(And What You Can Do About It)

If you live in Poestenkill, Sand Lake, East Greenbush, or anywhere in Rensselaer County, chances are you’ve asked:

“Why is my internet so bad?”

You’re not alone—and you’re not imagining it. Internet service in our area—especially from Spectrum—can be spotty, overpriced, and frustrating. But you're not stuck with it.

Here’s what’s going on—and what you can do to get better Wi-Fi at home.

🚧 Why Spectrum Isn’t Cutting It

While Spectrum is often the default provider in many parts of the county, it's also one of the most complained-about. Local residents report:

Frequent outages, especially during storms or peak hours
Inconsistent speeds that don't match what they're paying for
High prices with little explanation or flexibility

Many clients we work with don't even know what speed they're paying for—and often, they’re getting far less than expected.

In local Facebook groups like those for Poestenkill, Averill Park, and East Greenbush, you’ll regularly see people asking:

“Is Spectrum out again?”
It’s clear the service isn’t reliable for many.

✅ Better Alternatives That Are Gaining Traction

T-Mobile Home Internet

Uses 5G instead of cables
No installation needed—just plug it in and go
Flat monthly rate (around $50)
Speeds are decent in many parts of the county, especially near open windows

Downsides: May vary by location and tower congestion. Try their 15-day trial to test it first.

Other options to consider:

Verizon 5G Home Internet – a contract-free option that uses Verizon’s 5G and LTE networks. It’s similar to T-Mobile’s service, with decent speeds and simple setup, but coverage and performance can vary a lot depending on your location in the county. Best to check availability and ask around locally before making the switch.
Straight Talk 5G Home Internet – a newer option using Verizon’s network. It’s prepaid, contract-free, and works well in some parts of Rensselaer County, but performance can vary based on location and signal strength.

📌 Tip: Always check coverage maps and reviews from nearby neighbors before switching.

📊 How Much Speed Do You Really Need?

A household of 3–4 people typically needs at least 100–200 Mbps, especially if streaming or working from home.

You may be paying for 300 Mbps—but if your Wi-Fi setup is bad, you’ll only get a fraction of that.

Recommended Speed (per person): 5 Mbps
Recommended Speed (per person): 10–15 Mbps
Recommended Speed (per person): 5–10 Mbps
Recommended Speed (per person): 25+ Mbps

📍 Wi-Fi Setup Mistakes That Hurt Performance

Even with the right plan, poor router placement can tank your signal.

🚫 Common mistakes:

Hiding your router in a closet, cabinet, or behind the TV
Placing it on the floor or near thick walls
Putting it next to electronics that cause interference (like microwaves)

✅ What to do instead:

Keep your router central, raised off the ground, and out in the open
Avoid putting it in the basement or on the far end of the house
Use a mesh Wi-Fi system if you live in a larger or multi-level home

📌 Pro tip: Most people never update their router firmware. We can do this for you—it helps fix bugs and improve speed.

💸 Save Money: Stop Renting Equipment

If you’re using Spectrum’s modem and router, you’re likely paying $5–$10/month just to rent them.

That adds up to $120+ a year—and their hardware is often subpar.

✅ A better approach:

Buy your own Spectrum-compatible modem and dual-band router
Set it up once and save money every month
Often results in better performance and longer range

Need help picking one? We’ll recommend a model that fits your home and your budget.

🧑‍🔧 Want Help? That’s What We’re Here For

We get it—not everyone wants to mess with Wi-Fi settings, test speed results, or deal with internet providers.

📍 Towne Techs is based in Poestenkill, and we serve homes across Rensselaer County including Troy, East Greenbush, Sand Lake, Wynantskill, Brunswick, and more.

We’ll:

Test your speeds
Optimize your Wi-Fi setup
Help you choose the best provider or plan
Replace or install new equipment
Save you money and frustration

📅 Book a Home Wi-Fi Tune-Up

Whether your internet is crawling, cutting out, or costing too much—we can fix it.

Click here to schedule or contact us for honest, local tech help that comes to you.

Why Your Wi-Fi Struggles in Rensselaer County