Broadstripe

Why do we have to give any stars at all?
After having Comcast for years I never thought I would be saying this but… Comcast please provide service for my area.
I don’t even know where to begin. We have had broadstripe since ²⁄₁₁ and have had to have service men out 5 times now. No exaggeration. It is always the same. We start noticing the internet is slowing down, then we loose about ¾ of our tv channels, then our HOME PHONE will stop dropping calls, cutting out, and then finally it stops working all together and the calls go straight to voicemail.
Everytime I call in. They try to tell me it is somehow our fault but they will do us the favor of sending a tech out but we will have to pay a service fee if they don’t find something that there is their fault. Luckily we have never been charged this since everytime they come they find something different that is their fault and usually we end up with another modem. Then it will get better again only to start over the next month.
If you have ANY other choice and I do mean ANY do not even consider dealing with the incompetence of Broadstripe. I don’t know how they can even call themselves a service provider when we are without most of our services about half the time.

Worst company I have ever interacted with in this lifetime. Crappy internet is coupled with THE WORST customer service I have ever had to deal with. Avoid them if possible!
UPDATE: After taking the modem in person, they lied and are trying to charge me for the modem they took. This is the worst company on earth and should be shut down. Forever.
Also, they are quite clearly paying Unilocal to keep the worst reviews from being counted and they STILL get a one star rating.

Broadstripe is terrible. Their services are more expensive, of inferior quality, poor performance, and will fail in one way or another routinely. Their customer service is friendly but pointless. You’ll need an onsite visit to fix everything and when they come out, they’re just as likely to fix the problem as not. If Broadstripe is your only option for Cable TV, get satellite from DIRECTV or Dish. If Broadstripe is you’re only option for Internet, get Condo Internet or CenturyLink DSL. I GUARANTEE you’ll be better off.

I just got set up with Broadstripe as my new house is stuck in an area where I can’t get Comcast. I live in the Central District and had to choose between them and CenturyLink. I’ve had the later before and they were terrible. Lo and behold, I get signed up for Broadstripe and their Internet speeds are even more so.
I signed up with the 16MBps connection speed and even though their Internet speed test says that I am clocking at a whopping 15MBps, I’ve found that even streaming Hulu or perhaps music gets choppy. At 15Mbps? I don’t think so. I then went and tested it through four other Internet speed tests and clocked an average speed of 2Mbps. How can four other tests tell me that I’m in the single digits when the «official» speed test says that I’m going at full, blazingly fast speeds?
I smell a little fraud.
I’ve had Comcast before and even though I hate monopolies, they at least deliver on their advertised speeds. I am already looking at options for switching as soon as possible.

I am a computer builder, a business owner and a avid fast action online game player. {Battlefield 2 & 3, Crysis 1 & 2, Space Marine, Star Craft 2 etc etc }.
In my world, a fast internet connection means everything and out here in the land of 98 019, you do not have many choices between Frontier and Broadstripe. Unless you are not a online gamer, then Clearwire would be your best choice.
I first called Frontier, and they tried to stick it to me with their «new customer» policy even though I would have been a returning customer and I already had a DSL modem I bought from them. They now wanted to charge me to rent to use another one.
I said «F» that to Frontier and took a chance with Broadstripe’s 15mb connection deal for $ 30+tax a month for 6 months and no contracts that includes free cable TV. I asked not to have TV on there since I never watch it anyways, but it comes with it regardless whether I want it or not, but I got my straight up internet connection I wanted. I have a Magic Jack for my phone so I did not need that service either.
So, even after reading several reviews on Google and here on Unilocal and other sites. I did my homework and checked out the Broadstripe site online and I thought it couldn’t be any worse than frontier and I was right! Its better! No monthly contracts and no BS contracts and renting modems…
Not to point fingers, but I cannot see how some people can not see or understand that Broadstripe has NEVER offered a 7MB connection on their web site.
Ckick this link or Copy and paste this into your browser to see what I mean.

I know life gets frustrating at times, but I cannot understand how «others» cannot understand that ‘human nature” dictates if you have a good attitude with others {like with customer service}, you will get good service in return or the best the can give at the moment and time. I have on occasion emailed and called Broadstripe myself a few times and have spoken with techs and the billing department and I have no complaints with the service I got from these people.
Its not like you are dealing with HP and talking to someone in India LOL
Any and all of my problems were solved and explained in a good and proper manner and I am sure I will be remember by them as a good and patient customer that is pleasant to deal with since my patient and calm attitude has paid off with them. Some have made a personal effort to trouble shoot/​correct the problem sooner than later because of this. BTW thank you!
I gave 4 stars only because I wish they had a faster speed to offer and like ALL internet providers. There were technical problems here and there. So far, these problems were are all minor and as I said were taken care of fast and efficiently.
It is my opinion that in the beginning. Broadstripe has probably had many problems in the company on all levels. Thus all of the bad reviews through the years. I think they are making a conscious effort to change and fix all of that which in the past to the present has haunted them.
So far, I think they have done well and I would recommend them to others.

