Need Advice: Internet service

[canofhumdingers]

I'm cancelling my tv & internet service with Comcast in July (good riddance!!). My wife & I have decided to forgo cable/satellite tv altogether in favor of upgrading our netflix.

However, we still need internet service. Our only other real option is Qwest DSL. I'm fine with that as they're cheaper & have more options than Comcast.

My dilemma arises from deciding which option to choose. I currently have downstream rates of 15Mbps and upstream of 5Mbps from comcast. I use the internet for surfing (work & fun) and streaming Netflix. I have a PS3, but only use the internet connection to download updates, game demos, & netflix. I've never played online multiplayer on it & don't see myself starting anytime soon.

So, I'm trying to decide which speed internet to get. I'm thinking about the 7Mbps downstream with the 896K upstream. Based on my usage (the biggest thing I ever try to upload to the internet is pictures from my digital camera) will I see a significant degredation in internet performance? Is it worth the extra $5 a month (after the 6 month promotional period) to get the 12Mbps downstream? Is it worth the $5 a month to get the 5Mbps upstream? Based on my internet usage, I don't really see it making much difference, but maybe somebody here who knows more can tell me for sure?

Thanks.

[Tom R VanSlambrouck]

[canofhumdingers]

[Jorzilla]

[Brick Side]

Don't worry, any deal you get is better than mine.

$35 a month for 1 mbps. F local monopolies. Never thought i'd say it, but Time Warner had a better deal with their Road Runner package.

[canofhumdingers]

I looked at Fios & was all excited about it until I put in my zipcode. not available in Minnesota yet. The only two choices for highspeed here seem to be comcast or qwest & I'm through with comcast. Plus, qwest is offering some pretty good deals right now. My only dilemma is what speed to choose.

I'm thinking I'll try the 7Mbps & if it's not fast enough I'm sure they'll let me upgrade (they never seem to have a problem changing your plan when you want to spend more money.... ). But I'm still not sure about the upstream. I'm leaning towards the cheaper option for it too. I just don't see how I'll notice much difference when the only large-ish things I try to upload are pics form my camera every now & then.

About the netflix HD streaming... Do you have to have bluray service to get that? I've never even seen the option to stream something in HD. We don't get blurays from them now, but once our cable service stops we plan on adding the bluray service. Do you think I'll really see a big difference streaming HD over 12Mbps vs. 7Mbps?

[Tom R VanSlambrouck]

Basic DSL modems still act like routers. When my parents first switched to DSL we got the basic modem package because I already have a wireless router and trust me it's going to be a pain in the ass to set up with your current router. As soon as they install the DSL and stuff I'd call tech support and ask them to walk you through setting up the DSL modem with your router, because if you aren't doing it right then you'll get slower downloads and stuff even with the higher connection.

As for the Netflix no you don't need the BD service added on you just have to select a movie or show that offers HD. The best way to do that is on Netflix's website which now is the Instant View stuff when you first sign is is select HD from the category.

With the 7Mbps connection I don't know if the HD service will work with the DSL but it should we had 5Mbps cable internet and it worked fine as long as I wasn't downloading anything or using the computer(s).

[canofhumdingers]

[canofhumdingers]

Called qwest again. So the deal is, they offer two types of DSL. A-DSL & V-DSL. the A type is older, has the 896K upstream, & only works with the more expensive modem that has wireless built in. V-DSL is newer, has a 5Mbps upstream, costs $5 a month more, but you can use the cheaper modem that will work with my own router (so they say).

So doing the math (based on one year of service)... I can get the cheaper modem for $10 & pay $5 a month more for 5Mbps upstream. Howver, the first six months is a promotional period where I don't pay extra for the faster upstream... So that comes out to a total of $40
($10 for the modem & 6 months at $5 more for internet).

Or I can get the slower upstream with the wireless modem for $70.

Or, I can search online for a better deal on a wireless capable modem that qwest supports & pick whatever service I want.... I think that's what I'll do...

[Tom R VanSlambrouck]

[canofhumdingers]

[canofhumdingers]

[Tom R VanSlambrouck]

I honestly planned on getting the medium ground service when I switched back to cable but the lure of 20Mbps was just to strong then shortly after that the cable company upgraded to 25Mbps.

How old is your current router? Because if it's not to old and uses wireless N then you might want to hang onto it.

Another option you could do to save yourself some money just just buy the DSL modem if your Qwest charges you a modem rental fee, I did that with my cable company and ended up saving $5 a month, the cable modem I bought will have itself paid for by next year.

[canofhumdingers]