Metrocast change
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Metrocast will require a set-top box for all TV's.
Here is the letter that I rec'd from them: |
Comcast did that a few years ago. I think the adapters started out free and then they cost $5-6 per month for each adapter if I remember correctly. So if you had an extra tv it didn't cost anything to plug it in. Not any more. If they can't upsell for additional programming they get you for the connections.
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Interesting direction they are going. Here in Time Warner land, if you also have their internet service and a Roku like streaming device, you can download a free app and have access to all the channels you pay for. It actually has turned out to work well, after some initial development issues. IIRC, you also have web access to the same, only from your home IP tho.
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called them
$1.95 per month for each box. if you have a dvr, don't need anything or the little black boxes they sent out last year. ordered 2 new boxes. coming in mail within a week
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http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/n...ress/90417626/ |
I pray every night a bunch of trees in my yard will fall so I can throw metrocast out of my house for good.
No sat signal for this guy |
Thank goodness for TDS.
Sent from my GT-P5210 using Tapatalk |
maintenance
for the second sunday in a row, i couldn't get any internet service until after 7am. even got a call from my alarm company that the phone connection was lost.
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This happened with our cox service some suspect it will also happen with time warner.
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Sign in this morning and I have internet service. I lost it Friday night and I should have credit for two days. I tried that before and well good luck! Bring back competition! |
Upgrading?
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MetroCast Internet Service
We have had continual service all weekend. We have bundled service here at our place on East Bear Island. 🐻
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Metrocast
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Sd/lb
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metro
if you have either a dvr or the little black box, you are ok and don't need anything else
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Wildwood Village
Most if not all of the units have satellite TV. Metrocast insist that the association is responsible to upgrading the underground cable. Service is very spotty.
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Seriously!!!!
We just changed all our TV's over to digital so we would not need boxes. It was bad enough when they started charging fees for each month when you are seasonal. NOW THIS...so frustrating.
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Saw the online installation video
I guess they are expecting everyone to have enough space behind their TV to tack the black box on. It will be a PITA to remove a 60" built in TV to do so. Especially when you are single!
All the channels have changed to triple digits. Can you imagine the confusion it will create for the mentally challenged? Metrocast says 'Get over it'! |
Time Warner (Spectrum, after Charter buyout) now has TWC TV thru devices like Roku. Been using Roku boxes for years. Not a "cord-cutter" yet, though.
It works well. You'll need enough Mbps (I've got the 50 Mbps) and you still have to be a subscriber. "TWC TV® app -- not just for phone and tablet Several people can watch different shows on different devices at the same time. Sign in to the TWC TV® app on devices such as Kindle Fire, Roku, Xbox and Samsung Smart TV. Kindle Fire HD & HDX | Roku | Samsung Smart TV | Xbox One | Xbox 360 " https://www.timewarnercable.com/en/t...e.html#devices The real issue, in my view, is "broadband" v. "cable". Different Fed. and state laws/regulations stifle competition. |
Vizio with Yahoo apps
Unfortunately TWC TV is not available on my smart TV. May need to by a ROKU stick. :(
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Laconia has a Metrocast franchise and a Roku wouldn't help getting TWC.
http://www.city.laconia.nh.us/upload...0Franchise.pdf http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/...C-III-53-C.htm Don't know if your smart TV has Roku built-in. I've got the box. The box will stream with just about anything. Actually, I had Showtime thru TWC and canceled it. Subscribed to Showtime on Roku and it was a bit less/month. Also didn't have HBO on TWC, but subscribed on Roku (HBO NOW) Unlike HBO GO, HBO NOW does not require a cable or satellite TV subscription. HBO NOW and HBO GO have the same great content; unlimited access to all of HBO - every episode, every season - plus hit movies, sports, documentaries, and comedy specials. Find out more about HBO NOW at order.HBONOW.com. What is HBO NOW, and how is it different from HBO GO? – HBO GO https://help.hbogo.com/hc/en-us https://www.cnet.com/products/tcl-s3...-roku-tv-2015/ |
We have a Metrocast provided digital terminal adapter (DTA) provided to us for an analog TV when they converted to all digital. The recent letter indicates that having a DTA hooked to a TV will allow reception of the encrypted channels.
