I am told we can go back to using local ISPs

[TheBlackAdder]

21. I use Verizon FiOS for work and stability. Only 3 outages in 7 years, and two were 15 minutes each.

I used to have Comcast and they would go out all of the time. I would call and they would say that it is a 3 day service call, unless I could get 5 other neighbors to call in, then it would be considered an emergency and they would dispatch someone within 24 hours. I used to get knocked out a half dozen or more times a year, for 2-3 days at a shot. They said I needed to pay an extra $100 a month for a business account if I wanted 24 hour service.

With FiOS, I started at 15Mbps, went to 30 Mbps, 50Mbps, 75Mbps and now at 1Gbps. I was only knocked out 3 times in 7 years, two were after midnight and were for only 15 minutes. One was for a day, the day that Hurricane Sandy struck NJ. I now have a package plan, which seems a bit expensive, but it includes phone, all regular & HD channels (which has about 30% more premiere channels than Comcast), a DVR and 1Gbps service. I'm not sure how much the Internet portion is, but my package bill, with all taxes and fees is about $200/mo.

There is no other solution that provides near comparable service in Southern NJ.