RoadRunner, Road Runner, Time Warner Timewarner's RoadRunner cable internet provides low bandwidth, high downtime consumer ripoff operates their own outgoing mail server (on port 25) without any authorization Nationwide

I have had RoadRunner internet for a few years. When I first got it, it was great, but for the past ~5 months, it has sucked @$$.

First, the bandwidth is narrow. I have heard that this is because it is shared in each neighborhood. However, I can test the bandwidth to the first hop of a tracert, and it is still incredibly low (around 3 kBps). Only one other person in my neighborhood has RoadRunner.

Second, the downtime is excessive. This month, I have had over 10 hours. This isn't as bad as some other reports, but it is still unacceptable.

Third, the tech support is incompetent. I called the tech support and asked them why my ping time to an internal RoadRunner server was over 3 seconds, and they said they didn't know what ping time was. Also, the support is all generic. All calls go to the national help desk, which is only one building with a few people that can only tell you how to restart your computer and modem.

Fourth, the networking does not work. On TV, they always advertise that they offer free networking with the internet. If this is so, why did they tell me that RoadRunner does not support any routers at all?

Fifth, the security is insecure. They offer free antivirus/firewall software. Beware, as this sofware will automatically modify your system, then crash because you have other firewalls and antivirus programs installed. They don't tell you about that compatibility issue until you have already installed it. The data files for the antivirus are much less complete than leading brand's (McAfee, Norton, ...) data files. It is strange that I have 4 firewalls and 2 antivirus programs on one computer that can all operate together perfectly, but not with RoadRunner's software.

Sixth, their website is quite a sight. It is all made in flash, and is all broken. None of the links actually work. See for yourself http://www.rr.com/

(Just found out: They have posted a news story containing a statistic from December 26th. Today is Christmas, December 25th. Bull Sh1t!)

Seventh, the spam filter is an everything filter. Congratulations, RoadRunner. You have managed to filter every spam message sent to me. Also filtered: important business emails, emails from friends, and emails from MYSELF! I have seen the error message; they want my friend to close port 25 on his email server before they will accept his emails. An outgoing mail server can ONLY operate on port 25. It goes against SMTP standards not to, which would severely hurt him (or anyone who would follow). However, RoadRunner operates their own outgoing mail server (on port 25) without any authorization. Someone could connect to "smtp-server.[realm].rr.com" and send thousands of SPAM mails without any difficulty. This is where those p***s enlargement advertisement emails come from, folks.

Andrew
Eden Prairie, Minnesota
U.S.A.