So as a trial I hooked it up a DTA to a digital TV to see if there was an impact on appearance. As I expected, the output is a 4:3 aspect ratio for analog TVs not the standard digital TV 16:9. I can set the TV to convert the 4:3 to 16:9 with some distortion. Also with the TVs digital tuner I can select 9-1 or 9-2, for example, but not so with the DTA. It looks like using their DTA to solve the encryption issue will result in reduced quality as well as loss of sub-channel options. ROKU options? you can use the Sling TV app on ROKU to get a good selection of live TV for $20/month. https://www.sling.com/service And with your phone and Google Cast you can stream live CH 9 news. |
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Tds
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Thank you for any input. |
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Based on the trucks and installs I've seen, the percentage of customers in Alton and New Durham who changed from Metrocast to TDS is extremely high. On my street, close to 100% |
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TDS coverage...
Does not seem to be as universal as Metrocast. Put in my address in Meredith...No coverage. I'd like to dump Metrocast. Too expensive and to many channels need a special "subscription".
I use Comcast in California, and like it. |
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https://finance.yahoo.com/news/u-fcc...150524346.html |
Thanks for posting that Yahoo article. Here's the takeaway for me:
"Set-top box rental fees have jumped 185 percent since 1994, while the cost of televisions, computers and mobile phones has dropped 90 percent, the FCC has estimated." I get that they don't want people stealing cable TV. But if I have 4 TVs, why must each have a separate box, presumably each with its own remote, rather than simply unscrambling the signal at the hub? I also do not understand why our town officials keep locking us into (7-10) multi-year contracts that allow Metrocast to impose double-digit rate increases year after year. Who is doing the negotiating? |
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Follow the money
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Thanks |
I just ordered two boxes for this change. I then asked to renegotiate my bill. I pay the cable bill at the lake to contribute. The bill has started to creep up. I was told by the rep that Metrocast doesn't do that but I could cut back on services. I can renegotiate here in NC with TWC. In fact, it's that time of year again. If it weren't for my technology challenged parents, I would stream only with smart TV's and rabbit ears for local channels.
I hate cable and dish services. |
We just had the service done today...
I was under the impression that we just needed the digital converter to continue watching digital quality channels but the new converters boost your TV signal to HD. When we originally had the cable directly connected to the TV, the image was pretty poor (if you are used to watching HD). These new converters make all my TVs HD quality. Maybe you are aware of this, I wasn't...
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At the Belmont office yesterday,
to get set-boxes for me, my aunt and my uncle. Found out with the basic and expanded basic package each account is allowed 2 free standard set-box not the HD. HD costs $1.95 @ month each! If you have one of the premium packages you will only get one free HD set box.
The office says my aunt and uncle already have set boxes, my aunt has a DVR. I looked at their statements later and they are being charged a monthly fee for the devices. Found them and they are not being used as the remote is too small for their sights and the channel numbering system is way too different to remember. My aunt does not use the DVR. I notice my uncle is charged $8.95 for his set box! They are taking advantage of the elderly! I was googling HD set-boxes on line and found many available on line for as little as $25. Found a used one for $10. Anyone ever set up a set-box not from Metrocast? The family uses the digital tuners built into the TV. The channel numbers are easier for them to remember. I purchased large buttons remotes for their use. I'm not sure now what to do for them. The instructions for the remotes do not include set boxes and the new channel numbers will be very confusing! As for me I use the Peel remote app. This app allow me to change channel numbers and large buttons on my tablets. I requires internet and my aunt and uncle do not have internet. |
Please read the letter that I got from Metrocast very carefully. It states that all set-top-boxes will have a charge after a certain period of time.
