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Review by MikeKelly 
Posted: 1.1 years ago
member for 3.5 years, 26 visits, last login: 331 days ago
 Los Angeles,Los Angeles,CA
 $50 per month
 AT&T
 "Relatively short hold times for tech support. DSL up time good."
 "Speed is _never_ as advertised. Allways slow."
 "Don't believe their download speed claims. Get cable if possible."
| Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings below consensus)
|
I've had an Earthlink DSL connection for years, and I've never been happy with the download speed.
Their up-time is pretty good, I've only had about three service interruptions. The earlier tech support calls consisted of "delete your Internet Explorer cache" when it was obvious that it was a CO issue. The last interruption was much better dealt with, a ticket was opened and (with some glitches) was resolved on a long weekend.
Nevertheless, if I'm paying $50/mo for a download rate of only 3Mb, not getting it is a good reason to switch to cable.
Supplied equipment:
Visionet E200ER ADSL modem, a few line filters.
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Review by joncrane
UPDATED: 1.1 years ago
member for 4.6 years, 41 visits, last login: 216 days ago
Kensington,Montgomery,MD
$20 per month (12 month contract)
Verizon
"Cheap price, DIY flexibility"
"Terrible connection speed, reliability, support"
"They sold me DSL with a CO distance of 17,990 ft!"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings well below consensus)
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The ordering and install process was very painless. I ordered it all online. Great deal and I had heard good things. I was excited. When i got the modem I had the hardest time getting it to sync. The tech support person sounded like he was reading off of a script and not really listening to me. I could only get a sync at one jack in my whole house, but not at the NID...something funny was going on that no one could explain. The best download speed I ever got was about 133k down. After doing lots of investigation on my own I found out I am 17,990 feet from the CO...this is from Verizon. The online distance finder quoted about 16,500 ft. I am disappointed that Earthink even tried to make money off of me. Luckily FIOS is available here so I will be switching to that as soon as the technician can come.
Update: The FiOS has worked out great, the CO distance is also moot since it's now fiber.
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 Review by rolfp
UPDATED: 1.2 years ago
member for 8.2 years, 3306 visits, last login: 303 days ago
Oakland,Alameda,CA
$50 per month (12 month contract)
 about 10 days
Southwestern Bell
"Recently replaced my failed 2-year-old modem for shipping + tax costs only"
"Takes up to 2 hours on hold to get tech support; 7/27/03: Better response times, lately."
"Good when everything is working; recent tech support has been good."
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
When I was looking for dsl in February, 2000, PacBell, my telco, said it was not available. When Covad said they would provide the service through Mindspring, with a nice rebate on the equipment and install ($49.95/mo and a year contract), PacBell came out to drop another line from the pole and Covad sent out a tech to install the inside wiring, modem, and software. Everything proceeded in a timely fashion, speeds were about 1200K, and, when I called tech support, the wait was a few minutes, at most.
Then, Mindspring and Earthlink merged. The last 6 months of 2001 were full of problems for us in the Bay Area. Calling tech support meant waiting over an hour on hold (over 2 hours, once), and usually only to be told a streetlight was the problem while, outside, the sun was shining.
Most of the people I talked to tried to be helpful and, when my modem failed, I was supplied with a new one for only shipping costs but it took ten days and I had to make several calls and wait on hold for a couple of hours.
Now, for whatever reason, my download speeds are only about 95K and chat tech says the telco equipment is running in safe mode and it will take up to a week to get information. I am getting discouraged with this isp and PacBell is now offering service. Out of the frying pan and into the fire?
=========================UPDATE=====================================
It is now December 2002 and my experiences have improved. I think part is that I installed a POTS Splitter (thanks to the informations at dslreports) and part must be that Earthlink has improved the infrastructure that impacts my service. There has been no downtime in my recent memory and the throughput has been reliably optimal (~1250Kb) for quite a while. Keep up the good work!
========================UPDATE======================================
July 2003: I have been having throughput problems and have replaced all my inside wiring, POTS splitter. Covad was finally dispatched and modem was suspected of being the culprit. New modem on the way.
========================UPDATE======================================
February 2004: Earthlink dsl has been good for some months, after 6 or 8 months of problems. I have
replaced my wiring and equipment, gone through several modems, and had Covad out three times. SBC
has also been involved, more in the background, as all three entities, ELNK, Covad, and SBC have their
own responsibilities staked out, which has made problem solving very difficult and protracted. I got a
new modem that didn't work but kept the power supply, as I noticed a suspicious kink in the low-voltage power cord
coming from my old power supply. Soon after, I started getting dependable, good throughput. I think that, also, something was finally done to the equipment at the CO, as I continued to have problems shortly after changing the power supply. Finally, knock on wood, I am getting good dsl.
