Internet options in Ames

mynameisjonas

Well-Known Member
Jan 19, 2019
6,605
8,646
113
Mediacom just jacked my internet by $30/month because my "promotional rate" of $60 (lol) expired, so my next expected bill is a ridiculous $92. I called them and they will not agree to take it back to the $60 price.

I checked century link and their top speed is 1.5 mbps. Are there any good options for internet other than mediaconjob? Speed and reliability is a must.
 

CyCrazy

Well-Known Member
Dec 17, 2008
27,041
15,254
113
Ames
Mediacom just jacked my internet by $30/month because my "promotional rate" of $60 (lol) expired, so my next expected bill is a ridiculous $92. I called them and they will not agree to take it back to the $60 price.

I checked century link and their top speed is 1.5 mbps. Are there any good options for internet other than mediaconjob? Speed and reliability is a must.

Mediacom is the best, go to the store on S. Dayton they will haglle with you. Calling on the phone is a waste of time.
 

3TrueFans

Just a Happily Married Man
Sep 10, 2009
63,215
61,841
113
Ames
Mediacom is it, Centurylink's availability sucks in Ames.

I will say the 2 people that work the desk at the Mediacom office on Dayton have always been really helpful and have almost always been able to get me a better deal than the website or the phone reps, I'd go talk to them.
 

Bocy

Well-Known Member
Nov 27, 2016
379
383
63
Central IA
Unfortunately, Mediacom and Century Link are your two primary options (in general).

Century Link has the stability but has pathetic speeds. They haven't upgraded their infrastructure at all in the several years I've been in town.

Mediacom at least provides some very fast dl/ul speeds, etc, but their stability isn't the best.

Kind of a case of pick your poison. Both places' customer service (like most companies) is generally not very good.

Since they're within $20 or so of each other, I went with Mediacom. Very high speeds, no data cap, but with occasional maintenance/downtime.

Something like a ViaSat or HughesNet might also be an option, but I'm guessing are also kind of iffy. I haven't looked into them too much.
 

3TrueFans

Just a Happily Married Man
Sep 10, 2009
63,215
61,841
113
Ames
Unfortunately, Mediacom and Century Link are your two primary options (in general).

Century Link has the stability but has pathetic speeds. They haven't upgraded their infrastructure at all in the several years I've been in town.

Mediacom at least provides some very fast dl/ul speeds, etc, but their stability isn't the best.

Kind of a case of pick your poison.

Since they're within $20 or so of each other, I went with Mediacom. Very high speeds, no data cap, occasional maintenance/downtime.

Something like a ViaSat or HughesNet might also be an option, but I'm guessing are also kind of iffy. I haven't looked into them too much.
No data cap with Mediacom?
 

mynameisjonas

Well-Known Member
Jan 19, 2019
6,605
8,646
113
Century link was very fast when I lived in DM. But I wouldn't even consider 1.5 mbps if that's the only option in Ames. What a rip.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: aauummm

Cyched

CF Influencer
May 8, 2009
38,221
66,020
113
Colorado
Ran into this where I’m at in Ankeny. Choose from CenturyLink with **** speeds, or Mediacom with a data cap. Ugh.
 

Bocy

Well-Known Member
Nov 27, 2016
379
383
63
Central IA
No data cap with Mediacom?
Not with the 500mb/1gb dl speed packages.
I went with the 500mb/s package, because it's not like anything needs or utilizes a 1gb/s dl speed at this time, but yeah, the no data cap was the primary reason I upgraded.
 

3TrueFans

Just a Happily Married Man
Sep 10, 2009
63,215
61,841
113
Ames
Not with the 500mb/1gb dl speed packages.
I went with the 500mb/s package, because it's not like anything needs or utilizes a 1gb/s dl speed at this time, but yeah, the no data cap was the primary reason I upgraded.
That must be a grandfathered thing or something because the 500mbps plan definitely has a 4000GB data cap now.
 

tobya8

Member
Mar 21, 2014
63
52
18
Mediacom just jacked my internet by $30/month because my "promotional rate" of $60 (lol) expired, so my next expected bill is a ridiculous $92. I called them and they will not agree to take it back to the $60 price.

I checked century link and their top speed is 1.5 mbps. Are there any good options for internet other than mediaconjob? Speed and reliability is a must.
Mediacom is the Fastest! Hands down!
 
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Reactions: aauummm

Isualum13

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Apr 27, 2018
2,245
3,054
113
Steer clear of ICS. Dont know if they really are a thing outside of apartments in ames, but the year that they were our only for option for internet was misserable.
 
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Mr Janny

Welcome to the Office of Secret Intelligence
Staff member
Bookie
SuperFanatic
Mar 27, 2006
42,709
33,665
113
Is there a thread about metronet?
Haven't seen one yet. I'm very excited about it. Any additional competition in this industry is going to be a good thing for consumers. CenturyLink fiber stops a block from my house. Maybe if metronet scares them enough they'll expand their offerings. Bring it on.
 

garn91

Well-Known Member
Jun 1, 2006
2,193
65
48
Ankeny
Ran into this where I’m at in Ankeny. Choose from CenturyLink with **** speeds, or Mediacom with a data cap. Ugh.

I live north of Fletcher's with CenturyLink and have 40 down and no price gouging datacaps. As long as I can avoid it, Mediascam will never see a cent from me.
 

mapnerd

Well-Known Member
Aug 17, 2006
4,246
2,657
113
46
Ames
Yeah, someone should start a metronet thread. According to their site they started construction in February 2020. I'm curious to know what the status is and their expected timeline.
 

cycloner29

Well-Known Member
Dec 17, 2008
12,813
12,365
113
Ames
Someone in on FB post in Ames mentioned getting a flier from metronet. Here it is.

upload_2020-2-21_14-41-6.png

Sounds like after 6 months though the rates would be the same as Mediacom.
 

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