UIUC Broadband comparison

here are price charts for each of acceptable broadband solutions. currenly only comcast cable and sbc/yahoo dsl. then there is insight cable tv and directv offerings, catering to that crowd and perspective considering comcast multiservice discounts (exact amount not known yet)

anyway onward. take a look at insight communication's offerings
per month
8 month total
12 month total
classic cable
43.95
351.60
527.40
household
digital cable
31.45
251.60
377.40
broadband
44.95
359.60
539.40
CC + BB
88.90
711.20
1066.80
DC + BB
76.40
611.20
916.80
CC
10.9875
87.90
131.85
HH/4
DC
7.8625
62.90
94.35
BB
11.2375
89.90
134.85
CC + BB
22.225
177.80
266.70
DC + BB
19.10
152.80
229.20
CC
5.49375
43.95
65.925
HH/8
DC
3.93125
31.45
47.175
BB
5.61875
44.95
67.425
CC + BB
11.1125
88.90
133.35
DC + BB
9.55
76.40
114.60
CC
3.6625
29.30
43.95
HH/12
DC
2.6283~
20.96~
31.45
BB
3.74583~
29.96~
44.95
CC + BB
7.4083~
59.26~
88.90
DC + BB
6.36~
50.93~
76.40

unfortuantely, this is not 100% accurate. discrepancies include a $49.95 charge for cable modem, obviously wiser than renting $10/month. also, the website boasts a 4/.512 Mbps throughput. their site claims that digital cable requires only a basic cable hookup, currently reflected above; however, if it turns out digital requires basic and classic, then digital will no longer be a contender as a cheap alternative. digital cable has a base cost, and additional $5/month costs for packages. the current prices reflect signing up for all three packages, so it's possible to have costs lower than that above. finally, i'm not certain of the amount of their multiservice discount, but i expect it to be $10-20/month

now look at dsl from SBC/Yahoo. there are two packages, express and pro. express claims 1.5/0.384 Mbps and pro boasts 3.0/0.512 Mbps throughput. i don't know how far away their CO is, but prob can call to find out. there is a deal as of this writing, where the $99 dsl modem is offset by $49.01 worth of credit and a $49.99 mail-in-rebate. included cable tv costs for easier comparison
per month
8 month total
12 month total
express package
14.95
119.60
179.40
household
pro package
24.99
199.92
299.88
CC + EP
58.90
471.20
706.80
CC + PP
68.94
551.52
827.28
EP
3.7375
29.90
44.85
HH/4
PP
6.2475
49.98
76.97
CC + EP
14.725
117.80
176.70
CC + PP
17.235
137.88
206.82
EP
1.86875
14.95
22.425
HH/8
PP
3.12375
24.99
38.485
CC + EP
7.3625
58.90
88.35
CC + PP
8.6175
68.94
103.41

quite a bit cheaper, huh? and the pro package would be acceptable for eight, maybe even 12 ppl, especially if we're close to the CO... *doubt**doubt**doubt*

anywho, the numbers are all there, and calculations suggest that even with the approximate $20/month multiservice discount for cable, this option is marginally cheaper.

onward. i'm listing directv prices, because it's surprisingly cheap (deal as of writing), so given its dollars a semester premium and crapload more channels, it's something worthy of consideration
per month
8 month total
12 month total
current offer
523.87
household
total choice
41.99
355.91
523.87
CO
130.9675
HH/4
TC
10.4975
88.9775
130.9675
CO
72.96875
HH/8
TC
5.8725
51.97375
72.96875
CO
53.63583~
HH/12
TC
4.33083~
39.63916~
53.63583~

not too pricey. remember each extra tv requires its own receiver, an extra $4.99/month, but equipment costs and installatioin are all null :) total choice plus, a few extra channels, is $5/month more expensive and generally not worth it. there are a couple of sports packages for ~150 dollars a season. less popular sports have more reasonable charges.

that's it for now. there might be better deals i've missed and perharp inexpensive small company offerings in the uc area, so use this as a beginning guide...

 

 
 

1024x768+ please dude
holy cow GmbH, 2005
as close to w3c as i care