[kwlug-disc] Moving away from Rogers Internet

[Khalid Baheyeldin]

This is the continuation of the saga of getting rid of big name Rogers
for a more reasonably priced and better featured internet ...

So, before my Rogers contract was up, I called them, savouring the
moment, and finally cancelled! Make sure that you give them a 1 month
notice if you do that.

Rogers offered me internet only (Hybrid Fibre 60, which "up to" 60Mbps
download, 10Mbps upload, 120GB allowance) for $61.4 (taxes included).
This has a fairly low cap, and I would be using much more every month,
so it is not a viable option.

Also, I need cable internet since it offers higher speeds than DSL,
and it is what I have been using for over 10 years. DSL was out of the
question.

Initially, I was planning to go with Start
http://www.start.ca/services/highspeed (enable Javascript to enter
your postal code in order to see the cable plans). I did recommend
them to friends, based on feedback from this group, as well as
price/features, and they are working fine there, with VoIP and all.

However, they have recently shuffled their plans, and in order to get
300 GB per month (above what I use with a safety margin), I have to go
for a $65 plan. The plan below it is reasonably priced ($45), but has
a limit of 200 GB only. Not practical!

So, I ended up with VMedia (http://vmedia.ca) with their 30/5
unlimited cable plan $50 a month (that is the month to month price, I
thought I saw an option for $45 with an annual commitment, but can't
find that on the site anymore).

One advantage is that this list would be trying a new provider, so we
get some first hand feedback and variety.

You sign up online, and if you enter your Rogers cancellation date and
reference number, you qualify for the transfer ($20) instead of $65
for a regular install). No technician will visit. You connect the
modem and that is it.

I ordered the modem (Motorola DOCSIS 3.0 SB6141 $80 purchase and $15
shipping). Yes, it can be gotten cheaper elsewhere, but there is no
need upgrade the firmware or have other conflicts for saving $10 or
$20. I'd rather have something that is guaranteed to work from them as
long as it is a one time expense.

So, total upfront costs: $20 (transfer)+ $80 (modem) + $15 (shipping) + tax.

Total monthly cost: $50 plus tax month to month, no contract.

Once you sign up, you get an initial order confirmation email.  Do not
be surprised if you do not get any contact from them for 2 weeks or so
afterwards. They are not ignoring you, so don't panic. They will email
you with the tracking information for the modem that is being shipped
to you. When you ask them something by email they respond in less than
an hour.

As with all cable resellers, they use part of Rogers' infrastructure.

My switch date was July 24th. It was sometime around 6:15 am on the
25th (following day) that the switch happened. Basically, if you see
the internet stop working, then you connect the cable modem supplied
by VMedia and reboot the router so it picks a new external IP address,
and that is it.

As for speed it is close to advertized (30/5):

To a Toronto Server (Teksavvy)

Date: 2014-07-25 12:40 PM EDT
Download: 29.11 Mb/s
Upload: 4.87 Mb/s
Ping: 18 ms
Server: Toronto, ON ~ 100 km

To a Kitchener Server (Netflash)
Date: 2014-07-25 1:03 PM EDT
Download: 28.25 Mb/s
Upload: 5.03 Mb/s
Ping: 30 ms
Server: Kitchener, ON < 50 km

Anecdotal: Some site feel "snappier" (less delay between request and
response). Also for VoIP, the one person we called says there is less
delay than with Rogers. But it is too early to say definitively.

As for billing it is prorated for the balance of the first month, then
by credit card at the beginning of each month.

Hope this helps a few people looking for options ...
--
Khalid M. Baheyeldin
2bits.com, Inc.
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