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Review by nais See Profile

  • Location: Lake Havasu City, Mohave, AZ, USA
  • Cost Contract price not specified.
Best in town!
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The best in LHC! Excellent on site, tech support!!! Very responsive and helpful! They show up when they say they will!!! Best value in town!

member for 16.5 years, 20 visits, last login: 1.5 years ago
lodged 11.8 years ago







Review by Crookshanks See Profile

  • Location: Noxen, Wyoming, PA, USA
  • Cost: $70 per month (36 month contract)
  • Install: about 3 days
Static IP service is inexpensive, competent technical support, prompt installation at no charge, reliable connection.
National sales reps lack knowledge of market specific offerings.
Good value for the money, much easier to work with than Verizon. On-shore technical support and extremely helpful sales reps.
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I find myself engaged to the most remarkable woman in the World; unfortunately this necessitated moving out of Verizon land where I enjoyed 10/1mbit/s DSL service and into Frontier land. Called them a few months prior to my move to inquire about which services were available at my new address; was told that I could get 7mbit/s download and 768kbit/s upload at $20/mo the first year and $39.99/mo thereafter. The modem rental fee can be waived since I already own several compatible DSL modems. Dry loop is available in my market though I don't intend to avail myself of it as I like the inherent reliability of POTS.

Placed my order as soon as I moved in with my fiance. Installation scheduled for Monday when ordered on a Thursday. No charge for installation. I've already run new inside wiring for the DSL connection and intend to ask them to install a filter inside the NID when they arrive.

Technician calls at 8:30am Monday to verify that I'm home. Indicates she will be out as soon as she is done hooking things up at the central office. She arrives at our house shortly thereafter and the installation goes quickly and smoothly. Unfortunately I'm only provisioned at 3.0/384; I ask about this and am told that it is the highest speed available for consumers in our market. Apparently the sales rep who told me otherwise was misinformed. I ask her what can be done about this -- I work from home and need more than 384kbit/s of upload -- she says I can get 6.0/768 business class service and she'll forward my information to a local rep who can get me set up for that service.

The local rep calls me two days later and apologizes for the bad information previously provided; apparently the national sales people lack market specific information. She tells me that 6.0/1.0 mbit/s business class service is available for $80. After some negotiation she agrees to sell us that service for $59.99/mo with a three year commitment. Since it's business class service I can obtain a static IP for $10/mo more; I decline this option at the time but would ultimately have it added later.

All in all things went well. I'm disappointed that the national rep gave me inaccurate information but that's par for the course with large corporations. I find Frontier much easier to deal with than Verizon; Verizon has a "take it or leave it" attitude which was not in evidence when dealing with Frontier. Their reps are helpful, outgoing and willing to work with you to ensure that you get the service you need.

I'm paying more money than I thought I would be but the underlying price is the same as my Verizon DSL while the extra $10 for a static IP is cheap for the functionality it provides. Having a business class connection is nice; no blocked ports, promised speed delivered 24/7 and the knowledge that my price is locked in for at least three years.

One other item of note: The person who placed my order spelled my name correctly on the account but completely messed it up for the PPP/e-mail username. The install technician told me this could be fixed with a phone call if I wanted but I told her not to bother since I won't be using their e-mail address.

To explain my ratings:

Pre-sales information 3/5: This would be a 1/5 if it wasn't for the excellent experience I had working with the local rep. The national sales reps lack market specific information but if you can get a local one on the phone you'll be in excellent hands.

Install Co-ordination 5/5: They showed up when promised and didn't charge an installation fee. The technician was knowledgeable and thanked me for making her job easier by doing the inside wiring. She was on-site less than twenty minutes and referred me to the awesome local sales rep.

Connection reliability 5/5: My connection is stable and thus far delivers my promised speed 24/7; I get 5.89mbit/s on download speed tests and 1.01mbit/s on uploads. What more can you ask for when they sell you a 6.0/1.0 connection?

