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Review by eljefe 
Posted: 9.3 years ago
member for 9.3 years, 465 visits, last login: 339 days ago
 Tempe,Maricopa,AZ
 $49 per month
 "Better than 56k"
 "Not much better than 56k"
 "Looking to switch ISP's because of speed"
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Ok, I did not have phone service at my house (only use a cell phone), so US West would not even qualify the address for any sort of DSL. I called Bazillion, and they checked the address and said it was fine for 608/128 service. After about a month of waiting, I called to see what was going on and was told that comeone (not sure if it was Covad or US West) wested the wrong loop and it had to be redone. About a week later I had an apointment with Covad, they came and connected everything, but I couldn't get an IP address through the DHCP server. The Covad tech called Bazillion, and they said they hadn't created my account yet and give it 45 minutes and try again. The Covad tech left me his phone number and left (he had other appointments). After 45 minutes, still no IP address could be obtained. They had me unplug everything and replug it in a bunch of times and finally said they would work on it and to try it again later. I tried again later, but no luck. Since I was running up a phone bill (each of these calls included a hold time of at least 15 minutes before they were answer), I decided I'd just wait until the next day, it was getting late.
The next day after work I tried again, still couldn't connect. I called again, and my call was escalated to their tier 2 support and after about 45 minutes I was able to obtain an IP address and surf the internet.
After a few weeks, I decided to check my line speed since it didn't seem as fast as I had expected, and I found I was getting an average of 120/70k or so, with a max of maybe 200/100k which is much slower than I had expected. Also, ping times were always in the 240 and up range. I called Bazillion, they said that although I qualified for ADSL 608/128k, they only guanantee 128k download speed so since it was in their specified parameters, they wouldn't do anything. I had already checked my distance to the CO, which was listed as a little over 5,000 feet, so i didn't think this was the problem.
Since they didn't want to do anything, I called Covad directly and the checked my line, said my loop length was 5,280 feet, negative metalics, and no electronics on the line. They said there seemed to be some sort of problem with the speeds, but the ISP would have to open a ticket with them to get this checked out. I had already talked to Bazillion and was told there is nothing they can do since it is within their parameters. The told me it is probably my computer that is causing this (although if I check the tuning on DSL Reports it says it is healthy).
Therefore, I called another ISP (one that uses North Point for the DSL) and told them what had been happening, and now am just waiting for them to hook me up with 784/784k.
The news server seems ok, good retention and a lot of groups. I don't use the email account, so I can't comment on that.
Overall, besides the speed issue, there haven't really been many problems other than a few outages. The tech support people seem to be hit or miss, depending who you get you may get a lot of help or none at all.
I do have a dynamic IP, but have noticed that if I plug multiple computers into my hub, the DHCP server will give each one it's own IP address, which is better that running some sort of connection sharing.
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Review by psanchez
Posted: 9.3 years ago
member for 9.3 years, 15 visits, last login: 9.1 years ago
Corona,Riverside,CA
$49 per month (month by month)
"Answered phone fast"
"none to report yet"
"Lets give them a try"
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I called to get IDSL service since I am about 24,000 feet from CO. The sales person was very helpful and explained everything to me about their services. They said it would take about 4-6 weeks to install. The next day (8/9/00) I got an email from Covad accepting the order and to expect the phone company soon. This to me is fast response. I ordered the 144 IDSL service at $49.99 a month to month basis. I also order the static IP for an additional $1.99. They also don't care if I ran a web server or music server from this connection. Its all up to me. Some providers don't want you to run those servers cause of high traffic. I had to answer 3's stars cause I have not had to experience install, connection, tech support, mail, DNS, or news yet.
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Review by SymondsSez
Posted: 9.3 years ago
member for 9.3 years, 60 visits, last login: 7.1 years ago
Oceanside,San Diego,CA
$49 per month
"Lowest Price for IDSL in my area"
"Still new business, No real history"
"Good price for IDSL and Good Presales and Technical Service so far!"
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Outside the DSL distance and had to go with IDSL. Received postcard and called to ask some presales questions and find out what hardware and DSL provider Bazillion used. After a little background search I signed up. Telco portion was installed within 3 weeks and Covad was there 2 days after that. (I was originally quoted 4-6 weeks)
So far the service has been up everytime I have gone to use it. I have not used the news server or the www space yet.
