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Review by DSLTech5 See Profile

  • Location: Hayward, Alameda, CA, USA
  • Cost: $70 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 7 days
  • Telco party SBC
  • CLEC party: Covad
Speed, Static IP, Not an ILEC
Remote Terminal provisioning process, Usenet
Good reliable internet access once you're on. BYO usenet.
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

I hard to order twice.
First time their system provisioned me as if I were not on an RT so I got disqualified. OK so they just recently started getting customers form RTs so perhaps there are some hiccups.
Second time it all went quite smooth, granted I did have someone who personally made sure that my order went in properly.

Hooked it up to my old Westell CPE and as soon as I saw it sync up, I requested my PPPoE username and password and had my Linksys router authenticate. I was up and surfing. I did receive the Broadxent modem a bit later. I use it mainly since it is newer and tells me more details about the connection stability, etc.

Rate is 6 Mbit / 800 Kbps. Traffic is limited to what you ordered. In my case I have full rate, so I have seen my downloads at about 5000/650 area.

One thing I hate is the outsource of Usenet/Newsgroups to a third-party company. They have good completion but the download rate is 17KB/sec. I am sorta used to Comcast, where typical rates are at least 75 to 150 KB/sec.

Its nice to have a static IP, and honestly I have yet to check out all the other features.

member for 23.2 years, 988 visits, last login: 14.1 years ago
lodged 20 years ago


Eagle 1
join:2000-11-30
Rocky River, OH

Eagle 1

Member

I didn't know covad offered 6000/800?

I didn't know covad offered 6000/800? Is it really only $70.00 a month? I have the speakeasy 6016/768 and i have to pay $99 a month. Of course, Pacbell areas seem to have more choices than the mid-west sbc-ameritech users.

Review by rhe See Profile

  • Location: Long Beach, Los Angeles, CA, USA
  • Cost: $59 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 10 days
  • Telco party Verizon
Their web site is both useful and exhaustive
After a month to transfer my domain, it still hasn't left Earthlink->Covad; advertised speed is always less than promisted;
Good and bad points
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

I have two DSL accounts for the two cities I live in so I can compare my DSL experiences when evaluating Covad.

In 9/02 I signed up for Covad in Long Beach, CA with a "special offer" for $39/mo, no contract, free modem & installation. Covad was prompt, their web site kept me informed of the stages in the process, and I have had few bad experiences until now. I wish they hadn't withdrawn their speed guarantee because this DSL is slow. My connection was supposed to be 384/124, but numerous tests carried out on this website have verified that the actual speed is about 1/3 of the advertised speed. I've also had a lot of "down time", but this is probably due to my phone line (end of the circuit) and line noise (Verizon's problem). At times when download speeds are particularly slow, I wonder whether a simple dial-up would do just as well.

Fast Forward to '04: An email from Covad informed me of a special offer for an upgrade to the "Telesurfer Plus" [I wish they'd change that embarassing name , but I digress.] So I jumped at the chance, particularly winch no additional equipment was necessary and involved someone pulling a switch somewhere. Any improvement from 384 -> 1500: No not so far. I haven't done speed tests yet but so far I'm seeing no change.

At the same time I elected to transfer my web hosting to Covad from Earthlink. This has been a nightmare and that's when my principal gripe was born. Here, I have had to deal with 3 companies (Covad, Eartlink and Network Solutions). These three sure like to pass the buck, and I have had to spearhead the transfer myself. [It's also difficult to deal with phone help located overseas.] After nearly a month, this transfer has still not taken place. Each company apparently prefers blaming the other two, and after two complete cycles in this game of musical chairs, I'm pretty fed up. It would have been a lot easier to cancel the domain name and reapply for it. [This absurd situation reminds me of the cafe sceen in the movie 'Easy Rider' .] Covad should have taken full responsibility for this since they're the only ones that would benefit from my transferred web business. I'm also kind of surprised by Covad's passing the buck since I had good relations with them from the last couple of years. And what about the 1500 Mb speed? It's still slow and am thinking about switching companies and/or handle my domain/web site by myself.

