Know It All Nev

On Demand Reviews – 2021

Category: Internet Service

10 Most cost-effective Web and Wi-Fi Suppliers 2021

Nifty Nev
Best of - Service, Internet Service |

We chose AT&T Fiber, CenturyLink, Xfinity, Spectrum, and Suddenlink as our top cheap internet providers. And while your internet costs depend largely on where you live, these internet service providers (ISPs) all offer at least one cheap internet plan at or under $50 a month.
To find these cheap Wi-Fi plans, we dug through pricing data, fees, and fine print. We also made sure these plans offered at least enough speed and data for you to, you know, actually use the internet rather than wait for everything to load. And we considered how service areas are limited, which is why you won’t see RCN or Grande in our top five.
Read on to see how these ISPs provide the most value without upending your budget.

Data effective 8/3/2021. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.*for 12 mos, plus taxes & equip. fee. Autopay & Paperless Bill req’d. $10/mo equip. fee applies**Paperless billing or prepay required. Additional taxes, fees, and surcharges apply. Get the fastest internet speed available at your location (max speed is up to 100 Mbps).†For the first 12 months with a 1-year agreement.††With 2-year agreement and Autopay.‡w/ Auto Pay + taxes & equip. charges.‡‡Experienced speeds may vary. All prices exclude taxes, surcharges, fees and equipment. At the end of your promotional period, standard rates apply.§For 1 year. Plus taxes, fees and other charges. Includes Auto Pay and Paperless Billing.§§For the first 12 months. Plus, activation, installation and monthly modem rental fees.¶For the first 12 months.

Data effective 8/3/2021. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.*for 12 mos, plus taxes & equip. fee. Autopay & Paperless Bill req’d. $10/mo equip. fee applies**Paperless billing or prepay required. Additional taxes, fees, and surcharges apply. Get the fastest internet speed available at your location (max speed is up to 100 Mbps).†For the first 12 months with a 1-year agreement.††Wireless speeds may vary.‡Offer expires September 30, 2021. Limited time offer available to new qualified residential, serviceable customers. $19.99/mo rate for Internet 100 (download wired speeds up to 100Mbps and upload wired speeds up to 10Mbps) requires enrollment in AutoPay and paperless billing. Rate without AutoPay discount will be $34.99/mo, which is subject to change. After 12 months, rate will adjust to regular rate (currently $39.99/mo or $44.99/mo without AutoPay), which is subject to change.

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Buckeye Broadband Web Assessment

Nifty Nev
Internet Service, Review - Service |

Buckeye’s prices start out low on most plans, but prices for the Starter, Essential, and Ultimate Plans double after all of the promotions expire.
The lowest tier plan, the Starter Internet Plan, costs $19.99 per month during the promotional period. You can even use your own modem (or rent one from Buckeye for $10 per month). Sounds like a great deal right? Well, it would be, except for the fact that the price goes up to $39.99 after that 6-month promo period. Plus, to get unlimited data, you incur an add-on cost of $30 per month for this plan.
While the Starter Internet Plan sounds like an ideal budget plan, if you need additional services, like modem rental and unlimited data, your monthly base costs can eventually reach as high as $79.99 (ouch!)
Let’s say you go with the Ultimate Internet Plan, which has an introductory price of $59.99. You can still use your own equipment and you even get unlimited data during the promo period with this plan, so there’s no tacked on fee there. However, after six months, your monthly base cost goes up to $79.99, and you have to pay for half of the cost of unlimited data.
But that’s only for months seven through twelve. After a year, you pay for the full cost of the plan, which is a whopping $119.99. The Essential plan has a similar structure: a 6-month promotional cost, followed by a higher cost for months seven through twelve, and then the full rates after a year.
Each plan has its own caveats. But the most straightforward of the plans is the Internet Supreme plan, which starts at $99.99 and goes up to $119.99 after three months. After the promo period, the regular price for this plan is $139.99. You can use your own equipment just like you can with the other plans.

