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 Review by Eat Me 
UPDATED: 76 days ago
member for 7.1 years, 1001 visits, last login: a few hours ago
 Sussex,Sussex,NJ
 $69 per month
 about 5 days
 "Fast download, reliable service over DOCSIS3"
 "30mbps tier is expensive, 100GB cap, could use more upload"
 "Passable for the only game in town."
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When I moved out here, I knew my broadband options would be more limited than living in a more populated area. But I was willing to accept that. Anyway, between cable from Service Electric/PTD and DSL from Embarq, cable won.
The 30MBps package is relatively new, but I do need the speed for work. 10MBps was the first package I had. This is an upgrade to 30MBps that I am reviewing.
I called up Service Electric, and they told me the 30MBps tier was $79.95/month with a $25 install charge for the truck roll. A bit pricey, but I was willing to upgrade, since I needed the increased upload speed.
Speeds are 30/2MBps. You can also get 10/1, 6/512k and 1/256k. I had 10/1. The lower tiers use a Motorola surfboard modem.
I ordered on Tuesday, they came on Saturday (at my request.) Cable tech was a contractor, as is usually the case for a lot of cable companies these days. He came, toned out my cable line, and told me he needed to run a new home run to the box on the side of my house. That was no problem. He went, opened it up, and I saw that they had run hardline all the way to my house. That was pretty good as it ensured low signal loss. He ran the home run, installed a new DPC2505 Scientific Atlanta modem. The modem has 3 bonded downstream channels and turned it over to me for testing. I ran speed tests on www.speedtest.net, got 28/1.8MBps which is close enough to the advertised speeds. Tests throughout the next week were close to that, and remain consistent.
Here are the parts I don't like. Upload is only 2MBps. I expected more for a $79.95/month service. Cablevision where I lived before (Wayne NJ) had OOL boost for $59.95 (If I remember correctly) and they gave you 5MBps upload, plus unblocked ports 80 and 25. Also, the terms and conditions say that they cap you at 100GB/month. Most people probably won't see that, but if you use a lot of VoD and VoIP you may see that being exceeded, in which case you pay $1/GB over. At least they don't advertise the service as unlimited, which it isn't. Lower tiers have smaller caps, with the 10/1 service for $41.95/month at 60GB/month.
The TOS also limits you to two computers in your house. Of course a lot of people exceed that and don't tell the company, and they do nothing, but I find that to be more than a bit ridiculous. Today, everything comes with an ethernet jack, from your TiVo to even your Blu-Ray player, PS3, XBOX etc. How on Earth are they limiting you to TWO computers? Even the actual computers in my house exceed two - My wife and I each have a desktop PC, plus we have laptops. Under the TOS I can only connect two of them. Ridiculous!
Well, as someone else said, they're the only game in town and they know it. I'll keep the 30MBps tier for a few months then decide if I'll go back to 10/1 and find an alternate means to do my work from home (such as using a terminal services client). Oh how I wish we could get FiOS here... Unfortunately we're stuck with Embarq, and I can only get 6MBps DSL here, yuck...
Update: they have lowered the price by 10 bucks to $69.99/month. Still expensive though.
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 Review by sbhusted
UPDATED: 83 days ago
member for 9.5 years, 805 visits, last login: 77 days ago
Bethlehem,Northampton,PA
$79 per month (12 month contract)
about 7 days
 Verizon
"Stable, Good Speeds, No limitations due to commercial agreement"
"They depend on Service Electric - who doesn't care that they over subscribe your node"
"When it worked, it was great. If your node gets over subscribed - good luck. You're basically screwed."
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UPDATE 2 August 2009
Two weeks from reporting the initial problem of bandwidth. Earlier this week I got a message that they installed the new router for my area, etc. Today, I got a message stating that they expect to "turn it on WITHIN 30 DAYS". Wow, that's some FANTASTIC service there. I guess my business can just go on hiatus while they sit around deciding when it's time to "turn it on". Although this is more of a Service Electric Cable issue than PenTeleData - my contract is with PenTeleData. It's not my responsibility to deal with SEC.
UPDATE August 2009
Over the last couple months I've noticed my download speeds deteriorating. Nothing major, but I noticed during peak hours instead of the 4.0 I was getting when I first signed up that I was getting more like 3.0 on average. However, over the last several weeks it has gotten worse to the point when doing speed tests using their tool - I'm averaging between 400kbs - 600kbs down speed!! They've admitted that my node is over subscribed but they are waiting for service electric to move me to a new node - which they tell me I'm scheduled for in a 'few days'. However, it's been almost a week and I'm still only getting about 10% - 20% of the bandwidth I'm paying $80 a month for in a Commercial contract. I'm not happy at all with this situation first of all in regards to them allowing it to get to this point, but I'm also not happy with the fact that I'm not getting any concrete time frame for resolution to this problem. I realize they can't guarantee 4.0 at all times... but we're talking about 400-600kbs! That's about 33% of what I was getting with a 1.5 DLS line!
