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Review by neineken 
UPDATED: 1.4 years ago
member for 1.8 years, 4 visits, last login: 1.4 years ago
 Seattle,King,WA
 $135 per month
 "None"
 "Everything You Can Think Of, Defrauded the BBB"
 "Avoid at All Costs, Report to BBB, Report to Cable Commission"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection Reliability:
Tech Support:
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A long time ago I wrote a scathing review on here about some problems I was having with Broadstripe/MDM. I went through the hassle of getting in touch with the city Cable Commission or whatever it is, as well as filing a BBB report on them. When my problem was "resolved", I changed this review and removed a lot of my angry comments. I am adding them back. Quick summary:
- My service sucks, as does the service of all of those commenting below me
- The stupid clown on the commercials that I want to choke keeps telling me "6 MEGS!"... it's not 6 anything, it's not even one
- Support sucks, if you can reach them
- Repair technicians are grossly incompetent and could not fix my problem after several on-site visits
- Service is a total ripoff, I've never had to pay this much for such horrible service
So get this, in order to get my BBB complaint closed and marked as 'customer accepts resolution' or whatever, they jack up my cable speed immensely. All of a sudden, I'm getting a full 6, and even more than 6mbit. I was really surprised, and thought they had fixed the problem.
What happens next is almost comical. Once the BBB was closed and marked as resolved/customer happy, my service immediately... I'm talking about the day after they called... goes back down to the same crap it always was.
What conclusions can I draw from this? That everyone reporting crappy 1mb speeds is being purposely throttled down to that speed, as I got a temporary look into what speeds can really be achieved if they actually remove the cap.
We are being intentionally ripped off.
They are throttling traffic, heavily.
They are now sending along Globe Life Insurance policy spam in their bills. That is wonderful too.
I have reopened my BBB complaint and allege fraud.
Followup comments:  
Broadkiller
@cablespeed.com
| Broadstripe simply sucks! What cable internet service allows dropped connections every three minutes or less? Hey, it's Broadstripe! I've lived in the Seattle area for 12 years, and have been a Comcast cable subscriber for as long as Comcast has offered cable. I have had Comcast cable at three different homes, all with great service and a steady upload and download stream.
I live in Queen Anne; I recently bought a small condo here. My building has a contract with Broadstripe. When I checked around for Comcast, they said that they didn't have a service contract for my building. I thought, "Oh no! Then who does?" I immediately had suspicions about "the other high speed internet cable provider in the Seattle area."
I work virtually via VPN (virtual private network) and use remote desktop to connect to a computer at my workplace. Using Broadstripe is an exercise in frustration because the feed drops about every minute, and I have to wait for the VPN utility to reconnect. I have used VPN for three years previously with Comcast and have experienced no problems.
I created a ticket with Broadstripe and their service technician will come out for a look next week. I'll get charged $29.99 if they find out it's my equipment. Somehow I have a feeling that, no matter what happens, I'm going to get charged for anything that this company does anyway, and the problem won't get resolved.
If you have a choice between Broadstripe and Comcast, steer clear of the sporadic outages and dropped connections that plague Broadstripe service. | |
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markk1661
@spcsdns.net
| Broadstripe Lies and trys to steal from you I just moved to Seattle 4 months ago and had only one choice for Cable service in my building. I got Broadstripe HD TV and broadband internet. I was told that I had a set price for 6 months at $71.00 a month. After 3 months it went up to $101.00.
I also have had bad broadband and HD service for the 3 months and so I canceled everything and can't wait to move into my new house. | |
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mikemos
@cablespeed.com
| I hate Broadstripe (Millenium) Why does Seattle allow Broadstripe to exist in Seattle. I'm convinced someone is getting a kickback. It's not like it's for competitive reasons. If you live in the sliver of downtown that Broadstripe covers, that's all you can get.
This is the 2nd time I have been forced to contract with them. I was with Comcast before and while I had my problems with them it was NOTHING like the issues I have with Broadstripe.