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Xfinity Web Evaluation 2021

Nifty Nev
Internet Service, Review - Service |

Still have questions about Xfinity? Let’s see if we can help.

Does Comcast Xfinity offer COVID-19 relief?

Xfinity’s pledge to Keep Americans Connected officially ended on June 30, 2020. That means no more free unlimited data—but the ISP did permanently boost its data caps to 1.2 TB.
Additionally, Xfinity is continuing to offer a few resources that might help anyone still undergoing financial hardship due to COVID-19. These resources include:

Free Wi-Fi hotspot usage for anyone through the end of 2021
Two free months of Internet Essentials service for new customers, as long as you’re approved by June 30, 2021
Flexible payment options for customers whose income is affected by the coronavirus pandemic (be sure to chat with an Xfinity rep to let them know you may need a flexible payment plan)

What kind of modem does Xfinity use?

Almost always, Xfinity will give you an xFi Gateway modem and router combo if you choose to rent from it. There are various models of the xFi Gateway, and if you need to troubleshoot or get started setting yours up, we recommend checking out this xFi Gateway support page.
If you prefer to bring your own modem, you’ll need to make sure it’s a cable modem. And we’ve got Xfinity cable modem recommendations right here if you need help shopping.

Which router should I use with Xfinity?

We’re big fans of TP-Link and NETGEAR routers for our Xfinity internet service. You can see our specific Xfinity router recommendations in our guide.

How can I check my speed with Xfinity?

Our internet speed test will tell you your download and upload speeds and how much latency you experience.

Are Comcast and Xfinity the same thing?

Pretty much. “Comcast” and “Xfinity” are often used interchangeably, but Xfinity is specific to Comcast’s cable TV, internet, voice, mobile, and home security services.

What is Xfinity Blast! Pro and is it good for gaming?

The Blast! plan (formerly known as Blast! Pro Plus is available in all regions and offers 400 Mbps download speeds.
Those speeds should cover you no matter how hectic a battle you get into. Want to see how other ISPs compare when it comes to MMOs or FPS games? Check out our Best Internet for Gaming review.

Does Xfinity have bundles?

A perk to Xfinity is that it offers multiple services you can bundle together: internet, TV, home security, and mobile. Bundling is a great way to save money each month, and you may also find bundle-specific Xfinity discounts.
But aside from cable TV, Xfinity’s other home services might be a bust. Here’s what our fellow experts had to say about other Xfinity services:
Xfinity cable TV: “Xfinity might have a lot of fees, but at least you won’t be disappointed by Xfinity’s service. This cable TV company is reliable, widely available, and you’ll get most, if not all, of the channels you and your family want.” —Chantel Buchi, TV and streaming expert
Xfinity Home security system: “Xfinity Home’s prices are hard to pin down, most of the equipment lags behind other brands, and its customer service (through Comcast) may be the worst we’ve ever encountered.” —Brianne Sandorf, home security expert
Xfinity Mobile: “A solid, cheap [option] for those already in the Xfinity universe, though you have to deal with data throttling, slowdowns, and poor video streaming quality.” —Easton Smith, mobile expert

Does Xfinity have Wi-Fi hotspots?

Another major benefit Xfinity customers enjoy is thousands of wireless hotspots across the US. And if you’ve got Xfinity Mobile or a Performance internet plan or faster, you get Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspot access for free.
This is a huge boon if you’re on vacation and can’t find a Starbucks to siphon wireless internet off of. Not to mention access to all those Wi-Fi hotspots is a lifesaver if your home internet goes down and you’ve got an assignment due the next morning.
You can access the wireless hotspots through the Xfinity Wi-Fi app, which uses your Xfinity username and password.

Can I get Xfinity internet only? How much does it cost?

Yes, you can get Xfinity internet without TV or other services. The cost for just Xfinity internet depends on where you live, but in general the price ranges from $29.99–$79.99 a month in the Northeast, $19.99–$70.00 a month in the West, and $25.00–$70.00 a month in the Central US.

Does Xfinity offer student internet packages?

