Hi everyone! I hope all of you are safely dug out of the snow soon.
Meanwhile, would anybody have a moment to help me with this? I hope I'm
not too wordy here, but I figure too much detail is better than too little.
My parents are running into ongoing problems (residential only) both
with their computer system and their ISP. I can handle the system part,
but they're also interested in a new ISP -- a _reliable_ one. I'm
hoping you guys are familiar with what services are available locally,
and what works (or doesn't), and would be willing to offer some
suggestions. My parents currently have NetZero dialup, solely because
it was cheap, but lately they've been unable to connect very often --
and I've finally been able to persuade them that spending a little more
could get them better access. Not necessarily dialup, they'll consider
anything.
Here's a list of what features are needed, roughly in descending order
of importance:
1) Must be available where they live. (This is obviously a
dealbreaker!) They live in rural Wappingers. The last time I checked,
Verizon's web site said they were too far from the CO for Verizon DSL
(which is what I have, and am 95% happy with). Strangely, at least one
other ISP's web site said DSL was available for their address. Their
cable TV service comes from U.S. Cablevision (which I think is part of
Optimum), but only for cable TV right now (their cheapest package), not
for phone or 'net at this point. Oh, and it's really too windy there
for a satellite dish.
2) Reliable, in that they can get a usable online connection nearly all
the time that they want one. They don't necessarily need 24/7, just 1-3
hours a day would be fine, but they definitely need a usable connection
whenever they want one. They also need something that, after the
initial setup (of course I'll be doing the home end of that), will be
fairly maintenance-free.
3) Total monthly/yearly cost, especially after the low introductory rate
runs out. Basically total combined cost of POTS & cable TV & Internet.
Right now they're paying $12/month for the cheapest cable package (no
converter box), and $50-60/month for Verizon POTS (although they don't
make that many local or LD calls, but they do have the "alternate ring"
option for their fax machine) plus $50/month for Verizon cellphone
service. Cell phone coverage is important -- it's not used much, but
it's important to be able to make and receive cell calls from basically
any location.
4) Good, and inexpensive, customer support.
Switching phone or cable providers, and services provided, is certainly
possible here. If there's a good value for a package that might require
switching phone providers, or paying more but getting a few more TV
channels, that would be okay. (As long as POTS and 'net service is
dependable!) Even having to change home telephone numbers would be
undesirable but tolerable. Basically as long as the total monthly cost
is within $20-30 (roughly) of what they're paying for everything now,
anything would be possible. (Except a satellite dish.)
I'm beginning to wonder whether the ubiquitous Optimum $100/month (TV +
phone + online) for the first year (they never say what it becomes after
that!) might be a good deal. Or DSL, or basically anything that gets
them online reliably. What do you use at home for 'net access (and
other services), and would you recommend it? What have you heard about
the various providers available locally? Basically, any ideas that
would point me towards (or away from!) something suitable for my parents
would be VERY gratefully appreciated! Once something's been decided on
and implemented, I'll gladly share the experience with anybody
interested. Again, many thanks in advance for any suggestions or advice
(on- or off-list)!
Adam
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