Review by Tobester 
member for 12.5 years, 3803 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 2 years ago
 San Francisco,San Francisco,CA
 $25 per month- (12 month contract)
 about 3 days AT&T "Great speed for cost." "PRIVACY: Yahoo tracking your every move." "didn't know of the privacy implications until after I had switched"
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(ratings match consensus)
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For the last nine years I had Earthlink 6.0 service, provisioned by Covad for $39.95
Last year, ELNK switched the underlying carrier to AT&T. Almost immediately, I noticed a decline in service, i.g., more reboots, sync with no surf, latency, etc.
Taking stock of my options, either DSL or cable bundles I saw AT&T was offering "DSL Elite" 6.0 service for $24.95, with free networking router, and a $50.00 gift card.
After the initial one year contract period, the price rises to $40.00
Even though I really missed Covad/ELNK stability, I decided I would pocket the twelve month savings of $180.00.
I put in the disconnect order with ELNK on Thursday 3rd, effective for Monday, June 7th. My AT&T DSL service was turned on the morning of Tuesday, June 8th without problems.
Since my ELNK service was provisioned through AT&T, I didn't even have to switch modems or settings. I did accept the free AT&T Westell 6100 modem/router for backup though.
In regards to privacy, it wasn't until I was already switched on with AT&T and reading the "Terms of Service" when I see their service is co-branded with Yahoo. No where on the AT&T DSL Elite page is this association listed.
Additionally, unlike ELNK, newsgroups are not provided by AT&T.
Be aware the Yahoo privacy statement is much different from AT&T!! Yahoo is very clear, they track your web movement.
UPDATE: I knew I had to wait for one month of service before receiving the modem rebate, however, AT&T is reneging on the $50.00 gift card. The representatives say there is no such deal. Luckily, I printed out a copy of the sign-up screen and I confirmed the terms when I signed up. I do have manager working on getting me the $50 gift card but you have to wonder how many folks just give up. When I browsed the AT&T website, they know I had an EARTHLINK IP address and can offer "gift cards" to entice the switch.
9/18/2010 UPDATE: After three months of conversations, I finally a received a $50.00 check to compensate for the missing gift card. Once the problem was escalated to management they fixed the problem. Kudos to manager "Melinda" in the AT&T Rewards Center.
Be sure to print out any offers you receive online! Of course, this suggestion is valid for most companies too 
May 12, 2011 FINAL UPDATE:
After reading the new AT&T Terms of Service, I decided to make the switch to Sonic.net's Fusion service; and am delighted with the change.
I was paying ~$37.00 (before taxes) for an AT&T measured landline without any Custom Calling Features, and DSL Elite 6.0Mbps service.
With Sonic's Fusion service, priced at $39.00 (before taxes) I receive unlimited Local and Long Distance Calling, Voicemail, Call Waiting, Caller ID, Three-way Calling, and higher ADSL2+ speed without monthly download caps.
I'm approximately ~5150' from the Central Office. With AT&T, my speed was ~5.1Mbps. With the new Sonic Fusion service, my download speed is ~9.1Mbps.
Bye, Bye AT&T!
The Sonic Tech Support is top drawer.
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