Way to go Spectrum!

[QueBert]

Friend got a new wireless router from Spectrum and I went to set it up for him. Looks identical to the old one he had, but it's different, I opened a web browser to configure it and was greeted with a message telling me I'd have to download a stupid ass app and do the shit over a phone. I only played with the app for a minute but I saw nowhere to set up port forwarding, why would anyone need to do that right? While I get adding a way to configure it with a mobile app, why remove the web browser method? I can't stand Spectrum.

 

[ch33zw1z]

It's like they crave consumer hate, it somehow fuels their profit margin.

 

[olds]

Where we are moving, our choices are Spectrum and AT&T. Maybe I'll start out with AT&T. But at least it's not Comcast.

 

[Brainonska511]

Problem 1: renting the equipment from the provider

 

[kage69]

Problem 1: renting the equipment from the provider

Yep, screw that.

Spectrum installer put a separate router in one of our site electrical rooms one time while swapping out a modem, to "serve other customers" and without saying a single damn word about it. GTFO here! Ripped out and dumpstered with extreme prejudice.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I hate that everything is forcing us to use apps for everything now. This is such a stupid trend, I really hope it dies, but sadly I don't think it will.

Also hate ISPs that force you to use their router. Just give me a dumb modem that gives me a public IP on my own equipment so I can use the router I want. I was able to do that with my ISP with a bit of googling on how to bypass their router, but it's not always doable.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

There's no question it's only going to get more stupid.

People already don't know what it is or how to access a simple bios.

I ultimately blame apple with the stupid App Store concept. You can trust us! If it's in our App Store that means it's safe! (It doesn't).

It's just a centralized place for people to get apps and for Apple to take 30% cuts for everyone else's work in life.

 

[ch33zw1z]

There's no question it's only going to get more stupid.

People already don't know what it is or how to access a simple bios.

I ultimately blame apple with the stupid App Store concept. You can trust us! If it's in our App Store that means it's safe! (It doesn't).

It's just a centralized place for people to get apps and for Apple to take 30% cuts for everyone else's work in life.

I don't think you can blame apple specifically for the majority of people who are tech illiterate. Apples whole claim to fame was to provide an easily accessible tech company that is trustworthy, that is true, but that didn't exclude many of us from understanding tech anyways.

That's like blaming BMW for people not knowing how to fix cars. I choose BMW cuz word on the street is that provide a comprehensive service package with sales.

 

[LikeLinus]

Where we are moving, our choices are Spectrum and AT&T. Maybe I'll start out with AT&T. But at least it's not Comcast.

If you can get Fiber from AT&T, DO IT. I pay $59 a month and I've never had an issue with AT&T. Comcast on the other hand? I ran as quickly as possible as soon as AT&T laid fiber.

 

[MtnMan]

Friend got a new wireless router from Spectrum and I went to set it up for him. Looks identical to the old one he had, but it's different, I opened a web browser to configure it and was greeted with a message telling me I'd have to download a stupid ass app and do the shit over a phone. I only played with the app for a minute but I saw nowhere to set up port forwarding, why would anyone need to do that right? While I get adding a way to configure it with a mobile app, why remove the web browser method? I can't stand Spectrum.

I have Spectrum, or I would otherwise be stuck with some really sucky DSL.
I own my own cable modem and a router. Furthermore, I personally would not trust their router to be even secure, especially after your description of needing an app, vs. the standard web interface, which has been the standard since consumer routers were first developed. You don't suppose the "new" interface for the router would have a backdoor for Spectrums convenience now, would you?

 

[lxskllr]

I use a prepaid mobile for my internet. There's a lot of ways it sucks, but I like the freedom of dealing with a company on a month by month basis. A bunch of years ago I bought a modem preparing to get comcast internet, and I couldn't bring myself to give them money or deal with them. Verizon fios is available to me also, but they got on my shit list for jerking me around on a copper wire service problem almost 20 years ago. It'll be a cold day in hell before I deal with them, or give them money.

 

[Amol S.]

Me and my parents are swtching from Verizon Copper and Charter Spectrum (we have both) to just Verizon FiOS. I think I should make a thread about it.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Problem 1: renting the equipment from the provider

spectrum is weird, they require you use their modem router thing but the also give it for free.
*Pretty sure this is spectrum

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Me and my parents are swtching from Verizon Copper and Charter Spectrum (we have both) to just Verizon FiOS. I think I should make a thread about it.

