how-to block ads
|
Review by peter4000  - Location: Bolton,ON
- Cost: $73 per month
Good "Awesome!"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
Switched from Rogers.
I get advertised speed and great service. Advanced Cable Internet 35 down / Unlimited.
Plugged modem in and had internet within 1 min!
Spoke to Jason day after install. Very nice guy asked me about how everything went and if there is anything
he can help me with.
Thank you Start!
Fair warning: reviewer joined this week
lodged 1 days ago
Comments:
| Review by c00lsnoopy - Location: Markham,ON
- Cost Contract price not specified.
Good "Friendly sales staff and amazing tech support"
Bad "none"
Overall "Great service and price"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
Great tech support. Dan spent a long time trying every possible option to make things work for us. Finally we had to bridge the ADSL modem and use my router to have it working. He was patient and I can really feel he wanted to help us fix the issue.
Very satisfied.
member for 39 days, 21 visits, last login: 5 days ago
lodged 5 days ago
Comments:
 | | Start Communication Great tech support, customer service, and ISP provider! Have been with them for awhile now, and I'm very pleased with Start. I highly recommend them to anyone that is looking at switching ISP provider. | |
|
| |
| Review by camelot - Location: Whitby,ON
- Cost: $55 per month
- Install: about 5 days
Good "Fantastic Customer Service"
Bad "Nothing so far"
Overall "Probably the best setup I could have asked for"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
I decided to switch from another TPIA to Start. I scheduled a transfer, however the previous provider botched it and disconnected me 3 weeks early.
I called Start and told them of the situation. My only option was to be setup sooner as a "new" customer. Fine. I need internet...let's go. During the subsequent calls for setup, they kept me informed, and answered the phone promptly. What a refreshing change.
I scheduled the tech for 5 days out. 10 minutes into my 3 hour window, the tech showed up, cleaned up my levels, tagged the line for TPIA and we're LIVE! He even left his Tech number, name and cell in case there were issues.
Thank you Start. It was an absolutely seamless setup. Happy to be a customer. Now the 150/10 is becoming tempting...
»www.speedtest.net/my-result/2995407603
member for 5.4 years, 1311 visits, last login: 1 days ago
lodged 8 days ago
Comments:
| Review by CANADIANSOUP - Location: Mississauga,ON
- Cost Contract price not specified.
- Install: about 2 days
Good "Great Service from the whole team. "
Bad "None what so ever, nothing to complain about...."
Overall "Awesome services, great packages at an awesome price. "
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
Ordered Advanced Plus Cable Internet. Set the date for cancellation.
Switch from Rogers to Start was painless. Connected supplied modem from start.ca
Waited and rebooted router and PC. No issues
Tested connected with Ping and speedtest.. so far very impressed.
Will generate modem reports for review
member for 2.2 years, 79 visits, last login: 1 days ago
lodged 10 days ago
Comments:
| Review by vnenov - Location: East York,ON
- Cost: $56 per month (month by month)
- Install: about 4 days
Good "- Quick access to Sales and Tech. Support - Knowledgeable and without accent support personal - Called home to follow up"
Bad "- Some delays during the transfer - Speed guaranteed only 80% of the advertised speed according to Tech Support"
Overall "For now worth trying, will provide an update later"
| |
There were some issues during the transfer, which left me 2 days without Internet service. Both my old (Teksavvy) and new (Start) ISPs blamed Rogers for the delays. Finally, the issues were resolved and I am back online. I am impressed with the easy access to Technical Support, which was not the case with Teksavvy lately.
There is something which still bothers me, however I will keep an eye on it for few days before reporting back. I had the 28Mbps/1Mbps package with Teksavvy and now I have 35Mbps/3Mbps package with Start. The upload speed is close to 3Mbps, however the download speed is between 23 - 28 Mbps, which I think is not acceptable. I have DOCSIS 3.0 modem, QoS is disabled and the cables were recently re-placed in the building. The modem SNR and power levels are very good and I was expecting better download speeds to justify the price difference.
A call to Start Tech support revealed that they only guarantee 80% of the advertised speed and it depends on many factors (obviously).
They confirmed that I am on the Advanced Cable Internet package (35Mbps/3Mbps), but would not open a ticket with Rogers to check the line (cost involved). I hope this to be a temporary issue, which will be resolved soon, because otherwise Start seems to be a very decent ISP provider.
Regards,
Vlad
member for 11.5 years, 39 visits, last login: 4 days ago
updated 12 days ago
Comments:
Guru
join:2008-10-01
kudos:2 Reviews:
 ·TekSavvy DSL
| Hmmm I am assuming based on your review that you understand how speed guarantee works. If they confirmed that you are on 35/3 then you should be getting the speeds as advertised unless your line is not able to attain that.
My suggestion would be to do this:
Post a thread in Start forum with your modem stats and include a speedtest results (Connect directly to the modem).