Basic will be after 2 years and expanded basic after 1 year. This letter is the only official information about the charges of these boxes. Both boxes will carry a charge of $1.95/month. What is being communicated via the telephone between Metrocast and customers is either being misunderstood or not explained correctly. This is going to be very hard for the elderly and people who have trouble setting up these set-top-boxes. Channels will be different and if you use the remote for your TV instead of the set-top-box remote it will really mess up both remotes (hard for me to explain but YOU will find out). |
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Metrocast will be next when I get done with them. Read this article to see what I mean: http://money.cnn.com/2016/10/11/news...d=hp-stack-dom
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Called the help line and they have no idea what I am talking about???? Do I have a defective box? |
Got this email today from Metrocast:
Dear Valued Customer, On October 26, 2016 MetroCast will start encrypting Basic and Expanded Basic services. If you have a set-top box, digital terminal adapter (DTA) or a retail Cable CARD™ device connected to each of your TVs, you will be unaffected by this change. However, if you are currently receiving MetroCast's Basic and/or Expanded Basic service on any TV without equipment supplied by MetroCast, you will lose the ability to view any channels on that TV. If you believe you will be affected, you should contact MetroCast at1.800.952.1001 to arrange for the equipment you will need to continue receiving your services. If you are a business customer, call 1.800.952.1312. |
We shall see
The funny thing is, they have been sending out email, letters, and announcements on TV about the upcoming change but I bet when the change happens they will be flooded with calls from people who will claim they had no idea this was going to happen and will be angry that they weren't notified and have lost their TV signal. :D
Of course I also wonder if their equipment will each work properly with the newly encrypted signal. :eek: |
It is going to take 4 weeks to scramble all channels. They will do a few channels each week until all are scrambled.
The QVC shopping channels will probably be the last ones to be scrambled. :D |
A little late in the season
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They may have selected to do it at this time of year because there are less people around in seasonal homes and if there are problems they won't get buried as bad in service calls. I understand the desire to get things taken care of; I'm the same way. But it should work out pretty easily. I have a simple terminal adaptor and it would be trivial to install it. Besides, if you don't get the box until spring, you won't have to pay device fees until then. :) |
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I was born in 1979 and grew up without cable until I moved out at age 21. I had the choice of 8 Boston channels: 2, 4, 5, 7, 25, 38, 44, and 56. DVR was setting the VCR timer and channel. :laugh: I'm only 36 but it amazes me where TV has come these days. Now cable is starting to seem outdated to me.
What is outdated to me are the large channel packages where you only wanted 4 or 5 on top of the local stuff. The lack of options. If my parents knew how to stream with smart TV's and what not, we'd cut the cable at the lake. |
Metrocast DVR
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They are finally reacting (albeit late) to competition. I went from a one-room, Metrocast DVR to a whole-house DVR with TDS, for less cost.
Not to mention many other services at lower prices. Competition is good... |
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One word: KODI
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Not everywhere
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Remote
Just plugged in the new boxes but struggled over an hour trying to set up the remote before I called the customer service #. Her instructions to me were no where like what was included with the equipment. Just a heads up to anyone who spends more than 5 minutes fooling with the remote, call their customer service, leave a call back number and not stay on hold. Brittany at Metrocast could not have been more pleasant. FYI
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I'm glad I was poking around this forum while I was on a conference call today. We live in Meredith, do not have a set top box, and never received any notification about this from MetroCast. Now I'm on hold with their customer service department... with a higher than normal call volume.
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Your town would still have to"franchise" competition (see RSA 53-C). Competition is not going to string new lines (fiber) throughput the town ... cost prohibitive. Reason for limited competition. Wireless broadband, fixed and mobile, could/would provide another way for high speed broadband. See "streaming"; e.g. recent AT&T and potential buyout of Time Warner (needs gov.'t approvals). Cable and broadband are not "regulated" the same way. http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/...3-C/53-C-2.htm |
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Fairpoint don't offer FIOS to residential customers. With the exception of customers along the seacoast that originally had FIOS from Verizon. They continue to have a subscription. Original intent of Verizon is to offer FIOS to all customers. That was the original deal when Fairpoint took over. It was settled out of court that it will not be the case. =( |
Remote update
My neighbor just stopped by. He informed me that the new remote controls the channels but my old remote is needed to adjust the picture brightness etc. good thing he stopped by because I was getting ready to trash my old remote. FYI save your old remote. I didn't see that info anywhere in the instructions. Geez
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FIOS was too expensive to install for residential, other than densely populated areas.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verizon_Fios Quote:
Even when I worked (now retired) for Verizon/Fairpoint (17 years), cost was controversial. My nephew was one of the crack FIOS installers, before going into phone company "management". :eek: It was/is a good product, however. |
adapter
Has anyone noticed poor picture after connecting one of these adapters? Much better picture before adapter, color looks washed out, any writing like sports scores look fuzzy, called Metrocast and suggested using another HDMI port or maybe HDMI cable is poor, HDMI cable comes with adapter.
