Review by chomper87 
member for 1.2 years, 64 visits, last login: 53 days ago
updated 132 days ago
 Tallahassee,Leon,FL
 $45 per month- (12 month contract)
 about 2 days "Great service at a great price" "Only had a few minor issues" "Give CenturyLink a try"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings above consensus)
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Update - June 29 2012
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Coming up on 2 yrs. Service is still great. Though I'll soon be moving and getting real internet - VZ FiOS - 
»www.speedtest.net/result/2035130416.png
Update - March 15 2012
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Re-enabled fastpath. I believe I originally had it, and it was lost at some point. I forgot about it for awhile, but it's on now
Before (with interleaving)
»www.speedtest.net/result/1832611795.png
After (with fastpath)
»www.speedtest.net/result/1836441368.png
I was getting 25ms to the gateway in the Central Office, now I get 5ms!
Update - March 9 2012
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Made a YouTube video of 7 Speed Tests.
»www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jEfCkcu324
Internet Options and Decisions
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I had Comcast in Tallahassee from 2006-2010. After the seemingly countless internet connection problems, TV issues, billing issues, and complete lack of support, I decided I would never again do Comcast. The only other option was Embarq, so I gave them a chance.
Package, Ordering, and Price
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I walked into the Embarq store on a Saturday in the Summer of 2010 and ordered the 10Mb/768Kb DSL package for $35. It was a one year deal. I bought my own compatible modem - a Zyxel P660R-D1 which a technician recommend on a previous phone call. However, he did inform me I would not get any support on configuring the router.
Install
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Embarq said it would be working on Monday and I should not need a technician. I was surprised when a technician did show. He said they were seeing major problems to my house. He re-wired everything from the Utility Pole to the House. Installed a new Network Interface Device. He then came inside and re-wired a phone jack for my modem. After that I was going at full speed. I felt very good that they took the initiative and to get me up to full speed.
My own Modem and router
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Tech support offered no help in setting up my modem with my own router. I really didn't expect them too since I purchased both. They recommended their own router with proprietary firmware settings. Despite this, I found some helpful documents on Embarq's site and combined with the Zyxel manual I figured it out.
Changes from Embarq to CenturyLink
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The changes from CenturyLink began about 6 months after I signed up. The service was not impacted. Only change was to the website, account number, etc.
Prism TV problem - Summer of 2011
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I received a pamphlet saying Prism TV was available. I wanted it, I went to the CenturyLink store and signed up for a 1 yr deal. It was for 10Mb DSL and the basic Prism TV.
A few days later, they informed me Prism was not possible to my house, however I was promised I would get a new 1 yr DSL for deal 10Mb at $35.
Billing issue following the Prism TV problem
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Someone at CenturyLink screwed up. My next bill was $60. Their bill is very vague. So I wasn't sure what services they were charging me for. I went to the store, and they could not help me - saying "we only do new accounts".
I then did the CenturyLink chat support. They could not help me either.
Billing issue resolved
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After a few weeks, I finally was able to call a helpful support person. They were not able to give me my original $30 deal (35 with tax), but they did give me a 1yr $40 deal ($45 with taxes). They also "fixed" my bill. While they couldn't lower the $60 bill, my they did give me a nice refund on my next bill - which was only $20.
Outages, reliability and Tech Support
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I only have had 2 outages. They each lasted less than a couple hours. However, tech support was completely useless. They refused to consider it may be a problem at there end. I've worked on tech support for 4+ years and I said that it is not a problem on my end. I diagnosed everything. Service seemed to magically come back on later.
Also, there was maybe twice that the service became slow. However, resetting the modem fixed it. On those instances, the tech support was knowledgeable and did give me a valid sounding explanation and assistance.
Overall and Conclusion
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I've had Embarq / CenturLink for 1.5 years. I currently pay a total of $45. I've been impressed. There have been only a few issues which were resolved. I wish upload speeds were better, but that's an flaw in ADSL. The Bill is very vague and I think they could do better.
I've had a very consistent 10Mb / 768Kb connection even during rain, peak times, etc, etc (except for the 4 issues).
Router recommendations
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Do yourself a favor and never use the supplied modem or routers. I recommend you buy you're own. Obviously check that you buy a compatible modem. Get some tech friend to help and setup you're internet the right way.
Cheap routers are awful. Especially the really cheap ones that ISPs supply. ISPs will do what's easiest for them, not what's best for you. You have to do that.
Right now I have a custom PfSense system. You don't have to go that crazy, but get a decent router.
Comments:
 | | Great to hear Hey chomper87, glad you're enjoying your service. Anytime you need help, please let us know.
Joey H
@CenturyLinkHelp Team
TalkToUs@CenturyLink.com | |
| Reviews:
 ·CenturyLink
| well oh just wait as more and more people in your area take on hsi the facilities will become exhausted which they wont upgrade and since your still a new customer you have that 30 money back....they like to make sure things work good in that timeframe but tear them down shortly after. | |
|  | | | Re: well 30 Days? I've been a customer for 13 months. Still getting the 10Mb / 768Kb service I had from day 1. It's as good as it's always been. | |
|
Theresa
join:2013-01-15
Box Elder, SD Reviews:
·CenturyLink
| Installation My initial installation was with Qwest it went so nice and smooth, then we moved. Set up a time for installation in the afternoon since no one would be at the new place in the morning. Told them no one would be there. They showed up in the morning then tried to call us, but the phone at the old house had been turned off that morning so they couldn't contact us. This was on a Friday. Had to wait until 5 pm because that was the end of the installation time window, but I called them at 4:30 and was told I had to wait until 5 pm. When I called at 5 pm they were closed.
I work from home and I really needed to get that hooked up because I had to work on Sunday, when I finally got a hold of someone and it was a struggle find anyone, they said the tech told them he was at the house at 1:30 pm and there was no one there and now he couldn't get back until Tuesday. And that was just the beginnings of my problems. | |
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