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Hey guys, would you consider companies like Clear (http://www.clear.com/) which provides 4G internet through cellular towers as a good alternative to Comcast or AT&T as an home Internet provider? I understand area does matter most but this is specifically targeted for those who live in an area with a strong coverage area that Clear or similar companies provide. I am one that watches Netflix most of my time, uploads YouTube videos, uses social networking and social media and Google+ Hangouts. Would you recommend it for geeks like us? How about the average user at home? |
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The thing about 4G internet is that there is always a cap. No matter what they say about unlimited internet, there is a cap. Netflix on a WiMAX data network would probably set Clear's customer service off. I'd rather get the traditional Cable/FiOS connection because that would be stable and more reliable. Clear is only for places with a strong signal as you said. In New York (where I live) Sprint's WiMAX is very strong, so I'd get a strong signal (outside). If I were in Vegas, I'd get no signal since their coverage map doesn't cover it. I did use my T-Mobile connection before as my modem, and it was okay until they called me and saw that my usage ran all the way up from my usual 150MB a month to a mindblowing 10GB. So take cellular internet with a grain of salt. Wow, that just really opened my eyes! After doing research further on what you said, that is confirmed truth! It's a shame with these data caps because I wouldn't have a problem getting them for my area which is greatly supported in Florida, but the data caps got to me. We are a family of 4 and take up tons of data based on how we use it for Netflix and YouTube uploads. I might have to stick with AT&T DSL for now. Sadly Comcast isn't an option for us here and Verizon FiOS/Cable/DLS is pretty expensive over here. Thank you for the insight DJ Scooby Doo! This helps the decision process a lot! Yeah it sucks. I read more on the Acceptable Use Policy on their site here: http://www.clear.com/legal/aup, and they said it's unlimited but if they see you use it for more that they think is acceptable which I'd say is like cellphones, 2GB or more, they'd slow you to 1X or GPRS speeds instead of your 4G (WiMAX) speeds. Check around though, I mean Cable can't be that expensive. Coming from NYC, where I pay $230/month for the triple play (and extras), just internet can't be that expensive. Tethering sucks, because I literally paid my bill 10 minutes ago, and just plugging it in to my computer caused 2MB to slip out of my 4G speeds. Mind you I have unlimited internet (at EDGE speeds after 100MB). I might switch to an MNVO like Straight Talk or Simple Mobile (like my parents). http://i.imgur.com/AaD32.png Dang... I heard of Straight Talk and Simple mobile. They don't have data caps? I would be interested to do hotspot tethering with them as well. AT&T is charging us $44 a month for not even 1MSps download but we get at an average 350KBps with them... It's been too much for us lately especially not having a job for three months and trying to get myself financially back in place. 1
Oh damn, they have data caps sure, but I have Road Runner as my ISP, and I have good speeds from them. I pay $33.50 (internet alone) for 30MB/5MB. http://www.speedtest.net/result/2107587188.png, pretty good for 1:02AM. You should check around, probably cable has some special for university students since it is around that time people are moving in. You never know, you might get in it. I tether when I really need to, emergencies only. You shouldn't tether unless you pay for it. I've been taking a risk, because tethering isn't allowed on my plan. I'll be looking into that! Really appreciate the feedback. No problem bro, anytime. http://i.imgur.com/OX3mj.png, this is using Pandora for maybe 2 hours OMW home. Looks like EDGE speeds for me -__- Wow!!! That's incredible... T-Mobile I'm not impressed with them as a service for data. These data caps just are horrible! If they actually tell us hey we offer 100MB of 4G and as you get to 1GB we drop it down even further, something like that these companies should tell us. Just like other wireless companies. They want to make business with "Unlimited" branding, however they are losing their quality as a service by not letting customers know clearly that their data will be throttled. Other than that the only company that seems to be hurting the most while providing "Unlimited Data" is Sprint. Then again, Sprint is worrying me too. Eventually I'm expected to see Sprint cut unlimited data as well due to the amount of cost. My friends with Sprint haven't had their data throttled or cut... Yet. That's why I'm trying to switch to an MNVO, at least I can handle 2GB of "unlimited data", then be throttled down. Well data with Sprint is basically EDGE speeds in T-Mobile, lmao. I've used it here in NYC, and it's meh depending where you are. Uptown Manhattan and the Bronx it struggles and it triumphs, as I said depending on location.
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they both have there place so you are almost always connected |
