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Getting very serious about a move to Boise/Meridian/Eagle in the next 3-4 months.
When I started looking into one thing that is vitally important to us (Internet speeds), I found that virtually every option is woefully inadequate.
We have a business that is operated out of our home (no, nothing scammy or get rich quick). We download/upload relatively large files on a regular basis. I was very disappointed to learn that every Internet option (including Qwest) was limited to upload of 896 Kpbs or slower. That is 1/4 to 1/3 what is offered in virtually ever other moderate-sized city in the USA. Most Qwest plans in other cities have 2-3 Mpbs (more than 2-3x faster upload).
We thought that Boise prided itself on being a high-tech center? Why such slow Internet speeds?
I'm seeing upload speeds of 5 Mpbs and download speeds of 40.
This is the landing page for ALL of Qwest's services areas. It is correct that they offer up to 5Mbps in some of their locales, but I have not found any address in/around Boise that gives anything other than 896Kbps as the upload speed. I've tried numerous addresses (grabbed from real estate listings) from downtown (and non-downtown) Boise, Eagle, and Meridian. All displayed a max upload of 896Kbps.
Actually, that's my point. Qwest offers far better upload speeds in other service areas. Why not "high tech" Boise?
I use Clearwire wireless internet, 4G, 3 to 6 Mbps, and they advertise bursts up to 10 Mbps.
Hi TohobitPeak!
Unforunately, those are download speeds. If they were upload speeds, I would sign up and be thrilled. Upload speeds for Clearwire are advertised at 1Mpbs (slightly faster than Qwest).
Since you appear willing to help... Can you run a test for me?
Visit Speedtest.net - The Global Broadband Speed Test Click "Begin Test," then tell me what the upload/download speeds are...and your approximate geographic location (major cross-streets are OK).
For that matter, if anyone is using Qwest and would be willing to do the same, it would be greatly appreciated. Perhaps Qwest under-advertises and over-delivers???
On on my current provider's second-lowest plan. I get 6.67Mpbs down / 3.07Mbps upload.
I'm curious whether the speeds you get with Clearwire are as advertised.
Since you seem really concerned about internet connection, just a heads up from someone else who works from home. To say that the electricity in parts of Boise is "quirky" is an understatement. I've talked to engineers from Idaho Power and they told me that certain parts of town have some real big issues that they are trying to address. The power grid that flows through my neighborhood extends close to the Boise River, 3-4 times a month a duck or a goose flies into the power line and causes a quick power surge.
The power surges are bad enough that I have had to buy two new power supplies for my computer and once it really fried my hard drive. So make sure you have an online backup program and a couple of spare computers. For the most part the surges are just a little annoying, you have to walk around the house and reset all of your clocks. The damaging ones occur maybe every 12-18 months.
Since you seem really concerned about internet connection, just a heads up from someone else who works from home. To say that the electricity in parts of Boise is "quirky"...
We have several computers with UPS on each. Also have a gas generator, in case of a longer power outage.
Since you seem really concerned about internet connection, just a heads up from someone else who works from home. To say that the electricity in parts of Boise is "quirky" is an understatement. I've talked to engineers from Idaho Power and they told me that certain parts of town have some real big issues that they are trying to address. The power grid that flows through my neighborhood extends close to the Boise River, 3-4 times a month a duck or a goose flies into the power line and causes a quick power surge.
The power surges are bad enough that I have had to buy two new power supplies for my computer and once it really fried my hard drive. So make sure you have an online backup program and a couple of spare computers. For the most part the surges are just a little annoying, you have to walk around the house and reset all of your clocks. The damaging ones occur maybe every 12-18 months.
Basic surge protectors do not help?
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We download/upload relatively large files on a regular basis. I was very disappointed to learn that every Internet option (including Qwest) was limited to upload of 896 Kpbs or slower. That is 1/4 to 1/3 what is offered in virtually ever other moderate-sized city in the USA. Most Qwest plans in other cities have 2-3 Mpbs (more than 2-3x faster upload).
Can you run a test for me?
