TDS uses its wire network to provide internet and television services, just like most telephone services in the United States. In addition, the corporation owns a cable T.V. network that covers 11 states and provides internet access over that network. In total, 27 U.S. states are served by TDS Telecom, a telephone service provider.
Telecom, Internet, and T.V. services are delivered primarily to rural and suburban consumers. However, TDS does have several major urban centers in its service area. Due to the addition of TDS’ fiber-optic network allows the general public and businesses in 22 states to access high-speed Internet.
The DSL division of the corporation has more clients than the fiber and cable internet divisions combined. This DSL internet service provider ranks 9th in the U.S. The ADSL protocol is used to implement this service, which provides more download capacity than upload bandwidth. Broadband internet services are typically delivered using this approach.
The entire name of the parent business is Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., therefore TDS. Founded in 1969 as a local telephone business, TDS is now headquartered in Chicago. Its home services segment is centered in Madison, Wisconsin.
Benefits of using TDS:
- provides DSL, fiber-optic, and cable Internet
- offers bundles that combine these services
- Money-back guarantee for 30 days
- No contract, no installation fees for speeds of up to 1Gbps
- There are no limits on the amount of data that can be transferred
- Reduces the cost of the service for those with limited resources.
TDS’ Drawbacks
- Dispersed across a large area are little pockets of coverage.
- The quality of service varies drastically from area to location.
TDS: A Few Points of Interest
TDS’s best service is available in locations where the company has installed fiber-optic cable. Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin all have a branch of this network in some form or another.
Although most of the company’s users reside in rural areas, the fiber network only reaches a small number of urban areas within the service region it provides access. TDS obtains federal and state government subsidies and concessions as part of its rural network expansion strategy. Financial aid is insufficient to make fiber-optic cables economically viable in rural areas. The provider uses copper telephone wires in these locations to deliver TDS internet service.
The FCC’s Connect America Fund is helping the company rapidly build its fiber-optic network in urban areas. Installing new fiber runs is part of TDS’ ten-year plan. TDS offers two-year discounts on its internet service and bundle rates. Still, consumers aren’t obligated to a minimum service contract. No commitments are being forced on clients, according to the headline. But in actuality, a service agreement serves as a contract.
The company’s obligations outweigh customer responsibilities under the agreement. The discount for the first two years, typical $10 for internet-only and internet and T.V. plans and $20 for bundles that incorporate Internet, T.V., and telephone services, is the primary condition that ties the company to the deal.
TDS’s popular bundles combine 1 Gbps or 300 Mbps fiber internet with 125 or 190 channel T.V. entertainment. Both with and without landline phone services are available. Families and individuals who need financial support can apply for the Lifeline program. Lifeline eligibility requirements differ from state to state. Lifeline’s government program provides discounts on TDS internet subscriptions for low-income customers. On the other hand, participants who meet the program’s requirements save $9.25 on their monthly internet membership rates.
Customer Support at TDS
TDS provides each customer with an email address. The TDS website provides access to the emails sent to that address. Authentication credentials are required to access the client section on the website. As a result, the account’s home page is solely visible to the specific client. All of these functions can be accessed from the client area home page.
Customers can call TDS’s call center for free using a freephone number provided by TDS. The accounts and sales divisions, as well as technical support, can be reached via email. The website’s chat feature offers separate routes for contacting the sales and technical support departments. If you have a problem with a chat service, it is only available during normal business hours.
There is a searchable knowledge base in the TDS website’s Support area. Customers can use these tips and troubleshooting plans to fix their issues.
Making a decision on which TDS plans to select
TDS’s website isn’t particularly user-friendly. No personal information is made available to the public until a visitor enters an address into the system. Selecting the proper internet service plan can be difficult because the company has distinct websites for its DSL and fiber internet services.
Because the site’s address detector doesn’t always work, finding out about available plans and prices can be extremely annoying.