They claim 6Mbs downstream but almost every other night I get 1Mbs or below. They don't do anything about it either. I work on a number of server and have to connect remotely. I am constantly getting bogged down. At night I like to watch Netflix on demand. I don't do it at peak times, only at night and it constantly crawls. If you want basic cable it's $45. With Comcast you can get basic 2-13 for something like $15. What is going on?
I would say "if you have a choice" but you probably don't. You're forced to get Broadstripe if you want cable access. Write your city council person and tell them to get rid of Broadstripe. Make them give you an answer why they have let them in the city. | |
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I like it
@cablespeed.com
|  BROADSTRIPE
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| | | | | leland_sabon
join:2003-05-13
Seattle, WA | Re: BROADSTRIPE I just moved to Seattle. Don't have a tv (yet), and my internet choices are broadstripe and qwest.
Am I just up s**t creek? Is either a decent choice? | |
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Review by megaduck
Posted: 1.5 years ago
member for 1.5 years, 3 visits, last login: 1.4 years ago
Seattle,King,WA
$60 per month
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection Reliability:
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Having limited choice i decided to sign up with Broadstripe and get their top of the range 6mbps package, or at least that's what i pay for. The installation was seamless, everything hooked up very quickly. Now for the service that's a different story.
Internet speed is around 200-800 kbps at best. Peak times even worse. They clearly have an overloaded backbone, and too many users on their pipes. I call this misrepresentation and creating false customer expectations. The service has steadily been getting worse too.
Seeing only bad reviews on this site, i only wish i had done more reading in the beginning. I'll be looking elsewhere for better speed and reliability.
Followup comments:
dhanson1971
@verizon.net
|  Broadstripe is awful - Get dish if in rural Snohomish
 Broadstripe is a joke. I have been forced to have them be my only option as a cable company in a new development in rural Snohomish, out by Lake Roesiger. My only choice, mind you - but I am getting dish ASAP even if it makes the outside of my house look crazy - I don't give a shit anymore. In the past 1.5 years I have had Broadstripe (MDM before that) I have paid less than 5 full cable bills because they can't keep their cable signal up EVER. The wind blows too hard, out - it rains too much, out. I have now lost cable since yesterday during the DAY only because it is too hot - but it magically comes on at night and stays on in the AM until the weather temp goes up and then, out again . . No one at their customer service cares - and in rural Snohomish they only service or send techs out on Tuesday & Thursday . . so when I called @ 3:00 PM on Friday, they actually told me no one could help me until Tuesday. 5 days I just won't have service. I have had their "tech" people in my house more than 10 times evaluating all of my connections because no one believes me that it is their horrid out-dated equipment and lines that won't hold signal strength. Their tech guys also have no emergency or night time service, and only keep the same hours as their customer service people, actually, no - because they will answer the phone up until 7:00 PST and their tech guys will only work on the lines up until 4:00 PM, so lots of help there. This week I have had to call Broadstripe customer service 5 days in a row: they ditched my scheduled appointment (again!) and then showed up unexpected the following day (thank god I was home?) and then the very next day, no cable and now suddenly no one can come figure out why. I can call over the weekend, but you get an answering service who really doesn't record you called or pass on the information and who can blame them - their isn't any tech people working on a Saturday or Sunday - so why bother. I will have to wait until Monday and call AGAIN . . . the funny thing is when I did call this morning and told them it was out; they said they would email dispatch and call me back . . said the same thing yesterday, and it didn't happen. As I was leaving my house today, someone called from Broadstripe to ask if my cable was still out (I had just called them less than a 1/2 hour earlier to tell them it was still out) before they sent someone out to our area - I said, "Yes, still out" and they assured me they would have someone out today and that the tech would call and give me an update; guess what? No update, no call, no cable . . . so I'll be receiving yet another 5 days worth of no cable credit - but it will take me months to make sure it gets on my bill. Last time they skipped an appointment on me, I was supposed to receive a credit to my account in the amount of $20.00 - and the CHARGED me for it - and then it took me over 4 months to get it reversed and I had to call and remind them each month to reverse it. How frickin hard it is to keep BASIC CABLE service up, schedule appointments, and because of computer technology, update and maintain records of payment and invoice your customers right? Apparently, for these clowns, it is very tough. For the past year, I have been told over and over again that they are in the process of upgrading our lines and they know how bad our area is- BLAH, BLAH, BLAH . . all a bunch of crap. If anything, their service has gotten worse, they cut back the days they will even come out to where we live - and they can't manage what they tell me from phone call to phone call.
