Seasonal WiFi options?

[kathy King]

I know this group has shared resources about cost-efficient options for seasonal WiFi at CHQ. I've searched the posts and didn't find any recent info. Would love to know best ways to purchase seasonal internet (we haven't had before). Your suggestions would be so appreciated!

[William Neches]

Hi Kathy:

The Internet service at Chautauqua has become a quagmire.  Firstly, if you do not need cable TV or telephone service then it is a bit more simple.

Originally, when we had Time-Warner, we had a Chautauqua package.  That disappeared and when they became Spectrum the prices increased.  Previously, we could have Internet for the summer and then a $5 charge for the off season so that you didn't have to return your router.  Since 2017, Spectrum has charged $17/month for the off season rate which is ludicrous.  So, the only alternative is to start service when you arrive and discontinue it when you leave (but you have to return the router).  It is best to purchase your own router and then once it is set up, you just cancel by phone or online and then restart by a phone call the following year.

Another alternative is Windstream and they have the same issues.  Their off season charge is unreasonable.  As long as you don't have a landline, you do the same thing with Windstream as with Spectrum.  Same issues if they own the hardware or if you own the hardware.

Another possibility is if you have AT&T, Verizon or another cell service that has good reception in Chautauqua, you can use your phone as a hot spot and connect to the Internet using your cellular account.  This is only a good idea if you only use the Internet for e-mail or for browsing on your computer.  High usage things such as watching TV programs or streaming videos uses up your Internet data very quickly and is not practical.  Even if you have unlimited data, most carriers will drop your speed way down when you exceed certain data maximums.

We continue to explore other options but in the near future, there is no alterntive solution.

   

I hope that this information has been helpful.

I would be interested to hear if anyone else has other alternatives.

Bill

William H Neches, MD

5229 Strathmore Avenue

Kensington, MD 20895-1119

Home: (301) 942-1494

Cell:  (240) 475-4077

Fax:  (240) 303-2512

Chautauqua:  (716) 357-2189

21 Ramble Avenue, PO Box 384

Chautauqua, NY 14722

On Mon, May 6, 2019 at 1:21 PM kathy King <queeno...@comcast.net> wrote:

I know this group has shared resources about cost-efficient options for seasonal WiFi at CHQ. I've searched the posts and didn't find any recent info. Would love to know best ways to purchase seasonal internet (we haven't had before). Your suggestions would be so appreciated!

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[Carole Reeder]

Go to Spectrum in Westfield or Jamestown and let them know what channels you want  I lowered my bill by $50 and have all the network stations and 10 stations of my choice.

On Mon, May 6, 2019 at 1:21 PM kathy King <queeno...@comcast.net> wrote:

I know this group has shared resources about cost-efficient options for seasonal WiFi at CHQ. I've searched the posts and didn't find any recent info. Would love to know best ways to purchase seasonal internet (we haven't had before). Your suggestions would be so appreciated!

--

The Grapevine is a venue where residents, visitors and other members of the Chautauqua community may post succinct personal requests and event announcements.
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90 Harper, PO Box 658
Chautauqua, NY 14722
716-224-1069

[mpar...@gmail.com]

Bill Neches is absolutely correct in his analysis.   We sign up for internet only through Spectrum and own our router and modem.  We start service when we get to Chautauqua and terminate it when we leave at the end of the season.  Last weekend, I went to the Spectrum office in Westfield, signed up for the new customer offer of internet only for $14.99/mo which has no contract.  It's fine for email and web surfing.  If you do not own your modem, the additional charge is $4.99/mo.  We do not watch tv or movies on the internet.  If you are unhappy with the speed, you can email Kelly Jo in the Westfield office and she will upgrade the speed but your cost will go up also.  At the end of the season, I email Kelly Jo and she will shut down our account.  

[Debra A. Dinnocenzo]

I agree with Bill – no super easy solutions at this time.  My experience (12+ years) is with Windstream (now Kinetic).  Not considering TV service (no experience with that), landline and WiFi service through Windstream provides reliability, good speed, and typical fees for unlimited long-distance phone service.  We shut down everything in the off-season, but have retained the phone number.  Number retention service through Windstream is $5.74/month throughout the off-season (with no need to return the router), which isn’t terribly expensive.  Then everything flips back on in the Spring with a phone call to customer service.  Just remember to always ask when you turn everything back on in the Spring if any special rates are available and if there are any customer loyalty discounts available.  (With persistence, they usually find some discount to offer, especially if you mentioned your possible consideration of Spectrum service!)

 

Good luck!

 

Best,

Debra

 

16 South Avenue

PO Box 633

Chautauqua, NY 14722

 

716.357.4555

cell: 412.855.6777

 

 

*************************

Debra A. Dinnocenzo

President, VirtualWorks!

