Search:  

 
theme to black backgroundlet page decide theme
HomeFind ServiceReviewsISP NewsFAQsForumsToolsDatabaseAbout 






how-to block ads



Member review of AT&T U-Verse


News tagged to this company
more information on the company
Full AT&T U-Verse Forum
Fiber Optic Forum

Reviews:
read 327 reviews (231 positive) (26 negative)
If you wish to review this company, email reviews@dslreports.com
login for new review notification feature
Award!

about
Six Month Rating

Pre Sales Information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:


$127 per month avg ($30 to $264)

3 year trend
Review by joako See Profile
UPDATED: 257 days ago
member for 9.2 years, 3723 visits, last login: a few hours ago


Miami,Miami-Dade,FL
$135 per month
about 2 days
"Quick install, no ping or channel change issues"
"Download tests don't show promised speeds"
Pre Sales Information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)

    I ordered U-Verse Thursday (01/15/2009) and they offered to install next day, but I took a Saturday appointment noon - 2PM.

    The first installer shows up at 2:15PM, he is the typical Bellsouth/AT&T CWA-member that installs phone lines, etc. He took about an hour during which he installed a new NID, removed the DSL filter box and setup things at the VRad (I presume... he left for approx 30 minutes) came back, told me the signal was excellent because I am only 600ft from the VRad. My DSL was disconnected at this time and he left me a card with his name and mobile phone number.

    The second installer shows up around 3:15PM. He is young and wearing a blue AT&T polo shirt. He starts looking around to see how the install would proceed. He seemed to want to use the existing coax cable until I told him there were splitters in the wall and I had no problem with him using the Ethernet wiring. This part of the install took about 3 hours total. It could have been quicker if I did it myself -- but I didn't want to interfere. I helped him figure out the phone wiring, and unboxed the STBs and plugged in everything except the power and the Ethernet.

    There were a few minor issues -- we had to reboot both the DVR and STB. The DVR was stuck on an AT&T Uverse logo. After rebooting the boxes, everything went smoothly.

    The installer left the 2Wire RG (Residential Gateway) in my garage where the old DSL modem and patch panel for the wiring is located. He was very courteous and seemed to know what he was doing.

    I have run various speed tests and none give faster readings than 3mbps down -- however I am seeing 1mbps - 1.5mbps upload. My speeds were supposed to be 10mbps down and 1mbps upload.

    I haven't had a chance to use the STBs much, but the interface is very nice. I have heard complaints about picture quality, but it seems fine. Slow channel changes -- but mine change rather quickly, about the same, or maybe marginally faster than Comcast.

    Another complaint I have heard is about the latency. I get 1.7ms average to the fist hop (vs 45.3ms average on DSL) and to the same host at ThePlanet dllstx5 I get 69.7ms average ping vs 77.8ms on DSL. To servers in Los Angeles via Level3 (hands off from AT&T to L3 in Atlanta per traceroute) I get 95.3ms average vs 128.5 average on DSL.

    Line statistics from the 2Wire gateway:

    DSL Line (Wire Pair): RJ-11
    Protocol: G.993.1
    Downstream Rate: 25216 kbps
    Upstream Rate: 2048 kbps
    Channel: Interleaved
    Current Noise Margin: 32.5 dB (Downstream) Not Available
    Current Attenuation: 11.2 dB (Downstream) Not Available
    Current Output Power: 14.1 dB (Downstream) -24.1 db (Upstream)
    DSLAM Vendor Information: Country: {0x00} Vendor: {ALCB} Specific: {0x8100}

    Update: My Panasonic plasma TV causes interference with the STB and remote control. I moved it around and it seems a little better but I am not convinced it's working 100%. The non-DVR seems to be affected less. Other than that the STBs have a very nice interface and it is quicker than Comcast.

    Also, I resolved the 3mbps issue. It was a hub I placed in my office the day of the install -- since the U-Verse STB need to be connected to the 2wire directly (or through a switch) I had two Ethernet jacks there and I put all my LAN stuff on a cheap 5-port Linksys switch and left the other jack for U-Verse. Turns out the Linksys switch was only linking at 10mbps on all ports (even according to the LEDs on its front panel) even though it was supposed to be 10/100mbps. I replaced this switch with another cheap switch ("TrendNet" $14.95 @ CompUSA) and all is well. I now get approx 9500kbps/1400kbps on speed tests.

    Followup comments:
    view ALL 5 comments

    CSprings boi

    @sbcglobal.net

    I agree

    I had my U-verse installe on Thursday. Im in NW Broward. I am supposed to be getting 10mbps but I hardly get over 3-4 mbps. The picture quality is excellent though. they need to fix the internet speed though. One speedtest I ran told me was getting 1.3 mbps which was kinda scary.
    permalink · 2009-01-17 22:13:23 · Reply to this
    mjwise

    join:2007-05-09
    Ann Arbor, MI
    ·AT&T U-Verse

    call CS

    I have run various speed tests and none give faster readings than 3mbps down -- however I am seeing 1mbps - 1.5mbps upload. My speeds were supposed to be 10mbps down and 1mbps upload.

    ----

    Might be worth giving customer service a call. You may have been signed up with Pro (3/1) on accident. There is no way to tell what you're signed up for by looking at the RG's stat pages.

    U-Verse has no ramp up period and your stats clearly support all available levels of internet service.
    permalink · 2009-01-18 00:58:52 · Reply to this

    CoolBladeAlpha

    @bellsouth.net

    Re: call CS

    Hi guys really concerned about this market because it looks like their not upgrading their controllers like they are supposed to be doing. First question to ask the installer that installs regularly in your area is " How old is the main communication hub, box" He will go "HUH". I go on and ask "Have you guys upgraded your main box or are you still running the same hardware?" and the answer was scary. The reason why you will not get that speed is because your main residential box has not been upgraded and can not handle the inbound and outbound effectively. Its not the people at ATT but the hardware. Tell the customer service agent to hand off the call to the manager and threaten the manager to take action with service and if they don't you will communicate this call to many subscribers in your area that are all having the same issue. It is unfortunate that you have to get angry to get something done right. Saving money on their side is the game and we get the short end of the stick and a bunch of excuses why we cant get that speed.
    permalink · 2009-01-18 13:10:02 · Print · Reply to this

    Ben

    @sbcglobal.net

    Panasonic TV interfering with U-Verse Remote

    I bet your TV has a Optical Sensor, or light adjustment for the screen of some type. That is interfering with the IR remote.
    permalink · 2009-03-18 20:47:54 · Reply to this
    Forums » comments on review of AT&T U-Verse

Saturday, 21-Nov 00:20:35 Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Hosting by www.nac.net - DSL,Hosting & Co-lo | feedback | contact
over 10 years online! © 1999-2009 dslreports.com.