The only negatives were that I was under the impression that I would have a static ip and Covad installed as DHCP - not an issue for my use. Also was able to get better speed after I replaced existing old copper with a fresh run from the demarc to the modem. Seems like the installer should have caught that.
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Review by maizell
Posted: 9.3 years ago
member for 10.3 years, 28 visits, last login: 5.5 years ago
Winfield,Dupage,IL
$50 per month (month by month)
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I've been researching DSL for a year. Due to my being a tad too far
from the CO, the only DSL service possible is IDSL, 144k. All
providers with service in my area wanted from $79/month to much higher for
this relatively slow speed, so it didn't seem worthwhile.
A couple of weeks ago I checked dslreports.com again for ISPs & found
Bazillion, a Seattle-based company. (I live in a Chicago suburb.)
Their fee was $49.95/month (for IDSL/144k), which is reasonable under
the circumstances. They offer, but do not require, a long-term contract, so I
chose a month-to-month arrangement, which costs an additional $50
installation fee. All other install/equipment fees are rebated by
Covad.
After hearing & reading all the horror stories about delays & poor
initial installation & service, I was quite pleasantly surprised by
the efficient and pleasant service. I ordered it on July 20,
received an email appointment for Ameritech for July 28. Ameritech
didn't actually make it until a few days later, but the installer
phoned me to confirm the line was installed and working.
Covad then followed the next day with an appointment to complete the
install on August 7 (yesterday), between noon & 5 P.M. The installer,
Curtis Evans, showed up at 2:30 & was finished before 4:00. He was
quick, efficient, personable & enthusiastic. The service worked as
expected.
Later last night I was disappointed to learn that I could not access
the router to change its configuration. My goal was to change the
router password for security reasons, invoke the firewall, set it up
for my home LAN, etc.
Bazillion's tech support tried to be helpful when I called, but the
rep didn't seem to understand my questions. I emailed tech support
with details, not expecting to get a response.
This afternoon I received a call from Bazillion customer service,
apparently as a normal customer follow-up to ensure the service
worked, & to remind me to complete & send the Covad rebate form. A
nice touch, lacking in most ISPs (or most companies, for that matter).
I mentioned my technical queries & she agreed to email tech support
for me.
Five minutes later Josh Porterfield of Bazillion's "Tier 2" support
called. He had read the email I sent last night, & explained in detail
the nature of & reasons for the problems I encountered. I won't bore
you with details, other than to say that he resolved all my concerns.
(Except for the firewall. But as I have ZoneAlarm, the excellent free
firewall, installed, I'm satisfied.) By connecting my 4 PCs to the
(4-port) router I was able to dump my hub, use all 4 on the net
simultaneously & still use my LAN normally as well.
I'll be writing a newspaper column (maybe 2) on my experience with
Bazillion & Covad. Assuming the future is like the past 2 days (always a
dangerous assumption) I expect it to be quite favorable, thanks to 3
nice, efficient & helpful people from the 2 companies. And thanks also to
dslreports.com, without which I would probably never have heard of Bazillion.
// Jerry
www.maizell.com
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Review by reali100
Posted: 9.3 years ago
member for 9.3 years, 9 visits, last login: 6.8 years ago
Corona,Riverside,CA
$50 per month
"Month to Month, free router, Good customer service"
"THey are awesome, best company I have talked with."
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My mom works for a DSL ISP and I chose not to go with her company but Bazillion. There is no phone menu, someone picks up the phone. I have gotten good customer service and have had all of my questions answered. I am paying the lowest rates on the market for IDSL service (144/144) PLUS I get nationwide dial up if I travel, AND 400 free long distance minutes. The router I am getting (Flowpoint 144) will be mine to keep. I am allowed to install as many computers I want using NAT under my one static IP for only 2$ a month. I can run my own email server and web server if I want to. This place ROCKS. I haven't gotten installed yet, but when I do I will let you know how it went.