COO, ARCH Performance

3000 Village Run Road

Bldg 103, #310

Wexford, PA  15090

 

O:  724.934.9349

C:  412.855.6777

 

de...@debradinnocenzo.com

 

www.VirtualWorksWell.com

 

www.ARCHPerformance.com

 

www.DinnocenzoSpeaks.com

 

 

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[karen cohen]

What does everyone do about  cable and the land  line  in addition to internet?
Thanks
Karen Cohen

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From: chautauqua...@googlegroups.com <chautauqua...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of mpar...@gmail.com <mpar...@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 7, 2019 6:03:59 AM
To: Chautauqua Grapevine
Subject: [CHQ-G Chautauqua-grapevine] Re: Seasonal WiFi options?

 

Bill Neches is absolutely correct in his analysis.   We sign up for internet only through Spectrum and own our router and modem.  We start service when we get to Chautauqua and terminate it when we leave at the end of the season.  Last weekend, I went to the Spectrum office in Westfield, signed up for the new customer offer of internet only for $14.99/mo which has no contract.  It's fine for email and web surfing.  If you do not own your modem, the additional charge is $4.99/mo.  We do not watch tv or movies on the internet.  If you are unhappy with the speed, you can email Kelly Jo in the Westfield office and she will upgrade the speed but your cost will go up also.  At the end of the season, I email Kelly Jo and she will shut down our account.  

On Monday, May 6, 2019 at 1:21:06 PM UTC-4, kathy King wrote:

I know this group has shared resources about cost-efficient options for seasonal WiFi at CHQ. I've searched the posts and didn't find any recent info. Would love to know best ways to purchase seasonal internet (we haven't had before). Your suggestions would be so appreciated!

--

The Grapevine is a venue where residents, visitors and other members of the Chautauqua community may post succinct personal requests and event announcements.
Guidelines for message content may be found on our website and are frequently distributed. Your post may be declined if it does not meet these guidelines.
 
This service is NOT affiliated with the Chautauqua Institution or the C.P.O.A.
BE CAREFUL! No attempt is made to filter or verify content posted herein. Authors are not screened or identified. Messages may be just plain wrong or hurtful.
 
All content provided on this Site is for informational purposes only.
 
The Site is not liable for any errors or omissions in any content on the Site. The Site is not liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of any content on the Site whether arising in tort, contract, or otherwise. The Site shall in no event be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or exemplary damages.
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[Carol Rizzolo]

Really good conversation on this crazy making topic! I tried to sign up a few months ago with Windstream. I was at home in CT , signing up with them on the phone for service to begin in CHQ 6/20. Just internet. We were all set to go until they asked me to send a pic of  my drivers license  and my SS card to them via email. I may be a bit over the top about sending personal data like that via email and so I never followed through. Has anyone signed up remotely with Windstream? Do I have to plan on going to the office when I arrive to do this? Thanks! 

On Monday, May 6, 2019 at 1:21:06 PM UTC-4, kathy King wrote:

[Phyllis Schultz]

Bill, thanks for the great summary of the internet/TV options. We took the route of returning the equipment last fall so will need to start up this spring. I’m tempted to go with the internet only plan, buy our own router, and get a smart TV to allow streaming (and skip the cable channels).

Question: Is there a difference between Spectrum and Windstream? Do you recommend one over the other?

Thanks
Matt Gromet

[karen cohen]

For what its worth, at our condo community in Florida which is huge, at the main bldg once a week, they have a dedicated comcast rep there to answer questions, trouble shoot and sign up service. 

---

From: chautauqua...@googlegroups.com <chautauqua...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Carol Rizzolo <carol....@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 7, 2019 3:47:30 PM

To: Chautauqua Grapevine
Subject: [CHQ-G Chautauqua-grapevine] Re: Seasonal WiFi options?

Really good conversation on this crazy making topic! I tried to sign up a few months ago with Windstream. I was at home in CT , signing up with them on the phone for service to begin in CHQ 6/20. Just internet. We were all set to go until they asked me to send a pic of  my drivers license  and my SS card to them via email. I may be a bit over the top about sending personal data like that via email and so I never followed through. Has anyone signed up remotely with Windstream? Do I have to plan on going to the office when I arrive to do this? Thanks! 

On Monday, May 6, 2019 at 1:21:06 PM UTC-4, kathy King wrote:

I know this group has shared resources about cost-efficient options for seasonal WiFi at CHQ. I've searched the posts and didn't find any recent info. Would love to know best ways to purchase seasonal internet (we haven't had before). Your suggestions would be so appreciated!

--

The Grapevine is a venue where residents, visitors and other members of the Chautauqua community may post succinct personal requests and event announcements.
Guidelines for message content may be found on our website and are frequently distributed. Your post may be declined if it does not meet these guidelines.
 
This service is NOT affiliated with the Chautauqua Institution or the C.P.O.A.
BE CAREFUL! No attempt is made to filter or verify content posted herein. Authors are not screened or identified. Messages may be just plain wrong or hurtful.
 
All content provided on this Site is for informational purposes only.
 
The Site is not liable for any errors or omissions in any content on the Site. The Site is not liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of any content on the Site whether arising in tort, contract, or otherwise. The Site shall in no event be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or exemplary damages.
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[Ronald Diner]

As a newer owner have we ever considered organizing the homeowners association to negotiate a package.