Networking

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My first corporate web server, set up before the days of “the cloud” and AWS, cost my company nearly $10,000 and months of time. Not only did we have to order and pay for the entire machine, we had to wait for its delivery, configure it, run wires, and find a place on our rack for it. Then we had to pipe a dedicated T-1 link into our offices, a process that was unbearably frustrating and time consuming, not to mention costly.  And the beast in the closet spewed heat like a dragon, and it ate parts for snacks. 

Yesterday, I spun up a mid-level web server in the cloud. It cost me $34, and was charged to my credit card. In return, I got a Linux login, virtual RAM, virtual storage, and all the bandwidth I can eat. The entire process, from sign-up to operational “hello, world” site took less than five minutes. The contrast is astounding. Earlier me, who had to come up with the cash for full machine purchases and dedicated broadband installation, would have loved to have had access to the cloud-based services we have today. In many ways, the cloud is incredibly empowering. Breathless stories (and even HBO TV shows) highlight the nimbleness of modern-day tech entrepreneurs, who simply need a Kanban board, a credit card, coding skills, and a barrel of snark to create the next Pied Piper or Hooli. But what very few “gee wow” cloud stories discuss is the lock-in that comes from adopting cloud solutions. It might take five minutes and $34 to spin up a new server for a website, but it could take months and thousands of dollars to move that site to a new service, if that becomes necessary. A lock-in example Building a website is a complex process, involving many technologies and configurations, running on top of a server environment provided by a hosting provider. The switching cost is the time, effort, and dollar cost of switching to a new provider. The inability to easily switch is called lock-in.

Also: How to create a website: The 2021 step-by-step guide As I originally discussed in my article on how to create a website, if you run an active website for any number of years, it is almost guaranteed that you’ll need to switch hosting providers. These are just a few of the reasons you might need to switch: Your provider may become unreliable, may increase prices, or may start to offer reduced quality support. Your site might simply outgrow the provider’s capacity.The hosting provider’s server software might not keep up with the security requirements of a payment processor.You may work with one provider for three, four, five years, or more. But if you’re running a site for the long haul, it’s rare to stick with one hosting provider unless you simply have no way out. So, planning to be able to switch is useful.

Many web builders are proprietary, so if you want to switch to another service, you’ll have to rebuild your site either mostly or entirely from scratch. At the very least, there will be a ton of cutting and pasting between services. For smaller sites, that’s not much of an issue. Rebuilding five or 10 webpages is no big deal. But if your site is 50, 100, or even thousands of pages, that’s a lot of copying and pasting (or, if you’re very lucky, exporting and importing). Think about this: If you do one blog post every weekday, you’ll have at least 261 pages by the end of a year. Content expands very quickly. The above example sums up the concept of switching cost. Moving that 261 pages, especially if you have to either cut and paste everything or pay a service to automate it, costs both money and time. The fact is, you’re likely to decide to say, “F-it” and stick with the existing host. That’s how switching costs become lock-in.  More lock-in examples Use of cloud-based storage services often leads to lock-in, especially if you have a lot of data in the cloud. Moving a few gigabytes from one server to another is no big thing, but if you have tens of terabytes of backed up video files, moving that is going to take months of effort. Also: What happens to your G Suite unlimited storage when Google moves you to Workspace? Some services, like Amazon’s AWS long-term Glacier service, even monetize their lock-in. While the company does charge a monthly storage fee based on how much you’re storing, they don’t charge anything for uploading data to the service. You can upload a gigabyte or 100 terabytes and still pay the same $0.00 transfer fee.

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But data transfer above 1GB/mo out of Glacier to the rest of the internet is charged, ranging from $90 per terabyte transferred down to $50 per terabyte, depending on how much you’re moving. Granted, it’s not a tremendous fee for the amount of data, but it’s still shows how Amazon wants to reduce the friction of uploading data, and increase the friction of moving it back out. Also: Dropbox’s business plans now cost more and offer less than they did last year Another example is cloud accounting service QuickBooks Online. QuickBooks seems to regularly increase its pricing, but moving ten years of data out of QBO to some other service can be prohibitive or impossible. For example, if you want to move a decade of QBO to FreshBooks, it’s pretty much a non-starter. On the other hand, Xero offers a QBO migration service that can help you move to their competing service (with some limits), but what kind of lock-in situation are you going to wind up in there? Overcoming lock-in This brings up a corollary to the cloud lock-in theory: where there is lock-in, there is likely to be a fee-based service that will help you to overcome it. I migrated my company’s surprisingly large email store twice, first when I moved from a third-party Exchange hosting provider to Office 365, and again when I moved from Office 365 to Gmail. In both cases, I used a service called YippieMove. I sent them a few bucks and they made it all happen. Unfortunately, they shut down in 2019. I also moved my help desk library from one provider to another using a migration service. This, too, involved paying a fee, waiting a week, and letting them do their job.

