TIME WARNER NOW SPECTRUM

[fayrich]

All of a sudden Time Warner is no more and Spectrum has magically appeared. Seemingly making new and different offerings. Used to be a bundle of tv, internet and phone for $90. Now it's each service separately for $30 each. Still $90. What's different is the internet "starting speed" of 60 Meg. Used to be either 15 or 30 Meg. Can't remember which. Just what the hell is "starting speed"? In my mind it's just BS. And what you are really getting is the same 15 or 30 Meg speed. Anyone know about this? I think that 60 Meg for $30 is just too cheap and is a scam. Seems to me that TW is just trying to run and hide from its bad reputation.

 

[harshness]

Welcome to the world of Charter Communications. They acquired TWC and Brighthouse last year (although their calling it a merger).

It isn't all bad but there will likely be come aches and pains of settling into the new setup.

If you thought TWC was the greatest thing since sliced bread, you perhaps need to get out more. Then again, it may be a regional thing.

 

[king3pj]

All of a sudden Time Warner is no more and Spectrum has magically appeared. Seemingly making new and different offerings. Used to be a bundle of tv, internet and phone for $90. Now it's each service separately for $30 each. Still $90. What's different is the internet "starting speed" of 60 Meg. Used to be either 15 or 30 Meg. Can't remember which. Just what the hell is "starting speed"? In my mind it's just BS. And what you are really getting is the same 15 or 30 Meg speed. Anyone know about this? I think that 60 Meg for $30 is just too cheap and is a scam. Seems to me that TW is just trying to run and hide from its bad reputation.

If you are getting the same 15 or 30 Mbps speeds you got before you need a new modem or you have some other problem with your internet connection. I have had Charter internet since about 2002 and I'm not sure what the "starting speed" you are talking about is. Their broadband has always been very solid and I have always been around, and usually above the advertised speeds.

Here is a speed test I just took. I am on the same 60 Mbps Charter internet that you are supposed to be getting. It's not a scam.


http://beta.speedtest.net/result/5992089987

Edit: Apparently you can't embed results from the beta version of Speedtest.net (doesn't require Flash) the way you can with the normal version. You actually have to click the link the see the speedtest result.

Edit 2: Here is a test from another testing website that doesn't require Flash and will let me embed.

 

[primestar31]

Just call them up, and ask for a new "modem self-install kit". They are free now, NO monthly charge. It'll allow your speed to go up and beyond 60mbps. Old modems just aren't capable of going any higher than 30 meg MAX.

Install it, then call them to have them provision it. Their instructions on how to do it yourself online don't work. At least they didn't work for me 2 years ago, but once I called, I was back online shortly after the modem took a download from them. I just ran this test while I was also watching Netflix.

 

[fayrich]

Haven't bit for their teasers yet. Still have DTV and am waiting to see what the new cable company (WOW) installing in the area now will have to offer. Just had a hard time believing their 60 Meg claim. Still would like to know what they mean by "starting speed". Wasn't aware of the Charter takeover.

 

[BearcatScott]

Will Spectrum still have unlimited data as TWC did?

 

[king3pj]

Haven't bit for their teasers yet. Still have DTV and am waiting to see what the new cable company (WOW) installing in the area now will have to offer. Just had a hard time believing their 60 Meg claim. Still would like to know what they mean by "starting speed". Wasn't aware of the Charter takeover.

I'm not sure why you are finding so hard to believe. Two of us have shown you our speed test results. There are plenty of other providers who offer speeds well above the 60 Mbps that Charter has. I'm not sure where you are seeing "starting speed" but that might simply mean that 60Mbps is the lowest speed they offer.

If it's the price that seems unbelievable to you that is promo pricing for new customers. You get $29.99 for the first two years and then it goes up to a normal price of $59.99. However I still only play $39.99 for Charter 60 Mbps internet after years of being a customer. I just call them every time my promo runs out and they offer me another year.

Will Spectrum still have unlimited data as TWC did?

Yes. Charter Spectrum is unlimited internet too.

 

[EarDemon]

You are reading waaaaaay too much into this.

Charter Communications announced the buy out of Time Warner Cable and Brighthouse Networks over a year and a half ago in May of 2015 shortly after the TWC/Comcast merger was nixed. The merger was completed about a year later in the Spring of 2016. Spectrum is the branding Charter uses and many areas are in the middle of rebranding now. NYC and Texas were the first, then the former Brighthouse markets in Florida, the MidWest is happening now, my area, Upstate NY is slated for around Feb 20.

With a few rare exceptions, Time Warner offered four speed tiers in their markets at slightly different prices, plus their Every Day Low Price low end $15 tier.

