Internet provider question.

[DuWayne Steurer]

Quick question.

 

We currently have the Charter Bundle, (no phone) with Cable and internet. We want to go a different route with the tv (thinking Dish) and I'm just curious, being completely un-tech savvy what I might have for options for internet without cable or phone. I'm not looking to go extravagant, but I certainly don't want to go back to dial-up either, especially bearing in mind we don't have land line phones anyways.

 

 

(added tags --1992)

[bullox]

You could still have the Charter internet without the TV. Likewise, you don't need to have a phone line to get DSL. If you want to go another route altogether, there is the Satellite option. Satellite internet is slower than both DSL and cable internet.

[gypcasino]

you don't need to have a phone line to get DSL.

If you just go with a DSL "dry loop", the phone co. will jack up the price on you and it'll be a wash anyway.

[1992casey]

A wireless provider would seem to be ideal, but I don't think such an animal exists in RoCo's area yet.

 

RoCo, you might want to try calling these people. When you follow the the link to their website, all it says is "coming soon".

 

Spire Wireless

6 South Main Street

Janesville, WI 53545

(608) 741-6666

[1992casey]

I did some checking on an AT&T dry loop account for a friend who lives in Stoughton. I'd assume cost figures would be about the same in Rock County.

 

The base cost is $49.99 per month for a "Pro" (3 mbs) connection and $44.99 per month for an "Express" (1.5 mbs) connection. If Cingular is your wireless carrier, you're discounted by $14 per month: $10 for combining your phone and internet bills, plus another $4 off your wireless charges.

 

This would compare to $24.99 plus landline charges for 3 mbs or $19.99 plus landline charges for 1.5 mbs. A 6 mbs connection is available with a landline but not dry loop. That one costs $34.99 plus landline charges. The estimated cost of basic landline charges is $15-$20 per month.

 

You can get DSL with a landline without a contract, or you can sign a 12 month contract and get one month free. Dry Loop requires a 6 month contract; there's no free month. The early termination fee in the case of each contract is $99.

 

The bottom line would be that if Cingular is your wireless carrier, and you don't need 6 mbs, you're probably a few bucks better off with dry loop over keeping your landline.

 

The phone number for asking about this: 1-888-800-4095. Hours for calling are 8 AM to 9 PM Monday through Friday, and 8 AM to 5 PM on Saturday. Note that I called just before 5 PM on Saturday, though, and they had stopped answering for the day.

[1992casey]

Again, this is the Madison area, but my friend was able to sign up for an AT&T 3 mbs dry loop account for $25 per month. This was a 'sale' price.