Xfinity doesn’t offer a specific student internet package, but it does regularly offer student discounts.
Comcast also offers a low-cost internet plan called Internet Essentials, which costs $9.95 a month for 50 Mbps speeds. Families with students may qualify for this plan if someone in your household is enrolled in a program like the National School Lunch Program.

Is Xfinity internet unlimited?

No, sadly Xfinity internet doesn’t come with unlimited data. Instead, your data is capped at 1.2 TB each month with options to buy more data if you need it.

How can I get $10 a month internet?

Comcast Xfinity offers internet for about $10 a month with its Internet Essentials plan. The cost is $9.95 a month, and you get 50 Mbps download speeds. To get it, you’ll need to meet eligibility requirements, such as the following:

You or someone in your household is enrolled in housing assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, the National School Lunch Program, or others
You haven’t had Xfinity internet within the last 90 days

P.S. If you owe money on a past Xfinity internet bill, you may still qualify.

How fast is Comcast $10 internet?

Comcast’s $10 (technically $9.95 a month) Internet Essentials plan gets you 50 Mbps download speeds.

How can I get unlimited internet for free?

There are quite a few ways to get free internet, but you may or may not run into data caps along the way. We don’t know of any truly free internet plan with unlimited data though.

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What Is an ONT?

Nifty Nev
FAQ, Internet Service |

Fiber vs. cable internet: What’s the difference?

Traditional cable internet uses coaxial cables to send electrical data signals to your cable modem, which in turn connects to your router. Your router then sends a Wi-Fi signal throughout your home. In some cases, homes with cable internet have combination modem-routers (or gateways) that serve both functions.
But it’s becoming increasingly common for people to purchase aftermarket routers in an effort to try and boost their Wi-Fi coverage or to take advantage of additional features like enhanced parental controls, mesh networking, enhanced security, and guest network access.
Fiber internet uses fiber-optic cables instead of coax cables, and these fiber cables are made of thin plastic or glass filaments that can transfer digital data in the form of light. Fiber-optic cables are much more efficient at sending data over long distances, simply because that data is moving as light pulses instead of as electrical signals that are subject to signal interference and distortion. Fiber networks are not only faster, they can also provide symmetrical speeds (the same upload and download speeds) for those who create content or conduct business from home.
So, fiber cables have a faster signal, great. But regardless of how fast that data moves, it’s useless if your devices can’t interpret the signal. This is where an ONT comes into play.

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Google Fiber Web Assessment 2021

Nifty Nev
Internet Service, Review - Service |

Google Fiber prices and plans

Google Fiber prices are excellent for the speeds you get.

Google Fiber has two types of plans: Fiber and Webpass. Fiber operates like most other internet service providers (ISPs): It hooks up individual residences to the internet.
And recently, Google Fiber introduced a second fiber internet plan with speeds up to 2,000 Mbps. Both its 1 gig and 2 gig plans are priced reasonably compared to the competition and come with unlimited data. And both plans offer enough speed for a large family, home full of roommates, or even a small business.

Webpass is unique because it’s available only in certain apartment and office buildings located in Austin, Chicago, Denver, Miami, Nashville, Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle.
But the Webpass service is pretty straightforward, even though your price and download speeds depend on where you live.

Data effective 8/12/2021. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.Terms and Conditions: Plus taxes and fees. Service not available in all areas. If you live in an apartment or condo, Google Fiber’s ability to construct and provide Fiber is subject to the continued agreement between Google Fiber and the property owner. Upload/download speed and device streaming claims are based on maximum wired speeds. Actual Internet speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on factors such as hardware and software limitations, latency, packet loss, etc

For example, some Webpass cities offer a discounted price if you pay for a year in advance—in one case we found that equaled out to a $700 payment up-front. But if you don’t have that much cash on hand, you can still opt for the up to $70.00 month-to-month payment plan.
We even found an apartment building in San Francisco where Google Fiber Webpass was included as an amenity, meaning you’d pay nothing for gigabit speeds if you lived there. (Though you’d still pay those sky-high San Francisco real estate prices.)
Webpass speeds also depend on your building’s infrastructure. So you may get speeds slower than 1,000 Mbps—but Google plays fair by discounting your monthly cost if your building can’t support gig speeds.
We saw this fair play at work at another apartment building in San Francisco where the fastest speed was 500 Mbps. Because that’s slower than the max Google Fiber Webpass speed of 1,000 Mbps, the monthly cost was discounted to $60.00 a month.
You’ll need to check your specific address to find out which payment plans and speeds are available to you.

