[Hidden-tech] Comcast v. Verizon

[Ron Miller]

Yikes! You had a lovely corporate experience with both companies, eh?

Thanks for the details. I've been with Comcast for years and I have been 
generally pleased with the performance and service until recently. I 
tried calling them, and they had never heard of my cable modem, so that 
had to be the issue right?

I'm not under any illusions that Verizon customer service would be any 
better.

I'm just looking for hard data about the download speeds and general 
performance to make an informed decision.

Thanks again for your detailed response,

Ron

Steve Hawley wrote:
> Ron Miller wrote:
> 
>>   ** Be a Good Dobee and help the group, you must be counted to post .
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>>
>> You've probably been over this before, but I'm considering switching 
>> from Comcast Cable to Verizon DSL for my ISP.
>>
>> I've been having issues with my Comcast Cable (strange, intermittent 
>> issues where certain web sites I visit all the time suddenly don't 
>> display) and I received an offer from Verizon. For $29.99 per month, I 
>> get their highest speed package and they will provide the modem and 
>> software (and no installation visit is required).
>>
>> In addition, they will give me a $15.00 break on my bill for the first 
>> 6 months, meaning I get it for $15.00 a month for 6 months. I'm paying 
>> $45  per month now for Comcast Cable.
>>
>> I'm wondering if anyone has had both and been able to compare. If not, 
>> I typically get download speeds of around 600-700 kbs when the system 
>> is running at top speed and I'm wondering how this compares with the 
>> Verizon experience.
> 
> I made this switch a year ago.
> 
> Honestly, they both suck.  It's really a question of which sucks least.
> 
> Verizon is cheaper, but problems I have had include:
> * the connection gets iffy every time it rains, Verizon denies it's on 
> their end.
> * their tech support refuses to let me skip ahead in their script and 
> blithely ignores me when I tell them that I've already diagnosed 
> everything on my end that I own and from there it's their problem
> * They "fixed" a slow speed problem in my account by removing a software 
> throttle that was put in by default
> * Their "install yourself" kit really does leave you on your own.  It's 
> not a big deal, but it's how they're cutting cost
> * The service requires unsightly line filters on all phone lines.
> 
> Comcast had these issues:
> * Had to replace the cable modem twice
> * Their cable box on the phone pole was misinstalled and filled up with 
> water, meaning I lost service when it rained
> * The repairmain who did the initial install was drunk
> * Tech support is flat-out impossible to reach
> * When they replaced a cable modem, they insisted on replacing some of 
> the internal wiring that had been done by a licensed electrician, 
> assuming (incorrectly) that it was causing problems
> * The service requires the installation of a set-top box that (at the 
> time), provided a marginal amount of the functionality of TiVo and was 
> encumbered by a cruddy user-interface, and gave us another remote to 
> have to explain to the in-laws.
> * They refused to pick up said cable box when we canceled service, 
> leaving it to us in spite of a "you delivered it against my wishes, you 
> can pick it up".  I could ship it to them at my expense or drop it off 
> at a local office.  I opted for the latter and the troll that manned the 
> counter should be kept away from the general public.
> 
>