My bill just jumped up a lot and I'm wondering if I can cancel and switch to a different service. Any good experiences with other providers in the city that aren't xfinity? Thanks
Comments
blp_fz1 OP t1_ja8axug wrote
Gotcha, yeah checking on T-mobile 5G home internet now. Depending on how good it is I might cancel xfinity anyway. My fiance suggested calling and threatening to cancel and it seems like that usually works for people. So I guess I'll see. Thanks
SpacePueblo t1_ja8bgjz wrote
Switched to TMobile a year ago. Never looked back.
No-Lunch4249 t1_ja8bij8 wrote
Yeah it’s always worked for me, it’s an aggravating hour of your life gone but time worth spending
blp_fz1 OP t1_ja8borm wrote
Awesome. I'm looking into it now. How are your upload speeds? I work from home sometimes and would like the upload speed to be better than my current 20mb
blp_fz1 OP t1_ja8bws0 wrote
Haha yeah no doubt. I use the rocket money app and they can do a negotiation with service providers but they want a huge cut off the savings and I'm like F that
[deleted] t1_ja8dk2s wrote
[removed]
ahbagelxo t1_ja8esre wrote
So we dropped Comcast about a year ago after ongoing frustrating issues including a BBB complaint that connected us directly with someone at corporate in the US and they still weren't able to resolve our issues. We switched to T-Mobile and for the first couple months it was great, but what you'll find (and I've since learned is very common) is that it just randomly drops sometimes. My partner works from home and this is a major issue when he's on a zoom call or a productive work flow. We put up with it but it was pretty frustrating and would sometimes cost him some money.
So, this is such an unsatisfying answer, but we recently re-signed up with Comcast and are now using both (someone on here also said they do this when I asked several months ago about these issues). T-Mobile is $50/month and Comcast is running a two year deal at $25/month, so hopefully with back up options, the $75/month for internet and less stress will be well worth it. When the T-Mobile isn't dropping we have great download speeds, so there is that!
lavazzalove t1_ja8eu6z wrote
What part of the city are you in? It's not available for me.
SpacePueblo t1_ja8gw2z wrote
Just ran a speed test and got 49.44 for upload.
SpacePueblo t1_ja8h125 wrote
Currently on the west side of the city.
blp_fz1 OP t1_ja8ha1n wrote
Dang yeah thanks that's actually really useful info. Yeah I'm signing up with T-Mobile and I'll see how it goes. I only work from home a couple times a month and stream shows/movies a few times a week. I do have security cameras that need internet to connect and that would be my issue if the internet drops a lot.
blp_fz1 OP t1_ja8hfyv wrote
Nice. Thanks, that's helpful. I signed up for T-Mobile but I have to get the capped plan as the unlimited is not available at my location yet
blp_fz1 OP t1_ja8j2tk wrote
Someone else mentioned connection dropping issues. Do you have issues with it dropping out? Are you on an unlimited plan?
blp_fz1 OP t1_ja8jyrm wrote
Also wondered if your speeds slow down at certain times. Do they?
moderndukes t1_ja8loww wrote
Doing that does work for people. The rep you get connected to has a directive to try their best to keep you as a customer and will offer you discounts. Some people call it “a ritual” every year, but I honestly have had zero complaints with speeds/connectivity/etc with them over the combined 8 years I’ve dealt with them in Baltimore (and I’ve lived northeast, east, and southwest in the city).
And is /u/jdtoast your fiancé? They just posted a very similar post on here!
blp_fz1 OP t1_ja8lz91 wrote
Haha no, not my fiance, but I did see that thread on the sub after I posted mine
midwestUCgal t1_ja8mbk0 wrote
Hi, I’m in Waverly and have had T-Mobile internet for about 6 months. I had a spell in late September/early October where my internet was dropping multiple times a day, which was super frustrating. But since then it’s been solid apart from occasional drop outs in the evening while I’m watching tv, which can usually be fixed by restarting the gateway. I also just did a speed test and got 109 up and 42 down, which is maybe not amazing but works for me and my needs and I’m delighted to not have to call my provider every year to beg for a lower rate. I’ve also found the T Mobile home internet sub to be super helpful. Also get a little fan to keep your gateway cool. I got one for like $15 at microcenter
TheSchneid t1_ja8mebd wrote
I pay $80 a month for 800mb down with no TV and no phone.
I think I had to lock into 2 or 3 years to get that rate.
I don't love Comcast, but their reliability has been great for me personally. That being said, I've got friends that live just a few blocks away who have a very different experience with their service.
blp_fz1 OP t1_ja8n1qk wrote
Interesting, thanks! I'm in Harwood right down from Waverly so we probably would connect to the same tower? 42 down is not great but would probably be fine for streaming and zoom calls, right? And thanks for the recommendation for the t-mobile sub! And the tip about getting a fan!
SpacePueblo t1_ja8ndjh wrote
Dropouts haven't been an issue for me. I've had it for an about a year and have only had maybe 2 "dropouts." Restarted the gateway and was up and running.
As long as you understand that a TMobile gate way is basically just an antenna which means placing it as high as you can (preferably top floor) with something close to Line of Sight to a tower you're not going to have an issue. If you place your gateway in the basement on the floor where your old router used to be you're gonna have issues and it's going to be your fault not Tmobile's.
blp_fz1 OP t1_ja8nqf8 wrote
Very interesting and makes sense. It's basically like a cell phone with a better antenna as I understand it, right?
midwestUCgal t1_ja8o2bt wrote
Yep, I don’t have roommates (apart from my dog) and video calls and streaming aren’t an issue for me
SpacePueblo t1_ja8ofv0 wrote
No, haven't noticed anything like that. Just remember to place your gateway some where high up (preferably on the top floor of your house.) Don't be complaining about connection issues with your gateway on the floor where your old router/modem used to be. It's an antenna treat it like one.
blp_fz1 OP t1_ja8opiv wrote
Nice. Thanks!
