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Review by Mr Matt See Profile

  • Location: Eustis, Lake, FL, USA
  • Cost Contract price not specified. (12 month contract)
See my review of CenturyLink

I am posting future comments about Embarq as combined with my CenturyLink review.

This review is to reflect on why I have not switched from Comcast to Embarq.

When I moved to Eustis, Florida the best deal was a Broadband package offered by Comcast through Circuit City. See my review of Comcast Broadband under Comcast reviews.

I planned to try Embarq Broadband when the Comcast's six month introductory rate changed from $19.95 per month to $42.95 per month. I contacted Embarq in mid 2007 and was advised that the only available download speeds at my address were 768K for $19.95 per month or 1.5M, for $24.95 per month. I was also advised that in order to obtain service and a free modem, I would have to sign a one year contract or pay an additional $10.00 per month and pay for the modem up front. I passed on the offer and continued to use Comcast for Broadband service.

About Six Months later I helped a friend that was using Embarq Broadband, set up a wireless network in his home. When he checked availability he was offered tiers from 768K to 5Mb and choose the 3Mb tier at $29.95 per month. I ran a speed test before I installed the router and found that the download speed was actually 3Mb as advertised. During the installation I called Embarq technical support and asked about switching the ZyXEL Modem to the bridge mode. The technician was helpful and provided correct instructions on changing to the bridge mode. So far I have heard no complaints about his broadband service.

Several weeks later I was contacted by Embarq and was advised that additional download speeds were available at my address up to 5M. At that time they offered Three Months of free service and a free modem if I signed a one year contract. Since mid 2007 I have received several solicitations from Embarq offering anything from Three Months of free service to Six Months of free service if I sign a One Year contract. I always ask the representative for a copy of the TOS and Contract before I sign same and have never receive the information that I requested.

From my friends experience Embarq provides satisfactory service and more choices for the customer. I am again considering Embarq Broadband and will update this review if I can get a written proposal from Embarq sales.

Edited 6/24/10

CenturyLink voice reliability has declined. I was considering subscribing to CenturyLink DSL but I have experienced two voice outages in the last year affecting our voice service up to Eight Hours. Embarrassing because I can no longer tell the Comcast representative, when I receive a call pitching Digital Voice, the reason that I subscribe to CenturyLink service is so that I can call Comcast and complain when my cable service craps out.

I have been following the CenuryLink forum and have found that CenturyLink has over subscribed their DSLAMS in this area. Many customers are complaining that they are suffering time sensitive low throughput. Like from after school until Midnight.

Edited 2/17/2011

CenturyLink just revised their pricing. They removed the 5MB Tier and added a 25MB tier. On their website they indicate that 3MB cost $24.95, 10MB cost 39.95 and although not yet on their website I was quoted around $65.00 for 25MB. All prices quoted were for internet service bundled with voice. If a subscriber signs a contract they now allow a 30 day trial period and claim that if the subscriber is not satisfied they will refund their money and release them from the contract. They were not clear about the procedure to return the modem. One thing that irritates me is they do not disclose a $3.45 modem rental fee on their website. They indicated that I can purchase my own modem but claimed that they will support a customer owned modem even if it is the same model they rent. The only thing keeping me from trying their service is the contract. If one does not sign a contract they charge a $15.00 a month punitive fee.

Please see my review of Comcast.

Edited January 8, 2012

Trying to determine the rates for CenturyLink Telephone service is like trying to pick up jello with your fingers. Their website is almost useless. They require the subscriber to start an order before they can learn the price of what they are subscribing to. When I recently made changes to my service, the only offerings were basic and unlimited. They have since added a middle tier that does not require the subscriber to subscribe to unlimited long distance. Before they added the middle tier the subscriber had to order all features individually if they did not subscribe to unlimited long distance service. Subscribers can now order a package with ten features with or without unlimited long distance as a bundle. In general their rates appear intended to be confusing. Where available subscribers have the option of subscribing to telephone service through their CATV company.

I considered switching to CenturyLink HSI but gave up because I could not get an accurate price quote. I do not want to pay a premium for HSI if I do not sign a contact. I am still using Comcast for Broadband.

member for 16.1 years, 2191 visits, last login: 8 years ago
updated 9.6 years ago


RVAguy
Premium Member
join:2006-01-05
Richmond, VA

1 edit

RVAguy

Premium Member

There is no written contract

It is only a verbal commitment that you will keep the services. The CSR's (outbound telemarketers) don't have any documentation to send you, but it is available online.

If I were the CSR, I would have directed you to this page:

»about.embarq.com/legal/a ··· 0708.pdf

And here is the promotion from the website:

»www.embarq.com/Residenti ··· Internet

Three months of service: Services not available everywhere. New Residential customers only. EMBARQ may change or cancel services or substitute similar services at its sole discretion without notice. Requires credit approval. Additional restrictions apply. Services governed by tariffs, terms of service, or terms and conditions at Website: www.embarq.com/ratesandconditions (“Website”). High-Speed Internet: $99 early termination fee applies. Performance will vary due to conditions outside of network control and no speed is guaranteed. Three Months Free: New residential customers must sign up on-line for 3.0 Mbps speed or higher to receive offer. Customer will receive a credit for the applicable monthly recurring charge on the High Speed Internet service they select on their fourth, fifth and sixth invoice for the high speed internet portion of their bill. Not available to customers for speed upgrade. Excludes taxes, fees, and surcharges. Offer ends 04/05/09.
Mr Matt
join:2008-01-29
Eustis, FL

Mr Matt

Member

Re: There is no written contract

I appreciate the information that you provided. Unfortunately the representative I spoke to last week offered the Three Month promotion, but failed to mention that in order to receive the promotion I would have to subscribe to the 3.0Mbps tier.

