it applies to only 2% of their customers (for
now). They claim they will notify you three times if excessive use occurs. But watch
out, once the data cap is reached you may get cut off!
Bundles Charter offer cable TV, Internet, and telephone services,
and there are bundles of combination of that that will save money. Be sure to
find out what the standard rates are that apply AFTER the promotional period
and the second year intermediate period.
WARNING Charter Phone Not recommended!!
We cannot recommend Charter Phone. Yes, there are a few attractive features, and
the prices MAY be a little lower after the promotional period (but check that closely),
but there are many negative aspects to Charter Phone service.
First know that Charter Phone uses (requires) the Internet connection to provide
voice (phone) service.
- That means you MUST have electrical power to have phone service no matter what
type of phones you have (even the old-style corded phones thta did not use electrical
power). Electrical power is required to keep the modem running that gives you Internet
AND phone service. If the power goes out, you have NO Internet and NO phone service,
including 911.
- Now you can get battery backup device which during a power outage will give you
maybe an hour of Internet and phone service. but after that you have NO Internet
and NO phone service, including 911.
- You'll need to maintain the battery backup device yourself batteries in these
need to be replaced (for $40 or so) every few years. If not properly maintained then
during a power outage you'll instantly have NO Internet and NO phone service, including
911.
- To have phone usage for the hour or so that the battery backup provides, you
MUST have one corded single-line, touchtone phone connected. (If a cordless phone
is connected it will NOT function without its own separate battery backup, and most
cordless phones are NOT so equipped.)
- Like AT&T U-verse Voice, I'm sure Charter claims no liability for the failure
of your phone service to function during a power outage, including failure due to
the absence or insufficiency of battery backup power.
- Also, with Charter Phone, you MUST have Internet service for the phone to work.
So if Charter Internet goes down for ANY reason, even it there's no power outage,
you will NOT have phone service, even 911.
- By the way, one saving grace during a Internet and/or power outage can be a cell
phone. Be sure to keep it fully charged so that during an Internet and/or power outage
you'll have the most battery time for it. Also, get an adapter for your cell phone
so you can charge it from the car. That could be VERY hand during a 4-day power outage!
On the other hand...
- Standard phone line service is virtually maintenance free there's nothing you
need to maintain. None of the issues above apply! And should the Internet go out
(happens once in a while with Charter) or the power go out (as we all know is common
in this area, and it can be out for days), if you have an old-style corded phone
(HIGHLY recommended) even if you lose power you still have phone service (and 911).
What is it? High-speed Internet, voice (phone), and TV service via fiber
optic land-line phone line connection.
Speed 3 to 24 mbps
Availability Availability is limited. TV service is limited to those
very close (half a mile) from their phone company's central office. Internet speed
is likely distance dependent as well.
Comments / More Details Within the AT&T DSL range of speeds, prices
are the same as AT&T DSL prices. For higher speeds (those approaching cable Internet
speeds, prices are close to cable Internet prices. We're talking standard prices
here, AFTER the short promotional period. As of April 2013, standard prices are:
Max Turbo up to 24 mbps $61/month
Max Plus up to 18 mbps $56/month
Max up to 12 mbps $51/month
Elite up to 6 mbps $46/month
Pro up to 3 mbps $41/month
You can get just the U-verse Internet service and not get phone service (or TV).
But to get any U-verse service you must have a physical land-line phone connection
to your home or business.
NEW: Data Cap AT&T now has a data cap, limiting how much data can be transferred
per month, see their AT&T
Data and Internet Usage Tools page. They claim it applies to only 2% of their
customers (for now). They claim they will notify you several times by letter or email
if excessive use occurs and before any charges are incurred for additional data usage.
Bundles Internet, Voice (phone), and TV can all be bundled, or not.
But be sure to find out what the standard rates are that apply AFTER the promotional
period.
WARNING U-verse Voice Not recommended!!
You do not want U-verse Voice! Yes, there are a few attractive features, and the
prices MAY be a little lower after the promotional period (but check that closely),
but there are many new negative aspects to the voice/phone service.
First know that U-verse Voice uses (requires) the Internet connection to provide
voice (phone) service.
- That means you MUST have electrical power to have phone service no matter what
type of phones you have (even the old-style corded phones thta did not use electrical
power). Electrical power is required to keep the modem running that gives you Internet
AND phone service. If the power goes out, you have NO Internet and NO phone service,
including 911.
- Electrical power is now required to keep other AT&T equipment at your premises
working as well. These include the Optical Network Terminal (ONT) (if applicable),
and Intelligent Network Interface Device (iNID).
- Now AT&T will provide you (at your cost) a special battery backup device
which during a power outage will give you around half an hour of Internet and phone
service. But after that you have NO Internet and NO phone service, including 911.
- You have to maintain the battery in the battery backup device yourself these
need to be replaced (for $40) every few years. If not properly maintained then during
a power outage you'll instantly have NO Internet and NO phone service, including
911.
- To have phone usage for the half hour or so that the battery backup provides,
you MUST have one corded single-line, touchtone phone connected directly to the AT&T
U-verse Residential Gateway (the modem / router combo unit) OR to your in-home wiring.
