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Review by dmarkowitz 
Posted: 7.9 years ago
member for 7.6 years, 281 visits, last login: 1.7 years ago
 Plymouth Meeting,Montgomery,PA
 $59 per month (12 month contract)
 Verizon
CLEC party: Covad
 "Excellent coordination, fast service"
 "None"
 "Don't hesitate to get DSL from DCANet"
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Here's a review of the Covad ADSL service I got through DCANet.
I ordered the Covad 608k/128k service via their website on 12/3/01. I chose
the self-install option, with an Essential Networks external ADSL to Ethernet
bridge (modem). The service is $59.95/month, minus a 5% discount for paying
quarterly. The self-install kit was $225. I get up to 6 IPs, although only
5 are usable for PCs with my service (1 needs to be used for the gateway).
About 45 minutes after placing my order, I got an email acknowledging my
order, and including a URL to which I could go to check the work log as the
order progressed. The email said I should hear from Covad within 3 days.
I reveived an email time-stamped 7 minutes later (!!) than the one from
DCANet, acknowledging my order. It included a second URL, to track the order
on Covad's website.
The next day, I got another email from Covad indicating that Verizon was
scheduled to come to my home on 12/7 to do their work in my NID. Since it's
outside, I didn't need to be home.
I got emails from Covad and DCANet on 12/7, confirming that Verizon did their
work. The next day, I got an email from Covad indicating that my
self-install kit shipped in the afternoon of 12/7, and that I could expect
delivery in 3-5 business days. The email included the URL to check the
transit status on UPS's website.
The self-install kit arrived at about 5:00 PM on 12/10. I plugged it in, and
got right online. The speed is good, and so far I've downloaded a couple of
CDROM ISOs (around 600 meg files) to test the connection.
I am very impressed.
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Review by mac535i
Posted: 8.4 years ago
member for 8.4 years, 3 visits, last login: 8.4 years ago
Glenside,Montgomery,PA
$59 per month (12 month contract)
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NA
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Review by mightye
Posted: 8.4 years ago
member for 8.4 years, 1 visits, last login: 8.4 years ago
Norristown,Montgomery,PA
$49 per month
Verizon
CLEC party: Covad
"Extremely quick delivery"
"Starter kit cost $225"
"Not yet completed, but should be completed in next day -- a week after ordering"
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So far here's the log of what's occurred on my account:
5/31/01 Placed Order
5/31/01 All information was verified to be correct, and order was placed with the telco
6/1/01 Received committed delivery date for 6/5/01
6/5/01 Work in CO is completed, awaiting the delivery of the DSL self-install kit
Needless to say, this is an astounding turnaround. Plus I have 608/128 ADSL with a static IP for $49.95 a month. The starter kit was a touch pricy though -- $225.
All throughout the ordering process there was an extremely useful web page that listed the most recent status of my order; it really helped keep you aware of what was going on with out flooding your email box with messages, although the major points were sent to me by email.
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Review by ecb1171
Posted: 8.6 years ago
member for 8.6 years, 108 visits, last login: 3.2 years ago
Phoenixville,Chester,PA
Contract price not specified.
"No one has contacted me after a voice mail left 4 days ago"
"I've heard they have a good reputation, but I can't get a response to my voice mail"
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I'm looking for a DSL in Phoenixville, PA. I read numerous reviews and DCAnet seemed to have the most positive information. My experience with theim is limited since I havn't had anyone return the voice mail I left about 4 days ago. While I might be jumping the gun in writing this review, if I can't get anyone to get in touch with me when I am still deciding wether I want to use DCANet, I am not very confident that I will be able to get a prompt response for support issues (since I would already under a contract to them and paying them wether or not they respond)
The scary thing is, DCANet is the only ISP that seems to have no real horror stories regargin either instalation or support after the install. The only ISP that has put forth a real effort in helping me is A+..and the reviews for them are generaly pretty bad.
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Review by sandhitsu
Posted: 8.7 years ago
member for 9 years, 11 visits, last login: 1.5 years ago
Philadelphia,Philadelphia,PA
$49 per month (24 month contract)
 about 14 days
Verizon
CLEC party: Covad
"Excellent service - period."