Is Google Fiber internet cheap?

If you know you don’t need gigabit speeds, you may want to check out other ISPs with slower and cheaper internet plans, like Xfinity or CenturyLink.

But we should mention that Google’s Fiber 1000 plan is one of the cheaper gigabit-speed plan available in the United States, putting it alongside big names such as Verizon Fios Home Internet and AT&T Fiber.

Where is Google Fiber and Google Fiber Webpass available?

You can get Google Fiber if you live in one of these major US cities or metro areas:

Huntsville, AL
Orange County, CA
Atlanta, GA
West Des Moines, IA (coming soon)
Kansas City, KS and MO
Charlotte and The Triangle, NC
Nashville, TN
Austin and San Antonio, TX
Provo and Salt Lake City, UT

Google Fiber Webpass is also available these cities:

Oakland, San Diego, and San Francisco, CA
Denver, CO
Chicago, IL
Miami, FL
Nashville, TN
Austin, TX
Seattle, WA

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Greatest TV, Web, and Telephone Bundles 2021

Nifty Nev
Best of - Service, Internet Service |

Still have questions about TV, internet, and phone bundles? Let’s find you some answers.

Who has the cheapest TV and internet packages?

Which provider has the cheapest TV and internet bundles depends on where you live, but we found Grande, RCN, Suddenlink, and Xfinity to all have TV plus internet packages at prices less than $60 a month. Take a look:

Data effective 4/12/2021. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.*For the first 12 months with a 1-year agreement.**For the first 12 months†For 12 months.††For the first 24 months with a 2-year agreement.‡For the first 12 months.‡‡For first 12 months. Plus taxes, fees and other charges. Includes Auto Pay and Paperless Billing.

What’s the cheapest TV, internet, and phone package?

Finding the cheapest TV, internet, and phone bundle depends on where you live, but Frontier, MetroNet, Optimum, RCN, Suddenlink, WOW!, and Xfinity are great places to start. Here’s a look at some of the cheapest triple play bundles that ring in under $100.

Data effective 4/12/2021. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.*For 12 months.**For first 12 months. Plus taxes, fees and other charges. Includes Auto Pay and Paperless Billing.†With 2-year agreement. Price for first 12 months.††For 24 months. Plus taxes, fees, and other charges.‡for 12 months with 2-year agreement. Actual speeds may vary. Installation, equipment fees, Internet Infrastructure Surcharge, Quantum service fee, VoIP admin fee, broadcast fee, RSN fee, early term, taxes & other fees apply. Services subject to availability and all applicable terms and conditions.‡‡Offers available to new residential customers only and may not be combined with other offers.Bundled price is based on TV, discounted Internet, and discounted Phone.Regular internet rate of $59.95 will apply after 24 months. Regular Phone rate of $9.95 will apply after 24 months. Offers do not include taxes and fees. Additional installation fees may also apply. Regular rates apply upon service suspension, cancellation, or downgrades.§For the first 24 months with a 2-year agreement.

What’s the best TV, internet, and phone bundle?

The best TV, internet, and phone bundle is one that gives you enough internet speed to support everyone in your home, plus enough channels to keep them entertained.
As for phone service, unlimited nationwide calls is a pretty standard feature—but some providers, like Frontier, Cox, AT&T, and Xfinity, also include unlimited calls to Canada, Mexico, and US territories.
And don’t forget cell phone service. Xfinity and Verizon both give you a discount on your monthly bill if you bundle and also have their wireless service.