Another way of overcoming lock-in is to use open source products. I talk about this at length in my article about how to create a website guide. Many web hosts (like SquareSpace and Wix) lock you in because all your pages are constructed using their proprietary CMS. But if you use an open source CMS like WordPress, you can move the files and database to any other WordPress-compatible host. The migration will still be time-consuming and painful, but possible. Words of advice When signing up for a cloud service, you’re usually just trying to get a problem solved. But keep in mind that solving one problem opens up the potential for future problems — particularly if your cloud vendor goes under, changes policies, changes prices, or just pisses you off. Also: A terabyte too tight? Small businesses, beware the cloud storage ceiling It’s always good to evaluate how risky the choice of vendor is, and whether the risk you’re taking is an acceptable risk. Are you okay with losing the data entrusted to the cloud vendor? Are you okay with the cost and effort in migrating off? Do you have a backup plan in place? Finally, develop strategies that will allow you to implement a migration plan relatively quickly. At least yearly, evaluate the validity of those strategies (for example, my email migration service of choice is no longer operating, so I need to find a new option). The bottom line is this: be aware and be prepared. Cloud solutions have very little barrier to entry, but their barrier to exit can be considerable. What cloud services do you use? Have you ever experienced lock-in or switching costs? Share with us in the comments below. You can follow my day-to-day project updates on social media. Be sure to follow me on Twitter at @DavidGewirtz, on Facebook at Facebook.com/DavidGewirtz, on Instagram at Instagram.com/DavidGewirtz, and on YouTube at YouTube.com/DavidGewirtzTV. More

Image: Vocus
Vocus announced on Monday it has signed construction contracts worth AU$100 million that will see a 1,000-kilometre link span the North-West Cable System and Australia Singapore Cable to create the Darwin-Jakarta-Singapore Cable (DJSC). Once completed by mid-2023, DJSC will be a AU$500 million network linking Perth, Darwin, Port Hedland, Christmas Island, Jakarta, and Singapore. At Port Hedland, the cable will connect to the Project Horizon cable, running from Perth via Newman, Meekatharra, and Geraldton. Vocus also announced on Monday it has completed its project to put 200Gbps per wavelength technology into its Adelaide-Darwin-Brisbane fibre network. The company said its routes now have 20Tbps of capacity, for 480Tbps in total, and it was planning to deploy 400Gbps when it became commercially available. “We’ve delivered Terabit Territory — a 25-times increase in capacity into Darwin. We’ve delivered a submarine cable from Darwin to the Tiwi Islands. We’re progressing Project Horizon — a new 2,000km fibre connection from Perth to Port Hedland and onto Darwin. And today we’ve announced the Darwin-Jakarta-Singapore Cable, the first international submarine connection into Darwin,” Vocus Group managing director and CEO Kevin Russell said. “No other telecoms operator comes close to this level of investment in high-capacity fibre infrastructure.” In June, the purchase of Vocus for AU$3.5 billion was completed by the consortium of Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets and superannuation fund Aware Super. Related Coverage More

Cisco Systems has long been considered the industry’s premier networking company, with products spanning the entire scope of enterprise requirements and service-provider networks. Historically, Cisco was known as the top-selling network hardware maker, and while it still produces best-in-class hardware, the last decade of innovation has been led by software.One of the more interesting aspects of the renewed focus on software has been the rise and evolution of Cisco’s developer program, DevNet. For those not familiar with DevNet, the program was created in 2014 and is designed to enable developers, network engineers, and other IT pros to create applications and integrations with Cisco products using application programming interfaces (APIs). The program has enlisted more than a half-million members and spans most Cisco products, including all major ones in the areas of networking, security, collaboration, cloud, and data center.To take DevNet to the next level, Cisco brought in Grace Francisco to be its new vice-president for developer relations strategy. Networking is somewhat new to Francisco, but the world of software and developers certainly is not. Francisco joins Cisco after leading developer relations at a series of unicorn companies: Atlassian, Roblox, and MongoDB. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with her to discuss her goals for DevNet, developer relations, and what Cisco customers can expect. Q: Please describe your role at Cisco and what changes have been made to the position.Cisco Systems VP of Developer Relations Grace Francisco.A: I lead the massive DevNet community but also am driving awareness of the Cisco opportunity with developers who are operating and building apps for a cloud-first world, so that’s a broader charter than what was currently in place. From an audience perspective, this includes activating and nurturing the existing community of over half a million network engineers, DevOps practitioners, and ops developers–but also cloud-first developers. I have a strong background with cloud as I was at Microsoft for eight years, including with early versions of Azure. I was also on the open-source side for part of that time, where I built bridges with open-source communities to enable and unlock the potential of their open-source products on Microsoft’s platformsAt Microsoft, I served as the sole representative with popular open-source web communities, where Microsoft wasn’t the most welcome member. But I do like big challenges, and it took a good two-and-a-half years in developer relations to build bridges and drive interoperability between these open-source projects and Microsoft’s platforms. I see a similar opportunity here for Cisco and the DevNet program to expand its traditional base of IT professionals to include software and cloud developers. Q: How are you building on the relationship aspect of the program?

