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Review by Sulfurik See Profile

  • Location: Chicago, Cook, IL, USA
  • Cost: $45 per month
  • Install: about 22 days
Very fast and great value
Took a while to get ready in my area
Great so far
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection Reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

I had been waiting for some type of internet to be availible in my part of town and when Wide Open West sent a flyer to my door, I tried to set up an appointment immediately. After 3 tries by techs, I finally got working service. WOW said that a construction company cut the fiber but I don't think that takes 3 weeks to fix. Speeds are as advertised and I am happy with what I have so far.

Another thing I should mention is that the techs that I have weren't very knowledgeable. They only knew how to install and not how to work around problems.



Update: Haven't seen any dip in speed what so ever after a week! Even at peak hours I am getting 1600/290. WOW seems to really know what there doing with there broadband systems. I am impressed! (Also not one pike or disconection with service whatsoever)

member for 20.7 years, 131 visits, last login: 19.9 years ago
updated 20.7 years ago

pamleo
join:2003-07-22

pamleo

Member

Call at night

I have Wide Open West and have found that their tech support is much more helpful if I call after 7:00 p.m. (probably due to a shift change).

Review by Alphy See Profile

  • Location: Troy, Oakland, MI, USA
  • Cost: $70 per month
  • Install: about 1 days
WOW is simply THE best Cable ISP in the Midwest.
WOW truly rocks.
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection Reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

I had originally ordered WOW's Cable and Internet service about 6 months ago after being subjected to Comcast's rather subpar service. The time between when I first called and when install occurred was three days. On arriving the WOW technicians were extremely courteous and the connection worked great. Fast forward six months and today I am now on WOW's Ultra Internet package which includes 3.5Mbit/500Kbit speeds with Basic Cable for $74.99; overall a very competitive package. Pings to the East Coast are 30ms while West Coast pings hover around 40ms. I highly recommend WOW to anyone in Michigan, Illinois, or Indiana. Thank you WOW for such a pleasurable internet experience.

*Update

WOW is still rock solid but I'm hoping for a speed upgrade by years end.

*Update 8/05

WOW has had some downtime the last month or so, but I can't complain too much.

member for 22.2 years, 1414 visits, last login: 15.8 years ago
lodged 20.7 years ago


Lightwar6
join:2001-05-30
Sterling Heights, MI

Lightwar6

Member

I concur..

I have the same service, its actually 3.5Mbits not 3500Mbits (dont we all wish it was LOL). I did however have a problem with keeping connectivity, but after a short phone call they sent a truck out the next day and ripped all the old cable off the house and replaced it. They also gave me a new modem. Ever since then its been wonderfull.
kcorbin
Premium Member
join:2002-07-01
Troy, MI

kcorbin

Premium Member

Re: I concur..

After they reworked my package (I have a couple boxes, some premium chans, internet... etc), they offered me Ultra! for $0.05 a month more... yes, 5 cents... WOW! is in it for the customer, not the money. Too bad I'm at work! I wanna go home and try it.... granted last speed test at work was 8000/12000, but still I wanna play at home!

Review by sderring See Profile

  • Location: Reynoldsburg, Franklin, OH, USA
  • Cost: $55 per month
  • Install: about 3 days
Service, Speed, Reliability
Weak Usenet Server
Great Value!
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection Reliability:
Services:
Value for money:

After 12 months of paying $105 for IDSL, cable broadband finally came to my area. I had IDSL through Megapath Networks because it was the only broadband available in my area. I was leery about leaving Megapath because of the excellent service thay provided. I had 100% up time and consistent speed. Never a problem.

Wide Open West hasn't dissapointed me. All it took was a 10 minute phone call and my install was scheduled 3 days out. I was given a window of 8AM - Noon and the installer arrived at 8:10. He was knowledgeable and efficient. It took him only 10 minutes and he was gone and I was up and running.

After 7 days I have had 100% up time and reasonably consistent speeds. I pay $55 for 1500/300 with a static IP.

All in all, I couldn't be happier. Who wouldn't be happy about paying half as much for 10 times the speed?

member for 21.9 years, 1559 visits, last login: 10.2 years ago
lodged 20.7 years ago


Review by critofur See Profile

  • Location: Columbus, Franklin, OH, USA
  • Cost: $45 per month
  • Install: about 5 days
No contract, guaranteed minimum instead of crap DSL "up too" speed, NO CONTRACT!
non so far
Great price for high speed down AND up + static IPs! All for $45 month.
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection Reliability:
Value for money:

They make sure it's up and running before the installer leaves. I get about 2.2 MBps though I'm paying for 1.5 I'll update my review with more news after I've had it longer. I like it because of the 300 upstream and the 3 static IPs for less than $50 per month, great deal.

member for 21.2 years, 44 visits, last login: 15 years ago
lodged 20.7 years ago







Review by service guy See Profile

  • Location: Ypsilanti, Washtenaw, MI, USA
  • Cost Contract price not specified.
Good service & price
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
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Value for money:

3 Mbps. service is here! within a month all michgan servicable cities will be available. If your paying for 1.5 Mbps its $15.00 more amonth,

As for what Ive been reading if you have slow speeds, having to reboot modem or Pc ect. ect. Call WOW for a service call, as a Service Tech for WOW our service runs great if yours does not you have a problem and you need to call so we can fix it.

