Rate your Cable/Sat/ISP/Phone provider...

[zachd73]

I'm currently with a company called Grande with is cable in the Southwest. I kind of liked supporting an 'underdog' versus Time Warner or ATT down here but I'm getting ready to drop them. Main reasons is they seem to be blocking my torrent traffic (on uploads) and also when my brother in law was here they shut off my service because he was downloading some Star Wars computer game and some movies. I'm not that big on downloading movies or tv shows or games so that isn't a huge deal for me, but the fact that they are watching so closely kind of rubbed me the wrong way. I mean if I WANTED to download a t.v. show (let's say a 30 rock torrent) I would hope that I could (yeah I know, it's not really LEGAL and all). I do torrent albums though so their blocking torrent traffic out is not good.

So I'm looking to see what other people go with.. of course I think Comcast is the biggest provider in the nation (and most poorly rated typically) and they aren't available here but I would esp. like to hear opinions on
Time Warner versus ATT (U-verse or other services).

I also get phone, t.v. and internet from Grande. I'd rather not get Sat. mainly because I don't think they do phone and I don't know how reliable sat. internet would be.

Also with Grande my basic cable (20 or so channels) does come with HD which I think is ridiculous. I don't want 300 channels, I just watch a few shows but I'd like to watch those shows in HD (30 rock, SNL, Etc.. just shows on the big 4 or pbs mostly)

Also since streaming is getting better with netflix, reliable speeds are good also. Haven't had too many problems with Grande, 30 rock usually streams in HD (pseudo hd) without any hitches. I think I have 7MBS internet, or maybe 12 I can't remember. I think I upgraded then downgraded when I found I had a problem with my router that was killing my streaming and it wasn't their fault.

I think you need 3MBS to stream netflix? But 6+ is probably much safer.

Honestly though I'm not that impressed with streaming quality, not quantity.
And I really don't think I need super high speeds like I used to.

So many options and factors... have cheap local phone since we have 2 iphones at the house. Probably don't even need a land line but it's almost free at $10 a month or so.

So I guess basically any input on service providers is appreciated (especially ATT versus Time Warner) .. especially as it related to home theater and HD options.