Honestly, I'm on the Exp 8 package which is 40GIG/month and even with heavy Online Gaming with my Xbox (Battlefield 3, CoD: Black ops) I never ended up going over my usage for the month.

Honestly, the only way you can really get yourself into big trouble with usage is Bit Torrent programs in use if you aren't aware that they are still active.

Yeah, the patches hurt. People bitch about voice too but that really shouldn't be an issue.

Still, it's a sad state of affairs when someone can't even play a game - something that has traditionally been low bandwidth usage - without going over a cap.

Haven't had any Overages since I quit playing World of Warcraft a year and a half ago. I'm very vigilant about checking my usage at least 3 times a week, have my router properly password protected and I know exactly how much I use.

Can't be surprised when I'm completely on top of it and know how the usage works.

That makes no sense because on a whole WoW uses very little bandwidth.

So I will post an update to my response from a month or so back, and an update wrt the initial yowling ;)

My year contract is now up with Cogeco. I have looked around at the various options, done some research, and explored the service alternatives.

I spoke with Cogeco, and indicated what my expectations were to continue as a customer.

While it did require a phone call, and 'haggling' if you will, we have decided to renew for another year. Our overall fees are down, we dropped a couple of redundant TV packages, moved the internet package up to the 30 meg tier, while getting it discounted to $45/mo, and had the phone costs dropped to a little over $20.

I am happier with the cost value, and while still not completely satisfied with the TV quality, it is not bothersome enough to warrant a switch.

From a total cost perspective, splitting our services with 3 providers would have been significantly more costly.

I would not go to Bell, and even with Tek (which I have a basic account with), I cannot get the speed or stability that I need from a primarily line. Cogeco has always provided a good quality connection, and I would have expected the same from Start.

So I have traded off about 100gig/mo of data (which I currently don't need), for a cost savings of $15/mo - factoring in the modem cost, which at $150 ultimately ended up being the deal breaker with Start.

Perhaps in another year the options will be different.

Am I 100% satisfied? No, but I think that increasing competition will ultimately improve the cost offerings, and while the customer service is not what it once was, the company is bigger, and in many ways the same scenario is playing out with Tek, and likely will with Start if it continues to grow.

So I will post an update to my response from a month or so back, and an update wrt the initial yowling ;)

My year contract is now up with Cogeco. I have looked around at the various options, done some research, and explored the service alternatives.

I spoke with Cogeco, and indicated what my expectations were to continue as a customer....

Getting back to what the OP was originally yowling about....

I'm keeping a close watch on both of you rabble-rousers.

;)

I've been with Cogeco since the the first month they arrived in Peterborough and have been happy with the speed and support has been excellent.

I have posted this numerous times. My only issue now is their cap which I am living with.

Unlike others in here I have an excellent alternative ISP to go to that Cogeco can't match with regular pricing but I haven't been driven to switch yet.

....So, to answer your question, no it is not all about hate. But a lot of us are frustrated over years of what can only be called abuse. Lack of options have led to 'just having to put up with it'. Now that options are out there, many are leaving.

I am glad you are happy with your cable internet. But consider not just the service, but the price you are paying for it, and make sure you have critically appraised the options. You may come to realize that you aren't as satisfied as you think.

Now do get it straight before you drop in here saying I claim "all is well in cogeco-land" ... I never said any such thing. I said -MY- service was golden, and said that there should be room on this forum for both positive and negative topics without the positive ones being overrun by people encouraging people who are satisfied to jump ship any way they can.

I am a regular on these boards and I have read all the above linked topics, it does not change the fact that my internet is stable, fast and reliable. The three things I need it to be. I am simply tired of the handful of haters (many of which are not even subscribers to Cogeco service anymore) who think its a conquest to drown any sunshine on the boards. Can we not have some balance and let people be happy if they are happy?

In the end its your choice to hate Cogeco, disagree with their policies or whatever, but its also our choice to stick with it if we are satisfied with our services. I am not blind to whats going on, it simply does not affect me or the service I have gotten thus far.