If its not right let us fix it!

Speed issues are mostly related to old/bad cable (Rg-59) or more than 1 splitter in line causing low signal , same for modems that lock up, if you know you have one of these problems in your house and your having similar problems it can be fixed and you will enjoy our service the way it was meant to be!

Any comments are welcome.

member for 20.7 years, 2 visits, last login: 20.6 years ago
lodged 20.7 years ago


J D McDorce
Premium Member
join:2001-12-29
Westland, MI

J D McDorce

Premium Member

Interesting, However...

Getting beyond the fact that this looks more like a sales pitch than a review:

1) WideOpenWest Internet is not available in Ypsilanti, MI.
2) Speed may be related to a number of things, but signal level (on a DOCSIS system), isn't typically one of them.
kcorbin
Premium Member
join:2002-07-01
Troy, MI

kcorbin

Premium Member

Re: Interesting, However...

I WISH WOW was offered in Ypsilanti... anyone know if there's and ETA till we can get it out here?

Keith
-Ypsilanti

J D McDorce
Premium Member
join:2001-12-29
Westland, MI

J D McDorce

Premium Member

Re: Interesting, However...

I have seen no published reports (or heard any rumors, as far as that goes) of near term plans for WOW to expand beyond the former Americast locations that they purchased from SBC in 2001. Sorry.

Review by PJive See Profile

  • Location: Chicago, Cook, IL, USA
  • Cost: $44 per month
  • Install: about 13 days
Great Downs,Up's, and Pings.
Takes forever customer service to come to house.
Great Value, if you're patient.
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection Reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

I love Wide Open West, I've had virtually no problems with the company since I finally purchased theif services less than 3 months ago. I will admitt however it took them long enough to get out to my house, but starting today and yesterday, I've been loosing connections all together, and on offpeak times. When I called they ran me through a number of tests, and got the problem pinned down, but are not able to get a representitive out for a week. I used to have Speakeasy DSL they were great about getting out to my house fast and prompt. It took me 13 days to get online with WOW, basically the only problem I've had is the wait for connectivity, and now this wait for repair. I suppose its worth it, considering I'm paying 44.99 a month for 1.5 down, and will soon be able to pay 59.99 a month for 3.0down....

All in all, great value.



member for 21.3 years, 21 visits, last login: 20.7 years ago
lodged 20.7 years ago

67845017 (banned)
join:2000-12-17
Naperville, IL

67845017 (banned)

Member

$15.00 More for Ultra tier service

Where did you hear this?

yuniverse
join:2000-07-14
Federal Way, WA

yuniverse

Member

not so wide open anymore...?

hmm... about a year ago, i came across discussions about WOW. If my memory serves me right, WOW had exceptional speed...ie 10Mbps or more...
What happened? did they just cut down the speed, or is my memory that bad?

tadmaz29
join:2002-05-30
Mount Prospect, IL

tadmaz29

Member

Re: not so wide open anymore...?

10Mbps is for their fiber in Colorado. He is talking about cable in the midwest.

carpetmunching
@dsl.chcgil.ameritech

carpetmunching to yuniverse

Anon

to yuniverse
Wide Open West has an open network in some areas where anyone can buy up bandwidth. Only in certain areas though. Illinois and Michigan are areas that "WOW" bought from Ameritech New Media(yes the old phone co.)and the best you can get in Chicagoland from WoW is around 1.5. The speeds in some other areas is higher but not in Illinois. I like Wow!! Except.. the customer service is as flakey as most. Maybe only a little better. Good Cable TV. I had 52 premium channels, more than I was getting on My Sat Dish.Internet was only 34.95 a month for the 2 or so years i had it.
ditzoyd
join:2004-01-26
Chicago, IL

ditzoyd

Member

wow keeps me for now....

I am in the Mt. Greenwood area,

I was experiencing slow speeds, complained, (after a HUGE issue re:Cable, almost lost my business). I have had ALOT of problems with their customer service, including being hung up on!

I spoke to someone in upper management, and was promised a phone call to resolve the issue. I recieved a phone call in less than 24 hours trying to talk me through issue, and once supervisor realized it had to be something they couldn't talk me through, they sent out 2 techs in less than 24 hours.

I find if you go to the supervisor, and tell them that you are a paying customer and waiting several days is unacceptable to you, you can get a tech out usually within 24 hours.

My speeds doubled once they took off the WebStar modem which apparently can not handle fast speeds.

My big issues with them are Customer Service, and installation both cable and internet. Even after being in contact with upper management regarding the company's customer service, I was still sent a installer who had never installed a modem before.

So, since this area of Chicago has been the "black hole" for DSL, Cable Modems, ect and they are the first to make it to my area with cable modems, they keep me.... for now.