"A little pricier than others in the area"
"Highly recommended"
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Although I'm paying more than what Verizon has to offer in the Philly area, I have peace of mind with DCA Net. They are a great ISP. Excellent support, very good and prompt email communication on every issue. Plus, the techies know what they are talking about - and what more - they know Linux. In 4 and a half months, I experienced one outage for an evening. There
was a problem with the line - and Covad took care of it the next morning. Also, they offer static IP, no PPPoE - painless connection. Line speed is 608/128.
Don't mind the extra ten bucks - go for DCANet. Hours of jiggling with tech support is costlier than ten bucks.
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Review by ichinaga
Posted: 8.9 years ago
member for 8.9 years, 11 visits, last login: 7.7 years ago
Philadelphia,Philadelphia,PA
$79 per month (12 month contract)
about 28 days
Verizon
CLEC party: Covad
"dca part of install --flawless! on time and quick (30 mins)"
"dependent on Verizon/Bell for outside/NID work (pre-dca.net )"
"a great buy....do not hesitate to order from them"
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ordered 11/14, 1.5down/384 up/79 per month, static IP. email reply same day. 11/15 appointment #1(verizon loop qual/install)scheduled for following tuesday. Verizon never showed (and i took off work to meet them-you HAVE to be there to meet them-if they need access to your basement, box, etc). DCA reschedules their modem/line appointment. (this whole process would have been ONE week total if not for VERIZON ) Try #2 for verizon--I STILL do not hear from them, but apparently somehow they completed their work...great..hours later(literally) DCA has set up an appointment for the install. 12/12 DCA tech comes and sets up line/modem. In and out in 30 mins.(very professional and patient). running on a Win98 box, speed stream DSL modem. Line is measured at ~1.3 down, 315 up. Constant email letting me know where/when things would take place.
I would reccomend DCA to anyone!
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Review by pap10507
Posted: 8.9 years ago
member for 9.3 years, 29 visits, last login: 1.3 years ago
Pottstown,Montgomery,PA
$79 per month (12 month contract)
about 75 days
Verizon
CLEC party: Covad
"Great tech support and ultra-fast service!!"
"They have to deal with Verizon"
"An excellent value!!"
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What a nightmare to connect! Verizon said the line was supplied and it wasn't. Covad had to be ordered back and forth. DCA couldn't tell who had left what out. Candidly, too many permutations for off-site control if you can't rely on your partners.
Once I was up and running, it was wonderful - until it stoped running! They took several weeks to check everything out, including having me strip down the computer, before arranging for Covad to come out and check the modem, a Speedstream 5260 from Efficient Networks, Inc. Apparently there was confusion in their communications. Finally Covad came out(almost two weeks after suddenly droping by without notice when nobody was home). The modem was bad and had to be replaced. My benefit has been even faster downloads. I now average in peak 1.1 million down and 364 up versus 1.5 million down and 385 up - Not too shaby at all.
The true joy is their tech department. The only drawback is that they are not open on Sundays.
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 Review by jdawg00244
Posted: 9.1 years ago
member for 9.3 years, 271 visits, last login: 8.1 years ago
Clovis,Fresno,CA
$40 per month (12 month contract)
about 7 days
SBC
"Excellent Speed 2.3Mbps and 170Mbps"
"None (thats right None)"
"There is nothing wrong with PacBell here in Fresno Cali"
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I have had an excellent experience with Pacbell. Also getting excellent download speeds. Thats It
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Review by rmarket
Posted: 9.1 years ago
member for 8.7 years, 19 visits, last login: 4.9 years ago
Camp Hill,Cumberland,PA
$49 per month (24 month contract)
CLEC party: Covad
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I just got my DSL connection this week from DCANet and I am extremely
pleased with DCANet. From the time that I requested the connection to the
installation was only about 3 weeks (it would have been less time if my
schedule would have permitted the original date that DCA had set up for my
install). They kept me informed as to the progress of the installation
regarding the lines and the other companies involved. Everyone that I have
dealt with at DCA was extremely friendly and helpfull. I highly recomend their service.
