Cheapest & speediest loading internet provider?

Boy, this really sucks. Another one of our unnecessary luxuries has to go as our budget gets tighter. The $160 a month Comcast cable TV/internet/landline phone package is just too much for our budget. I figure I can get most of the political stuff/news I like to watch here or on youtube so, regardless of the $150 shut off fee, (gouging fuckers) cable TV has got to go. The landline we can get for a couple of bucks if we run it through the computer. That leaves the internet provider. Can anyone here advise on that?

Can anyone recommend, or for that matter, advise me against using?

Different companies different promos, etc. It can even vary by neighborhood depending on who services your area. Best bet is to ask your friends and neighbors locally.

I have a real low budg. company out of West Virginia or some such place (Sitestar Internet - $13.95/mo). They aren't great, but it doesn't matter to me because my main problem is the actual phone lines- they are antique. You might ask in the computer forum too. Good info over there. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=242

If costs have to go to the bare bones then you have three main "mainstream" choices. Since you're in PA, you're generally in Verizon-land unless there's other local phone companies out there (Embarq might be in your area, I don't know).

1) Call Comcast. Cancel TV, cancel landline, switch Internet to absolute cheapest stinking lowest speed package they have. It'll beat dialup and it'll be good enough for VOIP like Vonage - just. I don't know if Magicjack is a scam but if that works then go for that otherwise there's Skype.

2) Call the Phone Company (usually Verizon). Try to get the cheapest naked DSL package you can get (Phone Internet without traditional Phone service). Then VOIP over that.

3) Call the Phone Company. Get the Lifeline phone package or absolute basic phone package (no caller ID, no fancy features, just local call numbers and make it as cheap as possible... they'll probably charge to block long distance so just remember not to call it. Then get cheap dialup internet - you can get reasonably good dialup for about $5 a month from a reseller.

Here in NC, we can get i-net for 19.95 a month either through AT&Trash or RoadCrawler. Clearwire is a choice for us here but I don't know what's going in PA beyond local phone and cable monopoly.

If Internet is more important to you than an absolute guaranteed working home phone then go for options 1 or 2. 1 or 2 would also work if you have a cell phone (and I have a few ideas about prepaid cell plans too). If you absolutely got to have a reliable working home phone and got to pare costs down to the absolute bone then maybe the high speed internet just has to go. 911 service just has to work for some people. If your budget does allow then call the cable co, ask for their cheapest package of phone and i-net, and do the same with the phone company. Usually the basic phone is cheaper through the phone company... where cableco and traditional phone compete is with these nationwide calling plans.

You also have a $150 shutoff fee, so... call the cableco, explain you need to cut costs, what can you cut off without incurring the shutoff fee? Can you go down just to basic lowest hi-speed inet and save the $150 shutoff? Or reduce the shutoff because you're at least still a customer with them?

Just ideas, Mark.