A: I spent a lot of time doing this at Microsoft, and it’s something I feel is critically important. The relations part of developer relations has a capital “R” for me, and that helped Microsoft become a welcome member of the open-source community.  At Cisco, we need to focus on building stronger relationships with the developers who are building for cloud-first, which has grown in influence over the past five years. It’s commonly said that software is eating the world, and that’s never been truer than today. It’s easy to create APIs but the challenge is, once they’re published, how do you get people to use them? How do you grow adoption? And how do you help people learn?  Those are all super important pieces, and my charter really is about continuing to nurture our existing community and base but also to start to nurture relationships and build pathways to this very influential developer, who now has a lot of power, particularly cloud developers. Q: How is DevNet changing to be more relevant to cloud developers? A: We are building a set of cloud-native offerings.  We have some now and are expanding on them. To help with this, Stephen Augustus, formerly of VMware, has joined the team and is part of the broader ET&I (Emerging Technologies and Incubation) sister organization. He will be working on several key initiatives, such as open source, Kubernetes and CNCF (Cloud Native Computing Foundation) to make sure we are creating that connective tissue to tie security and networking to cloud-native, and we’ll be partnering closely with him on these efforts.Q: There are currently half a million DevNet members. What does the “next level” look like to you? A: This isn’t about adding more members but rather activating and engaging them. What we need to do is have more developer empathy and up-level what we have on developer.cisco.com. This means rethinking the developer journey we need to pave for them. We need to start with an understanding of who’s coming and what they need to do, whether it’s learning about it, AppDynamics, or any of our other products. This means helping them learn more about the topics and technology they care about, kicking the tires, using one of the learning labs, or using one of our sandboxes. Right now, many of our experiences orient around this assumption that you’re already committed to one of those products and you want to dive deep, and that’s great. We have a lot of wonderful hands-on offerings there, but we also need to start from the very beginning of the journey. This could mean helping guide them to certification, becoming a champion, or even being in the partner program. To me, the next level is really having an engaged and active community. We have wonderful events, like DevNet Create coming up in October. Last year, we had 33,000 attendees registered, and our big focus this year is making sure we’re focused on creating the most thoughtful and engaging learning opportunity for all developers. Q: Where do you see Cisco’s biggest opportunity with cloud? A: What I see as unique about Cisco is that we can support a true hybrid cloud–meaning that it spans across on-premises, in a data center or hybrid cloud and having a virtual service mesh to enable developers to deploy things and that can span a private cloud, GCP, Azure or AWS. We can make the developers’ lives easier in that the hybrid cloud environment is managed seamlessly. We have done work with TerraForm and HashiCorp to make sure Intersight and HashiCorp can interoperate for seamless deployments and leading to seamless infrastructure as code. Having the ability to securely deploy an application without having to worry about where the infrastructure is should always be seamless for a developer. I think this is a problem we can uniquely solve as security and networking are in our DNA at Cisco.——————————————————————-As this focus on software and applications continues to drive the innovation priorities of Cisco, it’s Cisco’s Developer Relations organization that can drive the imagination–the creation of possibilities–from networking engineers adopting automation to developers engaging with Cisco in new ways. As a sign of things to come, Francisco’s words are as much an inspiration as they are an invitation to keep an eye on Cisco. Those who want to learn more about DevNet should check out the developer site or register for the virtual event, DevNet Create 2021 More

Despite a booming, fast-paced population, the average Phoenix resident has limited options for internet providers. Cable and DSL are the most common types of internet connection available in the area, though fiber has been introduced and is slowly expanding in the less rural locations.Selecting an internet provider in Phoenix can seem like a task with so few options, but that means making a selection that is right for you is all the more important. We’ve done a thorough review of the internet providers in Phoenix to help you with your selection.The 3 Best Internet Providers in PhoenixThe Best Phoenix Internet Providers: Summed UpCenturyLinkCox CommunicationsPhoenix InternetDefining traitPrice can be locked for life of planMost affordable pricing optionsLocally-owned and operated in PhoenixConnection typeDSL and FiberCableCableDownload speeds (Mbps)DSL: 100 MbpsFiber: 940 Mbps10, 30, 150, 300 940 Mbps25 MbpsPrices starting atDSL: $49/mo.Fiber: $65/mo.$29/mo.$50/mo.Contract lengthN/A1-yearN/AData cap1 TB1 TBUnlimitedAll information accurate as of 02/21/2020.

Best for Coverage Area

CenturyLink’s origins go all the way back to the 1930s when William Clarke and Marie Williams purchased the Oak Ridge Telephone Company. In 1971, it was renamed Century Telephone Enterprises and became what is known today as CenturyLink. The company currently offers DSL internet to over 95% of Phoenix, Arizona.Its Fiber Gigabit service is newer, with a much smaller coverage area, but CenturyLink expands its fiber coverage area regularly. Additionally, CenturyLink offers phone and television packages.CenturyLink’s DSL packages start at $49 per month for speeds up to 100 Mbps and Fiber Gigabit packages starting at $65 per month for speeds up to 940 Mbps.Its user-friendly website includes a tool to help you decide what speeds you truly require for your internet-usage needs. This helps to ensure you do not pay for a package with way more speed than you need or that you do not sign up for a package that doesn’t offer the speeds you need.Unfortunately, CenturyLink does not come out shining in customer reviews. Yelp reviews give them a low one out of five stars, with customers claiming poor speeds and subpar service. Some customers report that the highest speeds are only available within close proximity to CenturyLink and that those a bit farther out struggle to get adequate speeds. It is important to remember that your unique usage will determine your speed needs. This should be assessed before selecting an internet service provider in Phoenix.

Best for Internet Package Options

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Cox Communications is one of two primary internet service providers in Phoenix, Arizona, based on coverage.Its cable internet packages start at $29 per month for up to 10 Mbps download speeds (the Cox Internet Starter 10), and go all the way to the Gigablast package at $99 per month for up to 940 Mbps download speeds.Its Panoramic Wifi, offered as an add-on to any package, is an all-in-one modem and router that acts as the hub for your entire home’s wifi.Also offered for all packages, Cox Complete Care is a hassle-free support service to help resolve any of your internet questions, troubleshooting, etc.Unlimited data gives customers the peace of mind of ever having to worry about their data usage. All Cox Communications’ internet packages are based on a 12-month contract.Much like its main competitor CenturyLink, Cox Communications suffers a bad rap on Yelp. Customers have rated the Cox Communications in Phoenix a one out of five stars. As is the case with competing internet service providers, these reviews include all services provided, including internet, phone, television, and home security. Customers complain of frustrations with customer service and feeling a lack of internet options in their area.

