OT: Clear Internet Service in PDX

Chooch · Since 18 Nov 2007 1871 Posts Wicked Pissah Boston Tea Bagger

Comcast can eat a dick.....ready to move on and looking at my options for internet.

I live in NE Portland less than 1.5 miles from downtown, anyone in the area use Clear? How is the service, speed, and reliability? I am open to any other ideas as well.

forrest · Mon Jul 26, 10 5:07 pm

Is there dense population where you live? Cable Internet does horrid where there is density. DSL thrives in dense locations, cause the phone company knew bandwidth would be a problem 30 years ago. 4G Wireless is likely to be very latent.

Chooch · Mon Jul 26, 10 5:21 pm

Population is very Dense...and there are a lot of people here too. Laughing

Comcast speed is great its just the price they try to charge is fucked.

Figured that about the Wifi....Don't need anything crazy, just some forum lurking and Xbox.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

I think Clear is probably perfect unless you want to do some heavy duty streaming. Even so might be worth a try.

I'd love to switch off of Comcast but no DSL in my neighborhood and I don't think Clear could quench my need to stream HD movies on Netflix Very Happy

jcohenx · Since 28 Aug 2007 250 Posts Portland Obsessed

I live 2 mi from downtown in SE and get excellent bandwidth and service from Comcast. They have always responded within 24 hours of any service outages and even for short interruptions. I average 12 Mbit download/5.5 Mbit upload. If Comcast is not giving you your money's worth don't switch, get them to respond. Find out which node you are on and ask how many modems are down on your node, then ask if you can get a tech to come out and check the quality of your lines to the house.

The average price in the U.S. today is about $3.40 per Mbit per sec including taxes and fees. I pay almost exactly the same. If you are paying significantly more than that you are probably getting ripped off.

I used to have DSL (Eschelon telecomm), their quality of customer service was excellent but didn't compete nearly as well in the price per unit bandwidth.

SalmonSlayer · Since 27 Nov 2005 648 Posts Addicted **CGKA Member**

I am in Seattle and use Clear for home and mobile. The transmission rates are the same whether I am at home or on the road. Using Speedtest.net I get anywhere from .90 - 2.00M/bs download and .90 Mbs upload. It can be much faster and a bit slower at times but those are the speeds I usually experience. It could be better in your area

If you need wide mobile coverage I found a cellular card to be better, but, if it stay in Clears more limited coverage area I prefer Clear mobile. it is faster.

I chose to be an early adopter because I am a fan of WiMax. I think we will all be wireless all the time sooner that we think.

Like kite gear....you can try before you buy

forrest · Tue Jul 27, 10 7:20 am

Wireless is great, and really convenient, but I'm a sucker for gigabit wired connections. I love the super low latency. I'll resist wireless as long as I can. I don't have much to worry about in Hood River though, we're never going to get 4G. Charter's cable Internet is actually pretty decent out here.

kt · Since 16 Mar 2005 763 Posts Portland, Or Opinionated

hey chooch,

i use clear over here in SW portland. if you are not streaming video, it's great. i have never had it die out on me and i get 'three bars' about 90% of the time. @ $30 a month, it's the best thing that i have found.

kt

Cole135 · Since 26 May 2008 61 Posts

As far as using clear with xbox live goes it works but you will probably have a 2 or 3 bar connection depending on where you are. I was never able t get a 4 bar when trying out clear.

Chooch · Tue Jul 27, 10 7:45 am

Thanks for all the info guys!

I like to stream netflix video every now and then so it sounds like I'm stuck with comcast Confused

chrissmack · Since 08 Jun 2005 526 Posts portland Addicted

chooch,

we stream netflix to a netbook with no problems. haven't tried steaming any HD to a TV though.

have had clear for over a year. mobile USB dongle, connects usually at 3mbps on the road or at home (even in the basement or attic). put the driver on a USB jumpdrive and you have the service on other machines.

when we signed up a year ago, they didn't have drivers for linux and such, but probably do now (back then it was an Intel / Microsoft / Clear alliance)

alien · Since 01 Aug 2006 114 Posts Portland Stoked

FYI, Clear's data all runs on Comcast's network framework/cables.

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1736 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

As far as gaming is concerned, I think a wired setup is best. However, a great solution if you have Sprint phone service is to get the Evo, which works as a wireless router for up to 5 devices. No dongle needed.

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

With the EVO you are essentially paying the same as you would for CLear ($30). The difference is that you can also use it for 3G when clear isn't available. You can also have up to 8 devices connected. Right now on my evo sitting in my office im getting 2 M down 1 M up.