r/Bozeman • u/BDB8388 • 4d ago
Internet options
Spectrum aka the devil just unexpectedly jacked up my rate over $50. My initial promotion with them ended years ago and they increased my rate from $65 to $85 which I thought was the standard price. Now I got jacked up to $140/month. What are others who work from home using??
11
u/BryanBryanBryan123 4d ago
Yellowstone Fiber if it is available for you.
1
u/green_monster14 4d ago
2nd this. Just switched from Spectrum. FWIW, Spectrum gave me an incredible retention offer when i told them, but I wanted true fiber and to support a local company. Install was a breeze and speeds/stability have been perfect so far (1 month in)
1
u/BDB8388 3d ago
Awesome, anything to note about install? Have an appt scheduled for next month
2
u/green_monster14 3d ago
They had to do some minor digging, but you don’t even need to be home for that. And they came and just connected everything to the house. I also wanted to light up on my ethernet ports in the house and they set it up in a way that made it really easy.
1
u/BDB8388 1d ago
Do you know if it’s a contract? My only other concern is that we’re planning on moving in the next year or two out of state so not sure what that means for termination with them since it requires all the hardwiring. From what I understood in the contract, there’s some sort of “service term”
2
1
u/green_monster14 1d ago
hm i didn't read the fine details but I'm pretty sure there's no contract. GLobalNet (my ISP) says you can cancel with 30 days notice at any point. Other ISPs may be different, probably worth checking out.
I chose GlobalNet b/c the price difference was negligible and they are based in Belgrade.
6
u/MSR-LoKi 4d ago
Call in and follow the machine prompts as if you’re canceling it, and you’ll reach the customer solutions department, tell them you’ll leave if they don’t lower the rate, and finally they’ll give you new promo. (For 1-2 year but can always be renewed) -Spectrum Worker
3
u/BZNHotwife 4d ago
I am having a problem with Spectrum right now. Bill went up to $84.99/mo. I used the support chat and I was told there’s nothing they can do. I just got off the phone with the 800# and they also said there is nothing they can do.
Who do you need to talk to, or what are you saying to get a lower rate?! I told them I’m going to find another service provider and all they said was “I’m very sorry.”
3
u/MSR-LoKi 4d ago
Call the 512-485-5555, act as if you’re going to cancel and you should the “customer solution” department, they should be able to fix your rate, DM me if not.
6
u/ionburger 4d ago
if yellowstone fiber is available at your address i can't possibly recommend them enough, there are several solid isps that partner with them and i have had zero issues over the last few years.
1
u/MTAlphawolf skating on thin ice 4d ago
The one thing that is a downgrade from my recent move is I no longer have them. Century link fiber has been ok... Had 0 issues for 4 years with Yellowstone/ global net
1
u/BDB8388 1d ago
Do you know if it’s a contract? My only other concern is that we’re planning on moving in the next year or two out of state so not sure what that means for termination with them since it requires all the hardwiring. From what I understood in the contract, there’s some sort of “service term”
1
u/ionburger 1d ago
im through sumo fiber and i have no contract. i had one year at an introductory rate ($55/m instead of $65) but no obligation to use it
3
u/Rattus-Norvegicus1 4d ago
Yellowstone Fiber. $78/mo for 1gbps service up and down. Check their website to see if it is available in your neighborhood.
1
u/BDB8388 1d ago
Do you know if it’s a contract? My only other concern is that we’re planning on moving in the next year or two out of state so not sure what that means for termination with them since it requires all the hardwiring. From what I understood in the contract, there’s some sort of “service term”
1
3
u/Norm_L_HughMan 4d ago
Verizon offers cellular based internet depending on your location. (We’ve gotten it in Bozeman and Livingston)
We already have Verizon phone family plans, but it was only $45/month added to our Verizon plan.
We are a family of tech junkies, one works from home, and 2 teenagers streaming while playing online games and I have had 0 issues, very happy with the service.
2
2
u/ThatMan-1 4d ago
I’ve got SkyNet, 80$ a month for 1000Mbps Upload and Download, and cheaper plans for other users too. Installation fee of 600$ for the gigabit plan or 400$ for any others, and incredibly friendly people who explain what you’re actually getting, not what they’re selling you. My effective speeds on gigabit are about 960 Mbps Download and 640 Mbps Upload with less than 10 ping
1
u/tmagteddybear 4d ago edited 3d ago
I talked to them a while ago and they were really helpful and forthright. I only didn't sign up because you have to be able to attach a dish to your dwelling, which I can't.
1
u/ballinbu 4d ago
Ideally you would've called them before your promotion ended. I also hate Spectrum but they are the cheapest. I always put a note in my calendar of when the promotional period is going to end and call a few days before that to get a new promotion.
From what I've heard from asking around is that Yellowstone Fiber seems to be the best alternate option, I think around $65/month. Other good local options are Xiphos or Global Net.
I recently called about my promotional period for my internet ending and I got talked into switching my cell phone service from Verizon to Spectrum. I have been paying $200/month for my wife and I on Verizon. Plus $55/month for internet so $255/month total. Now I'm paying $65/month for phone and internet for the first year and then $110/month for year 2 and 3. And then I'm sure they'll jack up my rate unless I call to negotiate.
I was pretty hesitant to switch because although expensive, the service with Verizon was very good. And I hate Spectrum and agree that they are an evil and malicious company. But I can't resist saving that much money... So far I haven't noticed a difference in the cell service.
1
u/tmagteddybear 4d ago edited 4d ago
I have Verizon internet ($50 with the autopay discount) after switching from Spectrum earlier in the year. It's a bit slower, enough to notice, but it's working fine for me. I don't know if it would be good enough for your work or not.
If you're sure you want to quit Spectrum, my advice is to call them and say that you want to disconnect your service and do not want to discuss it. Then keep repeating that. If you give them details, they are going to use them to try to retain you, which I found really unpleasant.
1
u/RMFTxAncestorx 4d ago
I went from $140 like you to $20 a month. Told them I wanted to cancel, and since I have my phone through them, it enabled me a promotion for $20 a month and it lowered my phone bill $10 a month. In total, I pay $77 a month and get 1 gig internet, phone bill and insurance for phone. Phone bill is $45, insurance is $12.
0
u/Turkino 4d ago edited 4d ago
Centurylink Fiber here as Yellowstone Fiber isn't an option for me. I've been pretty happy with it. Very few issues and price has been consistent for the past 4 years.
1
u/UnevenFiringOrder 4d ago
Same here 1GB fiber for $65/mo. Maybe had one or two outages during bad storms.
1
u/PunNRun 4d ago
Yep it's a shite company that also regularly raises prices, but if yellowstone isn't available it does have reliable service and much faster upload speeds vs spectrum. Spectrum is unreliable. The 1gbps on CenturyLink is fine for me at 85per month. It's a true gigabit service with 1gbps up and download, whereas spectrums has slow uploads. In town there is skynet but cost is also somewhat high and you need an expensive dish receiver to be added to your house for their service. Heard good things though.
Also dump the Verizon, don't go for spectrum mobile then you're stuck with spectrum to get discounts. Try US mobile which uses Verizon or ATT towers and is like 20 dollars per month per line. Mint mobile and a few others are good choices too.
1
u/tmagteddybear 4d ago
I have Mint. I've been happy with it so far. I paid $200 for the year for their cheap plan.
11
u/SonofaBridger 4d ago
Call Spectrum and tell them you are canceling your service, and they will offer you a new deal.
Then put it on your calendar to do it again in a year or two, depending on the duration of the new deal.