I discovered something interesting while researching this today. Turns out that Service Electric gets its whole data shebang from CenturyLink. When I called C'link today they told me as much.

 

You're right we basically have one provider up here. When we first got Internet service in 1992 or 93 we had half a dozen toll-free local dialup services, including one outfit in Blairstown 13 miles away. The service has got way better but now it's Service Electric or satellite, basically.

If that is the case can you deal directly with CenturyLink? Also sometimes these guys have partners you can buy the service from at a lower rate. Do some more research.

If that is the case can you deal directly with CenturyLink? Also sometimes these guys have partners you can buy the service from at a lower rate. Do some more research.

The woman I spoke with yesterday was the first internet/phone/cable salesperson I have encountered who was not a total waste of oxygen. For some reason those companies no longer maintain dedicated sales forces for those services, instead relying on aggregators. That's how commoditized communications has become. Anyway she told me that I could switch to CenturyLink but the only thing that would change is the header on my invoice, and the price plus or minus two dollars. Not worth it. 

The woman I spoke with yesterday was the first internet/phone/cable salesperson I have encountered who was not a total waste of oxygen. For some reason those companies no longer maintain dedicated sales forces for those services, instead relying on aggregators. That's how commoditized communications has become. Anyway she told me that I could switch to CenturyLink but the only thing that would change is the header on my invoice, and the price plus or minus two dollars. Not worth it. 

 

While what she said may be technically true, there are sometimes ways around it.  Check online for deals CenturyLink might be running for new customers with a one year contract, sometimes those special deals are excellent and technically you would be a new customer for them.

While what she said may be technically true, there are sometimes ways around it.  Check online for deals CenturyLink might be running for new customers with a one year contract, sometimes those special deals are excellent and technically you would be a new customer for them.

The "specials" always come with a catch, fine print, and a host of other uncertainties. Past experience. Even if she hadn't told me my bill would barely change I wouldn't.

Yeah. I really wanted to like it, and it was fine--good enough--for years. And I did not mind the lack of customer support too much--until I needed it. So I don't want to completely trash NT.

 

The one thing I did not try is switching from Wifi to wired. Maybe that would have solved some of the issues. And when I realized they started enforcing the 1500 minutes, that nudged me to make the change.

I have one wifi model that I use to use in my downstairs office. It was for when my wife when working from home. It was ehhh. Stopped using it since they issued unlimited use cell phones. So I stopped using it.

If you have a lot of wifi, best to use wired but we have no hardwire on first floor.

 

 

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I have one wifi model that I use to use in my downstairs office. It was for when my wife when working from home. It was ehhh. Stopped using it since they issued unlimited use cell phones. So I stopped using it.

If you have a lot of wifi, best to use wired but we have no hardwire on first floor.

 

 

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If you don't have ethernet where you want to locate a VoIP system a viable option is a powerline adapter.  Here is one I have used that is $35 with free Prime shipping from Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Powerline-Adapter-Starter-TL-PA4010KIT/dp/B00AWRUICG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1490366854&sr=8-1&keywords=tl-pa4010+kit

 

The above is a device that you plug in by your router or switch and connect it via ethernet to that device, you then plug it's mate in where you want an ethernet outlet and plug an ethernet cable into it.  It uses your home electrical wiring to transmit the ethernet signal.  I had very good luck with this system to get internet to my basement. 

I received the Ooma unit last Friday.  Installation was easy.  I requested number port on Friday afternoon.  In the meantime I forwarded Nettalk to the Ooma number.

I got an email Monday saying my port was scheduled for Tuesday.

My number was disconnected for a few hours Tuesday afternoon, and working with Ooma by evening.

 

Service and quality has been good so far.  And I was pleasantly surprise to get human customer service when I called with a question and very fast response to email questions.  Very different from Nettalk, where I have found it impossible to get human customer service, and even email/"chat" takes a long time for a response.

 

And it integrates with the Amazon Echo.  So far I am pretty happy with the features and service--especially that it does not seem to drop calls and QoS seems better.

Ut oh, better get MAACO...

Kodi Box CRACKDOWN - THIS online retailer has BANNED all sales of 'pirate' streaming boxes

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/science-technology/787252/Kodi-Download-Stream-Device-Amazon-Sale

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4378222/Amazon-bans-Kodi-TV-boxes-pirate-players.html

Quick update, the phone number was finally ported for ooma so I hooked it up last night. So far so good, just waiting on one more fire stick and we will cancel cable too.

Ut oh, better get MAACO...

Kodi Box CRACKDOWN - THIS online retailer has BANNED all sales of 'pirate' streaming boxes

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/science-technology/787252/Kodi-Download-Stream-Device-Amazon-Sale

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4378222/Amazon-bans-Kodi-TV-boxes-pirate-players.html

While this might be universal I am guessing it only involves Amazon UK.  They have some very different issues in the UK versus what we have.  They have a television tax of something like 75 pounds a year and if you don't pay for this licence they actually show up with cops and arrest people for stealing BBC for free.