 Review by Freddy 
UPDATED: 127 days ago
member for 4.4 years, 376 visits, last login: 3 days ago
 Arlington,Arlington,VA
 $30 per month (12 month contract)
 about 3 days
 Verizon
 "Much better than my former dial-up service. It meets my simple needs."
 "Speeds and reliability often don't meet advertised or expected levels."
 "Basically satisfied with the service, but I'm not THAT picky."
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Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
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(ratings match consensus)
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I installed the Verizon DSL service over two years ago, if memory serves.
I've always had the problem of not typically receiving the full speed I'm paying for. When I first signed up for Verizon DSL, I started with the basic 768 (down) service for what cost $30 at the time. I seldom got that speed, however, and also often the DSL went down during the evening and night time hours.
The original installation went smoothly. Verizon supplied the Westell VersaLink 327W. It has worked well. I have three devices connected: One PC by cable, another PC by wireless, and a PS3 by wireless. They all connect and work properly. The portforwarding for the PS3 works well. I recently upgraded the VersaLink to the latest firmware, version 4.4.3. That upgrade went well.
Later, during a promotion, when it became available, I upgraded to the 1768 (down) service for the same price. However, the same problems continued. That is, I seldom received that speed, and the system often went down during those same hours as it did previously, but less often by now (a year later), it seemed to me. I concluded that some sort of progress was being made to supply more reliable service, but how would I know.
Recently (about one month ago), I upgraded to the 3000 (down) service, as it was now available, at the same price ($30). Even so, the same issues persist. Only once have I received the 3000 speed, and then only for a short time, about 1 hour. My down speed is typically anywhere from the 900s to 1500s, or so. The DSL service often goes down at night, like always.
That's the way it is. Right now as I type this, my down speed is 1280. Rebooting the modem sometimes helps, but sometimes doesn't. Any improvement is only temporary. Even so, it's better, by a long shot, than the dial-up I had before. I'm not THAT unhappy about this situation, however. I never complained to Verizon about any of these issues. I'm not THAT hard to please.
The service meets my needs. When the service is down, I just wait until it comes up again. My needs are not critical. I only use the service for personal needs and convenience. Even so, I use it often, for shopping, for research, and for general information gathering. I like broadband very much.
Frederick
Arlington, Virginia
Update:
It's been almost 1 1/2 years since I posted my review, above. Not much has changed since then, except that the service has become more reliable since my original post.
That is, the service doesn't drop during evening and night time hours, as it did previously. It still may drop, but not nearly as often. Verizon must have done something to improve connectivity. I have no idea of what that move was.
I still seldom get the full 3000 down speed, and when I do it doesn't last for long. My speed usually settles somewhere between about 1200 and 2500 (down), or so. Hey, that level of speed gives me very good performance. It works good!
I'm a happy camper.
Freddy
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