=======================9/25/04 UPDATE=================================
Upgraded to 3008 download sync, which is a bit marginal on my line but, usually, workable. There is something about the loop that is affected by warmer weather wherein using the phone will drop sync and static is on the line, at the hotter times of day. Sync will also degrade at the warmer times. I have exhausted all known tech support options, of which SBC is the perceived weak link as they refuse to troubleshoot this type of intermittent on a dsl line. I am thinking about ordering a new line and trying service on that. Outsourced tech support is getting bad reviews and I am discouraged from even using it. Support on this site from the Earthlink forum tech presence is top notch. I was able to get a six month's reduction in price to parallel what is being offered to new customers in this market, so that is welcome. Mostly, I can work around the problems with the phone line and dsl, itself, from Earthlink is reasonably reliable.
========================UPDATE======================================
3/17/06 Been very reliable in safe mode @ 2016/384 since last review. There have been occasional episodes of line problems/static/sync loss but very few compared to before. Connectivity has been rock solid for nearly all this time.
===========================UPDATE===================================
9.16.08
I had to give up the dsl account as my phone line has some fault that seems to show up when the warm weather starts and doesn't go away until the temperatures go back down. I spent a lot of time trying to get some maintenance via the Covad/Earthlink/ATT finger-pointing run around and did see some man hours invested. I appreciate the cost of tracing down such a fault in a long line is not justified by what I pay and have gone to Comcast HSI. I kept my email addys and web storage by changing to what used to be called Earthlink Experience for
07/29/07 Jul 29-Aug 28:Elnk Experience 1.00 9.95 9.95
New Charges: 9.95
________
BALANCE DUE: 0.00
07/30/07 Paid By Visa -9.95CR
$9.95/mo. and that works for me.
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Review by jmorison
UPDATED: 1.2 years ago
member for 8 years, 2806 visits, last login: a few hours ago
New Bern,Craven,NC
$25 per month
about 7 days
"Installation, reliability, speed"
"None so far"
"Excellent"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
Windows XP, 1.7G processor, XP PPPoE.
Sign-up was easy. I have an alarm system so I had to select telco-installation which ended up being a real plus. Zero added cost, but I got a splitter at the NID and hands-on installation by a very DSL-knowledgable tech. He stayed for log-on and ran a speed test with his handheld modem at 576 (512 line). I already had a home-run which eased installation. I was one of the first 2 installs from the local CO and was pleasantly surprised at the tech's DSL knowledge. DSL is $39.99 monthly. Sprint "loans" a Sprint (ZyXel) 642M, brand new.
The Earthlink package was a few days late with my logon and password but their toll-free number cured that prior to installation. Earthlink service has been reliable, and is discounted to $10/month for 512/128 service. I like their spam filter, as my prior local ISP had none and spam was increasing. Dynamic ISP, ZAP 3.0 protected.
Speeds are consistently good, 478 up, 132 down on a 512/128, using a Speakeasy.com test from Washington DC. No downtime since install December 1. Tweak tests show no negatives even with an XP-default RWIN. I tested at the lower recommended RWIN and found no change in speed or retransmits.
Update 12/2/02, nearly 1 year, still very satisfied. Only one down time, about 1 hour in 11 months.
Update 7/9/03: I went up to the 1.5 line for $15 more/month in April, still absolutely bullet-proof reliability. For the upgrade, even though it's all done at the CO, Sprint sent a man by to check the actual speed the morning of the upgrade. My actual speed has run between 1399 and 1482 on tests with the Sprint Speed web page. His handheld modem measured about 1.7 raw line speed at the time of upgrade.
Update 1/11/04: Absolutely top notch. One instance of downtime--about 3 hours, and dial up was still available. The tech I called was able to tell me they were having a problem with one card at my telco point, just affecting a few customers, tech on way to replace it. Back on as promised. Sprint/Earthlink is a great service.
Update 7/12/04: Continued reliability (zero down since above), good speeds (average 1.44 on a 1.5 line).
Update 4/7/05: Absolutely no problems.
Update 11/25/05: Upgraded to 3.0 MB and reduced monthly cost $10. Zero problems in the past 6 months. Getting actual speeds of 2.84 consistently.
Update 5/26/06: Reduced the cost another $10 with the latest package, and no more extended term now, just a monthly bill of $45 including Earthlink. Continued great service.
Update 2/17/07: Reduced costs more, now only $24.95 monthly, no hiccups in service, consistent speed at 1424 on a 1.5 line (moved to New Bern and too distant for 3.0). The Kitty Hawk line was also reduced to 1.5 since it is not often used now, however that service and availability is just as good.
