|
Home | Reviews | Speed Test | Tools | News | Forums | Info | About | Join |
Updated 12 August 2015: Back on U-Verse, have been for a while, but using it for Internet Only now, no more IPTV, and never had VoIP. Running on 45/6 "Power" Speed package these days, which tends to speed test here @ dslr or @ speedtest.net at around 50 Mbps down/5.5 Mbps up. I am on Single Pair 45/6, which is available now that the 17a/17 MHz VDSL2 profile has launched on U-Verse, if one is (relatively) close to the VRAD/DSLAM. I list the 250GB/month allotment/cap, but as of this review, the cap still remains unenforced. Install was a breeze =) Using the AT&T supplied Motorola/Arris NVG589 modem, and I have it set in IP Passthru, with the NVG's WiFi radio "off," to my own ASUS N66U, which handles my LAN, both Wired and WiFi. Updated 4 August 2013: U-Verse is a great service...when it is working. Twice in the last 2 weeks my VRAD has gone down -- for ~12 hours each instance. The first instance was a cut fiber, and the second instance was either a cut fiber or field equipment failure. I enjoy the service and the features, but it being up and working is the priority. I was willing to look past the first outage -- stuff happens. Twice in a very short time window is unacceptable. I am running on Comcast Xfinity Internet now for this post, and my Xfinity TV install kit arrives soon. Comcast has a 30 day money back period -- but as long as it is consistent, I suspect my U-Verse service will be terminating shortly. It is a shame -- I really do like the U-Verse service. And Employee discount is nice too. But again, only if the service actually works. I will state for the record that, up until the 2 ~12 hour outages in the last couple weeks (read: no inclement weather issues or other disasters), the service has been rock solid, always up, never any trouble, and wonderful. I had always rated "Connection Reliability" bullet point 5 here before, but it is now pinned at a 2, and that is only because up until recently it has been solid as a rock. I almost pin it at a 1 due to the outages Updated 9 July 2012: I have since moved to a different location, where VDSL2 FTTN U-Verse is once again available. I have the 18 Mbps Max Plus Internet and U-200 IPTV I do use a Cisco/Linksys E1200 for WiFi as opposed to the RG WiFi (which is shut off). RG model is 2Wire/Pace 3801. I am on the 32/5 overall Bandwidth profile. No real issues In response to my own previous review, the caps/overages, while present in the TOS, to this point they have not been enforced, so at this point it is a non-issue. If that changes, my opinion will revert to my initial reaction explained below Updated 16 Mar 2011: With the announcement of the 250 GB cap with overage charges, I am discontinuing my service. I will be switching to Comcast Performance Tier, at a promo rate of $30/month for 6 months. Yes, the Comcast service is also capped at 250 GB, but there are no overages -- if you are over, you are warned & then turned off. I'll cross that bridge if/when I come to it My usage typically does not approach 250 GB a month (at least not yet), but bandwidth needs are growing, not shrinking. Caps & Overages is the WRONG direction to go Updated 30 Jan 2011: While there is still no FTTN VDSL2 U-Verse available at my apartment, my local CO has been upgraded to IPDSLAM ADSL2+ "U-Verse" Internet service. So I have switched over my traditional Elite 6 Mbps down/.768 Mbps up DSL to IPDSLAM Elite 6 Mbps down/.768 Mbps up. Unlike traditional ADSL though, I could upgrade my IPDSLAM to Max 12 Mbps down in the future (and I probably will at some point) The IPDSLAM service is slightly quicker on speed tests compared to traditional DSL, topping out at about 5.5 Mbps down, whereas traditional DSL would top out at about 5.2 Mbps down for me. I would assume the difference comes from IPDSLAM not utilizing PPPoE, so no PPPoE/ATM overhead, as IPDSLAM utilizes DHCP/IP authentication. That being said, there is still some measurable overhead, as I have yet to reach anything greater than 5.5 Mbps out of a potentially possible 6 Mbps The modem that I am using is the 2Wire 2701HGV-B. The self install kit included both that modem, as well as a Cisco/Linksys WiFi router -- kinda silly IMHO since the 2701 has built in WiFi & Router functionality... Updated 7 March 2010: Still no U-Verse at my current apartment Update 5 August 2009: Due to unforeseen circumstances, I had to move to a different location. One that is closer to the FTTN U-Verse VRAD, but is not U-Verse "green"/Available. So I am going back to AT&T DSL. For now, will be terminating my U-Verse service. It was awesome while I had it, and if/when I get my new place turned "green"/Available, will be ordering it once again. Highly recommend U-Verse to any & all that can order it. Update 8 June 2009: No issues to report with my U-Verse. Works great. The powers that be though have still not turned any other other units at my complex "green," despite the fact that I have been in service for 9+ months. I see Comcast vans at the complex almost daily... Grrrrr. Original Review: I must preface my review by saying I'm a U-Verse Tech, so it is probably biased. I am counting my "order" time from when I started trying to order to when I was actually installed. My apartment was a false "red" and it took some time to get it turned "green". Then I had to be home for the install. I am on the regular 25/2 U-Verse VDSL Profile (FTTN). I have a Max available down rate of ~60 Mbps. I have U200, HD, and the Sports Package for TV. I have Elite (6/1) Internet. I just have the double play (no U-Voice) from AT&T. Don't have any issues with the TV or the Internet. I am considering upgrading the Internet up to Max (10/1.5), but I haven't decided one way or the other. The install was a breeze -- I'm a U-Verse installer myself any one of my coworkers came out to install me and we had it up in almost no time. My listed price up there is after all taxes and fees. My bill is 84 and change. All in all I like the service. I just wish the powers that be would turn the rest of my building "green" so I could refer my neighbors Attachments: member for 17.3 years, 8567 visits, last login: a few hours ago updated 8.6 years ago
|