This is, bar none, the WORST company I have ever had to use and I am furious that I have no other choice in my area. We are calling and meeting with the Snohomish County public works franchising department to have them explain to me why I am forced to have to use this backwards, outdated company and their services. I used to hate Comcast - I would give anything to be their customer again.
I am currently looking into joining the other 51 households in my development who use Direct TV and Dish Network - I should have listened to them when I moved in, but then our flat screens won't be so "flat" with their reception boxes everywhere, but I don't care. I have already talked 2 other of my neighbors into getting Broadstripe - and I will continue on my war path forever with this company until they improve their services and actually make customer service and satisfaction a priority. Leaving a customer without service for 5 days is ridiculous to me - and do you think it is a bad thing that I have their 800 number on speed dial or that I have both their 800 number memorized since I have to call and complain about them so much? Both my husband and I have asked repeatedly for supervisors in cable TV to call us and explain why we can't have service that is dependable and reliable in the year 2008. Do you know how many have called? NONE!
BROADSTRIPE SUCKS - IF YOU HAVE A CHOICE, GO WITH ANYTHING OTHER THAN THIS COMPANY OR YOU WILL BE GREATLY SORRY! | |
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Review by mdkathon
UPDATED: 1.5 years ago
member for 1.5 years, 0 visits, last login: 1.5 years ago
Seattle,King,WA
$60 per month
"Friendly customer service."
"Poor internet service, bad download speeds, laggy gaming."
"If you want to go back to the days of early DSL, Broadstripe can deliver!"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
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Due to my location in Seattle (20th and Charles - Central District) the choices of broadband are three: Cellular via AT&T(UMTS/HSDPA), Clearwire(WiMAX), or Broadstripe(Cable). At this point I can't believe that I am even considering a wireless option as it is so damn laggy, but at this point it does not matter.
My time with Broadstripe has been just depressing. I make use of BitTorrent for downloading large files (Linux distros, 3+ GB of data), and also try (and fail) to stream IPTV type content like Netflix WatchNow and the Microsoft IPTV Beta. Though customer service swears up and down that they do not shape traffic I cannot get above 150K/sec down with BitTorrent no matter how many connections are available. I've read endlessly about making sure my port triggering is setup, I've replaced modems, routers, RG-6 cable, splitters, had multiple visits from Broadstripe technicians saying everything is A-OK... Well.. It's not okay. Most of my web traffic is laggy, and when I can find a FTP server with a good connection I top out at 250-300K/sec if I am LUCKY.
Additionally, it is nearly impossible for me to game now. For the last two months my Half-Life (TF2, CS: Source) and other FPS game servers have magically developed HUGE latency issues.... Though again with a call to Broadstripe they cannot seem to find a problem and offer to send out another technician, which leaves me waiting, from 8AM-5PM, losing my hourly wage, to be told that nothing is wrong.
Here is what to take from this:
IF you're considering moving in the Seattle area make sure it is served by someone other that Broadstripe for cable service. We know who the other guy is and as much as we hat him at least it works the way it should for normal HTTP and UDP traffic, BitTorrent may be another concern....
And why must I pay an arm+leg for digital cable service. I have a HTPC with a digital tuner, but I am not going to pay for additional package prices for it...
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Update:
I have been in touch with Broadstripe via email discussing these issues. They do seem very interested in finding a root cause and resolving this. This is the type of service you do not expect from larger companies and I appreciate it. With hope we will be able to find out what is going on and improve things!
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Review by rsharr
Posted: 1.5 years ago
member for 1.5 years, 0 visits, last login: 1.5 years ago
Seattle,King,WA
Contract price not specified.