Best for Locally-Owned and Operated

Phoenix Internet is one of the only internet service providers we reviewed that is exclusively located in Phoenix and focuses solely on providing fixed wireless cable internet to Phoenix residents. Fixed wireless allows Phoenix Internet to provide non-satellite coverage to rural areas.While its website did not include much on the company’s history and isn’t as user-friendly and informative as its competitors, we were able to find that it offers high-speed internet packages starting at $50 per month and promises coverage to many areas that are not serviced by competitors.Customers also benefit from unlimited data and speed up to 25 Mbps.Phoenix Internet fares only slightly better than its competitors on Yelp with a two out of five-star review. Though some complaints are related to customer service, most are related to a lack of speed.

How We Found the Best Internet Providers in PhoenixCoverage. We looked for providers who offer the largest coverage areas in Phoenix. While no single provider seems to offer 100% Phoenix coverage, the providers we’ve chosen offer the largest percentage coverage.Value. We researched each provider’s offerings and the value they offer consumers. We assessed things like range of speeds, contract lengths, data caps, and special offers. The best internet providers in Phoenix typically offer reliable speeds, fair prices, generous data caps, no hidden fees, and concise agreements.Customer Satisfaction. We used customer satisfaction ratings from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) and J.D. Power to use company reputation as a factor in our rating. Because reviews are negatively biased on the whole, and because smaller, locally-owned companies like Phoenix Internet have not been rated by ASCI or J.D. Power, we relied heavily on customer review sites and compared providers against one another for a more accurate comparison.

Why do many customers complain that they are not receiving the promised download speeds?

The distinction of a promised speed versus an “up to” speed is a very important one. None of the internet providers reviewed promise certain speeds. Instead, the companies give an “up to” speed that is dependent upon factors like location.If you assume that because a package offers “up to 1,000 Mbps” that you will definitely get 1,000 Mbps speeds, you may find yourself disappointed if your exact location affects that speed. Speak with internet service provider representatives to discuss your specific speed needs, locations, and what you should expect.

Can I use my own modem and/or router with these internet providers?

Though the internet providers offer their own recommended modem/router combinations, most offer customers the flexibility of using their own. It is important to note that if you use your own equipment, you will likely not receive technical support for the equipment from the internet provider. Additionally, the companies do not provide any warranty on the equipment, if it is your own.

How can I be sure I am getting the right speeds?

The true test of speed is actual usage. Are you able to perform all the tasks you need and desire to perform using your internet? For example, if streaming television is a high-priority need, are you able to do this with your current speed? If so, we consider that a success.If you would like additional information on the speeds you are receiving at any given time, you can ask your internet provider for usage reports or download any number of speed test apps, like Ookla, to test the speeds yourself.You may be surprised that you can achieve your internet usage goals with much smaller Mbps than you imagined, which could eliminate your need for higher speeds or a more expensive package. More

Discover the best 4G mobile broadband service providers with our in-depth reviews of four of the most highly rated and common carriers in the country. We looked at AT&T, Cricket, T-Mobile, and Verizon and ranked them on four main criteria: price, speeds, data caps, and customer service. The results reveal several options regardless of what’s important to you in your 4G mobile plan and mobile internet service.  

Best Data Caps

PROVIDER SCORE: 5/5Verizon performs strongly across the board, securing our No. 1 spot for 4G mobile broadband service. It offers unlimited data with the option for premium data during high traffic periods, which is ideal for customers requiring large data usage.Its lowest-ranking category was pricing compared to the competition, although Verizon does have a range of options for different budgets. Best For:  Heavy data usersNot For:  Tight budgetsPricing4th place – Plans start at $35 per month, but go up to $55 for one line, which is about average compared to its competitors.Download/Upload Speeds2nd place – Verizon download speeds start at five Mbps and go up from there. While you won’t be able to stream 4K, you’ll definitely meet the three Mbps required for regularly streaming.Data Cap1st place – The highest plan comes with unlimited data, plus 75GB of premium data gets you faster speeds during peak traffic hours.Customer Service2nd place – Verizon ties for second place with a four out of five rating from J.D. Power.

Best Variety

PROVIDER SCORE: 2/5With the exception of low 4G plan prices, AT&T ranks at a mediocre level in the other categories. Download speeds start at the cusp of streaming capabilities and while data caps are unlimited, you’ll notice a slowing between 50 and 100 GB (depending on your plan).While providing lower-priced plans can appeal to customers, the potential for slower download speeds and negative customer service rankings may be off-putting for some.Best For: Budget-friendly options Not For: Exceptional servicePricing2nd place – Plans range from $35 to $50, making AT&T a lowered-priced option for consumers in need of low-budget plans.Download/Upload Speeds4th place – 4G uploads go up to a maximum of 7.1 Mbps, although you’ll experience faster speeds if you upgrade to the 4G LTE network.Data Cap4th place – Unlimited data is great, but users in need of constant and high-performing speeds can find the data caps frustrating.  Customer Service4th place – AT&T has one of the lowest customer service scores from J.D. Power, so if you’re unhappy with your plan, you may not receive a lot of help in solving your issues.

