Need advice on ISP

The first part is long, but bear with me-

Since I found out my wife has diabetic retinopathy , I have had to make adjustments to my lifestyle. We have filed for disability for her, as her vision, what is left of it, is 20/200. One area was I had to give up $29.99 cable each month. With the use of Firefox I have great speed even on dialup. I cannot watch the files I used to, except by using Fresh Download .

This week, I get the great news, that the $5.95 unlimited dialup internet plan that I have enjoyed is about to end.

What can you tell me about the pitfalls, and if you use dialup, what works for you?
Lastly, what is anyones experience with Yahoo DSL by SBC?
Do I buy a cable modem from SBC, or do I look for another brand in Staples/NewEgg/Bestbuy online/etc?

No, I don't need free hours from AOL!

Thanks for your help, again sorry so wordy.

 

Ok, no one who looked replied.

Does anyone have anything good to say about SBC DSL, or am I better off at $29.99 with cable.

I have a modem that will work with cable, does anyone know about DSL modems???

 

my esh is.... i'm on disablity for heart problems. cable is worth the 30 bucks a month. i don't get out much... the accessiblity and speed of cable fills my time and i enjoy the surfing. a buck a day... cheaper than a couple of sodas at McDonalds. once upon a time... i had dial up, it felt like i had a bicycle at the indy 500.

 

I pay $49.99 /mo for a 1MB Cable Connection

(Our internet is high, unless your on dialup..HAHA)

 

I have SBC DSL, and I’m getting the 1500 download with 256 up……on a special of $26 a month…….at the end of the year, they call and ask, if we want to renew……a cable modem won’t work, but, SBC will send a modem, plus the software, as part of the deal…..when we renewed the last time, they sent a new modem, for the same price, and just called it upgrading the modem……….and I’ve had it for three years now, and like it just fine………part of their deal, is if you move, and they have DSL in the area, and you don’t have it put in, you have to give them $200………..wobbles…..hope this helps, and ask again if you need anything else

 

That is what I understand, a 12 month agreement. and like a cell phone, early termination fees apply.

When they "upgraded your modem", what did you do with the old one?

Thanks for the reply.

 

I can't comment on U.S. prices as I don't live there anymore, but I would go for one of the budget DSL or cable packages. Still plenty fast enough for most things and all the advantages of broadband. (No phone tied up, no phone connection fees etc.)

Nope, ya need a DSL modem for DSL. DSL connects to your existing phone line. The cable modem is totally different . As you know, the cable modem connects too, well.. the cable <duh!>.

 

sbc dsl is cool as long as you are in range of the service.

I personally use netzero, because I just check e-mail, and do research at home I don't need anything with more power.
9.95 a month you've seen the ads...yeah it's slow but eh...

 

Welll -- I know everyone can share the advantage of NOT using dial-up. But I use it because it's cheap. I use AllVantage (unlimited internet use, 4 e-mail accounts, etc. for $5.95 per month, etc. -- www.allvantage.com) Sounds like what you're having to give up so if you want to stay with the familiar...try that. If you do -- PM me and I'll give you my e-mail account because then I get a free month.

I also pay about $3/month for Call Wave (Internet Answering Service -- www.callwave.com) -- just the basic service that records a persons message when I'm online so I don't miss anyone's call (you can pay more to interrupt the call and answer it, etc.) So this gives me what I need.

 

@BoredOutOfMyMind When they "upgraded your modem", what did you do with the old one?

I'm keeping it for a backup, but, they did say the new one, was upgraded for xp and newer software's........wobbles

 

Tis exactly what advice I was looking for. I have NO complaints for the service I have now, except they are going to be gone.

I am moving the 7th, and this ends the 12th, so I need a back-up. You have PM.

 

I'll toss in my 2 cents: I work as a Field Service Technician for Time Warner. I deal with AOL broadband, Earthlink and Road Runner on a daily basis. most times when Im installing a cable internet service its because the customer has had nothing but headache with SBC. Any who, I hate AOL. Earthlink (if through a cable modem) is fine. if you don't install the software from earthlink then you are a step ahead of all the earthlink users that did. as for Dialup I can understand why you are using it due to issues at home, so IMO I would go with Earthlink dialup. or any dialup service OTHER than AOL. (MSN blows as well)

 

Pegg, great info here. I've jotted these down for when the time comes we get connected at home.

Thanks

 

Thanks lubetek for the info. In Humboldt county, we have SBC, Cox or dialup. I had nothing but headaches with Cox in Las Vegas, and they are selling what they have here because they cannot make money with it. So, they are not upgrading any of their equipment either. Since I had dialup, I was spoiled with using the radio stations in WinAmp- click and just like it was local. Using Firefox I have better speed, but I miss the right click, load all the comics at once and read them from tab to tab. My daughter said my system now is faster than at her school and they are supposed to have some type of copper (not dialup).

I think I will take Pegg's ISP offer and then look at upgrade later. Thanks again for the advice on Earthlink vs SBC.