I currently have Internet DSL service from Century Link, who also supplies my landline phone service. Yeah I know, but we’re old folks. Speed ranges from 10 Meg to 18 Meg. We stream some TV such as Netflix and Amazon video. Main TV service is via Dish.
I’ve seen ads for T-Mobile/Sprint home internet via their expanded cell service, so I responded and received a callback today.
They promise 50 Meg minimum and 200 Meg max throughput. Their map shows me located in what’s labeled “limited signal” area.
Anyone have recent experience with their service? Good or bad, let me know what you think.
Cell phone provider maps exaggerate the quality and coverage of the signal: that you are in the “limited signal” area means don’t be surprised if the signal is inadequate in your area.
Can’t say anything about 5G, but are there data caps with the service?
I was once in about the same place you are, (DirecTV for television, CenturyLink for DSL and landline). I still have DirecTV (because my wife is used to the DRV, menus, etc.) but found that switching to cable internet and a VOIP (Ooma) was cheaper and faster than CenturyLink. The CenturyLink bill was about 35-40% fees, surcharges, and taxes. When it became clear that CenturyLink wasn’t interested in replacing the deteriorated copper line to my house (landline was very noisy, thought the DSL was solid if slow at 11 Mbps), the decision was easy for me.
I’d consider waiting for Starlink (or seeing if you can still get on as a beta tester).
I’d be cautious about what to expect in a “limited signal” area.
On the other hand, I’m pleased with T-Mobile’s 4G home internet service, which we recently got to replace a highly inadequate Verizon internet plan. T-Mobile’s promotional info suggested we could expect at least 20 mbps download speed. Instead we are averaging about 60 mbps download, 20 upload, which is way better than what we had before, with no throttling based on usage (unlike Verizon). It helps that we are fairly close to a T-Mobile tower and have good cellphone coverage.
I also appreciate that unlike other similar services we didn’t have to pay for T-Mobile’s router; we just would have to return it when/if ending service.
I had Starband satellite internet when we first moved to the country (2004). It was reasonable fast, compared to dialup which was the only other option at the time.
The issue with Starband was the software required was wonky and I often had to restart the PC several times to get it to run. Switched to DSL when it became available. But the speed was usually 1.5 meg or so, but it worked all the time.
Last year they ran fiber down the county road, but the last 3/4 mile is POTS. Speeds run 17-18 meg down on a good day with 1.8 or so upload.