My lesson: look for guaranteed speed and don't transfer domain names if at all possible. I'll keep you posted.

member for 21.6 years, 8 visits, last login: 9.9 years ago
lodged 20 years ago

TheMonkey2
join:2004-02-07
Charlottetown, PE

TheMonkey2

Member

Transfering domain ..

The only issue you should have with Network Solutions is getting them to change the primary name servers to point to Covads. Once that is done the domain transfer is normally a simple operation. I can't see why Earthlink should be involved in the transfer process unless they registered the domain for you and aren't changing the DNS on your behalf.
ChiTang
MVM
join:2002-08-23
Alhambra, CA

ChiTang

MVM

Re: Transfering domain ..

If you register the domain yourself/(someone in your company) you should be able to log into netsol.com and change the DNS values to point to covad. Covad/Netsol is/are not responsible for the transfer. Once it is done, the actual content of web info should be transfer by you and you only. Onbody is going to do that for you unless you are paying somebody to maintain it on a regular basis.

Review by lua6 See Profile

  • Location: Brooklyn, Kings, NY, USA
  • Cost: $65 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 7 days
  • Telco party Verizon
  • CLEC party: Covad
Best price 1.5/384 + 1 static, support, no port blocking, reverse dns, 1 month Free trial
PPPoE, rebates, limited methods of payment
If you need static and more upload than 256k, get covad
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

My previous provider was optimum online. Though I loved them I had to get rid of them because port blocking, lack of reverse dns, and poor newsgroups.

So I shopped around and came down to 4 ISPs that could possibly offer me the services I needed, covad, speakeasy, acedsl, and digizip.

Digizip does not provide reverse DNS, they might claim they do but after browsing the Digizip forum I was quickly under the impression you would have to go through unbearable grief just to get it. So they were quickly out.

For AceDSL the prices were way too expensive for the services it offered, so I didn't take them under consideration for too long.

It was down to Speakeasy & Covad. If I was to sign up with speakeasy my line would be provisioned through Covad, so it comes down to the package features I'm getting since it will be the same line.

Speakeasy offers 2 static IPs + 1.5/256 for 60$/month with a cheaper promo price for your first 3 months.

Covad offers 1 static IP + 1.5/384 for 65$/month.

I guess you can go either way with the two. But for 5$ more and 1 less static IP, I chose to go with Covad. Speakeasy doesn't offer a 1.5/384 package anymore, but you can call in to request one.

The support has been great for Covad. Called in several times speaking to customer care reps and tech support all gave me no hassles. Also the Covad forum on bbr is flooded with individuals who will offer their assitance as well.

So if you ever run into trouble it isn't too hard to find help.

Also Covad's smart account manager is filled with information and options to change your account around without ever calling in.

Some gripes I have with Covad service is that it's PPPoE, DSL modem is free only after rebates(hate rebates), and you can't select to be billed by a letter bill..
Pings are much higher to sites I requent on DSL than when I was on cable

Also...
I haven't tested out their newsgroups yet...
Connection reliability... gave it a 4 because it seems rock sold so far but haven't tested it long enough to give it a 5.

Finally...
If your in the market for static IP+DSL on the east coast you should definitely consider covad or speakeasy.

member for 21.6 years, 1243 visits, last login: 16.6 years ago
lodged 20 years ago


Review by hockeymom22 See Profile

  • Location: Villanova, Delaware, PA, USA
  • Cost: $64 per month (12 month contract)
  • Telco party BellSouth
  • CLEC party: Verizon
It was a move order and they did everything they could to expedite it.
The original set up (2 years ago) they denied the $200 rebate based on supposedly receiving the rebate 2 days after expiration
The connection is great - set up was terrific... A signification improvement since original set up 2 years ago
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