Can you bundle cell phone, internet, and TV?

Yup, you can bundle your cell phone service with internet and TV. Providers like Xfinity and Verizon sometimes even offer a monthly discount on your bill if you use their Xfinity Mobile or Verizon Wireless service and also bundle internet and TV.

Are there other ways to bundle internet and phone with DIRECTV other than AT&T?

Yes, CenturyLink also offers DIRECTV, internet, and phone bundles that range in price from $149.99 to $214.99 a month.

Does Spectrum have bundles?

You bet Spectrum has both TV and internet and TV, internet, and phone bundles. We just found its prices to be a tad high for the internet speed and channels you get.
Here’s a quick look at the price and channel range for Spectrum bundles. (All of its bundles come with 200 Mbps internet speeds.)

Data effective 4/12/2021. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.*For the first 12 months.

Does Verizon have a TV and internet bundle?

Yes, Verizon has several TV and internet bundles to choose from. Its mix-and-match approach lets you combine any of its internet speeds (200, 400, and up to 940 Mbps) with any of its TV packages (125+, 300+, and 425+).

How much is Verizon internet and TV?

If you grab a Verizon Fios TV and internet bundle, you can expect to pay anywhere from $95.99 to $170.99 a month, depending on what internet speed and channel package you choose.

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HughesNet vs. DSL Web Assessment 2021

Nifty Nev
Internet Service, VS - Service |

HughesNet vs. DSL: Prices

HughesNet satellite internet prices range anywhere from $59.99–$149.99 a month, while DSL internet prices range anywhere from $27–$50 a month, depending on which service and speed you choose.
One of the biggest issues with HughesNet prices is that your satellite internet service comes with itty bitty data caps compared to DSL internet. HughesNet offers 10–20 GB of data each month, and your bill might get out of control if you need to buy more.
On the other hand, many DSL internet providers now offer unlimited data. So if you work from home or regularly download large files, DSL might be a better choice for you.
Here’s a quick look at the HughesNet internet plans and how they stack up against plans from various DSL internet providers.

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Greatest Xfinity TV and Web Bundles 2021

Nifty Nev
Bundle, Internet Service |

Xfinity bundles by channel offerings

Gotta have a certain channel? Or maybe you just want a large list of channels to surf through to pass the time? Here’s how those Xfinity bundles compare when it comes to channel count. (And here’s an overview of which channels come with which packages.)

Xfinity bundles by channels: Northeastern US

The Select Triple Play with Blast Internet bundle hits a happy medium. For about $100 a month, you get whopping 800 Mbps download speeds that should support even a large family who enjoys spending a lot of time online.
Plus, you’ll get to surf through channels like ESPN, Big Ten Network, CNN, MSNBC, Food Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, NFL Network, Telemundo, Galavision, and Univision.

Data effective 5/27/2021. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.*For the first 24 months with a 2-year agreement.

Xfinity bundles by channels: Central US

For anyone in the Central US, here are the Xfinity bundles that come with the most channels. Check out which of your favorite channels made the cut with each bundle and get ready for a mega veg session.

Really quick: Two of the Xfinity bundles for the Central US look almost exactly the same: X1 HD Preferred Double Play with Blast Internet and X1 HD Preferred Triple Play with Blast Internet. What gives?
The X1 HD Preferred Triple Play costs $10 more per month and includes Xfinity Voice phone service that comes with unlimited nationwide calls. Time to call your bestie and go over the latest plays or plot twists.
We also think this bundle is a winner because it gets you the most channels possible in the Central US region. That includes MSNBC, ESPN, HGTV, MLB Network, NFL Network, NBA TV, and The Hallmark Channel. Score!

Xfinity bundles by channels: Western US

Call the Western US home? Here are the Xfinity bundles that give you the most channels to surf through. And you can double-check that your favorite channels are included so you don’t miss an episode.