The representative also indicated that I could choose a higher or lower speed tier at any time without penalty. The early termination fee you mentioned implies a contract.

One other issue is that no speed is guaranteed. I do not know the quality of the outside plant in this area. It has been reported that in some cases a Local exchange carrier in an area where there are insufficient pairs for quality for ADSL transmission to all customers, will frog pairs between the customers that are complaining most vigorously about poor service.

It is difficult to subscribe to a service with no guarantee of quality and a termination penalty if one wants to disconnect service because.

Thanks for the information.

RVAguy
Premium Member
join:2006-01-05
Richmond, VA

2 edits

RVAguy

Premium Member

Re: There is no written contract

I don't believe many ISP's offer a speed guarantee. For a guarantee, you will have to subscribe to business class circuit, such as a DS1 or DS3.

You are not charged an ETF if your pair is having issues and you have allowed Embarq time to fix said issues. If a line cannot be repaired, then you can cancel and the rep will waive any ETF. This is common practice for Embarq.

CTL_Joey
join:2008-09-22

CTL_Joey

Member

Re: There is no written contract

I can also offer my support to you if you sign up for DSL through Embarq. We certainly won't charge an ETF if the service isn't working. We also offer month-to-month pricing if you don't want to sign a commitment. All the information about our current pricing and promotions are available at EMBARQ.com. You can IM me if you have any questions at anytime.

Joey H.
Embarq Customer Outreach
reachout@embarq.com

cameronsfx
join:2009-01-08
Panama City, FL

cameronsfx

Member

Re: There is no written contract

said by CTL_Joey:

I can also offer my support to you if you sign up for DSL through Embarq. We certainly won't charge an ETF if the service isn't working. We also offer month-to-month pricing if you don't want to sign a commitment. All the information about our current pricing and promotions are available at EMBARQ.com. You can IM me if you have any questions at anytime.

Joey H.
Embarq Customer Outreach
reachout@embarq.com
Wish that personal service was with Cox and AT&T.

Hazy Arc
join:2006-04-10
Greenwood, SC

1 edit

Hazy Arc

Member

Huh?

Oh, I'm sorry. I must have stumbled upon the Centurylink DSL review section for people who don't actually have DSL service from Centurylink.

Makes perfect sense.

graycorgi
Premium Member
join:2004-02-23

1 recommendation

graycorgi

Premium Member

Re: Huh?

said by Hazy Arc:

Oh, I'm sorry. I must have stumbled upon the Centurylink DSL review section for people who don't actually have DSL service from Centurylink.

Makes perfect sense.
It sure looks to me like the reviewer filled out only the pre-sales information section... which is a legitimate thing to be reviewing when the reviewer has had a legitimate experience with CenturyLink sales even if it did not result in a DSL connection.
Mr Matt
join:2008-01-29
Eustis, FL

Mr Matt to Hazy Arc

Member

to Hazy Arc
If my voice service is dead so will be my DSL service. There was no talk battery during each failure.

I posted several comments to Brittani's thread at:

Forums » US Telco Support » CenturyLink » Embarq/Century Link Lag every single night

and followed her issues closely. Read her last post dated 3/20/2010. I do not think I dreamed it.

This parallels a situation where I do not own a Bologna 8 Automobile but my friends Bologna 8 sucks. I can only make a valid decision based on what other persons report.
emissionsdoc
join:2002-04-19
IN & FL

emissionsdoc

Member

Century link prices in Eustis, Florida

Not a secret? $59.95 /10mbs internet/ home phone/ unlimited long distance/ 5 years guarantee/ no contract.
Mr Matt
join:2008-01-29
Eustis, FL

Mr Matt

Member

Re: Century link prices in Eustis, Florida

Thanks for the heads up. When I subscribed to the unlimited voice plan the stated price was $44.95. After adding all of the crap charges I am paying $63.03 per month. Is the monthly charge $59.95 or $59.95 + $20.00 or more in crap charges, which comes to $79.95 or more per month?
emissionsdoc
join:2002-04-19
IN & FL

emissionsdoc

Member

Re: Century link prices in Eustis, Florida

Of course it's only the base. There taxes on taxes? Fees up the whazoo, both city,state, and Federal. The actual bill for is $76.76. The speeds are reported @ 11773 Mbs at the router. They usually speedtest at various sites @ 10.05 +/- Mbs. The service at the higher rate has been fairly constant. There have been a few days of slowed speeds in the last 60 days. They seem to try and do maintenance and upgrades to the systems on some Sunday nights, very late into Monday morning.