What is the best internet provider company and why?

Verizon FiOS. No contracts, and amazing speeds. Plus, the option to have Ethernet WAN instead of COAX is excellent if you want to use your own router instead of their default Actiontec boxes.

As for a router, I use pfSense on one of my servers.

I like Road Runner, I've been happy with what they have. I use Netgear for all my networking. But I"ve had no problems in the past with Linksys.

Well I use Optimum Online. They seem ok, pretty good speeds. For my router, I use a pretty old Linsys which still holds its own. Though I'm thinking of upgrading to an Airport Extreme (my old Linksys is only Wireless-G)

Time Warner Cable

1) No contract

2) Best Service PERIOD

3) Medium Price (not too expensive, but fair price for service delivered)

I've tried most the others that are here locally, they all blow, unfortunately I would avoid Wireless networking first and foremost with the new laws coming down the line... (capped + pay for overages)

Speed is everything in Internet, if you get cheap internet you will pay for it in the long run...

Slow speed = low productivity

You will get frustrated with bad service and end up wanting to get better service later on.

High Speed = Get More Done...

1.5 MB (not Mb) is minimum speed today, anything less than that is too slow!

I use TIme Warner (The Comcast of SoCal). I would switch to Fios, but it's not available in the area. Road Runner is pretty good. Getting about 20 down now, but only 1.75 up. Meh. It's decent and better then my previous ISP, Verizon DSL. I have had issues with my modem, and also some times when I think some traffic shaping is going on, but for the most part, the speeds are good, decent support, and pretty reasonable.