 Review by NetFixer 
member for 8.9 years, 5051 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 2.1 years ago
 Murfreesboro,Rutherford,TN
 $43 per month about 8 days BellSouth "Used to be a solid connection (and my VOIP worked great with it)." "No problems for a long time, then AT&T totally screwed it up.." "It no longer works, and AT&T would do nothing to fix it."
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(ratings match consensus)
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This is a Stand Alone FastAccess Xtreme 3.0 circuit (no POTS line required).
I had some initial problems primarily because the SAFA service is new and the circuit was initially setup as if it were a line share DSL on a preexisting POTS line. It took a couple of days and numerous phone calls and emails to get that fixed.
My primary uses for this circuit are for hosting my VOIP lines, and as load balancing for web browsing, ftp site mirroring, etc to take some of the non-commercial load from my Covad circuit. So far it is performing in that function much better than the Comcast HSI connection that it replaced.
Update 11/25/2008:
Last week I had a second AT&T Direct DSL circuit installed to replace my Covad circuit. The primary reason for the switch was that Covad could not provide a connection faster than 1536 kbps downstream to my location, and AT&T can provide a 35xx kbps downstream connection. The initial installation went as scheduled with no major problems. I initially had some intermittent sync problems, but the AT&T tech provided a new modem after checking the circuit, and that seemed to fix the sync problems.
I have updated my ratings to 100% for all categories because AT&T now knows what a "dry DSL" line is, and knows how to install/support it. Also, the minor sync problems I had with this new circuit and the only problem I have had with my older circuit were all fixed in a timely manner by techs who actually seemed to know what they were doing.
Another update is that my original $5.00 per month discount for also being an AT&T wireless customer disappeared (this happened when the name of the service changed from "BellSouth StandAlone FastAccess" to "AT&T DSL Direct"). It seems that you now have to actually "bundle" wireless with DSL service to get that discount. I declined that offer as I have had unpleasant experiences with AT&T/BellSouth bundled billing in the past.
Update 11/25/2009:
Nothing new to report, but the DSLR reminder service wants an update anyway.
Both of my DSL Direct 3.0 circuits are still working well. I just wish that AT&T would get on the ball and install an RT or VRAD to service my location so that I could upgrade to either DSL Direct 6.0 or U-verse.
Update 06/13/2010:
Not much new to report, but once again, the DSLR update robot is bugging me for review updates.
As previously, both of my DSL Direct 3.0 circuits are still working well. The only complaint I have is that apparently AT&T has begun implementing an ATM level speed cap that is lower than the actual DSLAM sync rate. I used to get ~3.0 to ~3.2 mbps downstream speed on each circuit, but I now only get ~2.6 to ~2.8 mbps downstream speed on each circuit (the DSLAM sync rates are still the same as before). It may not sound like much, but it is just another sign of AT&T's official screw the customer when ever you can policy.
Update 10/19/2010:
I activated basic voice service on one of my DSL Direct lines for use with a fax service. I was a bit concerned about the possibility of my DSL stats suffering (and the possibility of losing my grandfathered free static IP), but neither the DSL line stats nor my static IP were effected. This has allowed me to drop my Vonage Lite + Fax lines (of which I only really used the fax line) and save about $10 per month (and these days every penny counts). I may sometimes complain a bit about AT&T service, but they did this right. No interruption or change to my DSL service, and the voice service went live while I was on the phone with the sales CSR.
Update 03/23/2011:
Well, AT&T totally hosed my bellsouth.net DSL connection, and refused to fix it or allow me to order another one. I won't clutter up this review with the details. Anyone wishing the gory details can read this thread: »Edited title: AT&T only taketh away
I just turned up my new Comcast Business 12/2 service yesterday, and so far, so good. I will review the new Comcast service after it survives (or doesn't) the next couple of spring storms.
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