Fastest Speeds

PROVIDER SCORE: 4/5T-Mobile ranks first in three categories: price, speed, and customer service. The downside is its data caps, which can slow data speeds down after 50 GB of use. As long as you pay attention to how much data you’re using, you’ll benefit from exceptional speeds for both downloading and uploading.Best For: Fast speeds Not For: Constant data usePricing1st place – At a minimum, you can spend just $30 on a T-Mobile plan with 4G. On the high end for a single line, the cost only jumps to $50.Download/Upload Speeds1st place – Download speeds start at 9 Mbps and go up to 47 Mbps — enough to stream in 4K.Data Cap5th place – T-Mobile users get a max of uninterrupted 50GB of data included in plans, and while it does include hours of streaming video and music, your data prioritization could slow down speeds. Customer Service1st place –  J.D. Power ranks T-Mobile first among full-service carriers for service. If you have an issue with your account, you’ll be confident in the resolution process from T-Mobile.

Best Flexible Plans

PROVIDER SCORE: 3/5Cricket’s third-place ranking is strong, considering it’s the only no-contract carrier on our list. In addition to taking advantage of quality customer service and a high data cap, Cricket customers can sign up for month-to-month plans, which helps customers not interested in long-term plans.Best For: No-contract data plans Not For: Fast speeds Pricing3rd place – Cricket plans start at $30 per month and max out at $60 for unlimited data and a mobile hotspot. This range provides cheaper alternatives for unlimited data than other well-known carriers. Download/Upload Speeds5th place – Download speeds range between just one and four Mbps, so you’ll only be able to stream video at the upper end of that range, likely outside of peak hours.Data Cap2nd place – Cricket offers unlimited data, so even though you may not be able to stream all the time simply based on speed, you at least don’t have to worry about your data running out.Customer Service1st place – Cricket ties for first in our customer service ranking, and is J.D. Power’s top-rated carrier with no contracts. Knowing you have a reputable company providing solid customer service is a plus for new customers.

Guide to Mobile BroadbandBefore you pick a provider and a plan, it’s imperative to learn the differences between each type of mobile broadband service.3G vs. 4GGenerations of mobile data technology have progressed successively recently and the generational window may shrink even faster as technology improves. Simply put, the higher the number connection (3G vs. 4G), the faster and stronger you can expect your mobile data connection to be.As new mobile data networks emerge, older ones become obsolete. Today, 3G networks are rarely used and most new mobiles only provide 4G. Although no longer the fastest iteration, 4G networks are still common nationwide.LTELTE is the acronym for “long-term evolution.” It’s a version of 4G that is much faster than 3G, particularly when downloading media on your phone. While many networks carry LTE, it’s not as fast as pure 4G.5G5G mobile broadband is the latest network available — and consequently, the fastest. However, it hasn’t made its way into every locale yet. Verizon currently offers 5G in 31 cities in the U.S. and T-Mobile has extensive coverage nationwide, but it’s still not comprehensive. Consider fiber or cableFor fast data speeds and streaming capabilities at home from wireless internet providers, consider fiber or cable internet. You can still connect your smartphone to your home wi-fi network to use data from your internet plan rather than your mobile plan. While there may be geographic limitations in some rural areas, most places in the U.S. have internet service providers to compare.

How Did We Choose the Best?

 We looked at each carrier’s 4G mobile broadband offerings in terms of price, speed, data caps, and J.D. Power customer service rankings. Next, we ranked the carriers in each category and averaged the numbers.

Will my 5G phone work on 4G/3G networks?

 Your 5G phone should automatically select the best signal according to your network, including 4G or 3G networks. 5G-capable phones are not strictly limited to the 5G signal. Your phone will automatically select a network according to what signal is available. If signals overlap, your phone will grasp the best signal and automatically change to the next best signal if the device travels beyond the network area.

How does 5G coverage compare to 4G?

 5G is still in its infancy, although the United States has installed numerous 5G towers over the last year. That being so, the coverage is still just a portion of the 4G coverage that currently exists. Metropolitan areas and their neighboring cities will likely be the first areas targeted, as was the case for 4G when it was first implemented.

Will 5G cost more than 4G?

 At this point, 5G will not cost more than a 4G plan. 5G is simply a more powerful, efficient radio transmission. What this means is more information can be broadcasted through 5G signals without interfering with other broadband signals. Ultimately, however, down the road, your network provider may adjust rates according to their infrastructure or signal quality. More

There are few places in the country changing at the speed of Seattle. Its population grew 18.7% from 2010-2018, according to The Seattle Times, making it the fastest-growing city in the U.S. over that time. Along with the growth, the city wants to ensure that technology and infrastructure can keep up.Several internet providers serve the Seattle area to provide connectivity to everyone. The city of Seattle wants to make technology accessible to all as well, offering programs that provide discounted smartphones and free computer access. And residents who cannot afford home broadband service may qualify for low-cost internet access for as little as $10 per month through a city program. Take a closer look at the best Seattle internet providers.The four best internet providers in Seattle  CenturyLinkFrontier FiberWave BroadbandXfinityDefining traitBest Long-Term DealBest Speed OptionsBest Local ProviderBest BundlesConnection typeFiber and DSLFiberFiberBroadband CableDownload speeds (Mbps)100 Mbps940 Mbps50 Mbps500 Mbps940 Mbps100 Mbps1000 Mbps (1 GB)25 Mbps300 Mbps600 Mbps1000 Mbps (1 GB)Prices starting at$49 per month for life$29.99 per month$69.95 per month*$29.99 per monthContract lengthNone24 monthsNone12 monthsData capNoneNone100 Mbps plan, limited to 400 GB data cap1000 Mbps plan, unlimited data, although speed is throttled after 2 TB1 TB per month to unlimited, depending on the internet service planAll information accurate as of 02/26/2020.* Wave Broadband offers discounts, including $19.95/month for the first six months.

