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Review by Zed071 See Profile

  • Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada
  • Cost: $75 per month
  • Install: about 10 days
FANTASTIC customer support and relations
They still have to deal with Bell and Rogers
Great value and support
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First tried to migrate a DSL circuit to Start, but the local telco screwed up the order. Start suggested cable and was able to get a quicker than normal install date.

Everything is running fast and smooth! Can't do any better than that!

Tech support and billing have been outstanding to deal with. They understood my frustration - and were experiencing the same. We were able to work through the install issues as quick as the incumbents will allow them to to get the service up, and billing handled everything behind the scenes so I didn't get charged for an extra month with no service.

Highly recommended!

Added 16/09/06 - Amazing customer support with a recent billing issue. One post and it's done. Can't get better than that!

member for 13.5 years, 1961 visits, last login: 5.5 years ago
updated 7.5 years ago


Review by roast See Profile

  • Location: H0H0H0
  • Cost: $90 per month
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Good company, good support and good service. Team is flexible to meet unique requirements.

member for 12.6 years, 67 visits, last login: 259 days ago
updated 7.6 years ago







Review by rockfire See Profile

  • Location: undisclosed location
  • Cost Contract price not specified.
Great company to deal with. Getting advertised speeds with low latency
Nothing so far
Excellent customer oriented internet provider
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Sept 2015

A quick update to both my cable and dsl internet. Its been 2 years with both services. Still with Start and still happy to be a Start customer.

Hope to see the CBB rate corrections soon!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Nov 2014

Its been over a year that I have had Start FTTN and rCable internet. I did have a week of unusable rCable in March 2014 of some unknown cmts rogers issue. I was put in the Start congestion pile although it was not congestion issue but a rogers cmts issue. Can't blame Start because they have no visibility to rogers equipment.

Other then the rCable issue in March 2014, things have been excellent with both services. It was refreshing at my year end that I did not have to call any kind of retentions to get the same price I am paying each month.

I have made a number of changes on my account over the year with both services and each time my requests have been handed with care and completed as requested. I always confirm two or three times my changes due to my previous experience with rogers or bell. I have distrust from previous experiences with rogers and bell, but I have learned I don't need to do this with Start.

Overall, I am very pleased with my services and I recommend them to anyone whom want "old fashion" caring customer service. Its refreshing to have a company such as Start Communications.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
My review is for both Start standard FTTN and rCable internet.

Start standard FTTN:

Ordered standard FTTN and was given my installation date. Bell tech showed up at 10am. Early, but I was up with DSL by 10:30am.
Speeds for my 15/1 service is as advertised. Speed tests are approx 14.83/0.93. I have had this service for a month.

Start rCable:

Cancelled my Rogers internet and tv and requested a transfer to cable pro 45/4 rCable internet. Speeds for
my 45/4 service is as advertised. Speed tests are approx 44.48/4.04. My service is just a couple of days old.
My transfer was earlier then my Rogers service cancellation so I can be up with Start before my Rogers is out.

With both services, sales was excellent to deal with. Any questions I had about the services were answered.
I received phone calls for each service to ensure my connection was working. I have also called in and spoke to billing.
They were just as nice as the sales team.

It is rare to find such a customer oriented internet provider such as Start Communications. I am happy so far with my services.

member for 13.1 years, 267 visits, last login: 4.6 years ago
updated 7.6 years ago


Review by gerritv See Profile

  • Location: St Catharines, ON, Canada
  • Cost: $62 per month
  • Install: about 20 days
Great communication before and after install
None
Have recommended to 2 others
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We moved from Etobicoke to St Catharines, including leaving Rogers (yippee) and getting Cogeco cable only for internet (we don't use any TV provider). Modem arrived in advance. Cogeco arrived on time and activated the existing cable. Done in less than an hour. A call back that evening from Start just to confirm all was well.

Several months later we lost internet. We also use VoIP (voicenetwork.ca) so on the cell to Start. Cogeco made us wait 3 days for a service call. They determined that the cable had been cut by some workers down the street working on cable! A temporary cable was rigged followed a week later by a crew to trench the new cable. The previous run made no sense so they went the shortest route with almost no possibility for someone to cut the cable.

Again, a call back from Start to ensure all was sorted out.

I have recommended Start to 2 other friends who also have no issues including one with phone service.