"NONE"
"expensive, horrible service, horrible PERIOD"
"HORRIBLE COMPANY"
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Someone please sue this company already and put them out of business.
If you have a problem on the weekend, too bad, they arent open sunday even for technical support. They will write your name and number down and call you back later.
I am supposed to be paying for a 5mb connection, but i dont download faster then 300kb anywhere, and lately they have put a secret cap on my connection and i cant get passed 90kb...
They like to cancel your connection without warning you and they always seem to be having problems.
FUCK this company I am so sick of this bullshit.
Followup comments: hottboiinnc
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH | Up To All connections in the United States are always "up to" so you can't sue them for your speed issues. Also smaller ISPs are not open on the weekends for service. Especially if its a small family operation. | |
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Review by bopgun23
Posted: 1.6 years ago
member for 3.1 years, 9 visits, last login: 90 days ago
Seattle,King,WA
$35 per month
"Friendly service"
"Speeds at less than 1/3 of advertised"
"Shoddy internet for those who have no other choice"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection Reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
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This review is for Broadstripe cable internet (previously know as Millennium).
Location: Seattle Central District (MLK/Yesler)
Package: 6mb @ $30/month (6-month promo), $50 or $55 after promo ends
Order Process: Sales rep was pleasant, didn't pressure, offered promos without being asked. However, rep was asked to have the tech NOT install a cable modem, but the modem install was on the service order at day of install.
Install Process: I wasn't home to personally oversee process, so tech installed a new cable modem (despite seeing MY cable modem sitting right there). Had to call back support to switch MAC address, then return new modem personally.
Internet Quality: Iffy at best. Speedtest.net results for local servers can reach up to 5mb, but average out at 1.5mb, and are often as low as 800kb.
The primary problem, however, is service stutters. Not total service drops, mind you, but the REGULAR experience of having any loading pages suddenly hang for up to 15 seconds. Often, I have to reload the pages to get anything to happen.
So, the indication is that the quality CAN be good... it just whips up and down constantly, thusly classifying it as BAD.
Followup comments: tsmartinson
join:2008-02-10
Chesterfield, MO | Broadstripe Internet Service My name is Tom Martinson and I am the VP of IT/ISP services for Broadstripe. I have read your posting and would like to offer my assistance in solving your issue. Please feel free to contact me at tsmartinson@broadstripe.com. | |
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Review by BB at last
Posted: 1.7 years ago
member for 3.3 years, 10 visits, last login: 1.1 years ago
Duvall,King,WA
$60 per month
"Only BB option"
"Service is Horrible, Customer Service is Equally bad. Connections is incredibly unstable and SLOW."
"If you have any other choice, it is probably better then what this company can do."
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MilleniumDigital sold the local network to BS. Service was bad under MDM but has only gotten wrse under BS.
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Review by dcantrell
UPDATED: 1.7 years ago
member for 1.8 years, 0 visits, last login: 1.8 years ago
Seattle,King,WA
$59 per month
"Late fees after 13 days, fastest speed is not fast anymore, customer service on hold time is insane."
"I'm searching for a new cable internet provider"
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Broadstripe took over Millenium about 4 months ago. I had heard that Millenium sucked, but I never had problems with them. But now, with Broadstripe, I know what it's like to have an internet service provider that sucks. Their invoices are due upon receipt and even though I have paid each one within 13 days from the invoice date, they have charged me a $5 late fee each time. I just got off the phone with customer service (I waited exactly 51 minutes on hold before customer service finally answered) and they are not going to waive the late fees. I think Broadstripes connection speeds are not what they are supposed to be either. I upgraded to the fastest speed with Millenium over a year ago when I signed up with Vonage because my Vonage service needed the faster speed. Now I'm having trouble with my Vonage service again because my internet speed is not fast enough. Yet I am paying for the fastest speed still. I pay 59.72 for this crappy service plus a $5 late fee for paying within 13 days. I'm looking for a new provider.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of BroadStripe |
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BroadStripe
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