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Just noticed: RE: Remote Control Extenders
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ij_Fa7jtOY I'd used one of the following, quite a while back. http://www.terk.com/docs/common/LFIRX/LFIRX_OM.pdf https://www.amazon.com/Terk-Leapfrog.../dp/B000069EV0 |
Taz....
1. Make sure you connect with an HDMI cable.... I used HDMI 1 port on my tv. 2. Check your TV settings for the HDMI port... 3. Make sure you go to the correct HD channels.... Ch 9 is low def... but Ch709 is the HD version. The only thing that really sucks (other than the upcoming rental fee for a silly $25 box) is the channel guide is not digital... you still have to go to CH 8 to see what is scheduled! Woodsy |
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Make sure that the energy saving setting is off because your TV will go dim when it is on. Also after you attach the set-top box don't use your TV remote to change channels because your TV needs to stay on channel 3 for the box to work. FUN, FUN, FUN! :D |
Tds
Can anyone tell me that got or changed over to TDS if Internet ONLY was an option for you?
Thank you |
yes it's hard to believe that in todays day and age you still have to go to channel 8 and look at the upcoming shows, I end up almost asleep waiting to see whats on.
Back home with comcast you can see anytime whats going to be on. When will metro cast get with the technology. |
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That's the whole scam the cable companies are running in the charges for set-top-boxes, a monopoly that will hopefully end soon with industry standardization and competition. |
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http://www.aol.com/video/guide/tv/ |
bad day yesterday
Call Metrocast a number of times to register the DTA for technologically challenged folks yesterday. The message says the system is down. Good thing they did not start scrambling the channels.
Replace my HD DTA with another one. The signal is the same as before 1040 SD rather then 1040i. Dolby Stereo rather than 5.1. Even with a Best Buy 'gold' HDMI cable, TV reset and on the HDMI(DVI) 1 socket. I've been using the Roku stick for most of my video last month. Notice my streaming keep losing connections. Netflix and others blamed it on Metrocast slowing the streaming down when you reach a 250 GB monthly limit. Netflix pointed me to a metrocast site that shows usage. http://portal.metrocast.net/usagemeter/ Call Metrocast and they deny slowing down the internet speed. The website is just FYI and the 250GB is just a reference. Hopefully there will be competition soon. Fairpoint will be a formidable player if they adopt the g.fast technology. http://money.cnn.com/2016/05/16/tech...eds/index.html |
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Unfortunately I can't get it to work with the DTA. But I still use it for TV listing. Another note. Many elderlies have the large button remote with back light. I tried setting them up to control the DTA. Can't get them to work. Oh the horror! |
Acceptable Use Policy.
I hit the 250 GB limit fairly early using the Roku stick. Guess my plan to eliminate the tv subscription and replace it with the more economical roku stick is futile.
Metrocast gets you coming or going. They actually throttle the speed down to almost nonresistance but still allow you access. For more information see https://www.metrocast.com/policies/h...ble-use-policy Excessive bandwidth consumption, |
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Pays to shop around
Talked to internet subscribers of TDS and GSI (Granite State Internet). Both are located in remote areas, Chichester and Weare NH.
Both have high speed internet over copper wires. The companies do not call then DSL but rather fiber net. Both customers have 25+ mbps with no limits. They are very happy with their ISP. The customers told me they have a rather large white modem which has a battery back up installed inside their home! Not sure why a modem will have battery back up but sounds like a plan. I just called Fairpoint and they now offer 25+ mbps fiber net in my area (Laconia). Funny, I called a month ago and at the time 5mbps was the limit. Fairpoint claim unlimited use of data. 25+ is about $10 a month cheaper than Metrocast comparable plan. Plus Fairpoint will lock in the rate for 4 years. Just wondering if I should make the switch. Has anyone have any experience switching from cable to fiber net? |
Pays to shop around ... and even more importantly ... pays to ask around.
Fiber, as opposed to copper, is universally accepted as the better connection; two-pair-wire of DSL v. glass etc. DSL is more "distance from the CO" dependent; further away, to slower speed. There are many improvements on-going, however. 25 Mbps is much better than 3-6 Mbps, but in light of gigabit speeds, remains relative to the user. https://www.fairpoint.com/document/F...cm12-23102.pdf Gfast and 5G speeds, on the horizon, may be other factors to be considered. |
AT&T/DirecTV?
