Disappointing PSA: 18% price increase on 1GIG Fiber Service in Bay Area. Check your bills people!

Internet access discussion, including Fusion, IP Broadband, and Gigabit Fiber!
35 posts Page 2 of 4
by artakamoose » Mon Mar 13, 2023 10:04 pm
psireau wrote:2. My understanding is that 10gbps customers have an option for "Basic Fiber" which does not include email, VPN or voice but is $20 cheaper and doesn't come with the associated phone taxes and fees (representing over $15 on my bill). Assuming their price will go up $10 as well, that means they will be paying $40 when my next bill for 1gbps service will be close to $80 (including taxes and fees). So I am paying double that of other customers with service that is 10 times slower. Again, that sounds pretty crazy.
That was a very limited trial offer where they created three tiers and pricing across all three was discounted by $10/mo for 1 year. Basic Fiber also had limited support options. I'm guessing the trial didn't go well for that tier, since Basic Fiber isn't offered any longer.

The current tiers are Standard Fiber at $49.99/mo (no phone and no taxes) and Fusion Fiber at $59.99/mo (includes phone and phone taxes). That's the standard price without the $10/mo discount.

As a reminder, AT&T internet only symmetrical 1G goes for $80/mo.
by andrewk365 » Fri Mar 17, 2023 1:22 pm
Also disappointed that there was no email communication of the price increase besides in the billing statement that I rarely look at. Some explanation of the increase would be good, after all inflation is supposedly running at +-6%. I had thought we were buying into a small regional company with much better communication than the corporations.

I was also disappointed a few months ago when my rented router (paying $10 p/m for almost 5 yrs) failed, and I was told I didn't really need it. I could simply plug into my wifi router. I'm pretty sure I was assured when I first signed up, the router was necessary. Hate those rental fees on long term subscription, especially if it's for equipment that's not necessary.

I have been a big cheerleader for Sonic service. Justifiably, it's an excellent service, especially compared to Comcast and AT&T. However, the shine seems to be coming off recently. I couldn't even find price quotes for current packages on the web site. There was a comparative chart with competition on twitter post dated 3/10 with the $49.99 price point!!!

More transparency would be appreciated.
by jessieandrob » Fri Mar 17, 2023 2:12 pm
came to the forums after seeing the "small print" price increase notice on my bill. yeah, this is REALLY disappointing.

i get the need for price increases, but hiding the ball like this is not what i'm used to from Sonic. i'm looking at alternatives now as Sonic has been GLACIALLY slow expanding fiber in our area.

just shaking my head here, this is a giant screw up.
by rolfsf » Mon Mar 20, 2023 12:37 pm
I'm not going to complain too much about the price increase - Sonic is a great service, and still a good deal.

BUT... sneaking that little one-liner notification of the price increase in the attached bill pdf without any other notification (you have my email, you have my address, you have my phone number!) is pretty disappointing. I do expect more from Sonic - that seems like an AT&T/Comcast tactic. Don't do that Dane!
by cyclos » Mon Mar 27, 2023 9:15 am
I have to say I am very disappointed in this tactic.

I have been a Sonic customer for about 20 years. I have promoted Sonic heavily to my friends as one of the few companies that doesn't use jerky promotional tactics.

I did not notice the announcement of the price increase in my bill. I definitely WOULD notice the increase when it shows up in my bill next month. The method of announcement feels "sneaky".

As others have said, the price still seems like a good deal. But the method of announcing it really hurts Sonic's appearance.
by digitalbitstream » Tue Apr 11, 2023 10:44 pm
Yep.
That was out of the blue. I came here after doing taxes and going what?
Insufficient notice.
At least now there's competition with AT&T fiber, and Unwired.

Voice Federal Subscriber Line Charge Fee - STI-0283170-6/PAIR200 6.50
Voice Federal Universal Service Fund Fee - STI-0283170-6/PAIR200 2.88
Voice California Lifeline Telephone Service Surcharge - STI-0283170-6/PAIR200 0.47
Voice California Deaf and Disabled Telecom Program Surcharge - STI-0283170-6/PAIR200 0.11
Voice California High Cost Fund-A Surcharge - STI-0283170-6/PAIR200 0.07
Voice California Teleconnect Fund Surcharge - STI-0283170-6/PAIR200 0.08
Voice California Advanced Services Fund Surcharge - STI-0283170-6/PAIR200 0.10
Voice California 911 Emergency Surcharge - STI-0283170-6/PAIR200 0.30
Voice Berkeley Utility Users Tax - STI-0283170-6/PAIR200 1.41
Voice California Public Utility Commission User Fee - STI-0283170-6/PAIR200 0.07
Voice FCC Interstate Telecom Service Provider Fee - STI-0283170-6/PAIR200 0.04
Property Tax Allotment Surcharge - STI-0283170-6/PAIR200 1.28
Voice Regulatory Recovery Surcharge - STI-0283170-6/PAIR200 0.99
Fiber Phone Service - 5105588770 - STI-0283170-6/PAIR200 0.00
Fiber - Fusion 1Gbps - STI-0283170-6 59.99
Fiber Information - STI-0283170-6 - Data $49.99 Voice $10.00 0.00
Voice California 988 Suicide Prevention Surcharge - STI-0283170-6/PAIR200 0.08
by glee217 » Wed Apr 12, 2023 11:12 am
artakamoose wrote:It's still a great deal. I'm paying $39.99, which goes up to $49.99 after one year. I'm perfectly fine with that.

AT&T's symmetrical 1G service is going to cost you $80.

Comcast 1G will cost you $65 initially and then you can have fun with them when your contract is up. Not to mention the fact it's almost impossible to figure out what your upload speed is before you order. Best I can tell is that it might be up to 35M, which is insulting compared to FTTH. Cable latency is awful compared to FTTH also.
+$10 voice line not used
+ taxes
My bills $78 in SF.

Att has periodic promos on Att cash card credits.
by glee217 » Wed Apr 12, 2023 11:20 am
artakamoose wrote:
psireau wrote:
The current tiers are Standard Fiber at $49.99/mo (no phone and no taxes) and Fusion Fiber at $59.99/mo (includes phone and phone taxes). That's the standard price without the $10/mo discount.
I currently have the fusion fiber 1gig with voice line + taxes and 1 yr promi expired long ago but how can I get “Standard Fiber at $49.99/mo (no phone and no taxes” as an old customer? Maybe another household member name?
by joeyyung911 » Wed Apr 12, 2023 11:54 am
I'm sure that option is for new 10gb customers.
Excelsior, Sonic Fiber
by cyclos » Wed Apr 12, 2023 11:59 am
I just checked an address in Mountain View and it was offered 10G with voice for $59.99 or 10G without voice for $49.99.

I would love that second option since the taxes and fees for voice are over $15 for me. So a total of $25 extra for a function I don't use.

Edit: On further investigation, it seems this is a pre-order for 10G service which is not currently available.
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