Update 11/2/07: Now called Embarq, but same rock solid service. I converted early in April 07 from Earthlink to Embarq email and all went very well. In October 07 there were a few bad email days as they converted the last of the accounts--the late adapters and most likely those with the least PC savvy, but it is fine again now. No downtime that I can recall since 2/07, on a DHCP 660 modem now, at their suggestion, and my speeds remain 1424 on a 1500. I'm too far away for 3.0, and honestly, having had it at another location, don't see the need for my particular 90% internet surfing use.
Update 9/14/08: Now Embarq for both Telco and Internet. Now using Dell XPS 420 Quad core, with Vista. No downtime in the past year for me in Eastern NC, consistent service, no need to contact support. A+
Followup comments:  
Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs:
1 edit | Now Embarq was Sprint FastConnect never was Earthlink Your DSL is Sprint FastConnect (now Embarq) when Sprint is your Telco and that positively means your DSL never was provided and never was billed by Earthlink. Earthlink doesn't sell/resell ADSL in Sprint/Embarq service areas and you do not get any bills from Earthlink. Your bill comes from Sprint/Embarq and Earthlink only supplied you with email and other ISP type product/services that Sprint purchased on your behalf.
»Convert your Earthlink Account to Embarq
»Embarq/Earthlink partnership to expire
»Embarq DSL Users to Lose EarthLink Email Accounts
»Making the Move from EarthLink to Embarq
Sprint DSL's Gaping Security Hole
Brian McWilliams Email 01.23.03 | 2:00 AM
quote:
Sprint DSL customers are at risk of having their e-mail addresses and passwords stolen -- even when their computers are powered off -- due to weak security controls on their DSL modems.
Experts warned this week that the security problem could enable Internet vandals to wreak havoc from afar with the ZyXel Communications DSL modems issued by Sprint to tens of thousands of its FastConnect broadband customers.
Sprint officials acknowledged that remote access to the administrative software embedded in the ZyXel Prestige 642 and 645 modems is by default protected with a password of "1234." But the company said users are responsible for securing the equipment, which stores login data, including the user's e-mail address and password.
============================
Lawrence Baldwin, operator of the myNetWatchman security service, said the incident shows that some ISPs aren't doing enough to protect customers.
"If you believe that ISPs have some responsibility for the security of their customers, then shipping a modem with a default password is just a major, egregious oversight," he said.
Sprint should proactively scan its network for DSL equipment that is incorrectly configured, and notify users by telephone or e-mail, according to John Navas, an independent telecommunications analyst.
According to David Blumenthal, a spokesman for Earthlink, which provides e-mail service to Sprint FastConnect customers, "there is not a security question involving Earthlink."
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? | |
| 
Kenny123987
@optonline.net
1 edit |  Bait and switch tactics again... "why would i pay more?"
their 14.95 for 6 months then bump to 35 or 40 is simply dumb. In new jersey near Brick (ex 08751) we can get earthlink or verizon. They basically work together somehow. Earthlink claims also to allow freestanding DSL in verizon phone zones which isn't the case with us either.
Anyway.... for the current 6 month bait and switch deal it averages out to about 27.50 a month for the 1.5M service and a little less for the 750k. maybe like 25.00 (guess).
Verizon offers a year for the 750k (ish) for 17.99 with no bump up and the first month is free.
Earthink charges a 150 "early termination" fee. Thats almost more than the verizon basic service as a whole!
I kind of feel insulted that they put a deal out like this when they know verizon's offer. So... you have to have a phone line and they're charging more per year. I talked to a CST through a support applet asking them to match verizon's deal and they basically said... "ya we suck" in a few words or less. Finally he just ended the session when he couldn't logically continue answering questions. I copy and pasted it below for Sh*ts and giggles.
I really hate telecom. Hopefully google keeps deploying wireless networks across the country.
____________________________________________________________
Chat InformationThank you for choosing our secure EarthLink Sales chat. All agents are currently assisting other customers. Thank you for your patience. You are number '1' of '1' customers in line. Your estimated wait is '0' minutes and '1' seconds.
Chat InformationHello and welcome to EarthLink's secure live Sales chat. You are chatting with David M..
David M.: Thank you for using EarthLink's live Sales chat. How can I help you today?
kenny: i was looking over DSL deals in my area and came across earthlink and verizon. I'd like go go with earthlink however verizon has the less expensive rate. I wanted to know if earthlink can beat their deal
David M.: Great, I can help you with that.
David M.: To see what high speed options I can offer you, let me start by getting your name, phone number and complete physical address at that location.
kenny: (removed)
kenny: 08751 zip
David M.: One moment while I get that information for you.
David M.: Thanks for your patience.
David M.: I see that you are serviceable for our High Speed DSL service.
David M.: This is a best effort technology with speeds up to 1.5mb on the download and up to 256kbps on the upload.
