Review by redhatnation 
UPDATED: 1.2 years ago
member for 3.2 years, 1068 visits, last login: 1 days ago
 Woodbridge,Prince William,VA
 $37 per month
 about 1 days
 Verizon (ex GTE)
 "Lightning Fast Install!"
 "Installation CD"
 "Service and modem delivered in 24hrs!"
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Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
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Old provider was doing upgrade work in my neighborhood. They didn't send out any advanced notice of the upgrades and suggested customers could be off-line for up to two weeks.
Called Verizon on 4/26. Ordered 3mbps DSL circuit. Verizon provided me a free dial-up account to use until the service provisioning date -- 5/4. Modem showed up on 4/27 at 10am. Service was provisioned around 11am on 4/27. LESS THAN 24hrs after I called. These people are amazing.
The software install CD was broken. During installation on a freshly installed Windows XP system, several errors relating to scripts appeared. It's possible the installation program is dependant upon user having Flash or another program installed. Had to run through installation on a Mac (no joke) to setup DSL user account.
One other note: Verizon Online DSL comes with a Westell 6100 DSL modem/router. This will cause problems with users who already have an existing broadband router. In my case, (Cisco 851), I had to remove my router from my home network. The Westell is an ok router -- just doesn't compare to my Cisco. 
Speed is great. On-line account management is wonderful. Was able to create sub-accounts, email aliases, and setup Usenet access quickly and without hassle.
Overall, I am very happy with Verizon Online DSL -- despite the lousy install CD.
Update: 21 May 2007 -- Bad News
Had to call Verizon Online DSL Technical Support this morning at 1am EST. The Internet light on my modem went off and the modem lost its IP address. Attempts to disconnect and reconnect didn't help. Cycled power on the modem. Turn modem off, waited 60 seconds, and turned it back on. Nada.
Called tech support. Spoke with "Jason". I explained the situation and we began troubleshooting. At first, he mentions a possible outage or maintenance in my home state. When I ask for details, he changes the subject. He runs a test on my line. No problems found. Still no Internet light on my modem though. He asks about my equipment on the line. I mention that I had a router but it was removed when the DSL modem was installed. For whatever reason, he hung onto that fact throughout the call. He asks me to power off all my gear and wait a few minutes. I turn off the DSL modem and unplug the Mac's ethernet connection and wait. After a bit, he comes back and says turn on everything. Still down. Then I hear him typing something and suddenly I am back on-line.
His reason for outage? He claims that my having multiple computers on the DSL line causes a security feature to kick in and deny me access to the Internet. I can buy that EXCEPT for the fact that the DSL modem also serves as a Layer 3 router so Verizon's network gear WOULD NEVER SEE the mac addresses of my computers. EVER.
I probed him about this unusual RFO. He stuck to it. and he kept bringing up my old router (which was in a box packed away).
Am not impressed with their technical support people...
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