[DM-MUG] Qwest DSL vs. Mediacom Cable

Thu Aug 20 16:21:15 CDT 2009

My dad, lives on the Des Moines East Side, and liked Mediacom for 7 years. He had cable with HD abilities for his Hi-Def LCDtv, but limited HD programs and limited HD Channels, home phone+voicemail, I'm not a big TV fan, and I need to upload files. I've been with Qwest for 8 years. I only recently got satellite because my new roommates are big TV watchers. My dad recently decided to switch to Qwest because he wanted to add HD tuners and Mediacom informed him there was a limit of 2 per household due to limited supply, and they changed the story as to costs of it and cost of installation, etc. And his phone line had problems on a regular basis for 3 years. He stayed with Mediacom for so long because he only had 1 computer for light internet use, and had no need for a home network set up, nor was he interested in recording tv shows and burning them to a hard drive or onto DVD. He also has no school age kids present. So a lot depends on your own needs.

We compared notes. here's a breakdown comparison.

If you're all about the fast download for internet, Cable (Mediacom) can have the advantage. If you need to upload, DSL (Qwest) is better.

Upload means, putting files, images on the internet or working remotely as one of the others mentioned VPN. DSL offers equal upload and download speeds. So 10 Mbs is 10 ms download and upload all the time.

Cable internet speeds advertised are like the speedlimit signs on the highways. You can go up to 75 MPH, but at rush hour everyone is only going 20-35 MPH, right? Cable (Mediacom's) broadband download speed is affected not only by the above mentioned devices, but the number of devices, users, and activity in your neighborhood. DSL offers a dedicated gateway connection for each house. so when all the kids in the neighborhood get home from school and get online, you probably would notice a significant jam with Cable. Like rush hour. With DSL, you'd only notice a jam if all YOUR kids and all their friends at your house were doing demanding internet activity such as streaming video and playing online games all at the same exact time.

Whatever speed package you order, the speed will be affected by how many devices you have accessing the internet at the same time. Examples are:

Computers (both wired and wireless) 
Gaming systems and consoles such as Xbox360, Playstation 2 and 3 with games requiring internet access or offering online focused environments
Media and TV Receivers: such as ondemand features for DVRs and HD DVRs and Standard receivers.
Network or wireless printers
Any other devices on your network or wireless access (May or maynot include things such as Apple iPhone, etc.)

My roommates wanted cable TV. we compared Cable vs Satelite. I also compared notes with my dad and the cable company and direct tv company. I don't know about Dish Network.

For the (DVR) recording capable cable box from Cable, they require one for each tv. If you just want cable tv minus the HD and recording capabilities, cable is easier, though not exactly cheaper in the long run. otherwise each TV requires a box, Same as what you already have with Direct TV. Channel packages with Direct TV are cheaper. They used to offer more HD channels, but i think Mediacom has caught up in that dept. 

Closed Captioning 
Direct TV receivers offer easier closed captioning options to modify (color, size, etc.). Although the one I have seems to only display CC1 style and not the other styles such as CC2, etc. Mediacom tuners offer more styles and allow you to choose where the captioning displays (top, bottom), but the options for color and size, etc are somewhat inconvenient to modify in my opinion.

I compared channel package, Direct TV is $5-10 cheaper. If you get more than one service with Qwest you get bundled savings. Some months it's $15-$45 discounts based on what internet and direct Tv promotions are active and applied by Qwest. Qwest also has a "Price for Life" guarantee program for their DSL internet. 2 years ago, I upgraded to 5mbs package. It is $45 and for I've gotten discounts because I participate in "Price for Life" which means they can't increase the price on me. I won't ever have to pay more than $45 for the 5mbs speed. I can upgrade at anytime.  For almost a year, I've only been paying $15 a month for internet. Next month the current 12-month advertising promotion ends and the monthly $20 discount ends for the internet service.

Mac support with Qwest seems to be varied. It depends on the time of day and who you get on the phone. Infact, Qwest told me the Mac team is based in Boise, ID. Sometimes if I don't like the support, I thank them and then call again until I get someone who is trained and experienced with Macs. If they ask if I have a PC, many times I say I don't depending on the problem. If you have an intermediate level of understanding of networking with Macs, you may be able to fill in the blanks once you get your PPOA/PPOE username and password from Qwest. I used the Actiontec G701 modems from qwest for about 5 years. I switched to a Motorola 3347. It is easier and I like it better. I've never had an Airport base station. The Motorola 3347 is pretty straightforward and interacts with both Mac and PC the same way.  

The referral program with Qwest rewards the person named as the reference and also rewards the new customer. Direct TV also offers a rebate on the receiver for each class of receiver. I got $21 Direct TV rebate for my rented DVR. If your DVR can access the internet, you can remotely manage the programs to be recorded through the Direct TV website. The wireless DVRs/HD DVR may let you access the shows on that receiver from other devices? If your DVR/ HD DVR is directed wired or networked your computer can access and burn the show onto hard drive or DVD from what I understand.

Since I had good credit history as a long time Qwest customer, I got Qwest to waive installation frees for the Direct TV. If you own or buy your internet modem, it pays itself off after 12-18 months. You can rent or lease the modem from qwest for $5 a month. The modems cost $50-90 depending on the model. Qwest will replace the modem you rent or lease from them if the modem goes bad within 1 year. Excluding 1 modem Qwest replaced, Most modems I've had go bad after 2-3 years. I bought the most recent modem Qwest recommends off of Craigslist for $20, it retails for $90. When you buy the modems retail, you can often get mail-in rebates from the manufacturer or the retailer.

There you have it. Good luck. 

--- On Thu, 8/20/09, Victoria L. Herring <VLH at HerringLaw.com> wrote:

> From: Victoria L. Herring <VLH at HerringLaw.com>
> Subject: Re: [DM-MUG] Reevaluating Qwest DSL vs. Mediacom cable after 2 yrs.
> To: "Des Moines Mac Users Group" <dmmug at dmmug.org>
> Date: Thursday, August 20, 2009, 8:28 AM
> I thought I should step in with a
> contrary view - when I needed to 
> add internet here, DSL via Qwest was not available. 
> So we got 
> Mediacom.  We now have HDTV and that's another reason
> [besides the 
> sports channels and others we like to watch = we don't
> watch all that 
> much but when we want to, we are selective].
> 
> I actually have not had a problem with Mediacom = initially
> there 
> were some issues but the guy came out and switched out all
> the 
> connectors and cables and it has worked just fine
> since.  We have 
> little down time  and if something happens, I'm on the
> horn 
> immediately to politely and firmly insist on service.
> 
> I think every provider has problems and also at times does
> well.  You 
> just need to find what you want and unless there is a great
> financial 
> savings, dont' switch = become a special consumer for that
> vendor.
> -- 
> Victoria L. Herring, Des Moines, Iowa. Blogs: 
> http://blog.JourneyZing.com  [photography]; 
> http://www.herringlaw.com 
> [civilrights/discrimination]; 
> http://victorialherring.typepad.com/serendipity/ 
> [personal].
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