We’d say the Saver Pro Plus Double Play bundle hits the sweet spot between channels, internet speed, and price.
With 140+ channels, you’ll get ESPN, AMC, The Disney Channel, Fox News, HGTV, MSNBC, and Investigation Discovery. Plus download speeds of 200 Mbps that’ll support even a mid-sized family as they game, work, and learn online. A little something for everyone at less than $100 a month.

Data effective 5/27/2021. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.*For the first 12 months

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The Greatest Satellite tv for pc Web Suppliers 2021

Nifty Nev
Best of - Service, Internet Service |

Is satellite internet right for you?

Heads up: Satellite internet is nowhere near as good as cable or fiber internet, and isn’t as good as some DSL internet. It’s the sad truth, but for some of us, it’s the only kind of internet we can get.
Even so, internet providers are expanding their networks all the time, and new, local providers continue to crop up. So it’s worth looking to see if you can get a non-satellite internet provider like AT&T, CenturyLink, Suddenlink, or even a smaller, local provider. (We’ve got a few non-satellite recommendations in our review of the best rural internet.)
But if satellite is truly your best hope for a reliable internet connection, here are a few things to consider before you subscribe.

5 things you should check when buying satellite internet

Download and upload speeds

First up, you likely won’t get very fast download speeds—Viasat’s and Starlink’s download speeds are the fastest at 100 Mbps and 150 Mbps, respectively.
On the other end of that spectrum, you won’t get fast upload speeds with satellite internet. Viasat and HughesNet advertise 3 Mbps upload speeds—that’ll make uploading a YouTube video or other large file a fairly lengthy process.

Similarly, most satellite internet plans don’t come with a lot of data. (Starlink currently offers unlimited data, but that may change in the future.) That means you’ll need to watch your data usage, especially when you stream Netflix, download video games, or join Zoom calls.
Some providers let you add data, like HughesNet, but you’ll end up paying more.

And don’t forget about latency. Satellite internet is known for its high latency, which means it takes longer for anything you do online to communicate with the satellite, get a response from the website you’re visiting, and then communicate back to your computer. That makes certain activities, like gaming and Zoom calls, laggy.

Equipment and installation fees

Satellite internet equipment can cost more than the equipment that comes with a DSL, cable, or fiber internet plan. That’s because, along with a modem, you’ll need a satellite dish (also called a receiver).
Monthly rental fees for your satellite equipment aren’t too bad, but if you’d rather buy the equipment outright, you’re looking at a cost of $300 to $500, depending on which provider you go with.
On top of that, you’ll need a professional installer to set up your dish if you go with Viasat or HughesNet. (Starlink has a self-installation kit.) That usually costs around $100, but sometimes free installation promos are available.
Don’t forget too, that if you ever need to move your satellite dish to a new location, it’ll cost you. Viasat’s dish relocation fee is $200—that’s a hefty price.

Though satellite internet is technically available across the whole US, you may find that certain plans or prices aren’t available in your area. This is even more true for newcomer Starlink, which is still launching satellites and rolling out its service.
Your best bet is to check which plans are available by entering your zip code below or by calling the provider you’re interested in.

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Dream Job: Get Paid $2,000 to Strive Subscription Bins!

Nifty Nev
Dream Job, Internet Service |

Are you a lounge-chair loafer, consistent consumer, or picky purchaser? Do you get tired of shopping for stuff when you could be sleeping, surfing the net, or streaming some shows? Then we need your talents as a Subscription Box Specialist!
Subscription boxes make it easy to grab things like food, skincare, makeup, shaving kits, geek boxes, craft supplies, home goods, and other products you need on a regular basis. Presuming porch pirates don’t steal your stuff, you’ll get a consistent curated collection of things you’d want to buy anyway–without leaving home.
With so many subscription boxes available, Reviews.org wants to hire a Subscription Box Specialist to try 10 subscription boxes and tell us which ones are worth the money. We’ll pay you $2,000 for your work and send you a doorbell camera to keep those deliveries safe.
Perks of the job include a cool job title, the ability to work from home, a video doorbell camera, $2,000, and your choice of 10 subscription boxes to review.
Are you ready to cash in on this cool, convenient mini-career?

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