Review by glparker4 
UPDATED: 2.1 years ago
member for 7 years, 303 visits, last login: 12 days ago
 Marietta,Cobb,GA
 $43 per month
 about 3 days
 BellSouth
 "Speeds are consistent! Reliable and solid connection! Easy setup and install!"
 "Some CSRs and tier 1 support are rude and unwilling to help...although this has improved recently"
 "If you qualify for FastAccess DSL, it's easy to setup and is very reliable"
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(ratings above consensus)
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My Other Reviews ·Shaw
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I originally had a cable modem provided by DirecPath (formerly MediaWorks). The speeds would fluctuate between 3mbps and dialup speed. Since I run a business out of my home, I need a fast, reliable internet service and DirecPath could not provide this during peak hours. So I started looking into DSL. When I checked online and called BellSouth to order DSL, I was told that it is not available here even though my neighbor in the same condo building has it. When I checked other providers, I found that I was slightly too far from the CO to get service so it was either BellSouth or the cable modem.
After calling numerous times and speaking to several people in different departments, I learned that the DSLAM in my area was capped. BellSouth uncapped it quickly, but I still could not order even though several people called me everyday telling me to order. After several days of persistence and some management assistance, I was finally able to order. While I am grateful for those that helped, I hope that AT&T will upgrade the network and make this process smooth for future customers.
The speeds here are excellent. I got DSL Extreme 6.0 and I consistently get at or above 6 mbps. If you qualify, I would recommend ordering it over cable anytime. I have had a cable modem since 2001 (read my other review on Comcast). Because cable companies oversell the bandwidth on their networks, the service is prone to sluggishness, packet loss, and latency. If you have a choice, save yourself the frustration and get DSL.
Update: August 29, 2007
Knock on wood...my FastAccess DSL service is still going strong. I am glad that I switched because cable internet in this area has experienced outages every week due to the summer storms. My DSL has not failed once since the day I hooked it up and speeds are still consistently at or above 6.0 Mbps!
Also to note, FastAccess no longer requires a phone line! I still have mine because I have a $20/month credit on my bill making it free, but it is nice to know that AT&T is no longer forcing an obsolete landline on those that wish to have reliable DSL internet!
Followup comments:  
Cyrix
@bellsouth.net
| Modem Type What Modem type did you get with your DSL Service? I had an old Alcatel, that went back to the original, DSL, within days of Bellsouth offering it. I recently upgraded to 6 Meg Service, adn was told reason I was not gettting speed was old modem, they sent me the newest little westel, sans wireless, and ever since, my DSL Goes out if the wind blows, plus I am not gettng the speed so modem was probably irrelevant. | |
| glparker4
join:2002-11-02
Richmond, BC
·Shaw
| DSL Modems This is a Westell Proline Model E90 DSL2+Router. It does not have wireless and only one Ethernet port. I have other clients that use Cayman and Alcatel SpeedTouch modems without any problems. Some people have reported that the Netopia modems reset themselves to the factory settings sporatically which requires the user to configure them every time. Not as bad as going out completely but still a PITA. | |
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