Internet, TV, phone

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Hi, my fiancé (USC) is now back living in the States after several years with me here in France. He's got us an apartment in Northern Virginia, everything is pretty much set up, ready for me to get there BUT the internet.

With his new job he doesnt have much time to do the research, so I offered to do it but I have to admit I dont understand much.

We need internet, TV would be a plus, phone line would be very optional. In our area apparently our 2 options seem to be Verizon and Comcast. And let's just say they are prohibitive!

Here in France, I am getting the TV+Internet+Phone (national and international unlimited) for 30 euros. So when I am looking at American prices I want to cry

As I am not planning on spending 100-120USD (before taxes) on a communication bundle, I would like to know if you guys know different options.

I am sure a lot a people know a lot more than I do, so pardon my stupid question, but, does DSL internet mean that you absolutely need to get a phone line? Verizon is advertising a DSL service for 19.99USD/month, nowhere it says that you need a phone service but I am wondering.

So I am taking any advice, personal experience...

Thanks a lot in advance

Go to Verizon.com and check for new service. Enter your zipcode and see what is available. They offer bundle packages for internet and phone, etc. You can probably get FIOS internet and phone for 79.95 per month, plus taxes. In my area, taxes run about $11.00 per month. If you go DSL internet and phone, probably 69.95 per month, plus taxes. You can check for stand alone internet too, if it is offered, I'm not sure.

Same thing for Comcast. Go to their website and see what is availabel in your area. In my area, you can get internet only for $43.95 per month, plus taxes.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Yes, it's atleast that!

You can get DSL without phone service. I have Verizon DSL but don't pay for the phone service.

How fast is that? Tell me it's at least 15 mb. Lie if need be.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Yes, it's atleast that!

You can get DSL without phone service. I have Verizon DSL but don't pay for the phone service.

How fast is that? Tell me it's at least 15 mb. Lie if need be.

My DSL is 25mb.

[Heracles 417]

My DSL is 25mb.

That is a lie since ADSL cannot even go up to those speeds.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

My DSL is 25mb.

That is a lie since ADSL cannot even go up to those speeds.

Of course it's a lie. You said, tell me it's at least 15 mb, lie if necessary, so I did.

[Heracles 417]

Of course it's a lie. You said, tell me it's at least 15 mb, lie if necessary, so I did.

touche touche

[spookyturtle 9,466]

The fastest DSL Verizon offers here is 3 mb, and you wn't get much over 2 with it. FIOS starts are 15mb.

[Niels Bohr 72]

I thought that when the power goes out, everything goes out.

[SabrinaFrance 8]

Thanks a lot. I had already checked Verizon and Comcast websites, it is when I saw their prices that I came here to ask for some advices.

We can not get FIOS in our neighbourhood, which I dont get as apparently our apartment is in one of the hippest part of NoVA.

Anyway, I think we will have to pay at least $45 just for internet. Crazy me who thought that I could get internet for $20!

[Marilyn. 340]

we got rid of our cable TV over a year ago and we don't really miss it.. we have our cable internet which we pay about 45 bucks for and we can watch most of our shows online...

[NickD 203]

Our cable company claims 15 MBBS, when I talked to a local guy with DLS, he said that 15 MBBS is shared with everyone in my neck of the woods. That I can believe if I try to download SP1, 2, 3 and 4 during the daytime, can take hours. Best time is at 3:00 AM after the hackers go to bed and the the normal people wake up. He claims with DSL, even at a slower rate, it's treated as an individual so my real speeds should be much higher.

His rates were certainly a lot lower, but for the TV part would have to go to DirectTV that is also a lot cheaper than cable. Only thing stopping me, would have to cut down a bunch of trees for line of sight reception. Had the DirectTV guy out here, he said no way. Now if I moved to the equator, could point that dish straight up, but live in the 45* latitude. Holding a sextant at 45*, all I see is trees. If I were to cut all those down, squirrels won't have a home, and I won't have any leaves to rake. Can't do that.

[SabrinaFrance 8]

We have settled for dry DSL with Verizon for $30/month. And we have nothing to complain about. It is fast enough for everyday use (emails, download photos...) and to watch streaming video.

So glad we found an alternative to the rip off triple bundles!