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Review by kumbhani
Posted: 9.1 years ago
member for 9.1 years, 21 visits, last login: 3.5 years ago
Philadelphia,Philadelphia,PA
$79 per month (12 month contract)
about 22 days
Verizon
CLEC party: Covad
"Quick Setup, Professional Attitude, Reliable Service."
"I had to buy the adsl modem..."
"If you're in the Philadelphia Metro Area, this has got to be the BEST available."
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Recently I moved to Philadelphia from the Midwest and was looking around for something better than 56Kbps access. After talking to some local people, I was directed to DCANet; supposely they had good service for the price. The other selling point was that they had quick routes to the University of Pennsylvania where I was attending (~ 3 hops, 1 being my ADSL Modem; 10 ms pings). So I went to their website and checked things out. Since I was planing on running some personal services, I opted not to get the UPenn package (DCANet has packages with local universities to get reduced rates on service but disallows the users to run services). They had a 1.5M/384 services for 79.95. This included 6 Static IPs (five actually since one used for the ADSL modem). Since I had multiple computers and didn't really care for IP aliasing, this would be the best bet (compared to Speakeasy, Concentric, etc..). The home equipment was a Efficient Networks/Flowpoint 5260 ADSL Bridge Modem.
So this is how it went...
August 31, 2000:
I loaded up their webpage and placed an order for Residential DSL. Immediately, I received 2 emails; One from DCANet confirming the order and one from COVAD explaining the process. The DCANet letter also provided my me new IP Address and DNS/Gateway information. I thought this was kinda odd since I knew I wouldn't be getting my line for a few weeks. But kudos to them for being proactive!
September 6, 2000:
Covad emails me with a confirmed order from Verizon saying they will arrive on September 12 to check out my line. So far so good.
September 12, 2000:
The day comes and goes but I see no one. I was kinda displeased but after reading numerous reports I wasn't surpised. Still I thought to myself, perhaps they didn't need to see my in particular. Maybe? Maybe? At 11:43 pm I receive a reassuring email from Covad saying that all was okay and Covad has scheduled to come to install the jack and modem on Sept 20. I email them back saying that I cannot make that date, due to a prior commitment.
September 13, 2000:
Covad emails me back saying that my appointment has been moved to the 21st.
September 20, 2000:
I get a phone call reminding me about the appointment on my answering machine. How nice 
September 21, 2000:
Covad said they'd be here between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm. The Covad person arrives at 9:30 am. He leaves around 10:15 after not only installing the jack but fixing some of my telephone wiring problems for free He tests the modem using his laptop.
I plug in the jack of the ADSL modem to my hub, then a wire from my hub to my computer, and configure the ethernet card. BAMN! I'm up. No problems whatsoever.
I decide to test the modem with a speedtest using DSLReports' tests. Uh oh. I was getting horrible results. ~400 down from Megapath. not good. But then I apply some of the tweaks and I'm crusing along around 1200 down, 360 up, which I guess is about right for ATM based networking, no? Doesn't matter. I'm happy and that's all that matters.
October 3, 2000:
I email DCANet requesting another IP address for another computer I put on my hub (they originally only gave me my first IP; you have to request your IPs).
October 4, 2000:
They email me with my new IP. Since the majority of people don't actually use more than 1 IP, they just give out 1. But to simplify things later, when you request more than 1 IP, they try to give you a block of 6 ips. Unfortunately this meant that my original IP no longer worked. Unfortuantely they emailed my my new IPs and info. Anyone see the problem? How was I to get that email which told me my new IPs without having an IP that worked in the first place? ah well. For a few hours my modem had to come back into service. I guess I could have called them but I didn't have their phone number handy.
All in all, getting DSL from DCANet has been a blessing. I would encourage everyone in the Philadelphia area to consider them. They might not be the cheapest but quality never is.
If you need any info or traceroutes/pings, just leave a note.
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