SpacePueblo t1_ja8oym5 wrote
Exactly. It's like running a hotspot from your phone. Except instead of your phone it's this gateway thing.
blp_fz1 OP t1_ja8oz94 wrote
Cool thanks. I know cable internet slows down during high use times and wondered if mobile does the same. Good to hear it doesn't seem to
blp_fz1 OP t1_ja8p3qk wrote
Right, that's what I figured. Definitely a good tip on placement in the house, thanks
ladyliferules t1_ja8pkob wrote
If you change the account to your fiancés name you’re eligible for new customer deals. So just switch back and forth. That’s what I’ve been doing.
blp_fz1 OP t1_ja8po4y wrote
Do you know of an app or something that lets you locate your closest tower? Or is there a way to figure out which tower you're connecting to?
blp_fz1 OP t1_ja8pvmz wrote
Haha sounds like fun. I'm going to see how the T-mobile thing works out, but I should have thought of switching back and forth before
[deleted] t1_ja8reop wrote
[removed]
pakora2 t1_ja8u7x2 wrote
I called Comcast and threatened to cancel and got our bill down from $103/m to $69.99. Just call and stay on the line until you get transferred to a customer retention person.
blp_fz1 OP t1_ja8uspc wrote
Yeah I called them just now and the best they could do was $65 down from $80. I told them I'm going to try the T-mobile thing and they let me pick a day to cancel my xfinity service. I picked a week after my trial period is up with the T-mobile deal so I'll see how it goes and then figure out what my best option is.
blp_fz1 OP t1_ja95479 wrote
Yeah this is the speed tier I currently have. I'm going to try my luck with the T-mobile deal. It's $50/month and hopefully the speed will be enough to do what I need it to do
baltimorecalling t1_ja9rm3u wrote
I ditched Comcast for T-Mobile. It's been great
blp_fz1 OP t1_ja9rugf wrote
Do you have the unlimited plan? I could only get the data cap plan
baltimorecalling t1_ja9rzjx wrote
It works well for us. Streaming services and 'normal' internet use. It's not great for a power user, but it's fine for us. Been on it for over a year now
mrod9191 t1_ja9uowa wrote
Depending on where you live, Verizon home 5G is available
blp_fz1 OP t1_ja9v7dk wrote
Not available at my address. Womp Womp. Thanks tho
Interstate8 t1_jaa77hk wrote
FWIW, Comcast upload speeds are in the midst of being upgraded. If you pay for their rental gateway, you could get upwards of 200 Mbps depending on your connection tier. "Eventually" this will come to user-owned modems.
As much as I dislike Comcast, I personally wouldn't go from a wired copper line to a 5G connection if I was concerned about connection speeds and reliability. Business practices aside, Xfinity has been reliable for me.
edit: I love that I got downvoted for saying this. TMobile is just another huge corporation -- one that brings in 100 billion dollars a year and doesn't give a shit about you. No better and no worse than Comcast. I am grateful that 5G ISPs have come to the city to introduce some competition, but they are not an option for me because of my connection needs. Do whatever is right for your situation, but don't pretend like you're switching to a not-for-profit municipal ISP.
blp_fz1 OP t1_jaa7xh8 wrote
Yeah, that's a good point. I own my own equipment so would be interested to see when the faster download speeds become available. I'm signed up to try T-mobile. If it sucks I'll go back to comcast. I'm past my contract with them so it was easy and didn't cost anything to cancel. I'm sure there will be fees or whatever to reconnect but yeah. Just felt like trying something different I guess. Thanks for the info though
Interstate8 t1_jaa8ovv wrote
I feel your pain. I used to host a server on a gigabit fiber connection, but had to move it to my house. The upload speed is painful, but I am holding out for the upgrade.
blp_fz1 OP t1_jaa9o3f wrote
Yeah why in the fuck are the numbers 800up/20!down. So crazy the disparity
baltimorecalling t1_jaadbj4 wrote
We have unlimited. I don't know how they offer each.
I think it's based on local tower capacity.
blp_fz1 OP t1_jaahd32 wrote
It is based on local tower capacity. The T-mobile rep I talked to today said as they put up more 5g towers it'll become more available. My closest tower doesn't have enough capacity apparently so I get capped data. I'm supposed to get an email when unlimited becomes available and then I can call and switch.
Double_Access t1_jaas99t wrote
Port Networks is alright. I never had any issues.
blp_fz1 OP t1_jaatpin wrote
Did not know this existed. I sent them a message. Their website has some info but I need to find out more. Thanks for the tip tho!
blp_fz1 OP t1_jaek3ub wrote
Port Networks got back to me and said they looked at my address and determined that they don't have line of sight to one of their towers so couldn't provide me with service.
No-Lunch4249 t1_ja8anm0 wrote
In large parts of the city the only options are Xfinity or wireless internet which can sometimes be spotty in bandwidth or reliability. So you’ll have to check and see for your specific address.
I’m stuck with xfinity, but when they do their yearly ritual of jacking up my bill for no reason, I just call and complain until they transfer me to someone empowered to give me a discount, I usually get a $20 “loyalty” discount for a year after the call.