Cable + wireless network, or just straight-out wireless internet service provider?
For the new house, that is the question. One way or another, I want to set up a wireless network in the house. Three computers would be used on it (2 PCs and 1 Mac). What are the pros and cons of Comcast and Clearwire? Which should I go with?
Comcast: We all know they’re bastards, but they’re bastards that I know, so to speak. I’ve had Comcast for as long as I’ve been in my apartment, and have never had a problem. I also don’t have a telly, so cable TV isn’t an issue. They cost more ($56, with modem rental) than Clearwire ($30-$40, depending on package)
Clearwire: Portable wireless internet. If they have service in the area, you’re supposed to be able to surf. I’ve heard mixed reports about their customer service and the actual network and connection quality. Some have had no problems, some have had nothing but problems. Their technology is still somewhere prototype. Oh, I’ve already checked the prospective address, and Clearwire says they offer service in that location.
Recommendations? Experiences?
No DSL?
Nah. I’m not going to have a residential landline.
Comcast (ut) have improved quality and customer service from ATT since they took over. Their price may be doubled of Clearwire but I have had nothing but slow connections with Clearwire. I had to move the wireless modem from room to room in my apt trying to get at least 3 bars (out of 5) on the modem. Never got consistent 3 but most of the time it was only 2 and often times connection speed was even slower than that of dial-up.
I would not recommend wireless internet, not because of Clearwire, but because of technology. Cellular signals are not like Internet signals. I think Clearwire and others like them rushed into the market with not-too-well established technology. What good is ‘high speed’ Internet if the only spot in your home to achieve said ‘high speed’ is the closet? I think Clearwire oversold their technology and services and now their network can’t handle the traffic.
I do not know how long have you been with Comcast but if you have been with broadband/DSL Internet long enough, the dial-up connection with Clearwire is going to make you wish for Comcast again. Many times I ended up unplugging/moving the Clearwire modem from room to room, looking like an idiot waving/turning this thin black box every which way. Each time I plug it into a new location, I had to wait a couple minutes for it to search and secure the signal, then I am able to try to tweak its location and antenna pointing, only to find the best I can get was 3 bars, never the maximum of five. I called tech support and the best answer/explanation they can give is that sometimes even metal window panes can cause interference.
I do not work for Comcast but for Micron Technology/IMFT. When I have to be in Boise ID I have to settle for Clearwire, only whenever I return to SLC do I have real high speed Internet again with Comcast. So since you inquired I assume you are not in UT. It is possible to have DSL service without residential phone service. I checked with Qwest on this, unless you meant you have no PHYSICAL landlines at all. No matter what, I have seen other slow connections or even dropped off connections with wireless Internet too many times with Clearwire in ID, I would not recomment the technology unless you are certain you live with line-of-sight of one of their towers.
Roderick,
Thanks for the detailed comment. I’ve seen so much across the board for each customer. I had my Comcast for two years, but ultimately I did decide to give Clearwire a whirl.
So far, so good. I’ve used it at two locations, in an apartment in an alley, and in my new home. The price is nice, plus it’s been effortless to set up with my wireless router.
The only issue we had was putting the modem at a bad window. The window was under a covered patio, plus there was a tree just outside – not the best location, obviously. Signal sucked; we moved it to a window with no obstructions, and for my money speeds are slower than Comcast, but on par with DSL.
Overall, so far I’m pretty happy. As long as it stays that way, all’s good. I’m glad I’m trying something different – it’ll be interesting too to see where this technology goes.
Good that you got what you paid for. For me…The technician came out and replace the modem, that improved the connection speed +10k. Then he determined that the apt was in an area where 3 towers overlapped and could have caused some communication conflict. Plausible enough.
So he telnetted into two of them and programmed them to ignore my modem. Then logged into the modem itself and set it to locked into the last tower only. That improved the connection speed +100k. But still no consistency in speed, occassionally it jumped to 700k but would not stay for long. So he got permission from his boss to give me an outdoor receiver. Basically it is the same type of modem in a weatherproof casing. It was placed out on the ground on the porch pointing toward a tower. You can go to performance.toast.net to test your connection speed. The outdoor receiver improved the speed to 1.5m as advertised but still very inconsistent. I often got dropped to less than 100k and for an hour at stretch.
My company faces a dilema. The local cable/internet ISP here in Boise is CableOne and they do not have a good reputation for customer service. So it is a choice of providing me with Internet access with a company with good customer service but technologically limited…Or…a company with consistent and proven technology but lousy customer service. There is no doubt the price is good but I would rather not have my connection cut off or drastcially slowed while remotely working on a problem machine from home. I’m not sure if any businesses with critical 24/7 access requirement would rely on this technology.
No kidding. I’ve definitely seen that Clearwire can be hit or miss, depending on location. For us, it’s been great – we usually have 4-5 bars, actually, so about as good as the connection gets.
Part of the draw, too, is the mobility of your account. I like that you aren’t just tied to your address, but can take the hardware anywhere they have service. As I understand it too, they’re developing different modems, including one for a laptop’s PCM-CIA slot (I think I’ve buggered that acronym, but it’s late and I’m tired), that makes that portability pretty attractive.
As far as businesses go, for now I think you’re right. Most businesses are going to be better served by a more stable ISP, working with more proven technology, especially when a lot of what they do is online, be it internet, intranet or both.
Small shops can benefit though; some of my friends are using it for their small businesses, partially for the price point, and have loved it.
Like I said before, part of what interests me the most about Clearwire is where they and the technology could be in a few years, especially as they work out the kinks, bedrock their technology and gain market share.
Excellent article about Comcast or Cleawire.
T1 internet access is the future of broadband communications.
http://www.1-satellite-tv-facts.com/T1-Internet-Service.html