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I was with COVAD via DSL for years - I think close to 8. I always had good service with them, but then they moved tech support to India and it just became infuriating trying to solve the problem I was having with line noise. It was fine for 7+ years but recently began to have issues with upstream noise. I paid $79.99 for 3.0/768 service but I was only getting 384 or so up and would occasionally experience loss of sync when it was pushed. Tried two different modems as well.
I decided to try cable and got 4.0/768 service from PenTeleData for the same price - plus it is a commercial package so I don't have any limitations on it's usage (Within legal limits, etc. of course). I've only had it for a little over a month but it's been a rock and no issues at all. Speeds are almost always at or above advertised.
Installation was great. The installer was very professional and friendly. He answered all questions and did a very clean job on the inside wire running and a fantastic job running the wire outside our house to the pole. You hardly see it. I think they quoted me installation within 14 days but they were there the same week I ordered.
So far so good!
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Review by kgy03
Posted: 1 year ago
member for 1 year, 0 visits, last login: 1 year ago
Hunlock Creek,Luzerne,PA
$53 per month
"Extremely fast living in the country 10/7 download/upload"
"unreliable from month to month and terrible customer service"
"fast when it works but unreliable"
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I have had Penteledata from Blue Ridge in PA for about 3 years now. During that time I have had to call them many times (i have the number memorized and don't even have to listen to the number options). The customer service is the most stressful part of the deal. They seem to have no idea what they are talking about and can only suggest i restart my computer. Even the techs don't seem to be trained very well. I am currently going to be canceling my plan within the next few weeks because my problem of connection time outs and dial up speeds have gotten the best of me. The techs can't seem to figure it out and the customer service reps don't want to really deal with me.
I must suggest to others to consider another ISP if you can get a better deal.
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 Review by Sc0tt
UPDATED: 1.2 years ago
member for 9 years, 3612 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Stockholm,Sussex,NJ
$41 per month
about 7 days
Verizon
"it works. pretty quick when the node isn't saturated by neighbors"
"there is serious slowdowns in my neighborhood when all the kids are home"
"if it's all that you can get, it's better than dial-up"
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i am using PTD through Service Electric Cable of NJ. their techs are mostly morons, but there is a rare occasion that you get a knowledgeable one if you call about the same problem enough.
for the most part, it's OK but connection drops out in storms (not PTD, but SECTVNJ's fault). i usually get 8000-9000 down, 800-900 up. when the neighbors are all online, it drops to 4000 down, 300 up.
i'm just riding this out until Verizon actually gets around to wiring us people in the woods. damn---WE NEED FIOS UP HERE!!!
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Review by wbrault
UPDATED: 1.3 years ago
member for 6.8 years, 316 visits, last login: 218 days ago
Tamaqua,Schuylkill,PA
Contract price not specified.
"Quick install?"
"Never get half the speeds I'm paying for."
"Don't get it."
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I can't remember the last time I go advertisement speeds. Being the reason I switched for the faster speeds. Might as well just go back to Verizon DSL. Might just do that here shortly. We'll see...
UPDATE 210 Days later. Same old garbage. Half of what you pay for. No one has an answer. Two good things maybe? It works and I never had any downtime. Maybe once or twice but didn't last very long.
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Review by dyczko
UPDATED: 1.4 years ago
member for 9 years, 103 visits, last login: 264 days ago
Milford,Pike,PA
$95 per month (month by month)
Verizon
"unlimited internet access is capped"
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I received a letter from BlueRidge/PenTelelData the other day stating that my unlimited internet access service account was using "excessive amounts of bandwidth". No where in any of their sales literature or contracts is their any specifics as to the amount of usage an unlimited amount is entitled to. I did find some small print on a hard to find web page that reads ...""Customer shall use reasonable efforts to minimize unnecessary network traffic and interference with the work of other users of interconnected networks. BRC and PTD reserve the right to terminate service, if in PTD & BRC's sole determination customer utilizes excessive bandwidth."" The letter does not state how much I used or what the caps are. I called them and they could not tell me what the caps are nor could they look up and tell me how much bandwidth I've used. I have calls into several managers at both BRC & PTD asking for an explanation. I'm currently paying for the highest level of service they offer 15x2 (only get about 6.5x1.8 but that's another issue). I do not run run a server, or host email, web, games, etc.... I am on a lot and do stream live web seminars and internet radio to me, so I would consider myself an above average user.
upd: 06/10/2008: Have finally been told that the bandwidth limit is 80G. If I do my math I can download 80G in about a day. So what do I do for the other 29 days????