I was sold on a promo for $ 15 saying it was 7 mbps and when I got my bill it was 1 mbps, The internet constantly goes down, the customer service sucks balls.
When I called to pull up my fucking information took the rep 5 minutes cause her internet was so slow. So I cancelled the end for the end of their cycle. I called four times to get help with my internet and all four times over two days I had to wait a half hour before getting tired and hanging up. They suck. I’m swtching to comcast cause they got a 20 mbps proomo package for the price of broadstripes one, even after the promo its faster and cheaper unless anyone else heard of better services I would be appreciated.

Bad bad bad customer service — if you have another option, go with that. If you don’t, consider moving to a building that does. (seriously, they’re that bad)
I went through multiple cable cards with this company. The first time they insisted on sending a tech out to install it, he basically ran up to my condo, said he hadn’t paid for parking and was worried about getting a ticket, made a phone call to the cable company tech office, and inserted the card into my tivo box. I spent half a day waiting for the guy to come, so that he could spend about 5 minutes at my place. Wow, thanks. Nothing I couldn’t have done myself. Oh, and the card didn’t work, so it was all time wasted.
I went through multiple replacement cards, and finally received one that worked (therefore I know for sure it wasn’t a problem on my end with my equipment)… Which was great, until ~6 months later when I rearranged furniture in my condo and shut down the tivo box to move to another side of the room. Upon plugging it back in a day or so later the cablecard needed to be reauthorized by the cable company. Fine, I’ve read about this online — not a complete surprise: I place multiple calls to Broadstripe and no one at their technical center knew what I was talking about when I was asking them to re-​ping the cards. They insisted on sending another technician out, and I’m sorry but I refuse to do that when all they’ve got to do is call some back-​line number to get the appropriate signal sent out again over the cable line…
I have directv now and it’s a vast improvement.
In my opinion broadstripe is the kind of company you get when free market competition is limited: If more folks living in apartments or condos had the ability to choose something else, they wouldn’t have a snowball’s chance in hades of staying in business.
On the plus side their internet connection was relatively reliable. But that doesnt make up for the shenanigans/​ineptitude with the cable.

Wow these guys are bad.
Internet has gone down several times to my business and my home. I was unable to take customers for an afternoon. I thought they were joking when they offered to refund me $ 5 for the lost business.
I want a choice. I have none. Is this what democracy looks like?
Customer service is closed on the weekends. The website is horrible. The internet is constantly going down, especially late at night. I guess you don’t have to provide good service when you’re the only choice.
And why the hell can’t I find these guys on google maps?

Seattle… really. This whole anti-​monopoly internet BS you have set up? It is STUPID, and I am extremely bitter that due to this severely idiotic legislation I had no choice but Broadstripe to be my ISP when I had to have a cable internet connection for my job.
First? The price was atrocious! $ 70 a month for internet alone. Yeah, yeah… I could have «bundled» with TV and phone and saved, but you know what? I didn’t want tv or phone. I needed cable internet for work, so that’s what I got. And I really did not appreciate the consistent upselling I got when their tech installed it, when they would call to «check up on me» and well, all the letters they sent begging me to get more. I told you once, I don’t want it. Shut up already.
Service wise — was ok. Occasionally my connection would drop and I would have to reboot the modem. Sucked when I was working and in the middle of something important, but it was always recoverable.
Here is my biggest beef — which is consistent with the other reviews you see here, the canceling of my service. I got a new job and no longer required a cable internet connection. I was excited to move to Centurylink and pay much MUCH less for comparable service. I called, told them the last date of my service, and they told me where to return my equipment and that should have been that. Until I check my bank account this weekend and guess who is still on autopay for a FULL bill with these assholes? Me. Yup.
When I call this morning (customer service should be open on the weekend for hells sake), I get some lame excuse that this happened because I canceled really close to the end of a billing cycle. So what? I need this fixed ~now~. I don’t care why the mistake was made, I just want it rectified. So hopefully today I got taken off their autopay, and «an email» is being sent to their billing department to get me refunded. Oh, which is only by check and so it will take 4 – 6 weeks. I admit I flipped out at this point — since it was their mistake and I am the one suffering for this. 4 – 6 weeks for a refund is unacceptable, so the CSR said she’d make a note to the email she was sending out. And oh, you can’t get CC’ed on said emails. And oh, there is no ticket or reference # for the call cuz only an email was getting sent out.
I don’t trust that this problem is going to be resolved in the slightest — and Im gearing up for several more phone calls to supervisors over the next couple of days.
Screw you Broadstripe. And, even though I love you most days… screw you City of Seattle for forcing me to go with them instead of giving me a choice in an isp.