Tech Support 5/5: Worked with them to get my static IP configured after it was ordered. They are on-shore and knowledgeable; it took longer than I would have liked to get the static IP configured but that was attributable to my bringing a non-Frontier modem. The technician worked with me in spite of this and together we figured it out.

Services 5/5: What can I say here that wasn't covered in my written review above?

Value for money 4/5: Same price as my 10.0/1.0 DSL from Verizon before the extra $10 for the static IP. The price is more than fair for what I'm getting; my only wish is for them to have ADSL2+ so I could get a higher download speed. I've about topped out what G.dmt can deliver but I'm close enough to the CO to benefit from ADSL2+ should they opt to make it available.

Modem signal/sync stats:

Line Mode ADSL_G.dmt

Data Path INTERLEAVED

Transceiver Information Down Stream Path Up Stream Path

DSL Speed (Kbits/Sec) 6944 1152

Margin (dB) 17.6 7.0

Line Attenuation (dB) 26.2 13.5

Transmit Power (dBm) 17.9 11.9

member for 16.1 years, 842 visits, last login: 10 years ago
updated 11.8 years ago


Eagles1221
join:2009-04-29
Vincentown, NJ

Eagles1221

Member

Let us know

If your speed starts to suck or they hit you with a modem fee. My clients own their own modems and get hit with a "foreign modem fee" for the same price. Even more annoying is they turn the wifi off on the Westell 327W and say if we want it its an additional fee..for wifi..on our own device.
Crookshanks
join:2008-02-04
Binghamton, NY

Crookshanks

Member

Re: Let us know

They can't hit me with a modem fee, at least not until my contract expires. It's spelled right out in the schedule, "Modem Fee - $0". I'll negotiate a new deal when the contract expires, if they raise my price. If the price stays the same I'll adopt the "If it's not broke, don't fix it." approach and let sleeping dogs lie.

Interestingly enough they sent me a modem even though I brought my own. E-mailed my sales rep offering to return it and she told me it was mine to keep. Frankly, I doubt they even have an inventory system to track the things.

No issues with the speed thus far. My fiancee and I don't do much video streaming (or TV watching in general) during the summer months but every time I've needed my 6mbit/s it's been there, peak hours or off-peak, hasn't mattered. Upload speeds are consistent as well, which is hugely important for telecommuting.

Review by kb7urx See Profile

  • Location: Orofino, Clearwater, ID, USA
  • Cost: $60 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 3 days
7mb DSL up 99.9% of the time. Download speeds in excess of 500k!
Westell 7500 modem/router limited to 54mb (802.11g mode) No N mode!
Went back to old Westell 6100 modem and Netgear WNDR3700 router!
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I recently upgraded from a 3mb line to 7mb after problems encountered with 6100 modem talking to my aging wrt160. Frontier tech support said problem was modem and sent me out a Westell 7500. much like the 6100 but with 802.11a,b,g and topped out at 54mb g standard.

Comms were slow and didn't enjoy being speed-limited at G mode. (It took nearly 2 days to download Far Cry 2....finally gave it up after half a dozen re-starts!)



Purchased Netgear WNDR3700 wifi router and put the Westell 6100 modem back into service.(BTW...it works fine! Not sure why tech support said pitch it in the trash!)!

Now I enjoy 500-800kb/s+ download speeds and downloaded FC 2 in 1.5 hour!

The 802.11N mode made all the difference.....the mode missing from the Westell 7500!

I also really like the simultanious dual-band capability of the WNDR3700, I can have the wife surfing, the kids playing PS-3 on-line on the 144mb, 2.4ghz side and with 2 clicks, I can go to 5ghz 300mb connection to download games or play MW3 on-line and never notice any appreciable slowdown on either band! I have an IP cam, a weather server, and 2 PCs on-line 24/7, 365 and never have so much as a hiccup now, except for the occasional power outtage, and even then, they're all setup to come back on and boot to the network when the power is restored.