David M.: Right now I can save you $99 by waiving the fee for equipment and activation. You then get the first 6 months of your contract for only $14.95/ mo. and the remaining 6 months are just $39.95 each.
kenny: that averages 27.50 a month over the life of a year... for the 1.5.. 750 is a little less but verizon easily beats that at 17.99 per month, first month free
kenny: 17.99 for the 750k
David M.: ELNK ADSL service is rated the best service by PC Magazine as well as JD Power. With all of the additional features that we offer with our DSL service that other companies don t, along with our award winning technical and customer support, wouldn’t you agree that Earthlink is a better value?
kenny: i don't care about additional features, thats just marketing garbage
kenny: so no
kenny: ATT in most states does about the same deal for well under 20 bucks
David M.: The above is the best we can provide at your location.
kenny: you can't meet or beat verizons offer?
David M.: The above is the best we can provide at your location.
kenny: thats pretty unfortunate
David M.: I can get this started for you right now, if you would like.
kenny: remind me again why i would pay more for the same service?
David M.: We never compromise on quality for the price. And you will get value for every penny that you pay to EarthLink. Plus you get free Mail Program, spam Protection and many more that saves you the extra money that you would pay by these additional software’s.
kenny: which is all free with google pack...
kenny: or through free mozilla software
David M.: We also provide you full protection for you computer by providing the antivirus and firewall for free of cost.
kenny: which is free through avast personal edition.... soon to be free through google pack with recent aquisitions
Chat InformationYou are not currently in a chat session.
Chat InformationYou are not currently in a chat session.
Chat InformationYou are not currently in a chat session.
Chat InformationYou are not currently in a chat session. | |
|
anon1
@mindspring.com | earthlink bait switch Earthlink promises a 6 month promo price but you are billed at regular monthly price from day one.
This is their trueVoice/ cable 6 month promo. | |
| | | |
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 Review by terryesh
UPDATED: 1.2 years ago
member for 9.6 years, 1407 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Atlanta,Dekalb,GA
$39 per month (12 month contract)
about 60 days
BellSouth
"Technical installation"
"Dropped connectivity; dynamic IP"
"Ineffective technical support;, avg. speed, connection not dependable."
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
After an order coordination problem between MS/EL and Telco that delayed installation, the installation was quick; however, the system didn't function because of previous cable configuration. Phone support was required to uninstall cable configuration. Tech support was incapable of tweaking system to permit email message downloads and max. download speed. Assistance from DSLreports resources was required to resolve speed and email issues.
Tech support resolved line noise with TELCO that affected speed and connectivity. Customer service granted one month free service without placing any demands because of technical problems requiring two days to resolve.
For 4 month period I experienced erratic and unexpected loss of sync. Troubleshooting was inconsistent and time consuming. Lack of information from TELCO resulted in EL inability to diagnose problem. EL follow-up was erratic as well requiring duplicating tests and re-educating technicians.
DSL service is complicated by the fact that there several key components that reside in different organizations having FCC limitations to information. When coupling a technincally complicated system with variable levels of EL technical customer service results in time consuming trobleshooting.
Connection is rock solid and blazing fast for 2 - 10 days at a time.Then I encounter IP changes 1X day with loss of sync for 3 - 4 days or no reason. Afterwards I am back to a steady dependable system.
Tier 1 tech. support is ineffective. They only know how to power cycle DSL modem. DSL sync issues require escalating to Tier 3 tech support that requires 24 - 48 hours for call back.
ADSL signal provided by TELCO. Will move to TELCO for ISP in hopes of eliminating gap in tech support. For same money I'll have new modem, static ISP and 2X the speed.
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Review by cliffburger
Posted: 1.3 years ago
member for 1.3 years, 8 visits, last login: 42 days ago
Seattle,King,WA
$50 per month
about 30 days
Qwest
"Cost is good"
"Service & installation slow - local phone company was not cooperative"
"Acceptable."
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
I had periodic trouble with connections, always short lived. Their core offering is fine. They attempt to add value with web mail, software bundles, which are all very poor. Earthlinks continuous "special offers" (spam) into earthlink mail accounts probably simply bother most customers.
As usual, pre-sale information attempts to hide the ongoing rate. (E.g. listing 20$ for first three months ... it takes some digging to find the real rate).
Earthlink does not publish upstream bandwidth for residential plans - important if, like me, you occasionally work from home and need the bandwidth back to the office.
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 Review by Aygeear
UPDATED: 1.3 years ago
member for 9 years, 1862 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Stockton,San Joaquin,CA
$39 per month
about 37 days
AT&T
"Installation simple - California Earthlink reps very helpful"
"Eastern Earthlink DSL reps are salespeople - no tech savvy"
"Generally good service - good value for the money"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
My wife and I live on a yacht and have two Macintosh computers networked together so that we can share files as well as a printer, scanner, and external removeable storage devices. Each computer has an internal NIC connected to a NetGear 4-port hub.