I have had fios from the beginning. Zero outages, speed is consistently the advertised speed, maybe a little bit more. Any router will work with them.
Bad stuff:
The typical cable frustrations as in your rate will continually creep higher.
Existing customers are not eligible for new offers, this really pisses me off. Only solution is to churn your account, cancel the current billing name and open new account to be activated on the same day as the cancellation.
You effectively cannot change to billing rate. My current choices are either take a slower speed & pay $5 per month MORE or take a higher speed and pay $80 per month more.

 

[QueBert]

spectrum is weird, they require you use their modem router thing but the also give it for free.
*Pretty sure this is spectrum

At least out here, they give you a separate modem and router. And unless something has changed they use to let you use your own modem. But it was a huuuuge PITA because you had to call and have them add it to their database or something so it would actually work. And their phone support people are awful. Thankfully since this is just a router I can tell him to buy one and we won't need to deal with Spectrum for anything.

 

[Captante]

Where we are moving, our choices are Spectrum and AT&T. Maybe I'll start out with AT&T. But at least it's not Comcast.

Say what you will about Comcast, they have zero issue with me using my own modem and router also they have live human support available 24/7.

Plus cable is substantially faster (down at least) and consistently has lower ping-times then AT&T/Frontier's "souped up" DSL tech ... much more reliable too especially in rough weather.

 

[MtnMan]

spectrum is weird, they require you use their modem router thing but the also give it for free.
*Pretty sure this is spectrum

No they don't. They even have a web portal to activate a new modem without having to call them. They also provide an extensive list of compatible cable modems on their website.

 

[Sonikku]

I'm on Spectrum with my own modem and router. Spectrum is just the worst, even more so than TWC. But they have a monopoly and they know it so they treat their customers like shit and break their promises to the government. I remember when my internet plan was $40 on TWC with a $10 modem fee, so if you bought your own modem your monthly bill was $40. Then Spectrum came around and goes the modem is now free but the internet plan is now $50.

I hate the telecoms of this country so much and wish antitrust would bust them. But I know the country is too corrupt at this point to do anything about it.

 

[MtnMan]

At least out here, they give you a separate modem and router. And unless something has changed they use to let you use your own modem. But it was a huuuuge PITA because you had to call and have them add it to their database or something so it would actually work. And their phone support people are awful. Thankfully since this is just a router I can tell him to buy one and we won't need to deal with Spectrum for anything.

They still allow you to own your own stuff, and you can activate a new modem online without the need to call and give them the MAC of the modem.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

No they don't. They even have a web portal to activate a new modem without having to call them. They also provide an extensive list of compatible cable modems on their website.

Hmm maybe it’s RCN?
I know one of the Worcester MA providers do that.

 

[Brainonska511]

Hmm maybe it’s RCN?
I know one of the Worcester MA providers do that.

I'm on RCN right now near Boston - also use my own modem. Same when I had them in NYC.

 

[brianmanahan]

Where we are moving, our choices are Spectrum and AT&T. Maybe I'll start out with AT&T. But at least it's not Comcast.

ohio was close to banning municipal broadband, but thankfully that was shot down

some towns got sick of waiting for it or sick of terrible service and started their own

 

[Captante]

They still allow you to own your own stuff, and you can activate a new modem online without the need to call and give them the MAC of the modem.

Last year when I got my current Motorola cable modem it was literally effortless to get it activated with Xfinity/Comcast.

Had my internet back up in about 10 minutes.

Now getting the modem to show up properly in my account and those numb-nuts to actually STOP CHARGING me $14 per month took a bit longer! (nearly 3 months!)

 

[Brainonska511]

Last year when I got my current Motorola cable modem it was literally effortless to get it activated with Xfinity/Comcast.

Had my internet back up in about 10 minutes.

Now getting the modem to show up properly in my account and those numb-nuts to actually STOP CHARGING me $14 per month took a bit longer! (nearly 3 months!)

I'm about to move, and thus finally having to sign up with Comcast. Thankfully, I already had my own modem, and made sure that the order page noted that, to avoid the headache.