Turbo-Broadband Speeds Available to Local Residences and Businesses

Hope Hope Hope!

Sure you can get "Turbo" speed, but at what cost?

Turbo cost?

We are being taken advantage here because of our market. Just like gas collusion, we are being charged 'what the market will bear' costs. In fact, based on the new definition of 'broadband' speeds, we are paying for but not getting broadband speeds at the lower tier pricing levels.

Too true!
After being in FL recently for a couple of weeks and having access to their high speed internet everywhere I went, it was disappointing to return to my "high speed" connection. Never knew my kindle could get so many bars! Their prices were the same as what I now pay for my service but way faster. It's disappointing to have to pay so much more than stateside, for less.

Maybe beeski will respond.

I was hoping to revive this thread about fast internet since Governor Map was just telling the tv news in Atlanta that we have the fastest internet in the Western Hemisphere. I must not be living in USVI.

I just hooked up internet with vibroadband and am paying about $100 per month for up to 5mbps. It can get up to 20-25 mbps but it doesn't seem to be sustained and probably averages closer to 5mbps. Or I could pay about $60 a month for service that is capped at 2mbps.

Apparently the other option is innovative and they advertise 25mbps for $99 or as little as 3mbps for $50 a month. Anyone use innovative on STX and pay for the fastest connection? Is it reliable?

I still don't understand how the Governor can say we have the fastest internet if it isn't available to customers, only available through innovative, and costs much more than elsewhere. Its a slap in the face compared to stateside where for $35 can get you 50mbps or 150mbps for $75. Three times the speed for 25% less than what we pay.

Am I missing something?

... I still don't understand how the Governor can say we have the fastest internet if it isn't available to customers, only available through innovative, and costs much more than elsewhere.

... Am I missing something?

Only missing (or have temporarily forgotten)! that Mr Mapp has an amazing propensity for spewing hyperbole and downright untruths when face to face with a mainland interviewer and cameraman. He seems to remain sufficiently deluded to believe that the utter BS doesn't count when it's broadcast off island ...

... I still don't understand how the Governor can say we have the fastest internet if it isn't available to customers, only available through innovative, and costs much more than elsewhere.

... Am I missing something?

Only missing (or have temporarily forgotten)! that Mr Mapp has an amazing propensity for spewing hyperbole and downright untruths when face to face with a mainland interviewer and cameraman. He seems to remain sufficiently deluded to believe that the utter BS doesn't count when it's broadcast off island ...

Unfortunately true.

Mapp was referring to the telecom capacity on this tiny island. There are 2 major sub sea cable stations on this island that almost all telecom traffic between North and South America passes. Those cable stations contain more capacity than is available in most major cities in the states. So the capability is there for the speeds you get back in the states but someone needs to build that infrastructure on island to make it happen. Innovative has built out a small fiber network on island in order to deliver the higher speeds but they charge more because they have to pay for that network and because they can. The average person doesn't need anything more than 6mb speed. That is plenty to stream videos online. If you're actually downloading very large files(which most people don't do) it could take a bit longer but not prohibitive.

I have the 12MB speed through Innovative and it has been reliably consistent at 12MB when doing speed tests at different times of day and night.

Thanks for the feedback on the 12mbps. And I agree with oldtart that the truth has been embellished. Infrastructure and electricity costs money. Why would someone start an energy heavy company here vs stateside when you have to pay for the infrastructure and you pay more for electricity. You can't parade the USVI without being honest with the facts and be honest with everyone. We have to deal with the fact we are getting pillaged on utilities. In general, people here are honest and honest with the facts. Shouldn't those leading us subscribe to the same?

I would be surprised to see a reliable 25meg through the Evil boxes or a 12 in a way. Have had Innovative since they announced DSL on North side and speed has never matched service. Innovative has issues with the system both on phone and internet side that they need to fess up to

It seems that VI Broadband is actually charging less than Choice, but they want a 2 year contract
with automatic credit card payments. So I can't help but wonder. Has anyone ever gotten out of that contract without paying for a whole 2 years? If not I am kind scared of the commitment

I tried to get Innovative... Took over two weeks just to schedule an appointment and then finally when they did show up another two weeks later, they wanted us to cut down 3 large trees so they could pull a T branch off the neighbors line rather than pulling a wire from the next pole (that I was willing to pay for). I'm now beginning to understand why people complain about service in the caribbean. Very few people have any idea what's going on because nobody seems to train their employees. Trying to get an answer at the main innovative office building behind Sunny isle was an exercise in futility.

I had enough issues with local Innovative phone and cable without wishing to add to it by using their internet services. Took me almost a year and dozens of phone calls just to get my cable box deposit back when I switched to DISHTV. Switched to BBVI after having Choice Internet forever due to all the issues endured with them over the course of months on end.

My experiences with BroadbandVI have been the exact opposite and a real pleasure. I just wish their residential lines provided a slightly better sustained connection speed.

Ditto.

we have had broadband for years and have never had auto pay. i pay when my paycheck allows me to pay within their time frame. i pay the 50 a month-whatever he speed it is enough for my home needs including streaming

I expect actual Internet performance with Innovative will vary somewhat based on location due to infrastructure. They told me availability is also based on location as they don't have infrastructure everywhere yet. Only options I have for TV and Internet are BBVI and Innovative and Innovative seems a bit cheaper for anything other than basic.

Just wondering if anyone has any current experience this year with the Innovative 12Mbps (or any other) Internet on STX in La Grande Princess area? TommySTX what area is your service located in?