PTD says I have to switch to a commercial account . Hmmmm ... go from 15/2 to 6/1 on the speed and double the price. Doesn't make sense to me. ... and I'll still be capped!!!
Hopefully I'll get better answers tomorrow.
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 Review by krenim191
Posted: 1.5 years ago
member for 8.8 years, 3253 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Wellsboro,Tioga,PA
$56 per month (month by month)
about 5 days
"Fast, Consistant Speeds, Low Pings"
"None so far"
"Not bad for living in the middle of nowhere"
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Well lets start off with the back story. I got a promotion at work that required me to work from the corporate headquarters... an 84 mile round trip from where I was living. With the cost of gas and the 10 hours a week of my life it was taking away I decided to relocate.
If you've ever visited the north central part of Pennsylvania - you'll no doubt agree with me that it is beautiful... but populated it isn't! Welcome to Mayberry - er, Wellsboro, PA that is. Population ~4000, also the county seat of Tioga County (just to give you an idea of how populated the rest of the county is). Colonial gas lamps line the center of the main streets, well manicured lawns everywhere you look, Main Street is full of little shops and restaurants. That's all fine and well - but what is the broadband going to be like here!?!?!
To my surprise - it's pretty damn good. Much faster service than I was getting with my Verizon DSL service 42 miles to the south.
I ordered the service in February 2008 - it's now May and I think that has given me enough time to fully test the services.
My cable company is Blue Ridge Communications, the ISP that runs the show is PenTeleData. I remember back in the early days of the internet, PTD was quite a powerful local ISP, with some services that were to be envied.
PTD seems to have a pretty solid backbone, with multiple peerings in NY, NJ & MD. Ping times across the board are very low. I subscribe to the 10/800 tier (G10 they call it) and consistently hit my cap. We had a couple of bad ice storms since I've moved here, and all the while I was happily downloading at top speed along with everyone else in the area since nobody could go anywhere.
When the service was first installed, they furnished me with a Webstar modem - it was very flaky and often needed rebooted- within a few days I purchased a Motorola 5120 and haven't had a single problem since.
I have heard of a few people having their service suspended or terminated because of high usage... I'm a heavy user and have yet to receive a letter or phone call. They do provide a tool that tells you how much data you have consumed in a given month and it seems fairly accurate when compared with the monitoring software I use on my PC.
All in all, I'm pretty happy with my new service. That can quickly change though if the service drops below unacceptable levels. I'll be sure to update my review.
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Review by CBits
UPDATED: 1.7 years ago
member for 1.7 years, 2 visits, last login: 1.7 years ago
Hampton,Hampton City,VA
Contract price not specified.
"Uptime"
"Limited or non-existent tech support"
"Residential users beware, PTD is the only game in town and they know it"
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PTD is linked with Blue Ridge Communications, and although Blue Ridge is quite a pleasure to deal with, it is difficult to determine who is responsible for what. Their technical support for residential customers is non-existent and one merely needs to go to mx toolbox to find several issues with their range of IP's. Unfortuantely, they are the only game in town in Milford, PA, and it appears they utilize this to their advantage. A new ISP would clean up here.
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Review by briangawenus
UPDATED: 1.9 years ago
member for 1.9 years, 3 visits, last login: 1.9 years ago
Jim Thorpe,Carbon,PA
$51 per month
about 5 days
"tech support"
"will supend service if using more then they deam excessive and service is very slow during peak times"
"find a better isp or dsl for the area"
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download of 15000kbs its 4am and d/l is 12248 kb/s
upload of 1500kbs its 4am and d/l is 1825 kb/s
12/6/2007 received letter in email from penteldata to below
.December 5, 2007
Dear Mr.
RE: PTD ACCT #
Please read this critical system message from PenTeleData/Blue Ridge Communications regarding the excessive usage statistics that continue to be recorded for your residential cable Internet service.
PenTeleData previously informed you about excessive bandwidth usage through your cable modem account.
6/11/07 – First notice for May ’07 usage sent – 136.6 gigs down & 49 gigs up
8/6/07 – Second notice for July ‘07 usage sent – 139.95 gigs down & 41.14 gigs up
11/7/07 – Re-sent second notice for Oct ’07 usage – 88.22 gigs down & 21.93 gigs up
After careful analysis of recent usage data on your account, it was determined that your cable Internet account continues to consume bandwidth in excess of what is considered normal for the cable package that you are paying for. We asked you to please review your computer system(s) and your usage patterns for any activity you thought might cause your account to exceed the acceptable usage totals. We also asked that you sharply reduce the bandwidth utilization for your account or upgrade to a higher speed package. Today, your cable Internet service account remains identified as utilizing an excessive amount of bandwidth.