Earthlink has been our ISP for several years, and we connected to the internet via 56K modems. We wanted to switch to a cable modem, but cable was unavailable on our dock and the cable company wanted $6000 to run a cable to us.
In early September 2000, Earthlink offered us DSL for $39.95/month with a free self-install kit and no other charges (six-month contract). No specific speed was promised, but maximum was set at 1500 down and 256 up. I checked with PacBell locally, and found that we were 3000 feet from their local central office (CO). When I responded to Earthlink's offer on their website, they said that DSL was unavailable in my area. So, I called their Broadband Sales office and had them check again. After a brief runaround, I was told that I was talking to an Eastern office, and they gave me a number to call in So. California. I called that office and they confirmed almost immediately that DSL service was definitely available in my area. They gave me a number to call in No. California, where I live, and the name of a rep to talk to. When I called that rep, he checked my phone line, confirmed my distance from the CO, and gave me an Order No. The next day, he sent me e-mail giving me a connect date of October 18, 2000.
As promised, the self-install kit arrived on October 15th. It contained a Westell modem, 10 base-T ethernet card, five telephone filters and a wall mount filter, assorted cables, line splitters, and an installation guide. I separately purchased a NetGear 311 router. The welcome kit from Earthlink, containing the software CD, did not arrive by October 18th, so I called the No. California rep. He apologized and gave me a link and password to a site where I could download the (MacPoET) software. We agreed that I didn't really need the software if I was going to use a router, but it would be good to have for troubleshooting, if needed. (The PPPoE protocol is built into the router.)
On October 18th, I performed the installation which took about 15 minutes or less. I plugged the router into my hub, plugged the DSL modem into the router, plugged a telephone line into the DSL modem, put filters on all telephones including the lines to the 56K modems, and configured the TCP/IP control panels on both Macs for DHCP using the router. When I powered everything up, all lights turned green indicating a connection to the CO, but I couldn't connect to the internet. I called the No. California rep and he checked with PacBell. PacBell said that they were adding more DSL ports in the CO, and expected to be finished in a day or so. I was actually connected to the CO, but my port had not been activated yet. Finally, on October 21st, DSL was fully operational. The Welcome Kit from Earthlink also arrived on that day.
I have run speed tests and the best runs were in the range of 900-1100 down and 100-200 up. The normal range is 700-850 down and 50-150 up. Recently, Earthlink has been having problems in No. California and I have had speeds as low as 50-250 down and 20 up! I don't know whether PacBell or Earthlink is to blame.
Overall, my main complaint is that Earthlink's DSL service is not consistent. There are way too many outages and slowdowns. Again, I don't know whether PacBell or Earthlink is to blame. Otherwise, I am satisfied with Earthlink.
Finally, when dealing with customer service or tech service personnel, I have found that it makes a world of difference if you can get connected to someone in your local area. "Home Office" personnel are generally not familiar with local problems and may not have the latest information for your area.
UPDATE - 12/13/2000 Earthlink/PacBell have repaired whatever it was that caused my slow speed connection. Since 12/8/2000 I have been consistently running at speeds between 1200-1300 down and 110-150 up. My promised speeds were 1500/128 max.
UPDATE - 9/24/2004 We moved our yacht to Stockton in August 2001. During the transfer and setup of our DSL service, PacBell had two technicians on site to troubleshoot problems. Within a day or so, all problems were resolved and we have had rock-steady, reliable service ever since. Earthlink hosts six of my websites (no extra charge) and I am completely satisfied with their service. The average speeds are still as previously stated.
UPDATE - 8/14/2008 Service continues to be excellent with very few interruptions. Average download speed is still in the range of 1200-1300, but upload has increased and is consistently in the range of 320-350. Monthly fee for DSL has not increased in 8 years and is still $39.95/month with 20 hours of free dialup included, if needed.
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Review by Sarentack
UPDATED: 1.3 years ago
member for 1.8 years, 96 visits, last login: 93 days ago
Lumberton,Lamar,MS
$39 per month (12 month contract)
about 180 days
"To be honest, I cant think of one"
"everything, bad connection, being lied to by techs, price."
"stay away from Earthlink"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings below consensus)
|
This is a very bad service, when I first ordered it, got the DSL kit in, installed it, immediately constant D/C's were happening, its said that intereferece from other devices can cause it, but its a bunch of BS considering every other modem never had that problem, it was the servers of theirs that was the problem. From the get go I signed up for a 3MBPS connection which was like $44.95 or something, I may of had that connection for a day at most before it dropped to 1.5 and I was being charged $39.95, when asking about upgrading to 3.0 I was told it was not available and the line didnt support it, ok whatever, I manage to keep the service past the first 3 months in which is was $14.95, I had the service for 5-6 months then it happened.