(If a cordless phone is connected to your in-home wiring, it will NOT function without
its own separate battery backup, and most cordless phones are NOT so equipped.)
- Note that rotary/pulse phones do not work with AT&T U-verse Voice service.
- Also, read all the fine print" at the bottom of this Web
page. It describes all the equipment that YOU have to monitor and maintain and
that YOU are responsible for. They add "AT&T shall have no liability
for the failure of your service to function during a power outage, including failure
due to the absence or insufficiency of battery backup power."
- Also, with U-verse Voice, you MUST have Internet service for the phone to work.
So if the AT&T Internet goes down for ANY reason, even it there's no power outage,
you will NOT have phone service, even 911.
- It's amusing because they say on their Web page "AT&T recommends that
you always have an alternative means of accessing 911 such as a cellular phone during
a broadband [or power] outage." If w need another phone service because of U-verse
Voice is so bad, then why would we want U-verse Voice in the first place?!
- By the way, one saving grace during a Internet and/or power outage can be a cell
phone. Be sure to keep it fully charged so that during an Internet and/or power outage
you'll have the most battery time for it. Also, get an adapter for your cell phone
so you can charge it from the car. That could be VERY hand during a 4-day power outage!
On the other hand...
- Standard phone line service is virtually maintenance free there's nothing you
need to maintain. None of the issues above apply! And should the Internet go out,
or the power go out (as we all know is common in this area, and it can be out for
days), if you have an old-style corded phone (HIGHLY recommended) even if you lose
power you still have phone service (and 911).
- DSL (digital subscriber line)
What is it? High-speed Internet service via a land-line phone line.
Speed 768 kbps to 12 mbps
Availability Offered in all areas, but its availability and speed
is often distance dependent the distance from the phone company's "central
office" in your area to your home or office. It's not available to all residents
in a given area. All local phone companies offer DSL service. (DSL is sometimes resold
by local, regional, and national ISPs. Contact your favorite ISP to see of they offer
DSL in your area.)
You can get just DSL Internet service and not get phone service. But you must have
a physical land-line phone connection to your home or business.
Special note for CenturyLink customers Lifeline elibible subscribers
to CenturyLink may qualify for home high-speed Internet service up to 1.5 mbps for
$9.95/month for the first 12 months of service. Contact CenturyLink
for more details. Ask about the Lifeline discount for phone service, as well.
Comments / More Details Maybe the cheapest "high-speed" Internet
option. Speeds are less than cable Internet, but usually the same or faster than
cellular or satellite Internet.
Notes for AT&T DSL customers:
- NEW: Data Cap AT&T now has a data cap, limiting how much data can
be transferred per month, see their AT&T
Data and Internet Usage Tools page. They claim it applies to only 2% of their
customers (for now). They claim they will notify you several times by letter or email
if excessive use occurs and before any charges are incurred for additional data usage.
- Standard prices for AT&T DSL as of April 2013, are:
Elite up to 6 mbps $46/month
Pro up to 3 mbps $41/month
Express up to1.5 mbps $26/month
Basic up to 768 kbps $26/month
Bundles Phone companies usually offer telephone services, Internet,
cell phone service, and sometimes TV. Bundles with these services can be created
to save money. But be sure to find out what the standard rates are that apply AFTER
the promotional period.
What is it? High-speed Internet service via the cell phone system. Sometimes,
confusingy, called "wireless." Uses a small and simple device called an
aircard (USB modem) or small wireless router to connect to a nearby cell phone tower.
Speed as high as 512 kbps to 2 mbps
Availability Available to virtually everyone. If you have a strong
signal with a particular cell phone provider, chances are very good you can get Internet
via that cell phone provider.
Comments
- More expensive and slower than Cable and DSL.
- This is the only system that's truly portable when used with a laptop, you
can access the Internet anywhere you have you have a strong signal from the cell
phone provider.
- You may jhave to sign up for 2 years.
- There are caps on the amount of data you are allowed to transmit per month, there
can be "nice" fees if you go over the limit.
- At certain times of extreme weather, the signal can become weak or drop-out all
together a big issue is your signal is already weak under normal conditions.
Bundles Cell phone company companies usually offer cell phone
service, Internet, and sometimes land-line telephone services, and bundles with these
services can be created to save money. But be sure to find out what the standard
rates are that apply AFTER the promotional period.
What is it? High-speed Internet service via specialized satellite dish.
Speed 512 kbps up to 15 mbps
Availability Available to virtually everyone.
Comments / More Details
- More expensive and can be slower compared to all the rest.
- Speeds quoted by the companies are maximum and not guaranteed, actual speeds
will vary.
- You have to buy or lease a special satellite dish.
- You may have to pay an activation fee.
- You may jhave to sign up for 2 years.
- At certain times of inclement weather, the signal can become quite weak or drop-out
all together.
- There are caps on the amount of data allowed to be transferred each month..
Bundles Satellite companies usually offer satellite TV and Internet,
and bundles with these services can be created to save money. But be sure to find
out what the standard rates are that apply AFTER the promotional period.
What is it? High-speed Internet service via specialized long-range wireless
system. Antennas for the system are added to existing cell phone towers or put on
their own towers.