Your bandwidth utilization for the month of November ‘07 was 91.56 gigs down & 25.34 gigs up. As a result, on December 12, 2007, your Internet service with Blue Ridge Communications / PenTeleData will be suspended. The account will remain closed for a period of 30 days. If you would like to have your service reactivated in the future, you may contact your local Blue Ridge Communications office after (30 days) to request account reactivation.
If you choose to reactivate your service after the 30 day suspension and you continue to use excessive bandwidth, your account will be terminated.
PenTeleData/Blue Ridge Communications
Followup comments:  lordkosc
join:2005-01-18
Northampton, PA | omg wow, that sucks, switch over to DSL if you can, no limits!  | |
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Donkaroo
join:2000-07-02
Hawley, PA
| Horrible I just received my second notice today telling me I'm using too much bandwidth. The thing is they consider ALL usage in those reports, including normal web browsing and email. It's not like its only counting actual downloads of games/movies/data from work etc. I have 4 computers in my house with 3 kids and these threatening letters are getting annoying. I purchased their top package of 15/2Mbs thinking that would allow for "unlimited access". I was wrong.
I moved here from NJ and Optimum Online offered a Boost package of 30/5Mbs that imposed no caps. It was great. It seems like PenTeleData is hinting at making me upgrade to a commercial account. That would be fine if they offered a decent package, but they dont. $180/month for their 10/1Mbs package. Thats ridiculous. I'm really starting to despise not having a choice when it comes to broadband service. Its some racket they going. I looked over my contract and the only thing referring to caps is that its at their sole discretion. How can I ensure my kids stay within a limit if theres no limit given?? Absurd.
When I received these letters I asked my kids about it and they said they download mainly overnight so its done the next day. They also put caps on the speed so the line doesn't slow to a crawl while downloading. I just don't see the issue with this. Now knowing that my service can be cut off is very displeasing as I need access for work. Being that DSL isn't even available here really puts me in a bind. I don't like being "strong armed" or threatened into a commercial account when this is a residential household with 3 kids using the internet for everyday activities. They advertise downloading movies/songs etc in their commercials! That is by far the biggest reason for getting broadband in the first place. Its getting to the point where I actually wish broadband would be regulated and do away with these monopolies. | |
| | AndrettiFan
Premium
join:2007-10-18
Alburtis, PA
| Re: Horrible I would go to your local township / city / borough organization in charge of offering the license for them to operate in the area and complain. At worst, you wasted a little of your time. At best, the letters will stop and you still have your service.
I'm still waiting for them to fix speeds locally since I'm paying for 7MBs service and I get less than 1. | |
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Donkaroo
join:2000-07-02
Hawley, PA
| Re: Horrible I may very well do that. My biggest gripe is they keep referring to a contract that has nothing listed about caps! Even in their 2 warning letters it only states that I'm using too much bandwidth but still doesn't tell me what these caps are. The first letter said to cut back my usage. I told my kids about this and said to cut back a bit. The following month I received a second letter. I had cut the total bandwidth used almost in half and still got a letter. Again, no mention of what cap to stay under.
The thing is, there are alot of options for them to enforce a cap. Even if it changed often they could give a generalization in the contract. Something along the lines of-"stay within 100GB/month. These numbers may change at any time". Otherwise the warning letters are pointless. I received two letters and yet I still had no idea how much bandwidth I'm allowed to use. After the second letter I called them to see what was going on. The woman I spoke with was very nice. Aside from the fact of trying to upsell me to a commercial account within 2 minutes of the call, she was very helpful. She even gave me the numbers I need to stay below, which were 80GB/s down 45GB/s up per month. Why they cant just include these numbers either in the contract or in the warning letters is beyond me.
My other gripe are caps in general. I completely understand the need to have them on a network that functions on a shared usage policy. The thing is times change. A full movie is over 4GB. Just by downloading 10 movies a month is well over 40GB. With all these companies offering full movie/game downloads, streaming music, VOIP, etc. the need for broadband increases every day. Since I'm not running any sort of network I don't see how I should have to pay for a commercial account. Not only does it cost 3 times as much for half the bandwidth, but you have to sign a 3 year contract!
The only thing I can hope for is for more competition to be allowed in my area. My only choice is what I have now or dialup. For whatever reason DSL isnt offered here. It is available on the other side of my development, but not here.
And I experience the same network degregation as you. I haven't hit 15 Mbs since I moved here. Most times during the day I get such slowdowns that even loading web pages take forever, or timeout all together. I also get at least one power outage a month causing loss of service. And to top it off, I have horrible packet loss throughout the day. It reeks havoc on my VOIP line and my son was just complaining it makes online game playing unbearable.
Good luck getting your service fixed AndrettiFan, and thank you for the suggestion. | |
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