Searching for an ISP feels pretty much like just trying to determine the lesser of many evils. After a really poor performance from Clear or Clearwire in my apartment (NO SIGNAL, given the run around multiple times, ugh!) I switched to Broadstripe about 6 months ago. The installation was easy (I just called the local rep who had left flyers at my apt). And the speed was instantly so so so so much better, and has remained dependably so. I have not had one problem with the service. For real.
And I have called the customer service line a few times with questions and have really been amazed at how helpful, nice, and even personable (!) they are. Night and day between my experience with them and Clear.
Seriously, I do not work for this company. I just felt compelled to give them a good review because it has been such a relief after my last provider.
(posting from the capitol hill area)

THE. Worst. Ever.
If you’re smart enough to be doing your research before signing up for phone or internet service then please do yourself a favor and avoid this company like the plague.
Aside from generally spotty and unreliable service, getting any help from the company is beyond absurd. I had to call in for service so many times, and wait on hold for so long that Broadstripe is actually on my AT&T A-​List. Imagine that. Not my best friend, nor my mom… Broadstripe — because I spend more time on the phone with them than I do with my own friends and family.
STAY AWAY!!!

There are not enough reams of paper for me to express my hatred for Broadstripe. I could write epic poetry regarding my disdain of this company that would go on for volumes and it would still not be enough.
Honestly, this is the BIGGEST rip off I’ve ever seen in my life. So here are the facts:
–The internet service goes out at least once per day for several hours
–When the internet is working, it’s at about ¹⁄₃ the speed I was told I would have and am paying for (15 my ass).
–Customer Service is pretty much worthless
–There is no online bill pay and their website might be the LEAST navigable website known to man
–Half the time they don’t even send me a bill in the mail. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to pay my bill with no online bill pay and no bill in the mail and the world’s worst website where it’s a pain to find even a phone number for them. Mind control? Telekenesis?
–after taxes I pay $ 75/​mo for shitty service– I got faster service when I lived in Chicago and only paid $ 30/​mo.
But seriously, the service is awful. Even getting basic pages to load is a pain, much less trying to stream movies from netflix. My computer is brand new and works fine anywhere else with decent internet connection. It’s clearly just the internet here.
This, my friends, should remind us why granting a company exclusive territory rights is always a bad idea. Shame on you, Seattle and Broadstripe.

Good and bad.
First, the bad — It seems like people don’t have nice things to say about this company and scared the living bejesus out of me! I’m new to Beacon Hill and in grad school and the Internet is essential for me on the regular. My building has a Broadstripe representative and scheduling with him was a little difficult as there were some miscommunications about when he was to come. Was it the end of the world? No, not really but it was irritating. To be fair, he really was a nice guy and got in and out relatively fast.
The good — I’ve heard all the horror stories about Broadstripe and even though it’s only been a short period of time, my connection seems fine and I’m perfectly happy with the actual service. Because I used our building’s representative there was no installation fee and I’m QUITE HAPPY with their service prices.
So far, so good.

I try to be fair-​minded.
That’s why I am updating my review of Broadstripe to mention that the Internet speed and availability has been consistently very good over the past several months. I realized as I was working from home this morning that I had taken the improved service a bit for granted.

How many ways can we say these people suck?!
Our service goes out almost every afternoon around 2pm and comes back on an hour or two later. Every night around 6pm it slows down, it’s become a running joke that the neighbors are downloading a lot of porn and slowing us all down! It’ll speed back up, a bit, around 10pm.
Customer service is a joke, they always tell me to unplug and replug everything, never thought of doing that one on my own. Tried to blame it on our computers at one point, yeah the husband is a computer nerd, if it was us — we’d know!
Not sure why these people are still around or who they blew to get the contracts out here in the first place, but the need to go!