Speed
- M-22 Internet Project The standard speed is 3 mbps down / 1 mbps up, similar
to DSL. Much higher speeds (faster than DSL) are available in most areas within their
service area.
- MiSpot They say 10 to 12 mbps download and 4 to 8 mbps upload speeds are typical.
Expect at least 4 mbps download.
- SyncWave: 2 to 8 mbps download
Availability Available to those within within the range of a provider's
equipment and/or towers.
- M-22 Internet Project In Manistee County: Arcadia, Onekama (including Pierpoint)
and Pleasanton townships. In Benzie County: Upper and Lower Herring Lake, Joyfield,
and Blaine Townships
- MiSpot As of March 2013, they have equipment on 33 towers in Michigan, and
hope to have.equipment on 100 towers by the end of the year. For Benzie County, it
appears they cover about two-thirds of the county, with sparse to no coverage in
the southeast corner of the county.
- SyncWave The SyncWave tower is on Pioneer Road just south of Homestead Road
(south of Honor). Coverage range is about a mile from that tower. Coverage from that
tower may someday expand and mroe towers may come to this area. To determine if you
are in the coverage area of their current tower, they ask that you call them.
- City of Frankfort the city is working on plans to offer wireless Internet within
1200 feet of City Hall. It's expected by the summer of 2013. Initially it will be
free for a short time, then will switch to cost-based. There are long-range plans
to cover the entrire city, maybe even a portion of Elberta (like the Waterfront Park).
Comments / More Details
- M-22 Internet Project
- Their standard speed is similar to standard DSL.
- Much higher speeds (faster than DSL) are available for an additional cost per
month in most areas within their service area.
- Said to be more reliable than anything else except perhaps Charter Internet.
- The costs are similar to standard cellular and satellite Internet.
- But unlike satellite or cellular there are no bandwidth charges or data download
limits.
- Cost is $40-60 per month, and more for higher speeds. A discount may be available
if you agree to a 12-month commitment or choose to pay yearly in advance. Faster
connections are available at a higher price for individuals and business users.
- There is a one-time installation fee of $300-500, and can be more for higher
speed service.
- A small antenna is needed it's goes on your roof or put in as free-standing
somewhere on your property. Some locations may require a small tower. If you own
or otherwise have access to a TV or radio antenna or some kind of tower or other
tall structure, that might be helpful. The antenna is no larger than 18 x 24.
- There is a seasonal plan available for seasonal residents.
- Contact them:
- MiSpot
- Speeds are similar to (or better than) standard DSL.
- The price per month is significantly cheaper than cellular and satellite Internet.
- If available, it's better choice over cellular and satellite Internet.
- The connection should be more reliable and not variable like cellular and satellite
Internet, and there should be less latency than a Charter Internet connection.
- There are data transfer caps (as is also typical with cellular and satellite
Internet).
- One can choose a two-year contact and save on installation and equipment costs.
There is also a no-contract option.
- The service can use a USB modem so it can be portable like cellular Internet.
- A wireless router and window antenna is also available for home/business use
which allows for better reception. There may be discounts available largely reducing
the cost of this equipment.
- A panel antenna is available at an extra cost if needed to boost reception.
- Compared to cellular Internet, "line of sight" from the tower is less
of an issue for locations close to the tower.
- MiSpot is a Michigan company with 24/7 service.
- 30-day free trial period.
- They have a seasonal option allowing you to turn the service off and on during
the year.
- SyncWave
- Speeds are similar to standard DSL and satellite.Internet.
- The costs are similar to cellular and satellite Internet.
- If availablle, it's better choice over cellular and satellite Internet.
- The connection should be more reliable and not variable like cellular and satellite
Internet.
- There are no data transfer caps (as is typical with cellular and satellite Internet).
- There are no long-term contracts (as is typical with cellular and satellite Internet).
- They are a Michigan company.
Bundles M-22 Internet Project may have bundles avaiable. There
are none known from MiSpot and SyncWave.
See also these related Web sites:
- BuyTelco Compare Cable, DSL,
and other high speed Internet Options - Find the best high speed Internet prices
and solutions for those providers serving your neighborhood.
Dial-up Service (28.8 to 56 kbps)
Use the link below to verify a telephone exchange is local to your area to avoid
unwanted toll or long distance charges
AT&T Phone Company: Find Your Local
Calling Area
- Most local phone companies offer dial-up service:
- There are many regional and national ISPs that offer access in this area. Here
are just a few:
- 1010Internet - Based in Grand Rapids,
MI.
- CoreComm - Based in East Lansing, MI.
- Dial In Free - Free unlimited dial-up
service for Michigan residents. Provides Internet access, but no email. You must
use your email provider's Web-mail based system, or use a free email account (like
those from Hotmail, Yahoo, and Google Gmail).
- Earthlink - National ISP
- LocalNet - Based in Buffalo, NY, with
offices in MI and WI.
- NetOne Communications - Based in Sears,
MI.
- PeoplePC - National ISP
- Triton Technologies
- Based in Grand Rapids, MI.
- If you need more dial-up providers, go to Google
and search for things like:
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