Ok … one quick question that I hope will solve my problem of self-doubt.
But first a story - just a quick one. I was on the phone with the cable company today and I was straightforward: “I just want internet - I don’t want any cable service whatsoever.” She says she can certainly help me out with that, however, for just internet I don’t get whatever bullshit discount they made up so my bill would be $90 + tax + modem rental fee. Fuck that.
“Well when you bundle, the prices go down.”
“Fine. Tell me about the bundle.”
“First I’d like to know which channels are important to you.”
“None. I feel I’ve been pretty clear about that.”
“Well the cheapest bundle includes either HBO or Showtime, which of those would you prefer?”
“Don’t care. What’s the tab for that one?”
“$90.”
It was at that point that I gave up. I literally said, “Nevermind,” and hung up.
Further research tells me that there is precisely one other internet provider in my area. They offer a deal for $45 - much more my speed - however, that’s for a 25mps connection.
Here’s my question - would that be plenty to run streaming services? I’d hate to tell Comcast to go fuck themselves and go with this new connection only to find out that I screwed over my Netflix.
TL;DR: Is a 25mps internet connection adequate to run streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Playstation Vue? And please feel free to wax poetic about cutting the cable if you feel the need.
Netflix recommended 5 Mbps for standard HD and 25 Mbps for 4k. So you should be good unless multiple members of your house will be streaming difference shows simultaneously.
Are you trying to watch 4k programming?
Are you trying to watch more than 2 or 3 TVs at the same time?
Are you performing some other high-bandwidth function on same other device?
If the answer to all of those questions is no, then 25k bps is way more than you need to watch TV in HD.
Cool. Sounds good. It’s just me, although I do frequently surf and watch the TeeVee at the same time. Regardless, I think I’m warming up my Fuck You Comcast muscles.
If it is a real and steady 25mps, you’ll be fine. That is a very good deal, what the company name out of interest?
You should check online for reviews of the company that they actually deliver.
I ran into a problem trying to partially cut the cord, where it was only a $5 difference between just Internet and faster Internet w/ phone & basic TV.
Be careful. Many cable companies don’t include taxes and fees when quoting rates.
Once you add phone and/or TV, you often become subject to a shirt-load of taxes and fees. In many places, there are endless utility taxes and government fees (911 fee, for example) that might apply. And even worse, there are additional cable company fees that they want you to think are taxes, for example “sports fees,” “regional sports fees,” “broadcast TV fee,” equipment rental, franchise fees, etc. Even worse they may guarantee your package price won’t go up for a year, but the sports fees or the broadcast TV fee can go up as much and as often as they want. (And, yes, the sports fees apply even if you don’t want a sports channel.)
It may be hard to squeeze the total after taxes out of them, but investigate before assuming that the price will be “only” $5 more.
One time when negotiating with the cable company, due to bundles and specials, it was cheaper to get a TV, internet and phone package than a TV and internet package. Spectrum (formerly Time Warner) has changed and are much more transparent with their pricing. Amazing what happens in an area where there is competition.
I was beyond my intro offer period, paying about 120 for internet and phone (dropped tv 3 years ago). Never used the phone but… y’know, was cheaper as a bundle.
Decided to call and threaten to switch if they didn’t knock down my bill somehow.
Coincidentally got a flier in the mail for an intro offer, $50/month for 100Mbps fiber internet. * for 12 months, only when bundled with another service.
Short story: called and ended up with only internet (dropped the phone) for a total $60/month bill.
So it is possible. I’ll deal with the intro deal expiring again next year. I have at least one other provider to choose from.
Speed test came out at about 75 down and 60 up. And that was on a computer connected via WiFi dongle.
We were thinking of cutting ties with cable but realized that we actually watch some shows on SyFy as well as the DC Universe on the CW. You can’t get the current episodes of those shows on Netflix or Prime. I also like watching our local newscast too.
Don’t give up on Comcast just yet. Once you tell them you want to quit, they will transfer you to a specialist (An American here in the states as opposed to the person in India you were probably talking to. Lol).
This "specialist’ is going to try REALLY hard to get you to stay. Stay firm and you’ll probably wind up getting your internet only for $60 a month @ 55bps.