Review by sneftel 
UPDATED: 224 days ago
member for 4.6 years, 10 visits, last login: 127 days ago
 Los Angeles,Los Angeles,CA
 $19 per month
 about 2 days
 "Great tech support, cheap"
 "Big brick building in the way"
 "If you're thinking about Earthlink WiFi, think about this instead"
| Pre Sales Information:
Install process:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
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After banging my head against Earthlink WiFi customer support (I swear, they should just replace their entire department with a tape loop which repeats "I understand and apologize for your concerns but according to our system this problem does not exist") for way too long, I noticed this company. Called them up (zero hold time, zero phone mazes; just call them up and talk to them) and got the order done in ten minutes: 3.0 downstream for $19/month, with wifi modem included; the modem arrived the next day. (No instructions with the modem, which was a little odd, but I guess if you can actually talk to a real person that doesn't matter as much.) They use Earthlink's AP network, but do their own support and billing. Unfortunately there was a building between me and the closest AP, so unless I'm using my laptop somewhere else the signal strength is just too low. Not really a problem with their service--it's impossible to blanket the entire city--but disappointing. Their tech support is top-notch. Bottom line: I can't think of any reason why someone should get Earthlink WiFi when this is the same service, cheaper, with better support.
Followup comments:  
SoFarSoGood
@feather.net
| Wi-Phi OMG, I had the same experience. I figured I'd try EarthLink over Wi-Phi because 1) I'd heard of it, 2) it offers national coverage rather than just local, 3) it includes spyware protection and firewall, and 4) I could sign up online.
Well, there is an error on their sign-up page, so I called to alert them to it and to try to sign up through them. Two hours, friends. Two hours of my life. Transfers from one person to another, one department to another, to a supervisor who transfers me to a different department, then - finally - I think I'm about to get the right person and the guy transfers me to the main automated system. I hung up just to count to ten and catch my breath. This was at around the hour and 10 minute mark. I did some research, and to my dismay, the other wireless internet options are either much more expensive (Verizon is $59.99/month) or don't have the speed I want (PeoplePC only offers 1 Mbps). Both Earthlink and PeoplePC raise their rates after an introductory period.
Because Wi-Phi just was so unknown to me, I was hesitant, so I tried Earthlink one more time. 45 minutes later I had had enough of the runaround. Wi-Phi was the only other company that offered 3 Mbps as well as a reasonable price, so I figured I'd give it a shot. They are month-to-month, and do not raise their rate once you are a member. Why not?
I called Wi-Phi, got through to someone in just a minute or two, he answered my questions, signed me up, and a half hour later I was online. I can't even believe it.
I can't speak to anything else about Wi-Phi because I just started, but for the record, EarthLink's customer service was incredibly disappointing. I hope I'm *never* in a position where they are my best option because I don't *ever* want to have to deal with them again. My experience with Wi-Phi has just begun, but it has started on an incredibly high note. Hope it stays there, but it looks promising. | |
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SoFarSoGood
@feather.net
| Oh well... So the customer service is quick with regard to signing up and actually reaching someone, but their hours are quite limited, and so is their ability to help if something goes wrong. They have to ultimately send you to Earthlink if there's anything not extremely simple to help you with tech-wise. So, nice as they are, these people cannot really help you very much with tech support.
Also, and more importantly, the service is SLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW. I paid extra for the faster service, and still - even when I have an excellent signal - it sometimes takes several minutes (no exaggeration) to load a page. Who has time for that? It's not worth it. You get what you pay for. | |
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