Best long-term deal

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CenturyLink offers unique internet services to Seattle customers. When you sign up for a plan, they’ll guarantee the same price “for life.” The Price For Life plan locks in your monthly price as long as you keep your plan current. Here’s more of what CenturyLink has to offer in Seattle.Price: Two high-speed internet plans of $49 and $65 per month are available. Either are guaranteed for as long as you keep the plan through the Price For Life offer.Speed and Data: CenturyLink’s $49 internet service plan provides speeds of up to 100 Mbps. Or you can opt for 940 Mbps download and upload speeds in the higher-priced plan.Plans/Packages: Add unlimited local and nationwide calling to the 100 Mbps internet plan for $85 per month.Contract Options: CenturyLink won’t require you to sign a long-term contract, but they do guarantee the price of your service plan as long as you keep it.

Best speed options

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Frontier Fiber is available in downtown Seattle, as well as Bellevue, Edmonds, Kirkland, Bothell, Lynnwood, Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace and Redmond.Price: Frontier has three pricing tiers of $29.99, $39.99 and $74.99 per month.Speed and Data: Frontier doesn’t cap data in any of its three internet plans, which come with 50 Mbps for the $29.99 per month plan, followed by 500 Mbps and 1000 Mbps (1 Gb) speeds.Plans/Packages: The Double Plan includes 500/500 Mbps Internet and FiOS TV (Basic) for $64.98 per month and the Triple Plan with Voice, Gig Connection internet and FiOS TV (Basic) for $109.98 per month.Contract Options: To lock in the best price, Frontier FiOS requires a 24-month contract.

Best local provider

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For an internet provider that knows all about the Seattle neighborhood you live in, Wave Broadband is a great choice. Wave offers local customer support 24/7 to provide help anytime you need. Wave also has a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not happy, you can cancel the service and receive a refund within the 30-day limit with no obligations.Price: Wave offers two service plans — High Speed 100 Internet is regularly $69.95 per month and GigaBit Internet is $99.95 per month. The internet provider has specials as low as $19.95 per month for the first six months for new subscribers.Speed and Data: Expect speeds of 100 Mbps when you sign up for the High Speed 100 Internet plan and 1,000 Mbps with the GigaBit Internet plan.Plans/Packages: Besides the two internet plans, you can create a TV bundle starting at $19.95/mo for six months. Add equipment, such as TiVo Streaming DVR, to personalize your TV bundle.Contract Options: Wave doesn’t lock customers into contracts. You can cancel at any time.

Best options

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Xfinity Comcast delivers cable internet to much of the Greater Seattle area, including downtown Seattle, Bainbridge Island, Renton, Vashon and Kent.Price: Internet prices start at $29.99 per month for the Performance Starter Plus plan. You’ll get 25 Mbps download speeds and can add a Flex 4K streaming device for free.Speed and Data: Xfinity claims the Performance Starter Plus plan’s 25 Mbps is enough for one to two individuals online at once. Data is capped to 1 TB per month.Plans/Packages: Xfinity bundles high-speed Internet at various speeds from 25 Mbps to 1,000 Mbps with phone service and cable TV for $34.99 to $159.99 per month, depending on the cable channels.Contract Options: Internet service comes with a 12-month contract, while cable TV requires a 24-month commitment.

How we found the best internet providers in Seattle

We analyzed several companies to find the best internet companies in Seattle. Some of the key features we examined are:Coverage: Seattle and its suburbs are growing every day. We focused on internet providers with a wide coverage area to ensure that the plans and offers reviewed are available to most Seattle residents.Value: We weighed features such as speeds, data caps, bundles available and contract lengths to determine which internet providers in Seattle provide customers the most value for the monthly price.Customer Satisfaction. Consumer satisfaction ratings from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) and J.D. Power are an important part of the decision-making process on which services and products are the best. While internet service provider ratings are mediocre across the board, we analyzed each internet provider individually by comparing the company to industry averages.

How much speed do I need to stream music and movies?

The speed you need for streaming depends on how many people will be streaming at once in your household. A service plan of 1,000 Mbps would be ideal to avoid lag times, although 100 Mbps could work if more than one device isn’t streaming high-definition movies.

How fast is internet service in Seattle?

Seattle residents are in luck — fiber is available in most neighborhoods. Many in the area are likely to have access to high-speed internet service as fast as 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps).

Is fiber internet faster than broadband cable?