After keeping the bill updated with Earthlink and payment, I was charged for $17 and something in the middle of the month, and after speaking with support, was never able to find a definitive answer of where it came from, earthlink dont have anything that amounts to this, I was told it was something from months earlier, which I couldnt pinpoint because the bill was paid every month, then about 5 days later, I had internet problems where I couldnt connect, it lasted for 2-3 days, then I realized earthlink had SHUT ME OFF, and then have the gall to turn around and charge me $150 termination fee, then that months bill. Regardless, I never did pay it, Earthlink was a huge scam and i didnt fall into it. About 6 days later, I was with AT&T DSL and been happy since.
I have not even given half of the problems in this review either, like Customer Support and opening tickets looking into repair and such, its just amazing this company is still around.
Followup comments:
Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs:
| Your issue was Telco Phone Service not present. 3rd Party Telephone companies are not eligible for EL DSL and that caused your disconnection when they determined that you did not have AT&T as your Phone Provider. They had no choice but to disconnect you.
»Earthlink is a bad service
said by you :
see my Phone service is setup through Budget Phone, my internet at the time was setup through Earthlink, all of this happened before ordering Bellsouth DSL, this was happening before AT&T turned on the DSL line to my house for access. I got AT&T quickly because I already had a modem from previous service with them.
»Earthlink a bunch of liars
said by you :
if AT&T wasnt as crooked I would go back to them.
»Will EL DSL Work with No Phone Service?
said by you :
Sometime back I had bellsouth Phone and internet service, but I noticed it seemed both were on seperate lines as the Internet could stay on but the phone service be disconnected.
Will EL DSL work with no phone service at all?
»[Xtreme] Just got DSL Extreme 6
said by you :
anyway I am wondering is this service a stand alone DSL service? I currently dont have phone service with AT&T but I got phone service with another provider.
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? | |
| | Sarentack
join:2008-02-07
Lumberton, MS
 ·magicjack.com
 ·EarthLink
·AT&T DSL Service
| Re: Your issue was Telco Phone Service not present. Earthlink should of known this.
When signing up with Budget phone I kept the same number I had from Bellsouth.
Its not fault Earthlink is too stupid to see that and let it go for 6 months, sounds to me Earthlink knew and it was trying to make quick money since that company is going down the tube. | |
| OriginalDrM
join:2003-05-08
Pompano Beach, FL
1 edit | Not as bad as it could be. I have been a long time critic (and customer) of Earthlink, but on the whole I have found them to be nothing but reliable.
Next to no outtages, d/l speeds a hair above advertised, and u/l within the "range" they consider acceptable. :-/
Their customer service is terrible, but with more and more ISPs outsourcing, everyone else is lowering themselves to the same level.
I am receiving Earthlink via 3.0M BellSouth/ATT's DSL for the same price I was getting my older 1.5M service.
AND you don't hear about Earthlink throttling, packet shaping, capping, or spying on their customers (probably because they can't be bothered).
Oh yeah, newgroups still standard. | |
| | Sarentack
join:2008-02-07
Lumberton, MS
·magicjack.com
·EarthLink
·AT&T DSL Service
1 edit | Re: Not as bad as it could be. See years ago before Broadband was wide spread, I use to have the Dialup Service, I liked it alot, you have tech support you can speak to that spoke english, you got them with no problem.
The downside even then was a retarded way to pay the bill, which at the time for me was sending a check to them (they didnt send you a bill or tell you when its due) ( no electronic pay online, no CC at the time), So that was aggravating to. But they lured me in easily when I agreed to a 6 month contract back then and for it they send me a brand new Printer and Scanner, it was a deal well worth it.
But going back to them earlier this year, it seemed promising until frequent D/C's happened, server down time happened and it happened often, 1.5 service for $39.95 was pricey when Bellsouth DSL 1.5 service is almost half that price and never goes out and is always reliable. But I kept it anyway until 6 months later they decide to pull off a scam on me, this is what happens when you get a bunch of people based in India working for you and people who are more keen on making a buck then providing service.
But I can say this, the 1.5 Cable Internet I had with local cable company was 10 times worse then Earthlink, the cable techs didnt know anything, where a problem might be, zip nada, and I kind of wonder if the cable company didnt hook everyones connection up to 1 router and say have at it, constant D/Cs, always out, then to top it off they charge $39.95 for that like Earthlink, so yeah their is worse Internet companies. | |
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Review by flygirl
UPDATED: 1.3 years ago
member for 2.5 years, 39 visits, last login: 1.2 years ago
San Diego,San Diego,CA
$90 per month
"Stay away from VOIP"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings below consensus)
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I have had Earthlink's VOIP for almost 3 years now. Over 2 years of that service was pure hell. As an Earthlink subscriber for 19 years without any problems and excellent customer service, I didn't think twice about subscribing to their VOIP/DSL package. WRONG! BIG MISTAKE! While the Level 3 tech support people tried their best, I continued to have dropped calls for over 2 years. And not just occasional. I couldn't just unload their VOIP according to them, because it was now "bundled" with my DSL. I was forced to get another phone provider with a second line and to order another DSL service from Earthlink as to not have any interruption to my DSL service for 2 weeks. Almost immediately after I had done this and was ready to dump my "bundle", the VOIP stopped dropping my calls. I think the Level 3 support people are excellent, and also the DSL service. They may finally have fixed their VOIP issues, but I would think twice about it.
