how-to block ads
|
Review by Turboz 
UPDATED: 2 years ago
member for 7.5 years, 152 visits, last login: 61 days ago
 Cotopaxi,Fremont,CO
 Contract price not specified.
 "Only thing available...Slightly better than dialup except for"
 "Over Priced, poor service, connections, tech support, policies (FAP and router support) and extremely bad lag."
 "Don't get it unless you are desparate"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Mail,DNS,News:
Value for money:
(ratings below consensus)
|
I have had Wildblue service for over a year. The contract price was $200 for the equipment after a $50 rebate for the "Value Pak" which is $49.95/mo for 512Mbps/128Mbps. Note: I had 1500/256 for $79 for six months but it was not much better. The order and install was not bad although the installer insisted that I hook my computer directly to the modem rather than use my router. The sales person said that routers were allowed. On several occasions I have had them throttle back my bandwidth (the bandwidth I pay $49.95 per month for) due to "fair use" violations. I do not use peer networks, watch videos or do much downloading. Twice (not in the same month) I downloaded the Fedora linux distribution and that alone violated their :"fair use" policy (FAP) causing my bandwidth to be drastically reduced. Another problem I have with them is that the connection drops constantly. And, to get the connection back up you must disconnect the sat modem and unplug your router (if you have one). Then you have to wait at least three minutes before you plug it back in. Then when you plug it back in you have to wait until the receive light stops blinking. then you can plug the router back in and wait for it to get an IP. This happens constantly, even on perfectly clear days. But, no problem, they have this covered in the fine print. Sometimes that fix doesn't work and if you are foolish enough you might call tech support. When you call them the first thing they insist you do is disconnect your router and reconfigure a computer for a direct connection. I mean every time, even if this happens day after day they won't talk to you until you do. Another problem revolves around moving your service/$200 equipment to another location. They want to charge you from $100 to $175 dollars to have it moved. Also, they require you to sign up for another two years contract just so you can move your $200 equipment. And, if you try to cancel your account before your two year contract is up you must continue to pay for the sorry excuse for internet service until the end of the two years, even though you are not using it and have already paid for the equipment. Finally, there is the connection, when it IS working, if you purchase 512Mbps down/128Mbps up you will get approximately 120Mbps down and 28Mbps up. If you purchase 1500Mbps up/256Mbps down you will get approximately 750Mbps down and 47Mbps up. Don't even plan to play any games online. If you can get a ping it will be above 1000. The lag is impossible. The only thing I can see that would improve their service would be to drop the price to that of most DSL. The service would still be bad but at least they wouldn't be completely ripping you off. The situation is sad. They know that you have no choice. And, they don't care to make it any better. I have had broadband service from DSL, cable and satellite for the last thirteen years. I know the difference! Oh and I almost forgot, they don't allow you to use VOIP with your bandwidth either. What good is having bandwidth if the won't let you use it. How much bandwidth does 512Mbps times 24 hours equal? That is what I am paying for per day. Don't sell me a pipe that is 2 inches in diameter if I you only allow me to use a 1/2 inch pipe! .... One thing I forgot to mention. I was traveling and wanted to use my email. So, I connected to me brothers LAN and tried to get my mail through his DSL connection. It did not work. I could not connect to Wildblue's mail server. When I called Wildblue's tech support they told me I would have to log on at home for them to fix my email. See what I mean? By the way when I did get home my email worked fine with no changes on my laptop....
Followup comments:  Brigrat
join:2003-09-01
Lovington, NM | agreed! My year with WildBlue was the longest internet year of my life...no internet at all is better than WB!!! | |
| | wildWV
join:2008-01-27
Grassy Meadows, WV | Re: agreed! I've had 4 TRIA's replaced
and the first service call - after installation - took over 3 months from the day of the call to the day the tech arrived. | |
| | | |
| Forums » comments on review of WildBlue |
|
|
WildBlue
(17)
(29)
(39)
(37)