I'm currently subscribed to AT&T but when I move they have a 'transfer' program. When I contacted AT&T to ask if they serve the Laconia area they told me 'yes'. Can anyone confirm this? They have been good for me since I've had them here but will have to find new service when I relocate to the area next July. Thanks.:)
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Can anyone tell me if AT&T/DirecTV services the Laconia area? Thank you.
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Just canceled my service
I can not take this crap!! I just turned my Metrocast service off and dropped off the boxes. It is so annoying that cable/sat etc providers require external boxes. With technology today everything should be built in. Why do we need more wires and cables etc? I hope the kids can live with the smart tv and Netflicks!
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I can live with Smart TV
Or one of the streaming sticks.
I am dabbling with sling TV and Amazon Prime. I am very happy with the selection. I am about to cut the video subscription until I found out about the 250 GB @ mth limit. I reach that point toward the end of the month using the Roku stick. I am looking at Fairpoint for ISP. Fairpoint claim 25+mbps is possible in my area but not guarantee. They did say if everyone in the association commit to Fairpoint they can make it happen in the association with equipment. I'm trying to convince the owners. |
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Fairpoint, offering residential internet, is constrained to that technology; the present problem being closeness to the "CO". FRP Business has higher speeds. Maybe your Association can make a deal with FRP to put a "box" somewhere in your association, if needed. http://www.dslreports.com/faq/4676 |
It would be nice if Fairpoint had a tool on their site, like Verizon had, that you can find out what DSL speed is available at your location. It would save calling in and listening to sales pitches and follow up calls. It might even boost their customer base, because I used to check regularly to find out if they upgraded service.
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If you see an FRP repairman/repairwoman, ask them to check. It's been done on our road. One of my neighbors who is on VPN with his employer, did after being frustrated with not getting correct info from the FRP Maine offices, who check with the engineers, on what is supposed to be available.
I was the neighbor getting much higher speeds than my neighbor down the road from my neighbor. I'm closer to the CO. I now use Time Warner @ 50 Mbps with no data cap. I, actually, even dropped FRP for phone, using Voice-over-IP from the cable box. Caveat: if you buy a cable box, same box as your ISP, the phone piece is proprietary and the phone will not work. Also, if you lose power, and if you don't use the battery back-up in the cable box, you don't have phone service. Cell phones negate that problem, however. I'm also a potential "cable Cutter", a mentioned by another forum member. The DVR is an issue that I wasn't happy with ... yet. Maybe Gfast will come along faster than expected. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G.fast |
Wow, so sorry to hear about the various service problems with your providers. Where I currently live we only have 2 choices. It's either ComCast or AT&T/DirecTV. Since my landlord won't allow a dish I have to go with AT&T. Had ComCast and didn't like their customer service. Anyway, I asked a few posts ago if AT&T was available in your area and I got a yes response. I noticed that no one has mentioned AT&T and I was wondering if that's one I should stay away from since you seem to have several other choices. AT&T has some program that is for relocation and I initially thought that would be a great way to go but now I am wondering if anyone knows about their service where you are. Thanks for any response and sorry to make such a lengthy post.
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https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides...tellite-dishes |
Mores changes coming
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Rec'd this notice of mores changes in January 2017:
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+1 For Metrocast
I must be the only one who likes Metrocast or at least their internet service. (I have my TV service through Dish network)
In the two years I have had them not once has their ultra service been below their advertised 75 mbps at least when direct connected and now they are going to up it to 150 mbps, whats not to like! I am going to assume that at some point the price will go up as well for the added service. I have never lost service for any reason except when lightning struck my home and fried the modem and a couple other electronic items. I have found them easy to get in touch with and responsive to questions or any issues I may have. I cannot even come close to saying the same about Fairpoint!! Happy with Metrocast! Dan |
MetroCast Service
We have been very satisfied with our bundle service at our cottage on East Bear Island. Internet speed is not important in our situation. We have our seasonal service turned off and on with a single phone call. 🐻 💤
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But here it is: |
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Dan |
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