ISP Review: Charter High Speed Internet

Charter is the third largest provider of cable services in the United States, serving 29 of the 50 states with cable television and internet. High speed cable internet comes in three varieties from Charter: regular, plus and max depending on the level of speed needed and package deals are available to add television service if you just can't do without all those extra channels.

The highest speeds offered by Charter are some of the fastest in market, with advertised rates of up to 16 mbps on the Max program. These connections are always on, making it easy to check sports scores, keep up with email and just waste time browsing the Web.

Customers of Charter will get more than just an internet connection. The service also provides anti-virus software, a firewall, spam filters and parental monitoring software that allows users to create a more safe and secure internet experience. Additionally, each account is given 10 email addresses and access to personal web space that can be used to create a web page or store data-- whatever you'd like to do with it.

Initial setup is done by professionals and Charter can provide you with a cable modem if you do not have your own to use. This may make it more expensive than other services which provide the option of user set-up and can be a downside if price is a major concern.

Most users of Charter find that the service provides great high speed downloads and browsing and an easy-to-use online interface for email and web page creation. Of course, every service isn't without its downsides. Charter has been frequently cited for its poor customer service with extensive wait times for callers and some unhelpful staff. While this will likely not be the case for every customer, it is important to consider when choosing an ISP especially if you're not particularly computer savvy and can see yourself needing frequent support.

While customer service may be an issue for some subscribers, Charter's high speeds and relatively low prices for services can still make it an attractive choice for those in many areas of the country and bundle deals with cable and internet can further increase its value per dollar.

• Initial offer of $14.99 but regular prices can range up to $40.00 a month.