Cable vs. DSL

[valis2]

One other thing.

My apartment building has always provided free cable. I pay for the cable modem, but I get Comcast basic cable for free.

No longer. They're switching to Broadstar. And they've decided not to offer basic cable for free any longer.

I know nothing about this company. I have to turn in my modem on Thursday, which is the same day that the Broadstar rep will be talking to the people in my building. My worry is that I won't be able to get a cable modem for a week--and I have lots of eBay stuff to do, so this is baaaaaad.

My choices:

*cable modem and basic cable from Broadstar (probably the most expensive solution)

*cable modem, no basic cable

*DSL from AT&T, basic cable from Broadstar

*DSL, no basic cable (cheapest)

I only have a year to go here, but I do enjoy me some basic cable, especially when I'm working. I'm trying to decide what to do. Anyone have any thoughts on Broadstar as a company? I'd be most appreciative to hear them.

Comments

[florahart]

Check whether DSL is actually available in your building; it's not in my house because the phone lines in the neighborhood are too old, and it's illegal for the phone company to upgrade them JUST for DSL reasons.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Hmm. The apartment complex was built in 2000, but that is a very good thing to check out.

And that's a real bummer for you, I'm sorry!

[mnemosyne-1.livejournal.com]

Can you get any channels with an antenna or a wee dish-like thing (which is what I use)? I have DSL/wireless in the apartment, but manage to get the 4 major channels (plus a couple extra, sometimes fuzzy ones) with my antenna/dish.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I don't want to have a dish installed for a year. Plus, I've never seen a dish anywhere in the complex, so I'm not sure we're allowed to. :(

[mnemosyne-1.livejournal.com]

Oh, no, sorry... was talking about something like this (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2455301&cp=2032057.2032187.2032189.2032204&parentPage=family) - no major installation... it just sits on top of your TV and is hooked up fairly easily. It's basically an indoor antenna with a little dish-like receiver that helps it get channels...

[kitschicat.livejournal.com]

I hate to bear bad news, but I found this: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/205/ripoff0205055.htm

:-/

I'd be checking into DSL if I were you.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's really scary. Now I'm really wondering what to do.

I'm really biting my nails here--I have to make a really quick switch. As it is, I'm going to have to schedule my eBay listings for this week, but the problem I can immediately see is that people will be paying for the auctions that end tonight, and I won't have access. *gnashes teeth* I wonder how quickly they can get DSL set up if it's available?

[florence-craye.livejournal.com]

Is there any way you can go to a friend's house or the library and use their internet? These companies like to take their time, and at least this way you could take care of the people paying tonight and tomorrow.

Um, otherwise I have no help as we don't have Broadstar. I have had DSL and cable internet, but I don't remember having much trouble with either most of the time.

[(Anonymous)]

I can be available sometime if you need a 'net fix. -sm.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Oh, hey, thanks. I might take you up on that!

[artystone.livejournal.com]

Don't get DSL. I don't know anything about the company you'll be using but when we had DSL it was out more than it was on. And it wouldn't just go out for long stretches of time, when at least you knew it was out, it would blip on and off for a minute or so. That doesn't sound bad until you realize you've just typed a 7 page something and when you try to send or upload it your computer sits there blinking stupidly at you then the whole thing disappears without a trace forever when the SERVER NOT FOUND error page finally appears.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I really don't like DSL--so I'm relieved to hear that some of my suspicions are correct.

I'm still worried about Broadstar, though. Kitschicat pointed out stuff above that makes me cringe!