Fiber Optic Internet? Any experiences?

[Ronald1973]

So for now, we are stuck with some slow butt Internet through the phone company that I swear is dial-up at times. There aren't any other options out here (not counting Hughes Net) for Internet, AND they make you keep a landline phone to get their service.

I recently found out our electric cooperative hopes to have fiber optic Internet service our way by this time next year. I know it's supposed to be faster, but I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience as far as reliability, etc.

 

[Hyfi]

In the Philly area, we have FIOS by Verizon. I used to have DSL and the difference is night and day. I have had no real issues with service other than work or weather related outages, which have been few.

It used to take 8 hours to download what now takes 10 minutes.

 

[cnolanh]

Just got Google Fiber a few weeks ago. Insanely fast speeds (on a 1 Gbps connection, our wired Ethernet machines see 935 Mbps both(!) directions, and WiFi devices max out their network speeds depending on distance from router, etc.), completely solid connection so far, and we don’t share the circuit/bandwidth with neighbors. Highly recommended.

 

[Ronald1973]

Thanks, y'all, it's getting me excited already! Their "best" package is going to be insanely cheaper than the next to the lowest package I'm on now with the phone company.

 

[whoaru99]

Thanks, y'all, it's getting me excited already! Their "best" package is going to be insanely cheaper than the next to the lowest package I'm on now with the phone company.

Just beware of potential for introductory offers and bundling prices.

FWIW, we do not have fiber Internet service in town, despite having a fiber line that runs right through. The little village 9 miles up the road is tied into the fiber and a buddy of mine claims it works very well...as I expect it should/would.

 

[dosmalo]

Vyve Broadband bored fiber right thru my backyard a couple of years ago and my connectivity has been great ever since with decent speed too so I have no complaints.

 

[Ronald1973]

Just beware of potential for introductory offers and bundling prices.

FWIW, we do not have fiber Internet service in town, despite having a fiber line that runs right through. The little village 9 miles up the road is tied into the fiber and a buddy of mine claims it works very well...as I expect it should/would.

That's a good point. Supposedly, the highest speed is $79.99 per month, way cheaper than the $113 a month I pay the phone company. They're also going to offering their own phone service (I don't need), and some sort of cable that's supposed to be comparable to to Direct or Dish. I'm curious if I'll get a break for getting their cable service or if I have to get bundled with everything for a discount.

 

[whoaru99]

More often than not, advertised prices are when the services are part of a bundle. Individually they're typically higher.

For example, when I had TV/cable and Internet bundle the Internet portion was like 45 or 50 bucks. I cancelled the TV/cable but kept the Internet. Internet alone is $65 which is a fair bit more than the bundled price but the total cost is still $100 less.

With the bundles you pay more total, but they hook you with "savings" over individual prices.

Oh and, lastly, if it ain't in writing you ain't got squat. Remember that if you're talking to someone on the phone.

 

[2011etec]

Must be different up here Cable company told me my hd box was free for ever because I told them I could get a better deal elsewhere and it has been for years now.Wine once in a blue moon to customer care and you can save big time.What will probably happen is they will stop 2 doors from the op ,s house for 5 years,lol.One street down from me they have fiber optic but I don't and I live on a major street.Fiber is 10x better than any sat setup! I have a cable bundle for phone,tv,internet.One trick that is used is a great deal ,but it only lasts for 6 months or a year.

 

[Wildcat]

AT&T has fiber through our neighborhood now. I have no interest in dealing with AT&T, so fiber isn't happening here. The taxes and "additional fees" are something I don't worry about right now--I negotiate a flat monthly fee with all of those expenses baked in, and don't have to worry about a moving target as AT&T adds fees and taxes get raised. I have 120Mbps right now and it is way more speed than two of us can use.



Google Fiber is pretty much done in terms of expansion, so there is no way it will come here now.