Review by thrdgeek See Profile

  • Location: Clinton Township, Macomb, MI, USA
  • Cost: $39 per month
  • Install: about 10 days
No extra charge for modem rental!
Sometimes speeds suffer due to over-load of customers stealing my bandwidth.
The best value for cable internet that is available in my area. Beats Comcast!!
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:

The tech that attempted to perform the installation was only knowledge for what he had to do (what has documented in the form of instructions). He didn't have many trouble shooting skills but was very eager to learn. Then again, I don't have a normal setup so I can't blame him. I showed him a few tips and I think he is on his way to becoming a professional high speed internet access installer.

member for 20.7 years, driveby review (so far)
lodged 20.7 years ago


Review by bubbazephyr See Profile

  • Location: Glen Ellyn, Du Page, IL, USA
  • Cost: $39 per month
  • Install: about 7 days
Better price than alternatives - News service is great
Totally unreliable speed and massive pings
Great service for people who don't know any better
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection Reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

When WOW is working - man it's a great value and a great connection. When it goes bad, they can't fix it for weeks to months. Prepare yourself for massive ping times - sometimes in the 1000ms+ range - and horrible upload speed - mine rarely exceeds 75K bits (not bytes) per second up. And I'm not the only one who is seeing this.

If you want to game, forget it. The unreliable up and down speed on top of the horrible ping times make it impossible.

I've had 7 visits from technicians to no avail. They come out to the house and do the same tests over and over, agree with me that the service is bad, and then leave.

The good stuff is they use (I think) Supernews, so binary news groups are great. The 5 gig max download is a drag, but not the worst. The price is very reasonable. The customer service folks on the phone are responsive and helpful - they can't fix a bad network but that's not their fault. They don't block ports which is cool. And they allow up to 3 free additional IPs - not bad.

Bottom line, you won't get what you paid for in terms of connection - at least not in Glen Ellyn. Those who know what a ping time is and upload speed are will be very mad. Those that don't care - will be happy as clams and never know they're getting ripped off.

member for 20.7 years, driveby review (so far)
lodged 20.7 years ago

tede
join:2001-09-28
Glen Ellyn, IL

tede

Member

Glen Ellyn...

The once "state of the art" WOW (formerly Ameritech _americast_) Glen Ellyn system -- now 5-6 years old -- seems to be slipping. The _americast_ techs -- most who stayed with Ameritech -- seem to have been replaced by less experienced WOW people. The TV signal has deteriorated, and (at this writing) local commercial inserts have been running for several days without audio. (Free "Automatic Mute"! I love it!) I used to notify them whenever this happened, but I figure the time has come for them to institute some sort of internal quality control.

In the meantime... Comcast is in the process of completely replacing/rebuilding their really old and outdated system. Should take them between "soon" and "November", depending upon where you live in the Village. (I should mention that Glen Ellyn is one of about 20 'burbs that have two competing cable providers.)

In short -- although WOW is the current technology leader in Glen Ellyn -- it appears that Comcast will soon leapfrog them. More at »glen-ellyn.com/tv.html .

Competitive pricing is yet to be announced.

-- TE
67845017 (banned)
join:2000-12-17
Naperville, IL

67845017 (banned)

Member

Giganews

It's Giganews that is their news provider.

Review by Tommy231 See Profile

  • Location: Rochester, Oakland, MI, USA
  • Cost: $45 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 10 days
consistency
mail server
far better than Comcast!!
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
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Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

Had some problems with bandwidth late last year. Been working fine for months now. There is an occasional gitch with the POP3 server. The news server seems to have dificulty remembering who I am, forcing unnecessary login and password entires.

member for 22.1 years, 270 visits, last login: 14.6 years ago
lodged 20.8 years ago







Review by xcobita See Profile

  • Location: Rochester, Oakland, MI, USA
  • Cost: $45 per month
  • Install: about 7 days
Great Speed, Works good
Install Issues
Fast and fairly reliable
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

I ordered the fastest package, 1500/300 and i get 1500/250. That is very acceptable. The install guy came when he was supposed to, and did ok work. Unfortunatly he did make one critical mistake and it took me all day to figure it out. He didn't bury the cable and when he closed the cable box he damaged the cable. I would fix it by removing the damaged part of wire, but the connectors I have are not very nice. It is causing signal problems but i took the cover off the box and the cable is now in a position that it works. On another note I was displeased with the destruction of the comcast line coming into the house. I wasnt clear on telling him not to, but hes lucky the modem works, cause otherwise there would have been heck to pay. Finaly, do the have basic cable at WOW, cause I got a lot of channels.

member for 20.8 years, 26 visits, last login: 17.7 years ago
lodged 20.8 years ago


imrf
Premium Member
join:2002-06-06
Utica, MI

1 recommendation

imrf

Premium Member

your drop

Unfortunately they dont usually bury the drops on installs.They have too many other jobs to do during the day and burying 10 drops a day just cant happen.call up customer support and tell they what happened and to denote it on your account so that why they send out the crew that does bury the drops they can/will run you a new drop that that it has the proper fittings and the maximum amount of signal in the line for you.