Cincinnati Bell or Time Warner? (address, about, different)

[home4frog]

Yes. We only had internet with TWC and that's all we have with CB. But, TWC increased our $35 bill to $61.94 at the one year anniversary for service with them. We stream our TV, and we have an AT&T cell phone as our only telephone for the family. But, I have to tell you when I got the TWC bill, I told my husband we should consider ending our internet service completely. I was ready to go to the library once a week to do whatever I needed online, that I cannot do on my phone. And if it gets bad enough, I will still do that. I'm sure my quality of life would improve.

[kjbrill]

Originally Posted by home4frog

Yes. We only had internet with TWC and that's all we have with CB. But, TWC increased our $35 bill to $61.94 at the one year anniversary for service with them. We stream our TV, and we have an AT&T cell phone as our only telephone for the family. But, I have to tell you when I got the TWC bill, I told my husband we should consider ending our internet service completely. I was ready to go to the library once a week to do whatever I needed online, that I cannot do on my phone. And if it gets bad enough, I will still do that. I'm sure my quality of life would improve.

Yes, having TWC nearly double the bill at the end of one year makes you gnash your teeth in frustration. But make no doubt about it, CB will do the same thing. If you have something which indicates differently, in writing, hang on to it. They are pretty clever at not putting things in writing.

In addition to internet, we have 3 TV's with settop boxes on CB plus internet phone. I guess I shouldn't complain too much, since previously we were paying CB over $60/mo for just a standard land line. Looking at it that way we have the internet and 3 TV's for a little over $100/mo. I still feel it is highway robbery, but that's where we are.

[home4frog]

So, what I've learned in the process:

1. For streaming you only need an upload speed of about 3mpbs (3000 Kbps). Netflix has a speed index to let you see how well your ISP is working. We ran it on both TWC and CB, and got the same results. Here's a link to the Wired article that talks about it: Crappy Netflix Playback? Here’s How to Test Your Streaming Speed | Gadget Lab | WIRED

If you are downloading something else, or large files, maybe a higher download speed would be necessary. But, for our purposes, the 8.5 mbps seems to be working out well.

2. If you want a better rate at TWC when your introductory rate has ended, you must call them and choose the "disconnect" option in the menu. They have the authority to give you the best possible rate to be offered for another year. I don't know about CB, but I'd guess it will be the same. I guess I'll find out about this time next year.

[soundofsilence82]

Cincinnati bell is much better than time warner. I wasn't pleased with their phone service, but love their internet and cable.

[Ohky0815]

Originally Posted by det2011sb

does anyone have expected rates (after the promotional period ends) for 15-30 Mbps internet with basic cable and no phone from either of the guys?

We have 10mbps from CB (no phone or tv) and pay $35/mnth. TWC would cost more or less net.

Originally Posted by bmn0722

I know this is an old thread, but I was curious what speed of CB fioptics internet is "good enough"? I work from home so I need reliable internet, and the home we just purchased is in a location where CB and TW are our only two internet options. We will be using Directv for our television, so it's just internet I am trying to decide on. Our address only offers 10 mbps fioptics internet with CB. Kjbrill, I know you said you downgraded and it was noticeably slower. Do you mind telling me what mbps you have? We will have my lap top plus two iPhones and two iPads running on the wireless connection, so I'm wondering if 10 mbps will be fast enough.

We have 1 computer, Wii, Tablet, 1 cellphone, 1 Roku all using 10mbps and its fine. i can easily watch a video.

Originally Posted by kjbrill

home4frog ...

Is that $35 CB rate for internet only? Aint no way they are going to give you TV also at that rate. I am now up to 5 times that amount and only have the slow speed internet. Watch those people, they will sucker-punch you worse than TWC. My initial installation was $104 a month and included internet, TV, and internet phone. In a little over two years they have manged to increase that by over 60%, loverly, loverly, loverly.

I pay $35 for net only

Originally Posted by soundofsilence82

Cincinnati bell is much better than time warner. I wasn't pleased with their phone service, but love their internet and cable.

I agree.

Netflix is only $8 a month. We have Hulu, netflix and net- so i get TV and net for $51/mnth.

[soundofsilence82]

Originally Posted by Ohky0815

Netflix is only $8 a month. We have Hulu, netflix and net- so i get TV and net for $51/mnth.

What do you think about Netflix adding sales tax? That peeved me off. I was infuriated that it was almost 2 dollars more with tax.

Cincinnati Bell is great for streaming Hulu and Netflix, though. No issues. Two Rokus, a Mac, three Windows PCs, an iPad, and an Android tablet, and no issues here.

But I'm kind of relieved that they are dropping their cell phone service, because I haven't been impressed. Dropped calls and lots of flaky 3G coverage, and that hasn't worked for what I use my smartphone for (streaming music and checking Facebook and email.)

[unusualfire]

$2 in tax from a $7.99 bill? I don't believe that.

[kjbrill]

Originally Posted by unusualfire

$2 in tax from a $7.99 bill? I don't believe that.

Sounds a little fishy, doesn't it.

[Ohky0815]

Originally Posted by unusualfire

$2 in tax from a $7.99 bill? I don't believe that.

Netflix Raises Price By $1 For New Customers

[soundofsilence82]

I'm just going by what my bank account statement said. 9.19 including tax for a 7.99 incurred subscription.

Hulu Plus, on the other hand, says 7.99 on their website, and that is what shows up on my card statement.