Standard - 50 Mbps in Maxx markets or 15 Mbps in Non-Maxx
Turbo - 100 Mbps in Maxx markets or 20 Mbps in Non-Maxx
Extreme - 200 Mbps in Maxx markets or 30 Mbps in Non-Maxx
Ultimate - 300 Mbps in Maxx markets or 50 Mbps in Non-Maxx

TWC under the Spectrum Pricing Plan will offer just two

Standard - 100 Mbps in Maxx markets or 60 Mbps in Non-Maxx for $60 Retail/Non Promo
Ultra - 300 Mbps in Maxx markets or 100 Mbps in Non-Maxx for $100 Retail/Non Promo

So now instead of offing plans starting at 15, they are starting at 60. Get it?

You have to call in, or go to a cable store to switch to Spectrum Price Plans.

Like with Time Warner, Spectrum plans are overprovisioned by roughly 25%. Pay for 60, get ~72. Pay for 100, get ~125.

 

[chuckster_dude]

In NY state, Charter is obligated to offer a $15 package for 15 Mbps to low income households. I think by 2018 or 2019. It was a provision as part of NY state for signing off on the deal to buy TWC. I don't know what the income limit is but I would gladly take 15 Mbps for $15 as it would be a big upgrade over my DSL.

 

[EarDemon]

Under SPP, to get the $15 internet package in NY, you must either have a child enrolled in a reduced/free school lunch program, or be a senior citizen on SSI. I believe those are the only two circumstances that qualifies one for that package, but I don't remember for sure. And believe it or not, if I remember correctly, it's supposed to be 30 Mbps.

I never read much of it, since it absolutely sickens and infuriates me how much this asinine state lead by Prince Andy and UpChuck interferes with businesses, but I have the link with the NY State conditions bookmarked

https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/charter-twc-ny.pdf

 

[Albiondon]

The max speed here in Conneaut,Oh is 50 mb,for this I pay TWC/Spectrum 85.00 for internet service and 10.00 for unlimited phone service a total of 98.25 a month

 

[Claude Greiner]

I sell both TWC And charter.

Even though the new company is Charter spectrum, in the legacy TWC areas the packages are about the same as before.

It will be several more months before the promos are the same in all the 'spectrum' areas

 

[bmetelsky]

In Elyria, OH I'm now paying a total of $63 for 60/5 internet and unlimited phone. This is promotional pricing, but is less than what I was paying TWC for slower internet and phone.

 

[Jhon69]

In NY state, Charter is obligated to offer a $15 package for 15 Mbps to low income households. I think by 2018 or 2019. It was a provision as part of NY state for signing off on the deal to buy TWC. I don't know what the income limit is but I would gladly take 15 Mbps for $15 as it would be a big upgrade over my DSL.

Just a reminder 15Mbps is too low to stream 4K UHDTV,the recommended speed is 25Mbps.

 

[fayrich]

Thanks for all the info guys. Very helpful. As previously stated, WOW Cable is coming in. My intention is to leave DTV, but want to see what WOW is offering before I decide which to go with. Then even possibly go to one of the streaming services like Vue.

 

[dweber]

Thanks for all the info guys. Very helpful. As previously stated, WOW Cable is coming in. My intention is to leave DTV, but want to see what WOW is offering before I decide which to go with. Then even possibly go to one of the streaming services like Vue.

i had 50 MB download and 5 MB from Time Warner. Last week my speed got very slow. They had me reboot my modem and my speeds are now 60-65 MB download and 5 MB upload. They told me they have upgraded everyone to 60 MB. In some cases it requires a newer modem or a reboot of your modem. I am located in the country between Plain City and Marysville Ohio.

Sent from my KFGIWI using the SatelliteGuys app!

 

[Claude Greiner]

Thanks for all the info guys. Very helpful. As previously stated, WOW Cable is coming in. My intention is to leave DTV, but want to see what WOW is offering before I decide which to go with. Then even possibly go to one of the streaming services like Vue.

Wow sucks.

I like their 300 meg internet for $79.99 but the ping times don't seem as good as I get with 150 meg Comcast.

I have both services at my house.

 

[fayrich]

Wow sucks.

I like their 300 meg internet for $79.99 but the ping times don't seem as good as I get with 150 meg Comcast.

I have both services at my house.

How about WOW's tv service - what do you think of it?

 

[harshness]

How about WOW's tv service - what do you think of it?

Did you miss the part about "WOW sucks"?

If WOW sucks and he likes their broadband, you can safely assume that he's not dismissing them based on their phone service.

 

[fayrich]

No, didn't miss that. But conversation has been about internet. Would like to hear specifically opinions about their tv service. If tv service sucks, what is the problem with it? Would really like to hear first hand experience so I am better able to make an informed decision when the time comes.