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 Review by WaukMan 
UPDATED: 1.6 years ago
member for 5.9 years, 1390 visits, last login: 52 days ago
 Waukesha,Waukesha,WI
 $30 per month
 about 13 days
 AT&T
 "ATTDirect is outstanding!"
 "Sales channel LIES!"
 "Overall rating is Good"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
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Update April 2, 2008
For the most part the service has been very stable over the last years.There was one point where I had problems keeping sync. I did my own diagnosis and the problem was on the ATT side. I called to report the problem and a tech visited. It took a fair amount of convincing that the problem was on their end. The tech wouldn't leave his equipment connected long enough to see the issue I was seeing. He hooked up, saw sync, and no problem found. In the end the problem was at the CO. A less technical customer would have been left with the same problem.
The current issue has to do with all of the email changes being done by ATT. The changes made to reduce spam have made life difficult. Having issues with sending and receiving emails due to the security changes.
Still, overall, not bad service. Also a major plus is the direct forum here on dslreports.
Upgrade to Elite Package on April 26, 2006
Called to order the Elite package. To get the new elite package I had to change to the Personal Choice package. The due date for the elite upgrade was May 5. Both the personal choice and elite upgrade missed the original promised due date. Posted in SBCDirect about elite on May 6th. Toaster (aka Matt) did a GREAT job in resolving the issue. On May 9 I was at full speed!
The major negatives about the upgrade was the sales side. The initial order experince was ok. However, I forgot to order an upgraded modem. Called back the next day and was told I couldn't modify the order until after it was completed. Seems kinda odd.
The promised due date for the personal choice package was May 2. Called on May 3 to discuss the issue and was told the order was on hold for some reason. The individual was able to release the hold and quoted me a May 10 revised service date. After complaining some the individual setup the due date to May 5.
On May 5th the Personal Choice package went active. Called to order the replacement modem. This part of the experience was the most unpleasent part of the upgrade. I had wanted a 4100 modem but was told that I had to have the 2wire. The sales person was full of crap by telling me that the 4100 wasn't designed to support multiple computer even with a router. What a bunch of crap! I finally relented and ordered the 2wire but I find it very bad that the sales channel can tell customers bald faced lies!
[Original Post]
Speed ordered was 1500/256. Getting 1200/212.
The order process was straight forward and the actual dsl order went smoothly. However, sbc did mess up other phone order changes that were requested.
The major problem that I had were the inability to get the dsl connection to go active. I was very surprised at the support I received from SBC (had LOTS of BAD support from telco side). I called the dsl tech support and they determined that the CO was not connected correctly. A trouble ticket was opened. In less then an hour a tech called to notify me that that issue was resolved (WOW!!!). However, I still was not getting an active connection. A little trouble shooting (connecting to the NID) and we determined that the problem was the internal lines. While we were connected the tech determined that he could open the pipe wide since I was so close to the CO. I resolved the problem by replacing old,old wire with new.
Had one minute of no service since I went live (9 days). Not sure what happened but it restored itself.
The DSL modem is connected to a NETGEAR FR114P.
Follow up: 1/19/2004
Things are still going fine. I have now been connected since before xmas with no outages. After everything got setup in early January and I don't have to reset the router/etc I have been connected without interruption for 9 days.
One other important note is the presence of SBC staff on the SBC forum. I have not had the need for their assistance but I am VERY IMPRESSED with the help they give others. In fact I have recommended SBC along with this site to others due to the support here!
Follow up: 1/29/2004
As of this point I have had the same ip address for 19 days. I have also learned that the dsl package that I have is not what I ordered. I had ordered the Deluxe package but I was given the Standard package. The only difference is upload speed so at this point I will stay with Standard. My overall reaction still is very good based on the service but if you have to deal with sales....watch out and call back to confirm stuff often.
Follow up: 2/23/2004
It has been several months with SBC dsl and things still are good. During this time I have had no network outages. I have received a new IP address twice during this time, once due a loss of power on my end and once due to SBC. Overall I still rate the service very good.
Follow up: 3/24/2004
This marks 3 months since I changed from Covad/Corecomm to SBC. During this time the overall performance of the DSL connection has been great! I only experienced one outage and that was a short duration event. About the only negative comment is that my order fell in that time when SBC was providing the 5100A as it would have been nice to have received the newer 5100B. I have considered changing my service to the faster 3.0-6.0 speed but can't justify the additional expense (it was dollars that made me changed to SBC in the first place).
Follow up: 1/24/2005
It is now one year of service. The service continues to be great. HOWEVER, I can't say that billing has their act together. I renewed my contract in October for another year. I confirmed twice that it was renewed. I received my first bill of the 'new contract year' today and it doesn't show that I renewed. Billing has got to get their act together......
Follow up: 3/17/2005
The Feb bill showed the correct contract pricing. We will have to see what the next bill shows since I upgraded to the Pro package this month. The upgrade didn't happen as scheduled. The original SRD was March 11 but that day came and went with no speed change. I did verify that the system had be setup with the Pro package. I contacted the SBCDirect folks who resolved the issue in a timely manner. Great Job/Excellent Job!!!!!
Stay tuned for the report in a few weeks to determine if billing has the right charge amount.
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