Review by birdfeedr 
UPDATED: 2.2 years ago
member for 7.1 years, 2052 visits, last login: 4 days ago
 East Greenwich,Kent,RI
 $67 per month (12 month contract)
 about 9 days
 Verizon
CLEC party: Covad
 "Servers allowed, static ip available, shell space, helpful TSR"
 "Quirky automated install status"
 "It works. I'm happy."
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
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Had Verizon 768/128. Last year, when VZ upgraded to 1.5/128, they couldn't deliver the higher speed to me. Couple of weeks before the recent 1.5/384 rumor came around, I started thinking of Speakeasy because I wanted faster upload and static ip, and server permissible. Verizon could only offer business class DSL. They tested my line and said it qualified for 1.5/384, and started a workorder for the higher 1.5/128 residential speed. Five work days, and no results. So I ordered SE.
The Speakeasy package I ordered specified 1.5/256, but it looks like 1.5/384 is what I'm getting. Price of $59.95 includes 8012-V modem, 2 static IPs, 10 or 20MB of shell space, up to 8 email addresses, and modem dialup in case of DSL outage. With taxes and USF charge it's $67.06 monthly.
If DHCP was all I needed, I could stay with VZ, but their "no speed guaranteed" policy was reading like "your service is good enough". I don't think they put any effort into even trying to deliver 1.5 download. I am at 12000 feet to CO according to VZ, even though SE database says 5,000.
The only glitch: the modem shipment wasn't listed in Speakeasy's install status update at first, then incorrectly when it was. The new modem was shipped out the same day VZ switched me out in the CO. Speakeasy tried to get me running on a Friday night with the old Westell modem, but it didn't work. (I think it was my fault. I may have put in the wrong IP address.) I used dialup until the following Wednesday, then installed the new modem and put in correct addresses. Voila! Online with no problems.
Activated my shell service last night, but it wasn't instantly live. Called tech support who told me to wait a bit for the system change to take effect. This morning everything is fine, but get this! The technician called back to see if everything was working. That's never happened to me before. I've always had to initiate any contact with tech support, including followups. I think I'm on a different planet.
Update 4/6/05: In the last year, I had 1 outage that was traced back to VZ line problems. SE has made some changes in their POP lineup, but this hasn't affected my connection or performance. I am still getting everything I asked for. They recently increased shell space to 50MB, and monthly dialup access to 150 hrs. Their tech support has been nothing less than excellent, and they are still based in this country! I would do it all again. I get all of what I expected.
Update 10/19/05: No outages, able to run server. I am past the original contract term. Watching for FIOS, but may stick with copper DSL. Still thinking on it.
Update 6/28/06: FIOS is on the poles outside, not yet available. Speakeasy still delivers a solid service and has given me no problems. Still like the "servers allowed" TOS. Can't get that on a Verizon account. If I wanted to drop that requirement, I could get 15/2 the network speed for less than the cost I'm paying for 1.5/384. Not ready yet to drop the copper, though.
Followup comments:  robscullion
Premium
join:2001-12-07
Philadelphia, PA
| Once the door hanger shows up... ...FIOS will be like the devil in your ear. "15/2 for $44.95...15/2 for $44.95". I'm not fortunate enough to be faced with the same temptation. I'm a borderline SE fan-boi and hate Verizon with a passion, but I honestly don't know what I'd do if I had the same choice. Intangibles like great tech support, static IP and a liberal TOS vs 10x speed for *less* money...you've got a good deal more character than I.  | |
|  | | | | robscullion
Premium
join:2001-12-07
Philadelphia, PA
edit:
July 1st, @10:55PM
| Re: Once the door hanger shows up... Actually, my hatred of Verizon stems from the voice side of the business. My wife and I went through absolute torture getting a $160 billing error removed from our account. My wife spent well over 1/2 hour with a customer service rep to get the problem remedied. She was told it would take something like 60 days for the correction to occur, which is ridiculous in itself. Two months later, when the error wasn't corrected, we had to go through the entire process *again* as there was evidently no record of the first "session". It's bad enough that we have to guide them through their own billing system and convince them there is actually a problem (the customer is always wrong it would seem) but the lack of notation after the effort combined with the inane 60 day delay was just too much. That sort of frustration and time wasting tends to elicit a certain amount of lasting emotion with customers.
Maybe "with a passion" is a bit strong, but I always look for reasonable alternatives to Verizon when I have the choice. There is no real reasonable alternative to FIOS of course, which promises to one day leave me with a very tough decision...go with the company I hate or live with copper DSL speeds. I'm way too much of a geek to think I'll take the moral high ground.
[edit]
It occurs to me that it's impolite to "hijack" this review with our side discussion. I'd be happy to continue this in IM or another forum if you like. | |
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