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Review by mullican 
UPDATED: 4.3 years ago
member for 5.9 years, 83 visits, last login: 4.1 years ago
 Port Angeles,Clallam,WA
 $49 per month (12 month contract)
 about 5 days
 Qwest
CLEC party: Qwest
 "Setup, connection, and MSN 9"
 "None"
 "Great service for a good price"
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Recently upgraded from 1536/1024 to 7168/896 for $10 more than what I was paying for previously and changed the modem from the Arescom NetDSL 800 to the Actiontec GT701-WG which I'm paying $5 a month. I'm really impressed with the increase. I'm connecting on average just above 5mbps and would highly recommend this upgrade to anyone that is still on the 1.5mbps. It's worth it.
UPDATE: Qwest has an online-only special that is going on with the 1.5 DSL. It's 19.99 for a year, free activation, and the modem is free for a year if you decide to rent ( if you decide to buy it the cost of the modem will be put on the next bill and not a year from the date of purchase). This is a great way to see if you like DSL and be able to pay dial-up price for it for a while. The regular price of this package is 39.99. The offer expires in October.
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Review by KUppiano
UPDATED: 4.5 years ago
member for 6.8 years, 868 visits, last login: 17 days ago
Ferndale,Whatcom,WA
$30 per month
about 5 days
Verizon (ex GTE)
"Fast, no down-time, always on"
"Lobotomized, unreliable modem provided with service."
"Good for basic browsing, e-mail (hotmail, not POP3)"
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I have been with MSN since it was The Microsoft Network, the non-internet dial-up service that came with Windows 95. My e-mail account has not changed since that time. Not that I'm all that committed to MSN, but it's fine for what my family and I do. Now we have three computers networked through a GigaFast Broadband Router connected to the MSN DSL 1000 modem. The modem connects to the CO using PPPoE. The IP address is not static, but it hasn't changed since I set up the modem.
There is only one connection speed offered here, I get upwards of 680KBPS on downloads. I don't know what the advertised speed is. The order/install process was quite painless. I ordered the service online, the line was set up by the time the modem arrived (about 5 business days). Everything worked the first time I plugged it in. I had a little trouble with setup. I thought the computer had stopped responding and shut it off during the setup process, which made things much harder for myself. The modem was only partially configured, but it wouldn't re-install. I finally managed to get it figured out without having to call customer support.
You wouldn't want to call customer support. I don't know why they bother, really. Maybe they're able to help the yahoo that doesn't know that little drawer in their computer isn't a cup holder, but if you call them to find out if there's a known issue with the DSL 1000 modem not running more than two or three days without a reset, they'll tell you it will last longer if you turn it off at night anyway. Number one, not true, and number two, it's on a network, in a closet, hard to reach. And how do I know when it's not in use without polling every member of the family?
I have flashed the DSL1000 modem to an SMC7401BRA. It's much more reliable, and the router/firewall/DHCP server is fully configurable. About a week after I flashed the modem, MSN announced that they are discontinuing as a DSL service provider, and they migrated me to Verizon. Basically the same service, and less money, because it's now part of my regular phone service. I still have my MSN8 software and account, e-mail, etc. in addition to a new Verizon account and SMTP/POP3 e-mail. Not too bad. The protocol is RFC1483 Briged IP LLC instead of PPPoE. We just pull a DHCP IP address off the net. They sent me a Westell 2110 modem, which seems to be just fine, but I'm still using the SMC because of the integrated router. Less clutter on the desktop. Both modems sync at 864/160 and I'm getting about 650/140 down/up.
Verizon upgraded me to 1.5/384 down/up several months ago. Still reliable, no complaints. Nearly 100% up-time. DHCP lease time recently changed to 15 minutes, which seems rediculously short, but it seems to cause no problems.
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Review by zonapunk
Posted: 4.6 years ago
member for 8.8 years, 1514 visits, last login: 25 days ago
Tucson,Pima,AZ
$40 per month
about 7 days
Qwest
CLEC party: Qwest
"Solid connection, uptime and upload speeds"
"Higher cost and slower speeds when to compaired to Verizon DSL"
"Soild choice for broadband"
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After moving into my new house in Tucson, I went with the Qwest DSL as my broadband choice. The previous experience I had with Cox Cable removed them as option. So far after six months with Qwest DSL, I have no issues with service. Everything has been very solid. I have experience no issues with high latency or no sync. I have had no issues with the Actiontec GT-701 modem.