Yes, fiber is faster than broadband cable. Fiber-optic cable can carry more data faster and straight to your home. Broadband cable is shared with your neighbors — the more neighbors online, the slower your speed is likely to be. More

CenturyLink boasts two claims to fame: a generous menu of high-speed options, including fiber gigabit, and the ability to lock in a low rate for life. Both are exceptional in the DSL world. Even more impressive is the generous no-contract option for all DSL speeds up to 100Mbps. Few providers offer such attractive high-speed plans without a commitment on your end. To better understand these offerings, we spent over four weeks analyzing six popular plans and comparing them across the four largest DSL providers. We found a service that offers exceptionally high speeds, though your experience will ultimately depend on your connection and location.Pros:Low-cost Fiber Gigabit planA wide array of DSL speedsPrice for life on DSL plansCons:Limited bundling optionsMediocre customer service ratingsLow customer satisfaction scoresCenturyLink Internet plans and pricesLow-cost price for life plans without the contract.PlanPriceDownload/Upload SpeedsConnection TypeBest for1.5Mbps$49Up to 1.5MbpsDSLCasual Browsers10Mbps$49Up to 10MbpsDSLLight Streamers40Mbps$49Up to 40MbpsDSLLight online gamers60Mbps$49Up to 60MbpsDSLBinge-watchers100Mbps$49Up to 10MbpsDSLHouse of MultitaskersFiber Gigabit$65Up to 940/940MbpsFiberMega UsersData effective 02/05/20

* Package availability depends on location, prices may vary. For more details on these plans click here to learn more from our partner site, Allconnect.Fiber plans, speed and dataCenturyLink offers one fiber plan: Fiber Gigabit. At a highly competitive $65 per month, this fully unlimited Fiber Gigabit plan is one of the cheapest gigabit offers we’ve seen on the market. The catch? Unlike other CenturyLink plans, Fiber Gigabit is not price-for-life, meaning it will increase over time. Although CenturyLink doesn’t provide any specifics around the rate change, most gigabit plans — such as Verizon’s Fios Gigabit — start around $80, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see this service follow suit. Even with an eventual price hike, the starting offer makes this gigabit plan a steal for larger households looking to stream, game, and download across dozens of devices.DSL plans, speed, and dataAs far as DSL internet goes, CenturyLink offers an array of speeds ranging from 1.5Mbps to 100Mbps. While the majority of people will experience somewhat slower speeds, between 10 to 40Mbps, these virtually unlimited no-contract plans are more than enough for a family of users looking to surf the web, watch videos, and play games online without having to endure long load times or worry about going over a data cap.Price for lifeCenturyLink offers a price lock on all speeds up to 100Mbps for as long as you remain with them. This offer is pretty much unmatched among DSL providers — and among internet providers in general — and could be extremely valuable if you are looking to keep your costs low for the long haul.Who is each plan best for?1.5Mbps: Best for a single user with 1-2 devices10Mbps: Best for a single user with 3-4 devices40Mbps: Best for two users user with up to 5 devices60Mbps: Best for three users with up to 6 devices100Mbps: Best for four users with up to 8 devicesFiber Gigabit: Best for 5+ users with 10+ devicesHow fast is CenturyLink Internet?In the FCC’s latest report, CenturyLink’s actual speeds were lagging behind its advertised speeds, with 80% of panelists only receiving 77.9% of their advertised download speed, well below other providers like AT&T and Verizon. These findings align with the low Performance and Reliability score from J.D. Power’s Satisfaction Study; however, it’s worth noting that the FCC only tested CenturyLink speeds up to 40Mbps in this report. Fiber-based connections often have a greater consistency in speed and performance.Internet availabilityWidely available DSL plans with a growing fiber network.With availability across 35 states, CenturyLink provides high-speed internet in all four major regions of the U.S., with the greatest coverage in the West. Although most CenturyLink customers will be limited to a DSL connection, the company is working on expanding the fiber network, which is currently limited to 18 cities. Use our zip tool to check if your address is serviceable.Other factors to considerSimple equipmentSimple equipment, with the ability to opt-out to avoid the monthly fee.The type of modem, and its costs, will depend on your speed and connection type, though most range from $10-15 per month. To avoid shelling out $120 per year on equipment fees, we recommend either purchasing the modem upfront ($100) or using your own. The upfront cost may seem like a lot, but it will ultimately save you hundreds of dollars after the first year. Should you choose to opt-out of CenturyLink’s equipment entirely, make sure your router is compatible. If you only have a fiber-dedicated connection available, your old DSL modem may not be able to deliver the speeds you’re paying for.Notable feesEquipment lease fee: Up to $15/mo.*Professional installation fee: Up to $125*Self-installation fee: $50 shipping/handling**Sometimes waived for online ordersNo TV bundlesCenturyLink is extremely limited in its bundling options, offering only one: internet and unlimited nationwide home phone. Given that providers like AT&T and Verizon offer their own TV service, or at the very least, offer some discount with partnered providers, CenturyLink falls considerably short. However, it’s not all bad news. With an internet connection and a compatible streaming device, CenturyLink users can look into one of the many TV streaming services that are often cheaper than traditional TV packages. Mediocre customer service ratingsCustomers of any telecom provider know the industry’s customer service could use some work — including CenturyLink. It’s received low-to-middling feedback from customers across review sites and in third-party surveys. ACSI’s 2019 report and recent J.D. Power rankings both place CenturyLink below other big names like AT&T and Comcast Xfinity when it comes to customer experience. If you value customer service over the price and speed of your internet connection, you may want to look elsewhere. More