Followup comments: 
fatmanskinny
Premium
join:2004-01-04
Wandering | Uhh, EarthLink hasn't been around for 19 years.... ..... | |
| gregben
join:2001-05-31
San Diego, CA
 ·Earthlink Cable Mo..
| Earthlink VOIP service I've had Earthlink VOIP service (one "line"/number)
since June 2006 (92130 zip code) and other than a few hiccups here and there it has worked well.
I am not using DSL though. My Earthlink service is provided
through Time Warner (cable). | |
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Review by drdancm
UPDATED: 1.3 years ago
member for 5.8 years, 17 visits, last login: 22 days ago
Chicago,Cook,IL
$83 per month (12 month contract)
about 3 days
Covad
"Excellent e-mail spam handling -Telephone service AWFUL"
"Polite tech support tries hard but short on common sense & expertise"
"Be ready to actively figure out what to do"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
First day, entire phone system was down for about an hour or so. Internet (set to 6Mbps down /1000 up) was out occasionally for a 2-3 minutes but quite fast. Then next day it was unusable kept disconnection every 2-3 minutes for at least half a day. After about 2-3 tech support calls they asked me to do an unplug test (unplug all phones & other devices) for 3 minutes to do a test. The test showed that there was a problem (unbalance ?). They said AT&T would need to fix it -but they did not work over the weekend. I called on Monday and they had already fixed it sometime on Saturday. I asked to re-do the test to be sure. It checked out ok. She told me that my correct distance was 9560ft (not 6090 as reported before the repair).
At the reduced speed of 3Mbps it was pretty reliable (this is what I had w AT&T). At this point tech support called my attention to Diagnostics -DSL line with the ZyXEL 660R-ELK modem and went over the Download Noise Margin Menu. At the lower (3Mbps) speed noise margins were around above 14-15 db, and at my request she switched me back to hi speed (6Mbps). The noise margin was now below 10 db, often as low as 4 db, but still operational with no disconnects that I was aware of.
I started reading up on DSL troubleshooting and learned a lot. I ran a CAT5 line to a new phone outlet near the DSL modem and hooked it to the old tie down screw terminals in the basement near where the phone wires entered the house. I realized that there was also a 2nd phone line which we were no longer using. I went outside and found we had a Corning TIN with two modules. I thought about buying a DSL splitter, but before doing that I figured I should do a test by hooking up the DSL modem directly to the TIN. This turned out to be easy to do and the noise margin was improved (now 14 -11 db). I left the test RJ11 jumper disconnected for the 2nd phone line. When I moved the modem back to its normal place I found that the improvement stayed (11-14 db) -because I had disconnected the 2nd phone line! This looks pretty good and bodes well for a reliable high speed connection, so I'm not going to cancel the service.
Here are some more unexpected Earthlink stupidities. The answering machine I had used for years with SBC (now AT&T) stopped working with Earthlink phone service. Greeting works, then it fails to record anything. Tech support claims that Earthlink Voice mail cannot co-exist with an answering machine -I have to choose one or the other. Not what I want -the prior phone voice mail was good because if the phone line was busy (talking to us, or the answering machine), it would act as a fallback answering machine.
My answering machine has 2 voicemail boxes so that my wife and I don't have to tiptoe around each others messages -very handy. Earthlink voice mail does not have that feature -but allows you to listen to voice message either on the phone or via the internet. In order to access the Earthlink Voicemail away from home you are directed to a web page listing access phone numbers. There are 3 access numbers for Chicago, but they inoperable. When you call them you get a message saying it is not in service. I have written to and called tech support (including Live Help) numerous times and they don't appear to understand or take this seriously. Hell of a way to run your business.
There's a bit of echo/noise on the phone line, according to some people that we talk to on the phone (none that I hear from our end).
On the other hand all of the support people are patient and well meaning. They ought to suggest to those of us more tech savy customers to look into the internal home wiring if there are noise problems. So, we'll see how the service holds up in the long run.
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ABOUT 11 Months into Earhtlink Internet & Phone service
The internet portion has been excellent both with respect to reliability and consistent high speed (a bit over 5mbps). E-mail has been at least as reliable as with 4 or 5 prior ISP providers in the past, but we do have reports from people that they have sent us e-mail but which we never received. This may be due to spam blocking which overall Earthlink does well.