Can I give negative stars? Literally, I THOUGHT Verizon, Comcast, Time Warner were bad. well, Broadstripe makes them look like 5-​star service. I have NEVER in a million years dealt with this much incompetence. I feel like this is a start-​up company. I’ve bulleted out my gripes for easy reading:
— It’s expensive for what it is — they nickel and dime you for EVERYTHING, including remotes, expensive premium channels — whatever they can get
— Their technicians are not smart. I had one spend over 1.5 hours for a simple cable and internet hookup. I then had to wait an extra week for a more skilled technician who informed me it was an easy issue that could have been fixed a week ago.
— Their actual cable service is awful. No HBO on demand and the DVRs are single tuners. If you want a dual tuner (which is not a dual tuner by definition which is usually a box that can record two shows while you watch a pre-​recorded, their dual tuner can only record a show while you watch something else live) — you have to call like a month in advance since they never have them on hand
— I hated their DVRs so much I got a tivo box where you need another tech to install a special card into the box. I had a Saturday 9 – 12 window block and was called ON saturday at 10:30 (well into my window) that they were not coming because they didn’t have any cards left and they would call me when they were in. When asked why I wasn’t informed earlier (even though I set this up over a week ago) they didn’t know, and quite honestly, they didn’t seem that apologetic.
I could go on and on but I think I’ll stop there. How can this type of company even exist? Shouldn’t there be some government entity that governs this type of business and makes them close down due to incompetence? I dunno, WORST EVER.
The most frustrating thing is that if you have to use Broadstripe, there is usually no other company you can use since the building is likely grandfathered into their cables and service. So frustrating. Hate it. May be the reason I move out of my otherwise fabulous apartment. HATE.

Sadly, as I live n the CD, Broadstripe and its 1 star is as good as it gets. I think I am tearing up as I write this review in fact, as I cannot understand how in Seattle, home of the F’ing internet (sort of), I cannot get a quality internet connection, consistently, at, all, ever.
I started with ClearWire. No dice, horrible, 2 mbps max, most often around 400k down. Not going to cut it for a home office.
Then moved on to Qwest, which was a nightmare. Complete nightmare. Won;t even go into details, PTSD.
Now it’s my last resort, Broadstripe. I have to give them credit for the friendly service techs that come to figure out my connection problems. But man, every 2 weeks it’s something new. Either they are working on the local lines, or the power levels going to my modem need to be adjusted, or the filter for my cable TV is not configured correctly. But I am 5 months in and I’ve had anywhere from 15mbps for up to 1 – 2 weeks, to 2 weeks of under 1 mbps every evening and morning. I’ve also been without service entirely for up to 5 days.
I am not sure, technically, how hard it is to effectively deliver internet on a cable wire. But I have to imagine that in 2010 we can do better than this. Broadstripe is what I got though, there simply is no alternative for those of us living in the internet-​redlined Central District.

5 months later and everything is going as smoothly as can be. I added television additional television service in August and it’s been incredibly reliable. I went ahead and bought my own cable modem from Linksys to save myself $ 5/​mo. All I had to do was make a quick phone call when the modem arrived and I was online. They sometimes have late night maintenance but it usually never interferes with my service.
Anyways, if you are currently a Broadstripe customer and are having difficulties: reach out to David Irons or earningstripes on Twitter and they _​will_​help you.

I created an account just to warn the masses of how bad Broadstripe is (although it looks like the word is out). I just got out of their death-​grip on my condo and I couldn’t be happier. I wish I could give Broadstripe 0 stars, but oh well.
Lets start with my background: I am a software developer. Internet is essential. I have had broadband since it came to my neighborhood when I was 13 (over 10 years ago). The internet I had then was faster and more reliable than what I have had with Broadstripe for the past 2 years.
The facts:
— 20% UP time (no, like really)
— When it was up, I got an average of 0.8 Mbps (I paid for 15)
— A 3 month period of my ping being measured in SECONDS (not, not milliseconds, fucking seconds [no, not that kind. that kind is good])
— I paid about $ 75 a month for the privilege of this great service
Other than their shitty service, they seemed to screw up my account every month. I had to save bills and bank statements just to prove I wasnt crazy. Every month it was another fee, another error, and another «late payment.» This, and I was on auto-​pay for the exact amount they were charging me. How this amounts to me missing 3 months in a row, I have no idea but it took them MONTHS to figure this out (oh, it was going to someone elses account. oh, we changed your billing number and didnt change it in our system, oops). I couldnt even get them to let me pay them for christ sakes! They were content to let me throw money in a black hole, as long as it meant I was an un-​happy customer.
The only way I was ever able to get these mystery changes removed was to get the BBB involved.
So, here is the deal: if your only option is Broadstripe, skip it. Get clearwire for fuck sakes. Go to ATT and get a 3G router and data plan. Make it a daily routine to go to a coffee shop to check email. ANYTHING. Just dont get broadstripe, as it will be more productive to leech of a non-​existent wifi signal and throw your money down a black hole.
Oh, and if you think the Unilocal reviews are bad, go where the nerds go:
and do a little light reading.
Fuck you, broadstripe.

Used to be Millennium Digital Media and I guess the Millennium fad wore off so they became Broadstripe… Service & product sucked when it was MDM and marginally got better to merely be called tolerable under the new name.
If Seattle didn’t have this regional cable stuff, I’d be bolting and trying to find another service!