I can not comment about MSN role as an ISP. I never bothered to install the software because I already another email address with another service and only use the TCP connection from MSN.
I’m looking forward to the new speeds that Qwest is going to provide later this year.
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 Review by Rob A
Posted: 4.8 years ago
member for 4.8 years, 1737 visits, last login: 24 days ago
Pompton Plains,Morris,NJ
Contract price not specified.
Verizon
CLEC party: Verizon
"MSN is good for Interent Newbs, Antivirus and Firewall, and the software is free."
"Slower than Regular Browsers"
"Great for an Internet Newbie, but not for me."
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I ordered Verizon DSL and it came with MSN. Since it was free, I figured I'd give it a try. It wasn't that bad, sorta reminds me of AOL without all the problems. But MSN is only good for internet newbies because it is very simplified. I personally enjoy using the Opera Web Browser. Its faster than MSN and provides me with all the features I need. My parents like to use MSN, because of how simplified it is. So for internet newbs and people that like the internet simplified, then MSN is for you. And keep in mind that it gives you free Virus Protection and Firewall, which is great to have.
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 Review by paranoidxe
UPDATED: 4.9 years ago
member for 7.7 years, 948 visits, last login: 3.4 years ago
Ogden,Weber,UT
$49 per month (month by month)
about 13 days
Qwest
CLEC party: Qwest
"Good Speed, No monthly transfer limit, Doesn't require use of propriety software, good tech support"
"The MSN Arescom NetDSL800 Modem unreliable, Bundled software is junk, Port 25 (STMP) blocked!"
"Overall a good service for web browsing and file transfering"
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UPDATE: Nothing new to report, the service is still great...it has gone down ONCE since writing this review and it was caused by heavy network traffic..otherwise it has been the same great service to me as it always has been.
I don't have really many bad comments to say about MSN, constrast to all the negative reviews this ISP has been getting.
update 02/14/2004
My thoughts of MSN have improved since writing my review, I have had ONE downtime problem in the last year with the service, which is very impressive. I don't run into any slow loading, I still like MSN and will not switch unless cable becomes available in my area.
The Ordering Process
I signed up for DSL about three weeks ago with Qwest via MSN Broadband, using the $49.95 option plan, which is 640k down and 256k up, I ordered it online via qwest.com. Qwest provisioned my phoneline, meanwhile I found out that MSN already made my account active, and sent me the message informing me that Qwest is in the process of provisioning my phone. When the provisioning was complete I was notified by MSN that it was complete and they would send my DSL kit..two days later it arrived. I installed the DSL Modem and was ready to go online..but no go.
I called MSN Technical Support, ZERO waiting I was on the phone with a nice tech support lady that checked step by step to make sure the modem was installed properly. It was, She informed me that Qwest probably hasn't actived my line yet and told me to call Qwest.
I hung up and called Qwest, Qwest tech told me that the phoneline would be activated later in the evening, and to just wait it out. I waited, finally it came active about 3 hours after that conversation, I was able to get online instantly.
Rating: 9/10
The Speed
I wasn't expecting to go my full connection speed, since Qwest informed me it was "UP TO" 640K, I went to dslreports none-the-less. The test results came out to be 522Kbps Down, and 188Kbps Up. Close to full speed. After one week of using it, the speed has largely been the same and has not fluctuated much.
Rating: 8/10
The MSN Arescom NetDSL Modem
This is where it goes downhill, this is one of the worse modems I've had the previldge of using. When you get disconnected, half the time pulling the power plug waiting 30 seconds and putting it back in DOESN'T work. I have to pull the plug, reboot windows, reload windows, and plug it back in for it to work again. On top of that there is about a 2 minute wait just for the thing to reactive and get a connection again. The modem is extremely sensitive, as well as VERY LIMITED in what you can configurate on it. Get the Cisco 678 instead.