Ryan
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Review by DoubleS
Posted: 9.3 years ago
member for 9.3 years, 1 visits, last login: 9.3 years ago
Franklin Park,Cook,IL
$39 per month
"Promotion involves 800 min of free long distance"
"Only has been connected for half the time I have had the service"
"The money is good for the free long distance only"
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I ordered the Bazillion DSL service, and the installation process was pretty smooth. Since then, it's been a bumpy ride. I got the service installed on Saturday 7/22. On 7/23 it was down. I called tech support. I was on hold for approx. 75 minutes before a tech picked up just to tell me they are having server problems. OK fine, these things happen. I asked often this happens. He responds "It's the first time it been down since I started a few months ago." So the next day the service is back up and running. No problems until next weekend. Again, I have no connection to the internet. I call tech support. The wait on hold down to 20 minutes. The tech walks me through how to renew my ethernet adapter. The service is back up. Then five days later, Thursday 8/3, the service is down again. (Maybe the service takes weekends off). I call tech support on Friday 8/4, and the tech said there was a "server hiccup," and my computer Runs me through what the other tech told me the last time. No dice. He tells me he is going to contact another area, and they would contact me on Saturday. They never contacted me. I call tech support again on Saturday. The tech tells me to reinstall my drivers for the ethernet card. I did that and called them back again today, Sunday 8/6. The tech walks me through what the first two techs told me to do. Of course this doesn't work, and the tech tells me that she needs to contact upper level support, because there must something wrong on their end. She tells me they will contact me tomorrow. I have heard this story before. I am still without DSL even though I am paying for it. Right now I have to use dial-up to even get to this page.
Bottom line, I have had Bazillion for 15 days, CORRECTION- I have been signed up for 15 days, but the service has only been up for eight days. So that's what a 53% success rate. That's not bad unless you like to be reliable.
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Review by vancegrn
Posted: 9.3 years ago
member for 9.3 years, 8 visits, last login: 9.2 years ago
Tempe,Maricopa,AZ
$49 per month (12 month contract)
"Time from service order to bye-bye analog = 16 days!"
"Nothing yet..."
"It's in, it works, the price is right..."
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I live in a "broadband-challenged" (too far from the
CO for ADSL, too many large trees and overhead electric
line interference for Sprint Broadband Direct),
and had been investigating IDSL as suggested on the
USWest site when I got the direct mail flyer
from Bazillion.
They're cheaper (49.95/mo incl. ISP vs. 69.95/mo- no ISP) than US West
and offer 400 min. "Voice over IP" long distance (not really a factor for me, but
you never know...)so I gave them a call on July 17.
Phone salesperson quite knowledgable on the basics-I gave him my credit
card number and we were off to the races!
July 18, get e-mail confirmation from Covad that DSL service order has
been received.
July 19, get e mail from Bazillion re: username, password, etc. and how
to use local dial-up until DSL arrives. Start using dial up-the Bazillion
news server hosts about 20,000 more NG's than my current ISP, for what it's worth.
July 19, get e-mail from Covad that they've got USWest scheduled for July
26 for line install.
July 26, technicians arrive mid-day and get ISDN remote and line
installed-no problems.
July 27, e-mail from Bazillion-they'll be here between 8 - 12 the
morning of August 1 for hardware install.
August 1, Covad tech brings IDSL router, verifies proper operation, and
leaves the configuration of my proxy server up to me, which is what I expected.
A few visits to Control Panel>>Network and everything's up and running
in about an hour!
The couple calls I made to Bazillion with questions were answered within
5 min. by somebody who actually KNEW the answer.
Speed 127 down/115 up--no real attempts at tweaking yet.
I'm happy-it's not the fastest, but it's WAY better than the max. 26400
I could get from POTS, and it'll do for now until technology brings something
better!
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Review by bduskin
Posted: 9.3 years ago
member for 9.3 years, 46 visits, last login: 5.9 years ago
Marysville,Snohomish,WA
$49 per month
"Pleasant install process, great tech support, free long distance, consistant line speed"
"none"
"No better value for the money with the many benefits and features."
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I thought that having a quick and smooth install of this flawless IDSL was impressive enough, but the 400 free minutes of Long Distance every month
really is cool. Now I can talk on the phone Long Distance without worry of
my bill. The router that came with the 144/144 IDSL enabled me to nework my two computers as well, which really makes the business fly. No doubt, Bazillion
is the best value out there.
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Review by wbglider
Posted: 9.3 years ago
member for 9.6 years, 42 visits, last login: 9.2 years ago
Everett,Snohomish,WA
$49 per month
"400 Free Minutes of Long Distance, and reliable DSL"
"none"
"These guys are the best, providing top notch customer and tech care as well as super service and free long distance every month"
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You can't go wrong, the cost of the long distance alone pays for my DSL service every month...What a Deal.
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Bazillion