Our download cap is more than enough for the Netflix and YouTube viewing that we do. On the rare occasion that we reach near the limit we get informed clearly by email.

We are renting the DCM476 modem but at this point I think we will buy one later this year.

member for 10.6 years, 15 visits, last login: 7.4 years ago
updated 7.8 years ago


Review by oCyberFreako See Profile

  • Location: Sarnia, ON, Canada
  • Cost: $74 per month
  • Install: about 5 days
  • No Cap
  • Telco party Bell Canada
Speeds as advertised, Optional Unlimited 2am-8am OR $15 extra for Unlimited 24/7
Best Cable Service ever. Optional $5 modem rental
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** 2016 Update **
Quite a few things have changed since I began with Start.

I first began on a now grandfathered plan, $40 for 20mb down and 2mb up. Worked great but usage eventually changed.
I live in cCable land so I was updated to have 10mb up, this was essentially a province wide upgrade.

I eventually upgraded my service to the $50 - 30mb down, 10mb up, and 300Gb cap. I've had this for a year now, a friend moved in Dad learned netflix and so I had to switch out to the added $15 for Unlimited service. The friend won't be here forever and as discussed with my father that we would go with the faster 55mb service.

** Original Review **
I chose Cable over DSL because I would otherwise be stuck at 6mb down.

I ordered the Standard Package from Start because I would be paying more for the same service with Cogeco.

Start: [39.95] + 5.19 (taxes) = [45.14]
Cogeco: [61.95] - 10 (cable bundle) = [51.95] - 15 (6 month promo) = [36.95] + CONTRACT

** updated to show what Bell Fibe offers **
Bell: [64.95] + taxes... 5/Mbps down 1/Mbps up. 125Gb cap.

Install cost was $50, $100 for the Technicolor DCM476 modem + S&H.
Other comparable modems cost ~120 and none were found locally.

I bought the modem over renting because it was cheaper too, rental would have been $5 a month.

member for 10.6 years, 280 visits, last login: 1 year ago
updated 7.8 years ago


Review by cutuzov See Profile

  • Location: Ajax, ON, Canada
  • Cost: $68 per month
  • Install: about 40 days
Customer support/speeds steady around advertised
Delay with connection due to previous ISP failure to release my modem( Start offered ways to speed it up)
Start today reminds me of TechSavvy 5-6 years back when we all learned what tech support and customer service actually means
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I recently moved to Ajax and decided to try new ISP
Package ordered 25/10
Order was made about 1 month in advance.
Sadly enough my previous ISP Distributel failed to release my cable modem for 1 month after cancellation date.
That resulted in 1. 1 month of free internet
2. Start was not able to connect the service
3. I ended up paying setup fee of 50.00 which could have been avoided otherwise

To the credit of Start support team I received numerous calls/emails with updates and suggestions how to rectify the problem. One of the solutions was to send me temporary modem by mail. I declined because internet connection was active and i did not want hassle of shipping the modem back.
After Distributel finally realized that they are providing unpaid service and disconnected it, Start hook me up within 8 hours or less.

Happy with the service and support so far.

Upd January 2016
Still same ISP, still happy.

member for 16.3 years, 746 visits, last login: 91 days ago
updated 7.8 years ago


Review by Darkxangel55 See Profile

  • Location: London, ON, Canada
  • Cost: $45 per month
Speed
Price
Good for speed but bad for pricing
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Old speed package that you can't get, at the time it was $35 +tax. Order was fine it was a downgrade from a faster speed so no install. Dunno about the band or model but it's $5 a month. Nothing really bad about start they do have good internet I just don't agree with their pricing for 2016, like most 3rd party ISP they are still stuck from 10years ago and pricing hasn't change much aka more bang for your buck. In all start is good but it's time for ppl to start voicing out to 3rd party ips and tell them that the price is still to much. i.e let's start getting cable 60/10 and a cap at 300gb for $50 a month.

member for 7.9 years, driveby review (so far)
updated 7.9 years ago


rocca
Start.ca
Premium Member
join:2008-11-16
London, ON

1 recommendation

rocca

Premium Member

Response

We've been extremely active in trying to get better pricing for Canadians, but alas the prices mandated by the CRTC are way too high and the prices you see, like all ISP's, reflect that. We're expecting changes this Fall and happy to pass savings on to the customers, but unfortunately can't just fabricate the prices you want and still remain operational.
camelot
join:2008-04-12
Whitby, ON

camelot

Member

Not isp fault

Your objection to the pricing should be directed to the CRTC as they set the framework, not the IISP's. The pricing model is completely broken. All IISP's are in the same boat.