Rating: 4/10
Online Gaming
I'm not a hardcore gamer, but I do play a little starcraft every now and again. I heard that the modem doesn't support online gaming, I decided to see for myself. I launched Starcraft 1.09, and connected to battle.net played about 6 games, NO LAG experienced at all.
Rating: 9/10
Mail
If you are a Outlook Express Lover, then you might not have a problem with this. If you need email like you need underwear, you better look elsewhere. MSN Blocks port 25, which very much hurts other 3rd party email programs. I perfered Euroda, now I'm stuck with Outlook Express.
Rating: 2/10
MSN is a "you get what you pay for" service, it is one of the cheaper DSL services out there, it works for my needs, has decent speeds and does everything I need (excluding email). MSN is a decent affordable Broadband solution, while I wouldn't say its the best, I think it was well worth the $50 a month I am paying for it.
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Review by dougdonovan
UPDATED: 4.9 years ago
member for 5.9 years, 45 visits, last login: 225 days ago
Salt Lake City,Salt Lake,UT
Contract price not specified.
Qwest
CLEC party: Qwest
"it works"
"lets just stick to the good points for now"
"any ?'s"
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cool
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 Review by SequimPC
UPDATED: 5 years ago
member for 5.8 years, 927 visits, last login: 100 days ago
Sequim,Clallam,WA
$87 per month (month by month)
about 10 days
Qwest
CLEC party: Qwest
"They speak english now."
"Double billing"
"I would rather pay $80.00 a month for FTTH."
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Wow, where to begin.
I hooked up through MSN at first, 256/256. After a few months, they offered me the 1.5/896 package for less money a month and I took it. Next, MSN & Qwest decided to mess the billing up and change the way they billed me. This is where the nightmare begins, I was billed for 2 month of MSN on one bill, at a higher rate than I was being charged before (I had 2 months of 1.5/896 at the correct price prior). Now I call and cancel MSN and choose Qwest.net.... 4 months later and at least 2 calls a month to clear it up, I am still being double billed (one Qwest DSL and one MSN Plus) at a higher rate than I was supposed to be charged. The service was fine, but the billing made me want to rip hair out.
Anyone else have similar problems, or am I just lucky?
I have called qwest and cancelled my service and am getting hooked up with fiber this month.
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Review by dub4u
Posted: 5.1 years ago
member for 7.2 years, 170 visits, last login: 81 days ago
Boulder,Boulder,CO
$54 per month
about 10 days
Qwest
CLEC party: Qwest
"Easy to setup. Worked as advertised."
"slow upload, couldn't control everything I wanted to"
"worked for simple internet and web, but not for power users"
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I switched from Comcast to 640/256 DSL from Qwest. MSN was the preferred ISP and I just took the defaults. They sent an Aries800 DSL modem.
I used the MSN/qwest service for about a year without any major problems or outages. I did have to go around using their MSN butterfly stuff, but that wasn't hard at all. I also connected my internal network to the modem via a wireless Linksys switch/router. No problems.
MSN worked fine until I wanted a static IP. I found a local DSL provider who set me up with a more configurable connection and faster speed for about the same price.
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 Review by Nymostwanted
Posted: 5.3 years ago
member for 5.4 years, 1493 visits, last login: 12 days ago
New York,New York,NY
$49 per month
about 999 days
Verizon
CLEC party: Verizon
"MSN SOFTWARE"
"Never got to use it,,,"
"Never got to use it...."
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I had MSN dial up service and it was time for an upgrade! I called and ordered their DSL package (768/128). I told them that I had 2 different phone lines in my home... and gave them the number that I wanted DSL in... I got the modem a week later and when the line got provisioned I find that the telco made a mistake and placed DSL in the wrong line... I give MSN a call and then they file a ticket.... 2 weeks later still no DSL.... Solution! I sent the modem back.... cancelled MSN dial up and singed up with AOL dial up....
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Review by ccoggle
UPDATED: 5.4 years ago
member for 8.3 years, 3170 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Centralia,Lewis,WA
$49 per month (12 month contract)
about 30 days
Qwest
CLEC party: Qwest
"Not a one!"
"MSN is terrible."
"They don't care about their customers!"
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I am no longer with MSN. Terrible ISP.
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