Is It Wise To Switch My ISP From TWC To A Local Fixed WISP?

montecarlo1987 · 22 Aug 2014

Hello. I have a question to ask you. I need your honest opinion here. Switching ISPs and some personal thoughts and advice. (NOTE: WISP = Wireless Internet Service Provider)

I currently have Time Warner Cable's Turbo Speed Internet at 20 Mbps download speed 2 Mbps
upload speed. I am happy with TWC's true 20/2 speed and no issues; however I would like to save some money from the fearless, ever rate increasing TWC gluttons every year now. The reason for the change: I would like to save money (Paying $50 per month with their latest TWC promo that I pushed very hard to acquire since I already been their customer. They could not do better than that. For Turbo, yes I did do good. Saving approx. $18 a month. But do I really need it?) and still have reasonable amount of Internet speed for my current demands. In terms of my Internet hardware usage and for what I have and do online, I do not have much in demand for higher speeds. I have a live Internet streaming radio console (10/100 Mbps Ethernet connection; no SD or HD video) and an older Windows 7 Pro desktop (non-Gigabit speed) computer -- the only hardware requiring Internet requirements I have to date. No gaming or video streaming devices or online I do. A video streaming service in the future like Netflix (online or device) is a possibility, but I'm totally undecided at the moment about it. I have a Motorola SB6141 modem and Netgear WNDR3700v1 router. The most intense Internet speed requirement I currently do on my desktop would be me watching YouTube videos online -- that is NOT video streaming. I have an older 3G LG primitive Smartphone that I at rare random times connect Wi-Fi to my router -- not big data resource drainer here.

I am now looking at a local Internet fixed (not mobile) wireless data streaming only (Yes, very city local and from word-of-mouth from local people, very reliable.) ISP. This WISP offer a wireless 10 Mbps Burst Speed Residential service. They state on their website, "Great for surfing the web, email, shopping, social networking, streaming music, video chat, streaming video on Netflix, and multi-player gaming! Up to 10Mbps Downstream and 3Mbps Upstream Burst Speed! Sustained rates of 3Mbps Downstream and 500kb Upstream. [Offer one] Free Email Address. 24/7 Tech Support Local Support Staff and Technicians. No Contracts! 30-day Money-back Guarantee". I found out there is no usage limits per month or caps they impose. They use a fixed wireless system that is a proprietary system designed by Motorola for fixed wireless broadband, and that isn't 4G. They only use their 4G Wimax units in specific cases where the Motorola system won't work as an alternate. Their 4G signal is for data communication ONLY. They do not use their Winmax 4G capability for cellular voice or text messaging. They have a burst speed with speeds typically ranging between 3 Mbps and 10 Mbps. They state anything below 3 Mbps is an issue and if there is an issue and I need to contact them. Their technical support and customer service by word-of-mouth is excellent and very responsive. I personally am told there are towers in the 1-5 mile range around my home, but they will not disclose that information to me; probably due to security reasons. Hardware wise, they would be installing a small unit that is simply a 9" x 9" x 4" white square box that attaches to a small arm that grips the mounting bracket on the high on outside of my home and a modem of theirs I would have inside my home. There is an upfront installation charge of $50 for their rental equipment, but no monthly rental equipment charges. I would utilize the same router I own, just use their modem instead of my cable modem Prices for Residential 10 Mbps has a promo of : $29.99 for 12 months then $34.99 the year after. The offer a Residential 30 Mbps for 12 months for $49.99 and thereafter $54.99. Residential 30 Mbps provides "Up to 30Mbps Downstream and 10Mbps Upstream Burst Speed! Sustained rates of 6Mbps Downstream and 1.5Mbps Upstream". I am interested in the Residential 10 Mbps because I "THINK" it will work for me, but that is my question to you; especially when it is burst rate speed and not dedicated or true speed. Per WISP's technical support, speeds averaging on their end's daily usage patterns in my area from 4.5 Mbps during prime time TV nights and evenings to 8-9 Mbps early morning hours.

