Affordable High Speed Internet

Time Warner Road Runner

Within the last year here in the northeast, mainly the ones serviced by Time Warner Cable, have seen speed increases from 5mb up and 384k down go to 10mb down 1mb up with the rollout of DOCSIS 3. The speed increases where something that has been lacking in the area for some time with no additional cost for the new speed tiers.

I was lucky enough when we moved that there was a promotion for $29.99 for the first 12 months and at the expiry would be $44.99 to $49.99 a month thereafter. When I ordered service there was an immediate discrepancy with the speeds.

First thing I did was wander over to speedtest.net and run a comprehensive multi-server test of the upload and download speeds. When they sold me the package the speeds where quoted as being 10mb  down with 1mb up which had not come to this area yet. Being the thinker I am I decided to throw that in the face of a local rep and tell them that I was not getting what I agreed to pay for, so long story short I was able to get Road Runner with Turbo and Powerboost for no additional charge through the end of the contract.

Anyway, recently our bill had gained an extra $15 to $20 on the bill. While that might not seem like much it’s enough to make you cringe as to the value of said services. What I decided to do was to call and cancel the Turbo since in reality it’s not needed, although it is really nice when you are downloading large image files, and to see if there was a way to get my services back down to a more reasonable level. Well the first few times I contacted a Time Warner representative I was told that there was no way that my services could be any cheaper than they already are and that they take a loss on the services they provide at the special rate of promotions. Somehow doubting that they actually take a loss on service I waited another week and made another phone call to the service center. At the completion of this phone call I am now locked into a 18 month contract that boasts 10mb down, 1mb up at only $34.99 a month, which in my opinion provides a great value to me and mine while not breaking the bank.

Just as a side thought I don’t understand why Time Warner does not aggressively promote these lower price options and destroy the local competition from Verizon DSL is beyond me. Everyone that I know that has Road Runner always complains that the value is poor and that internet connectivity should not cost that much, which it doesn’t, but are never marketed to to keep them happy. Time Warner also offers Road Runner light which is something like 768k down, 385k up for $34.99 as well which is a poor value to just about anyone, I can only see this as what it is, a ploy to push a consumer to make the choice for the better speed package. Even with Road Runner light it is still a hobbled experience providing only 7.5% of the bandwidth of regular Road Runner at a cost that just doesn’t make any sense.

A passing glance at Verizon DSL provides 3mbs down, 768k up for their mid-range package priced at $44.99 with a dry loop or $34.99 when you also have phone service. In the year 2010… this year… now, even having a home phone is a waste of money especially when you start to look at what you are paying in addition to the internet service. With Verizon how they charge for phone service and additional features; caller ID, caller ID call waiting, call waiting, and the likes from what you get for free from your cell phone carrier just doesn’t make sense. Relying on this outdated business models hurts the consumer but will ultimately hurt the company that can not change and adapt to emerging markets. Not that the internet really is an emerging market anymore but it just goes to show you that they have not changed their business model in at least 20 years.

Final thought here, if you are tired of paying too much for internet service call your provider because they will never just tell you when there is a deal to be had, you have to work for it.