The major positives uncovered during the Earthlink internet review were no data caps, speeds up to 1GB, and several different plans to choose from. Additionally, the faster plans were notably cheaper compared with other major service providers.Like most providers, though, the company doesn’t offer service in all areas of the country. Even in the states where service is advertised, not all cities have coverage. And even in the cities that make the service list, some addresses don’t offer service. But if you contact customer support, a technician can run a test to tell you what’s available in your area in a matter of minutes.Overall, EarthLink looks to be a decent ISP option, depending on where you live and what types of speed you’re looking for.EarthLink internet overviewIn general, the reviews on EarthLink internet are a bit mixed. While the company does have an ok rating of a B with the Better Business Bureau, a quick search for company complaints turns up a decent-sized list of unhappy customers. While it’s common to see polarized reviews that only show the over-the-top good or bad experiences, it’s still something to take note of to consider.Additionally, the number of states serviced is a bit misleading. While the company has active pages for 47 of the 50 states, it doesn’t mean there’s blanket coverage across the state. In fact, a lot of the states leave you hard-pressed to find any cities that offer service, even though the page claims service in the state.Pros:Fast internet speeds: Solutions for residential and business customers looking for fast internet speedsCustomizable plans: Customizable plans and no teaser rates, ensuring no billing surprises down the lineNo data caps: No data caps or throttling based on data usageCons:Service is not available in all statesService is not available in all cities in the states servicedLower-speed plans are more expensive than some competitorsAvailabilityEarthLink internet plans and pricesPlanDownload SpeedPriceNumber of Devices Supported110Mbps$  49.95 N/A230Mbps$  59.95 N/A380Mbps$  69.95 N/A4100Mbps$  79.95 N/A5200Mbps$  89.95 N/A61000Mbps$  99.95 N/A*Data accurate as of 9/21/2020EarthLink speeds and data capsPlan Upload SpeedDownload SpeedData Cap1Not listed10MbpsNo Cap2Not listed30MbpsNo Cap3Not listed80MbpsNo Cap4Not listed100MbpsNo Cap5Not listed200MbpsNo Cap6Not listed1000MbpsNo Cap*Date effective as of 9/21/2020EarthLink estimated speeds

When it comes to the speeds of EarthLink internet, your options depend heavily on where you live. In some areas, you can get upwards of 1000Mbps, which is on par with the “Gig” internet speed options many companies advertise. While EarthLink is very forthcoming with download speeds, you won’t find upload speeds listed for any of the available plans, which isn’t ideal.Overall, the faster plans are on par with the rest of the industry. For people who want to save on internet costs and don’t need much speed, it’s nice to see some slower plans available. But the higher-tiered options aren’t available everywhere, which is disappointing.Data capsOne nice thing to see during the EarthLink reviews is the company has no data caps on any of the accounts. Additionally, there is no throttling of accounts, which lowers speeds for heavy data users. Out of everything we looked at during the review, EarthLink’s data policy was the biggest highlight.Our picks for EarthLink internet plan1000Mbps plan: Best for gamers and video streaming100Mbps plan: Best middle-of-the-road optionEarthLink internet highlightsContracts and feesEarthLink’s website does not detail minimum contract lengths. Additionally, you’ll need to go through an extensive service check and pre-sign up with the company’s customer support to learn what contractual options are available in your area. Based on past reviews and the lack of advertising for month-to-month plans, it’s safest to assume that most geographical areas require at least a one-year service contract.To learn more about the true cost of internet service, make sure to check out guides on hidden costs and calculating the cost of an ISP.Notable fees:Early termination fee: If you cancel your service early, you may be subject to the fee outlined in your service agreement.Variable equipment fees: Those who need a modem or other internet service devices are available through the company for an additional charge.Customer serviceWhile internet reviews can be polarized, a quick look at the BBB complaints website did show several recent issues from customers on a myriad of different issues. However, it looks like the company is active on the forum and has responded to every complaint with some attempt to rectify the situation.If you need help as a customer of EarthLink, there are several helpful ways to get assistance. EarthLink provides 24/7 phone support, live online chat, and helpful FAQs and self-help guides to assist with the most common issues.Additional featuresYou can get some nice additional features with your plan. These include up to eight traditional email addresses, up to 10 anonymous email addresses, automatic antivirus protection, spam protection, and a customizable internet homepage to enhance your overall experience.

Is EarthLink internet any good?

Answering the question of whether EarthLink internet is any good depends on what you’re looking for. For customers looking for the fastest internet, the company delivers. Speeds are available up to 1GB (1000Mbps), and the associated price in the areas checked is competitive with other major providers.However, EarthLink’s internet plans don’t seem quite as valuable at slower speeds. Other providers offer similar or cheaper plans for the same speeds.The company also offers a host of additional services that may be helpful for businesses. These include things like website design, custom branding, reputation management, and free business listings. While you might be better off sourcing these services individually from a company specialising in the service, the options are there if you’re looking for a true one-stop-shop.

What is EarthLink’s best plan, and how much does it cost?

The best plan available from EarthLink is the HyperLink (1000Mbps) plan. With speeds on par with other companies “Gig” plans, you can get blazing fast download speeds for under $100.

Where is EarthLink available?

EarthLink advertises services in 47 states across the United States. While this may seem great on the surface, this doesn’t mean blanket coverage in each state. In fact, in some of the states where service is advertised, it’s challenging to find any cities currently offering coverage.Additionally, a spot check of some of the advertised cities showed addresses without coverage.

What is EarthLink HyperLink Internet?

 EarthLink’s HyperLink internet is the company’s fastest internet plan. With upload speeds of up to 1000Mbps (1GB), the internet plan is on par with the fastest options at other major providers. The HyperLink plan may be a great option for people who use a lot of bandwidth.

Is EarthLink internet DSL — cable or fiber?

EarthLink offers dial-up service, DSL service, and fiber optic internet connections. The types of service offered vary by location, and you will need to contact the company’s support team to see what types of internet (if any) are available in your area. More