In summation, Frontier has great DSL service, very reliable...but they need to update their modem/routers to at least conform to 802.11N standards if they're gonna ask $7/ mo. for a slow-poke 802.11g modem/router!

I'm very happy with their service, but am now $100 out-of-pocket for the WNDR3700, and paying an extra $7/mo. modem rental fee for a modem I'm not even using!

member for 12.1 years, 24 visits, last login: 11.7 years ago
updated 12 years ago


Review by clamps See Profile

  • Location: Monroe, Snohomish, WA, USA
  • Cost: $82 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 8 days
  • Telco party Verizon
Consistent speed and reliability, non-offshore support, short wait times
Some order confusion
Generally positive
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We've had DSL from Verizon (now Frontier) for about 7 years now, and it has generally been problem-free. During the Verizon-Frontier transition, the DSL went out once, but it was resolved quickly by tech support.

We also had some ongoing issues with the modem losing sync, but it turned out to be internal wiring and not Frontier's fault at all; we ran new CAT5 directly from the NID to the modem and disconnected the house wiring completely. The problems vanished, with a consistently good noise margin.

I recently called to upgrade our service from 3mbit to 7mbit and it was switched over 5 days later (at 9pm on a Sunday -- weird).We have a downstream attenuation of 45dB, so I was not sure if 7mbit service would work; however, the line must be of high quality since we still get a good 16dB noise margin after the upgrade (was 22 before). Based on the attenuation, we are probably about 3.3km from the DSLAM. Google Maps says we're more like 5.5km from the CO, so we must be fed out of a remote.

Last week I ordered a second 7mbit line via their SecondConnect offer. The tech showed up on time and connected the line, but there was no DSL signal after he left. There was a dialtone however. I called the next day to report the issue, and they will be sending out a tech today or tomorrow to look at it; although I expect the problem is at the CO. Neither modem syncs up on the new line, and they both sync on the old.

My intention is to bond the two lines together using a GRE tunnel with a Linux box as a router. The Linux box has multiple NICs, one connected to each modem and one for the LAN. The GRE endpoint is a Linode VPS in a datacenter somewhere. Aggregating the bandwidth should let me achieve approx. 14mbit download speeds. I will route bandwidth-intensive protocols like HTTP through the tunneled connection and route latency-sensitive ones (gaming, DNS) through one of the DSL connections directly.

There was a mix-up regarding the second line's phone number; they one they gave me was different than the actual number I see on caller ID when I call out. This may or may not have something to do with the DSL not working on that line. I'll update this review with the resolution.

Some people have reported billing problems with SecondConnect; obviously I haven't seen the first bill yet, so I will update the review if there are any problems.

Overall, I'm happy with Frontier. Despite the installation mix-ups (assuming they are resolved shortly) I'm glad that somebody provides broadband at my location. Satellite barely counts as broadband, and Comcast would require thousands of dollars to run cable up the street, and neighbors have reported that it is slow in this area.

We have luckily not had any speed issues that others are reporting; however, I would like them to improve their routing in the Seattle area. It seems that connections often get routed down through CA and back when connecting to other servers in Seattle. This is a bit inefficient with regards to latency, but it's not a show-stopper.

[Update 2/10/2012] No tech visit, but the DSL started working on the second line this morning. They must have finished the work connecting me at the CO. My first speed test on the bonded connection showed this result:

Download Speed: 15652 kbps (1956.5 KB/sec transfer rate)

Upload Speed: 1415 kbps (176.9 KB/sec transfer rate)

A few downloads show a pretty consistent speed of about 1,500K/sec. Needless to say, I'm pretty happy!

member for 12.1 years, 17 visits, last login: 6.4 years ago
updated 12.1 years ago


scottymead
join:2007-07-29
Post Falls, ID

scottymead

Member

I love Frontier!!!