However when it comes to telephone service Earthlink is the pits. First, the Voicemail system is terrible. No date and time stamp on messages. Although the messages audio quality is excellent, no provision is made for and leaving a message as unread for another person in your household. No provision for more than a single mailbox.
Earthlink's digital telephone system is totally incompatible with a stand alone answering machine (which we want because of the multiple mailbox feature and date and time stamping).
Earthlink's on-line voice mail system is often out of order -and deleting saved voicemail messages almost always have to be done twice before messages are erased. Also inspite of having caller ID information, which we get using a separate caller ID box (our purchase) that sits hooked into the phone line, the on-line voicemail only displays phone numbers so you can't see the caller's name.
The telephone audio quality is constantly going from good to very bad -creaks, echoes, digital distortions of great variety interfere with conversations. It is often so bad you cannot understand what is being said. This goes for both sides of the conversation often independently.
Attempts to fix this problem have always failed. The tech support people are especially dense. They promise and claim they will fix this, have you go through useless scripted steps such as disconnecting everything, which never proves of any use. Finally after insisting that you waste 30-40 minutes waiting for them to do whatever they do they tell you that the problem will have to be delegated to some other service group. This generally means, nothing will be done. Not surprisingly I have given up calling tech support, but always give appropriate feedback whenever the opportunity arises.
I'm dumping Earhtlink as soon as the 12 month contract is up because of the phone quality problem, but will investigate the possibility of keeping the Internet access ONLY.
I am told that Comcast or RCN voice mail also does not date and timestamp messages. What has happened to common sense? How can all of the people responsible for this be so incredibly stupid? This must be the same people who force us to alphabetize address book names by first names only.
Last of all, the price of Earthlink's service has crept up from $70 to $83-85 with the inclusion of extra service charges which they carefully not are not taxes. It's simply a deceitful way to make a larger profit without disclosing it in the quoted price.
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Latest and typical exchange w Earthlink Customer service. The one good thing is that after closing down the CHAT, you are offered a brief survey and then the option to get a transcript of the CHAT. This is after I wasted time with another on-line rep who after 15 minutes told me he could not help me and sent me to (This is the on-line CHAT feature -uncensored except for removing my e-mail address):
info: Welcome to Earthlink LiveChat. Your chat session will begin shortly. Feel free to begin typing your question.
info: 'Barney P' says: Thank you for contacting EarthLink LiveChat, how may I help you today?
xxxx@earthlink.net: 12 month service is up Aug 20?? 2008 I am definitely dropping Earthlink service primarily because totally dissatisfied with phone service. May want to keep the internet service ALONE. What would be the cost?
Barney P: I will assist you with the issue
Barney P: To best assist you, you need to chat with a Customer Service Representative. Please stay connected while I transfer the chat.
info: Please wait while I transfer the chat to the appropriate agent.
info: 'Nash N' says: Thank you for contacting EarthLink LiveChat, how may I help you today?
xxxx@earthlink.net: Please read what I already wrote. I don't have time to waste. This is partly why I am dropping Earhtlink
Nash N: Thank you for staying on hold.
Nash N: I understand that you want to go for Unlimited Dial Up service.
Nash N: I am I right?
xxxx@earthlink.net: No, you have not read what I wrote.
Nash N: well, you need Internet service.
Nash N: I am I right?
xxxx@earthlink.net: Last chance, I am copying my message if you are not the right person to answer this pls tell me.
Nash N: I will assist you with the required information.Please provide the security word of your account which appears to be your father's middle name.
(I scrolled up and cut and pasted the initial request)
xxxx@earthlink.net: xxxx@earthlink.net: 12 month service is up Aug 20?? 2008 I am definitely dropping Earthlink service primarily because totally dissatisfied with phone service. May want to keep the internet service ALONE. What would be the cost?
Nash N: I understand that.
Nash N: Please provide the security word of your account which appears to be your father's middle name.
xxxx@earthlink.net: No guessing games. Answer in 1 minute or I'm off -to hell with Earhtlink.
xxxx@earthlink.net: I've done that already.
Nash N: I see that you have LPV(DSL and Home Phone service)
Nash N: You want to cancel the phone service and want to keep only DSL high speed service.
Nash N: correct me if I am wrong.
xxxx@earthlink.net: Yes
xxxx@earthlink.net: I'm inquiring about the COST.
Nash N: I see that currently you are paying $69.95 for Earthlink DSL and Home Phone service.
(that's before taxes and non tax special cost charges which total up to about $83)
Nash N: If you want to keep only DSL service it will cost you only $39.95/month.
(FINALLY)
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Guessing Games?? Incredible
See what I mean?
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