Or contact @rocca and he will be happy to resolve your queries and will give you appropriate explanation. | |
| | vnenov
join:2002-03-14
East York, ON Reviews:
·Start Communicat..
| Re: Hmmm I did exactly this and provided multiple tests results connected directly to the modem. Rocca was very helpful and we decided as a trial to switch to the 45/4 profile (there is no fee to switch with Start). Happy to report that the speed issue has been fixed - it is on average 44.5/3.89 as of this morning, so fingers crossed it says stable. | |
|
| |
| Review by cactus - Location: undisclosed location
- Cost: $60 per month
- Install: about 120 days
Good "Awesome customer service, easy setup, good speed, stable"
Overall "Best ISP I have up to date"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
I used to be with Rogers (ugh, i know..) and I was trying to look for a new ISP, since I keep going over my cap and I was paying too much for too little.. So, my buddy was with Teksavvy and recommended them to me, but as I kept doing research on them I was having second thoughts. So I was browsing around in a forum and someone mentioned Start Communication, so I went and started looking into Start, and I was amazed with the reviews they got. It was a hard and long decision for me, but I went for the switch. (BIG LEAP OF FAITH!!!) and guess what? I was super happy I made that decision of switching to Start, never regretted it even now. They have a very steady speed, awesome customer service, super easy setup and better caps. Thank you Start!!
member for 46 days, 1 visits, last login: 18 days ago
lodged 18 days ago
Comments:
| Review by nbinont - Location: Alliston,ON
- Cost Contract price not specified.
Overall "Stable solid connection"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
Switched my parents over from DSL a month or so after Start began offering services in their area.
Rocca provided phenomenal pre-sales information - mostly on the forums here. He even knew the answers to the more difficult routing and ping time questions (phantom ping, anyone?). Rocca basically sold me on it.
Modem arrived and install happened on time. During install, the tech only tested downstream signal strength and assumed everything was fine. Unfortunately something was wrong with the cable to the house and upstream was dead. A quick phone call describing the problem and a truck roll and we had a new line installed to the house! (A few weeks later when the weather was warmer, they came back and buried the line.)
Connection has been stable and solid ever since. Very pleased. I would strongly recommend Start Communications.
**** Update Sept 2013
Switched to Start myself. Install was a bit rough over the weekend (as it was a TPIA transfer with no CRTC process in place at the moment). Rocca properly escalated the modem activation and we got online shortly after.
Once connected, the connection has been as expected - stable and reliable.
Cost is more expensive than my previous provider for my usage - really wish the plans had an extra 50-100GB of transfer.
member for 2.5 years, 518 visits, last login: 5 days ago
updated 19 days ago
Comments:
| Review by Jon999 - Location: Mississauga,ON
- Cost Contract price not specified.
Good "Support reachable through phone when I attempted, almost no wait time"
Overall "Still no Internet three days since service supposed to be activated with Start"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
I had informed both my previous ISP 3Web/Distributel and new ISP Start Communications a month ago to disconnect and activate my line for the switchover on Aug. 31 (last Saturday), and emailed Start support and communicated with Peter ahead of time to make sure all the required information provided for a smooth switchover. As of today on Monday, I still don't have Internet, even after I made daily calls to Start and escalated my case to Red (3Web/Distributel is completely not available for the weekend support, which is one of the reasons I had to switch away, by the way).
I was told that Start had sent multiple requests for my line, and can only passively wait for response. I would imagine there should be better way to coordinate the switchover ahead of time, rather than to play in the hands of the ISP I'm leaving.
member for 33 days, 5 visits, last login: 15 days ago
updated 29 days ago
Comments:
 roccaStart.caPremium
join:2008-11-16
London, ON
kudos:17
1 edit | Review Hi Jon,
I'm sorry things haven't gone smoothly, but if you want to PM me your account # I can certainly take a look. I don't recall our previous conversation off hand, but generally I advise customers in advance that we will not be able to confirm the order until the old ISP has released the circuit and that if downtime is critical to be avoided in transferring from this particular ISP that an installation rather than a transfer is the safe bet. In any case, sorry that we scored low marks on your review but happy to take a look and see where things are at.
edit: Just to confirm though, there isn't anything passive about what we're doing. We'd be checking every day to see if your old ISP has finally submitted their disconnect order. As you mentioned they are closed for the weekend, and while it is terrible that you're caught in this, I hope you'll understand that our support team is eagerly awaiting when the old ISP finally puts in the disconnect request. I've often contemplated not allowing free transfers from TPIA because of such issues, but we do our best to educate our customers about the potential for downtime and let the them make their own decision about whether to pay for an install and not have to worry about this, or go for the free transfer understanding that they could be without service for a few days in the worst case scenario, such as over a long weekend that you're experiencing. Most of the other TPIA providers (and Rogers themselves) play nice and will push the disconnect through to allow for seamless transfers, but we haven't had much luck with your particular previous ISP unfortunately. | |
| | Reviews:
·Start Communicat..