When I lived Spokane, Washington I had Comcast Cable Internet since 1999, I live in Idaho now and have Frontier DSL in the time I had Comcast in Spokane, Washington... I have to say Comcast sucks, they might be faster then Frontier but I have had zero issues with Frontier and the one issue I had with E-Mail... it was quickly resolved by Customer Service, which they fixed without me having to do anything, they were able to remote network into my computer, solve the issue. Also have the business card of the tech who installed my service, he said if I have any issues to call him and he would solve my issue either over the phone or come out to fix it, I cant say I know any other company that would do that. I have also had Time Warner Cable Internet here in Idaho and Time Warner is far the worse!!!!! Happy with Frontier!

Review by scottymead See Profile

  • Location: Post Falls, Kootenai, ID, USA
  • Cost: $36 per month (24 month contract)
ALL IS GOOD. LOVE IT
NONE
LOVE IT
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I love it, the installer was great, I have two choices, Time Warner or Frontier.... Frontier is far better then Time Warner. No Problems!!!!

member for 16.6 years, 3243 visits, last login: 7 years ago
updated 12.1 years ago







Review by Chawk12 See Profile

  • Location: Everett, Snohomish, WA, USA
  • Cost: $40 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 2 days
No more waiting for a web page to load.
Am only 8 blocks from the CO. Should be getting 7 meg consistantly.
Satisfied for now.
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Ordered DSL Turbo. Supposed to be 7 Meg max usually runs around 5 Meg. Am not paying the modem fee since I already have my own. I watch a lot sports and use this mostly for video streaming.

Would rather have FIOS but this seems the best deal for now. According Comcast's website 40 bucks a month would only get me 1.5 Meg.

»www.speedtest.net/result ··· 3455.png

member for 12.2 years, 426 visits, last login: 155 days ago
updated 12.1 years ago


Eagles1221
join:2009-04-29
Vincentown, NJ

Eagles1221

Member

Modem Fee

How did you get around that? I have my own modem and they sock a "modem support fee" on my bill.
Chawk12
Premium Member
join:2011-12-26
Everett, WA

Chawk12

Premium Member

Re: Modem Fee

I'm in a former Verizon area that Frontier took over. We never had a modem fee. Instead Frontier has tried to get us to "upgrade" to a Westell 7500 modem for $6.99 a month. At that price the modem's paid for in about six months.

Have you alerted your state's attorney general or utilities commission about the fee? You shouldn't have pay to for something you're not getting.

bn1221a
@rr.com

bn1221a

Anon

Re: Modem Fee

They get around it by calling it a "modem support" fee if you use your own mode.

Review by Intoxicoded4 See Profile

  • Location: USA
  • Cost: $40 per month (6 month contract)
  • Install: about 7 days
Great Bandwidth and Reliability
Billing and Technical Support leave a lot to be desired.
I'm satisfied with Frontier Communcations
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Around my neck of the woods, we have two options. Option A is over sold Suddenlink and Option B Frontier Communications. I went with Frontier due to the Bundling options they presently have. Nationwide long distance with 3000/768 internet for around 40 and some change a month.

The installer was professional but slow at the same time. It took around one hour to hook me all the way up. The only reason being is that I wasn't quite provisioned at the Central Office yet.

The equipment is a lot better than what I originally thought it would be. The Westell 7500 suits me fine, after I set it up to assign statically instead of dynamic. Billing and Technical support with Frontier, is like skipping rocks into a stream or lake, You get lucky sometimes. I've yet to have any downtime with Frontier in these three month's I've had them. Pings on the other hand I had a little trouble at first. Setting up with a static routing system helped me a lot.

Thanks to the people over at the Frontier forums for the suggestions and great reading.

member for 12.9 years, 851 visits, last login: 9.6 years ago
updated 12.3 years ago


Dissatisfied
@frontiernet.net

Dissatisfied

Anon

service stinks


We have had Frontier for over a year now, switched over from Sudden Link, I never thought phone service could get this bad to the point where I'm seriously considering canceling my phone altogether.
We have been without long distance service for over a week, when I called Frontier they told me that it would be 6 days before they could look into MY problem. Well that was yesterday, still no long distance service. I have spent over an hour on the phone being put on hold, being told they don't know what is the problem.
I feel they don't care about my situation, so I am going to order Vonnage today. S(*& Frontier.