The only "potential" issue I originally was worried would be my Internet streaming radio console with this WISP's Residential 10 Mbps burst speed (maximum). The live Internet streaming radio console uses only 200-300 kbps I am told.

I would save about $20 per month with this WISP from TWC switching now -- that is comparing both their promo rates. I would be saving without their promo rates between the two companies approx. $33 per month. How much longer TWC will bend to keep me? I see this year it was much, much harder with their retention department! The TWC and hardcore Comcast merger the reason TWC is not being as kind as they once were with savings -- monopoly control? I would go from a dedicated 20 Mbps/2 Mbps to 10 Mbps Burst Rate (3 Mbps - 10Mbps). Yes, I am not considering apples to apples (sameness) for speed in terms of cost, however TWC does not have for my area any plans in the 3-15 Mbps range (only 3, then 15 Mbps plans) unlike this WISP can. Yet, I think this WISP "MAY" be a right fit for me right now?!?

Now that you have a firm understanding. My questions to you:

1. Will I have a problem like freezing and buffering issues from Residential 10 Mbps Burst speed (range: 3 - 10 Mbps) with an Internet streaming radio console and a desktop computer or not?

2. Will there be a problem like freezing and buffering issues from Residential 10 Mbps Burst speed (range: 3 - 10 Mbps) if I go with the a HD Live Streaming Video (online or device)?

3. Do you think this WISP is right for me based on the information I have provided or not?

4. Your facts and thoughts on what I want to do?

Please reply.

Thank you!

Indianatone · 22 Aug 2014

1. Probably not.
2. Probably not.
3.Yes I think so.
4. I think you can expect good service from the new provider. Of course you know any video streaming service can get overloaded by demand. They also have a money back grantee if for some reason speeds are not as advertised. That could be for example trees in the way of the signal, unable to get line of site to the towers. Although I do not use this system it is also available in my county from the area town utility for folks not on the cable or fiber. Reports locally from users business and household is good service with few if any outages. They also run ilines system down the power lines.
Coverage Area

Shadowjk · 23 Aug 2014

Personally I'd be careful with any speeds advertised with the word "Bursting" near them... That means no guarentee but rather if there is bandwidth available then you can have it. If there is no CIR (Committed Information Rate) then there is no legal service level agreements that need to be met.

1. Radio Streaming is small with voice bandwidth typically taking up 64-320Kbps... You'll be fine!

2. 10Mbps for streaming 1080p HD? Not good, you'll be pushing it at times .... 720p? Yes absolutely fine. But remember you're not guaranteed 10Mbps... remember the bursting part.

3. Yes but my personal concerns would be that you won't have the stability they you've come to expect from a dedicated line. Then again, it all depends on how many others are using the WISP at any one time...

4. Find out what is the bare minimum connection speed is offered and then base your requirements on that. Other than that, if it saves you money which is what you want then go for it I would say!

Just my view,
Josh :)

montecarlo1987 · 31 Aug 2014

@ Indianatone & Shadowjk:

Hello. Thank you both very much for your help!
I did not forget my OP. The reason for the long delay is I was waiting for more comments on my post to get a general consensus by numbers of postings, but I am thankful to receive the comments I have so far. I see you both have kindly commented. I appreciate your comments. You both are in general agreement which strengthens by thoughts about changing ISPs.
In a nutshell: So HD video streaming basically an issue with this 10 Mbps Burst speed WISP if I am using one other online Internet activity at the same HD video streaming and even when not using another Internet activity, there will be some random periodic issues with the HD video; other than that, it will work for me. Again, there is no caps with this WISP, so that will not be an issue unlike TWC possible near future merger with Comcast that does impose caps. If I decide to go with HD streaming on a flat screen 1080p TV, I will be forced to go to this WISP's better 30 Mbps level.
Again thank you both!