 ·Distributel Cable
| Re: Review Hi Peter,
Our communication was through your sales@start.ca email address. You responded me on July 29 and I addressed to you again on July 31 requesting you to let me know if there is anything I needed to do from my end to guarantee a smooth transfer. The communications should still be in your system if you can't recall. As a consumer not working in telecommunication area, all I knew was to schedule a disconnect from the old ISP and schedule the activation for the same day from you. There was no mention of the above pitfall of free transfer from your website, you or your support to me. The only impression I got from your support was that it could be down for a few hours to a day during the transfer. I have to admit that I've learned a lot from all the calls I made to Distributel and Start in the recent days, and know now there is another layer of line release which I have totally no control of. Since Distributel is still taking time to release my line, it looks like I have to wait at least into another weekend to have the Internet access back. To give your company credit, your support Daniel, whom I had dealt with most, had stayed on top of my case and explained to me why you can't help by going to Rogers to request for my line to be released earlier even at my permission. That's the passive part I was talking about.
I would love to contact you directly if you tell me that you still have some way can help to speed up my transfer than the current checking and waiting, and I would be happy to revise my review accordingly.
Thanks. | |
| | | Reviews:
·Start Communicat..
·Distributel Cable
| Re: Review Hi Peter,
Thanks for personally reaching out to me through email. Although likely I still won't have my Internet service connection for a good few days, I do understand my issue was caused by my previous ISP 3Web/Distributel. And even I'm still struggling, the superior support from your team is un-deniable.
Thanks. | |
| | | | roccaStart.caPremium
join:2008-11-16
London, ON
kudos:17 | Re: Review Thanks, happy to help - although I had no way of correlating Jon999 with your personal account which is why I requested the account #. In any case, it looks like the transfer has completed but there is an RF problem. Our team will continue to work with you to get you online. Thanks. | |
|
| |
| Review by Breadwinka - Location: Kitchener,ON
- Cost: $75 per month
- Install: about 14 days
Good "Great service,fast support,flawless transfer"
Overall "IF you want great service and support, Start is the way to go"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
I've had Start for about 2 months now, and I have to say service has been great, I have had a few issues with the service getting high packet loss, but most was solved with a simple factory reset. Speed has been as advertised and somewhat better get about 48/10 when i pay for 45/10. Rocca is very active on the forums and is always there for help. I would recommend everyone to switch over.
member for 5.3 years, 114 visits, last login: a few hours ago
lodged 31 days ago
Comments:
| Review by Rob Tyo - Location: Ajax,ON
- Cost: $45 per month
Good "Consistently fast, good contectivity with almost zero downtime, excellent customer support"
Bad "As a TPIA, you may wait longer for a technician"
Overall "Excellent value, excellent service, would buy again."
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
When my family moved to our current house, we decided to get rid of our traditional services, forgoing cable, home phone etc. We had used both Rogers and Bell in the past and were currently Bell subscribers. When we were preparing to move, we inquired about moving our services, and cancelling some of the ones we didn't want/need any more and improving our internet package. For some time we'd been consistently going over our bandwidth allowance with our existing carrier. They offered a solution, however it would have cost me an additional $20 for lower speeds and less bandwidth than I now receive. When they presented the offer to me, I decided to research TPIAs.
I found Start based on the recommendation of a co-worker and couldn't be happier. I called them and we set up the account. The gentleman on the phone talked through the packages, and we settled on a package that offers 35mpbs download, 1 mbps upload and 300GB of bandwidth, he then told me I'd need to buy a modem, which I was prepared for. He gave me several recommendations including the one he thought was the best value based on how I was going to use it.
I purchased a Thompson DCM 476 modem for around $100 from a retailer, although they did offer to sell me a different modem, the person I spoke to had encouraged me to find this model.
We arranged for them to come in the evening on the day we moved in, and by the time the technician left we were online. Anyone who has moved knows the headaches and stresses of those days, so the simplicity involved was very much appreciated.
On the day of the move, before our time slot, we received a call to confirm the appointment and make sure it was still ok.
When the technician came, it was a Rogers contracted technician and he left things a little haphazard unfortunately. I wasn't super impressed with that to be honest, but then after the appointment, I received a second call from Start asking how the experience was and if I was online. I explained my unhappiness with the Rogers technician but assured them it was ok and that I was in fact online.
I was pleasantly surprised then when my first bill came and they had credited me back the $50 for my installation because of the technician that they don't even employ!
Since that day I had no problems what so ever with the service until this past week, after about 8 months of use. My internet suddenly stopped working. I called them up, they apologized and assured me they would escalate it to resolve it. I was told that unfortunately I'd have to wait till the weekend (about 3 days) till someone could come look, but that they would gladly credit me for my time.
The technician came, completed the work and before I'd even had the chance to call them back, Start contacted me directly, asked if I was back online, apologized again, and even though the technician had found that the problem was a coaxial wire on my property that was just old and defective now, and not their fault at all, they still credited me for a full 6 days of service without me having to ask.
After being jerked around like most of my fellow Canadians by the "big boys" in the market, it's nice to see a company that still values it's customers and treats them both as people and as the rare commodity that they are.
I can't recommend them high enough, and in fact I have already referred family and friends to them.
member for 35 days, 0 visits, last login: 35 days ago
updated 35 days ago
Comments:
|
|
·