WiFi
It's In The Air
join:2002-06-06
NiagaraFalls

WiFi

Member

Re: Not isp fault

I agree! When you look at the approved tariffs across Canada, Cogeco has the highest, and the difference between them and quite a few others is night and day! Some of the approved rates in the west are dirt cheap and these are much smaller cable companies. What I do not understand is how a smaller company can survive off of much lower pricing models than larger companies like Cogeco and Rogers! It makes no sense other than Cogeco is from Quebec and they ALWAYS rip off the rest of Canada! ALWAYS!! Seriously, let them have their own country so we can cut them off of everything and let them try to fend for themselves if that's what they want!

Review by kemestry See Profile

  • Location: undisclosed location
  • Cost: $80 per month
  • Install: about 6 days
  • No Cap
Reliable service, Never down, Best Customer Servive
Nothing
The only ISP I would get

50mbs - Unlimited. No issues. No problem. Just download and surf.
I had a modem ready, tech came to look at the current wiring and I was good to go.
Best service I've received on the phone in a long time.. I'm a very happy customer.

member for 7.9 years, 1 visits, last login: 7.8 years ago
lodged 7.9 years ago







Review by jasmo34 See Profile

  • Location: ~ London ~
  • Cost: $34 per month
  • Caps of 100 gigabytes/month
  • Telco party Bell Canada
STABLE DSL service. Great Customer Service. Planning and Implementation well-tested, and STABLE.
None really. I suppose, from my point of view, some of their DSL pricing could be lower!
If they have a plan that suits your needs, I highly recommend you consider them.
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I guess it's about time I wrote this... I've been with Start for about 2.5 years now, on low-speed DSL plans. I actually first contacted them about a simple DSL problem I was having, because I was frustrated getting through to phone support for my previous ISP. Start tech support gave me a few minutes of their time, or answered an email question, maybe a couple times, even though I wasn't their customer. I don't know if their front-line staff would be allowed to still do that now; I would like to think they could still help a potential customer, if time permitted.

My low-speed DSL service has carried on being rock solid with them (as it was before). My biggest problem showed up when Bell apparently moved me to a remote, and Start's tools showed me as not even being connected. Start contacted ME about this situation, as the circuit 'mapping' had to be corrected. Also, Start saw something else odd about my new hookup, and had a Bell tech come out, at no charge to me. It turns out it was a wonky phone jack/connection in my basement, recently 'abused', that was flaky. I discovered this problem myself literally minutes before the tech arrived. The tech came in and checked a couple things anyway.

Oh, Start's availability tool actually showed that 25/10 was available here, even before Bell's did. Bell's online system caught up a couple days later. Now, I can get 50/10, and FIBE-TV. My previous ISP still says I'm limited to 6M Legacy DSL via their website tool, for some reason.

Do I think they are perfect? Not really, but Start has also seemed open to suggestions, and even criticisms, concerning their company/plans/website/policies/etc. Who could forget their change to yellow bean and asparagus company colours?

Start's company planning and internet offerings seem well thought out; no seat-of-the-pants implementations seem to be done by them.

As I mentioned in the GOOD line above... one word I would use to describe Start would be STABLE.

member for 16 years, 3614 visits, last login: 42 days ago
lodged 8 years ago


Review by aiexo22 See Profile

  • Location: New York, New York, NY, USA
  • Cost: $65 per month
Everything
Nothing
Absolutely rock solid service and fantastic price
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Been with Start on cable for a few years after switching from Rogers. Absolutely great consistent service with constant price.

I've NEVER had to call Start for internet support.
I've only visited dslreports a couple times to peak about status (new plans, outages etc..) and often found answers within minutes from start reps on the forums.

Just called in to change my plan to a higher speed:
- 1 prompt to get to billing
- 2 rings to get to a rep
- 30 seconds for identity confirmation
- 2 minutes to explain/switch plan
*done*

I've never dealt with telephone support/billing as quickly and promptly as that.

member for 10.5 years, 25 visits, last login: 6.7 years ago
updated 8.1 years ago