Review by thespaugh See Profile

  • Location: Stanwood, Snohomish, WA, USA
  • Cost: $25 per month (12 month contract)
3MB /768 dry loop DSL for $25/month
Took them 9+ months to fix network problems
Wish I had faster speed - but 3MB for $25 is not bad.
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Update 8/20/2011 - Well after calling literally every other week for months and getting the run around...two weeks ago I saw multiple Frontier Trucks combing the 10 miles in and around my neighborhood.

Low and behold I've had the advertised 3MB / 768 speed all day again. It appears they finally fixed the problems in my neighborhood. Thank God!

----

4/3/2011 - Stanwood, WA - Verizon sold their customers to Frontier in my area and my speed has slowed in the evenings. I work remotely from home and have had Verizon DSL for a couple years ...it met the advertised 3MB speeds 24/7.

I've had Frontier for 9 months and for the last 6 months my speed has dropped to 1MB between the hours of 4pm and 1am everyday.

Frontier tech support (20 year old girls in West Virginia - this is no joke) is useless. I've called "tech support" to complain a dozen times. I get the canned answer "our tests show your line is working properly", "did you check your cable to your router" (oh, yeah at ~4pm everyday I switch the cable for a non-working one)...but when I push them they "talk to their manager" and given me some new excuse, most recent being "we're upgrading the lines in the WA state...it'll be another 30-60days".

In other words, call back in 2 months to complain again. I wish I had another option where I live.

member for 13 years, 15 visits, last login: 12.3 years ago
updated 12.3 years ago


Review by Red_Wings See Profile

  • Location: Grass Lake, Jackson, MI, USA
  • Cost: $65 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 10 days
Price, reliability, speed, only provider who would come out this far in the country
Could be faster but now I would be getting picky.
Very happy. Especially after coming from HughesNet.
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Had HughesNet for almost 2 years and thought I was going to go crazy with all their stupid limits. Frontier bought out Verizon in our area and quickly installed DSL.

I got the 3 to 7 mbps package which put us into the Triple Play. After its all said and done, it only added $14 more on our bill. That would be a savings of $122 from HughesNet!!!

The order and install was excellent. It took ten days because they just launched DSL in our area and there was everyone getting connected.

The equipment installed was the Westell 7500.

I have only had Frontier for only 2 weeks now but I'm in love so far. Probably because I had that worthless HughesNet for the last two years. Looking forward to getting a little more speed but for now, I cant say a bad thing about Frontier.

Everyone I have dealt with so far have been extremely nice and helpful.

The stated total monthly cost of $65 is with home phone included with every feature including unlimited calling within the continental United States.

member for 12.9 years, 154 visits, last login: 7.5 years ago
lodged 12.4 years ago


Review by george357 See Profile

  • Location: Hot Springs, Madison, NC, USA
  • Cost: $65 per month (24 month contract)
  • Install: about 7 days
Relatively Fast internet and unlimited phone for cheap.
Network is in disrepair but being worked on!
Best one could get this far out from "civilization"!
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I was transferred over to Frontier from Verizon as were many others. Since Frontier has taken the reins we have had an increase in quality of service with the addition of DSL becoming available. Frontier is putting much effort in upgrading the mess Verizon left here and they are doing a wonderful job of it. They respond to service calls somewhat reasonably and their techs are very knowledgeable and helpful. As the upgrades continue from Frontier I will update this review with pertinent information.

member for 14.5 years, 2812 visits, last login: 265 days ago
lodged 12.6 years ago

ericmcdaniel
join:2010-02-04
Mcdavid, FL

ericmcdaniel

Member

messed up business model...

I'm glad they're taking better care of the customers THEY paid to get than the customers who pay THEM...