 Review by pomfret 
UPDATED: 306 days ago
member for 7.7 years, 1276 visits, last login: 1 days ago
 Pomfret Center,Windham,CT
 Business customer
 $100 per month (36 month contract)
 about 7 days
 "Stable connection, good downstream speeds."
 "SOHO offerings still lacking"
 "It works for the small/home office."
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection Reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
Service Level: 3mb / 384kb for $100/mo.
Good points:
Free and quick install
Stable connection
Decent downstream speeds
Bad points:
High pricing for static IP and 128KB additional upload
Misc:
Only landline-based broadband connection available to us at this time (still!)
** Update 2/15/03:
Well, after Charter changing prices/plans more time then I care to count, we've finally ended up as one of their "Commercial Accounts". After changing our existing account to 1.5/128 from 1.5/768 without any notification (pre or post) recently, we've decided to switch to a CBN account since that's the only way to acquire higher upload speeds at this time. We're now paying $99/month for a 1.5/256 CBN "Basic" account.
** Update 5/9/2003
Upgraded to a CBN Premium account. 1.5/384 connection w/ static IP for $139/mo. Not the best pricing, but there's no alternatives at the present time. Connection has been rock-stable for the past half-year w/ sub 50ms latency around the net.
** Update 11/9/2003
Still cranking along on the CBN plan. Haven't have too many problems, and only one severe outage. After talking with a CBN rep a few days ago, it sounds like Charter is re-working their CBN plans all over. Can't wait to see what they come up with.... Hopefully lower prices and higher service levels.
** Update 9/9/2004
Was updated to 3mb down for free some time ago with a price decrease to $100/mo. While the increased download is welcome, I would rather have seen an increase in upload speeds. Next available tier adds $60/mo for an additional 128K upload and 2 mb download. As the connection is used for business purposes, upstream is more important than downstream.
Other than that, the connection has been fairly stable with about 98% availability over the past year or so. It would be high 99s save for the fact there was a recent issue which took several days to locate the problem, then another several days before things returned to normal.
Tech support is no longer an issue (for the most part) as CBN customers are given a direct # into the Charter NOC in KY (I think that's where it is). These guys know what they're talking about and will contact a local engineer to fix a problem if need be.
The only thing I've been unhappy about is the 4hr repair window in our contract. Only once has a Charter truck rolled w/in this "guaranteed" time frame (though I've only had the need for onsite support a few times).
I suppose it could be worse. Charter and SNET (SBC) are the only available solutions in NE CT, and DSL service doesn't reach the premises yet.
** Update 3/4/2007
Since my last update, the connection has been extremely stable for the most part. There have been a few issues, but nothing show stopping. Also upgraded to the 5/1 CBN connection. Waiting for the 10/1 to drop in price before I jump on that.
** Update 5/23/2008
Upgraded to CBN 10/1 for less than $100/mo at the beginning of May. 16/2 is available, though nearing the $200/mo mark. So far, speeds are stable and a consistent 10/1.
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