Originally set up 2 years ago with Covad and it was HORRIBLE. They said they received my rebate 2 days after deadline (unlikely) and denied a $200 rebate. Said they were looking into it but just gave the runaround. I decided to give them another chance and they did a great job. Phone support was good. The move took under a week (ahead of their anticipated hook-up). Still holding a slight grudge regarding the rebate but judging their performance today - they are stellar.



member for 19.4 years, 7 visits, last login: 19.2 years ago
lodged 20 years ago


Review by payurbills See Profile

  • Location: Springfield, Fairfax, VA, USA
  • Cost: $39 per month
  • Install: about 13 days
  • Telco party Verizon
  • CLEC party: Covad
Proactively charge market rates for their products
None
Thanks Covad you still rock.
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

My review is short and simple....

I just switched from higher price Verizon DSL and signed up for the 21.95 for the first four month deal 39.95 after that residential DSL deal with no contract.

The same day I cancelled Verizon, I ordered with Covad.net..... 6 Days later VZ unprovisioned their DSL and 7 Days later Covad had the line sync'd and the Jumpstart Kit delivered via UPS....

Botton line... Saving money, same throughtput test numbers and now when I travel on business or for pleasure I can dial up from anywhere in the country for no additional charge...

Cheers

UPDATE!! So far so good... Not a single problem.. Over all Covad has been a pleasurable experience!!!!!

UPDATE !!! (12/06/03)

After not having a single problem with my Telesurfer Link (384/128) account I decided that the extra 10 bucks a month for Telesurfer Plus (1500/128) with the extra web space, email addresses and monthly dialup usage was just to good to pass up, so I upgraded using the covad.net personal manager webpage... Took just three clicks... Thanks Covad you rock!!!

UPDATE !!! (2/28/04)

I was notified by email that my Telesurfer Plus (1500/128) with the extra web space, email addresses and monthly dialup usage price would be reduced by $10, back to 39/month.

Thanks Covad you still rock. I just wish other companies would proactively charge market rates for their products like Covad...


member for 22.2 years, 670 visits, last login: 13.1 years ago
updated 20 years ago

rglemois
join:2002-10-16
Murrieta, CA

rglemois

Member

Covad comes Thru after 44 hours PA

Overall it went ok after a 44 hours of dead time. Did the self install. They had to rebuild my circuit twice. So far so good. 1200+ down 102+ up. ZIP 19030

He's how it went.....(un edited kinda a flow) overall I guess 44 hours isn't so bad.

1430 Sat 14 December. Talked with : Andrew. Some one should call by 6pm. From Level 2

Covad Trouble ticket: 648733 Level 2 support:

but you can use dial up at langhorn 215-478-3290

sunday 1040 Sun 15 Dec. tanya nothing noted on trouble ticket will trans to tech support.. (ensure free hours)

waited hmmm no tech support till 1430. sounds like it got kicked back to level 1 support. but they are backed logged. When i mentioned level 2 support tanya didn't know anything about it. Kinda frustrating. She said sorry for the inconvience.

darleen @ 1330. call back at 1500.

1500: darleen again. quick hold...level 2 hasn't gotten back to me. e-mail sent with my number. asked to speak
manager. tara. what is a reasonable time to take care of this??? ans...2-3 hours...

call back at 1630.

1600 called tech support Bobby. wasnt' tech support. it was billing. told me 24-48 hours to get this straighened out

craig. wait for update... 24-48 hours.. trouble ticket start time. 1330 yesterday 14 dec. geeze..

1810 called again.. Spoke with adrian. @ billing and credit dept. he's sorry about all the delay. is checking on the ticket. put on hold while he checks with level 1 tech support. the music is getting boring. try to get an update. waiting to come thru. guess I'll wait till tomorrow.

Monday 0200 Gail nothing noted yet... please hold.... oh the music.. the agany.... Gail sounds pleasant enjoys working the grave shift...
Bill at denver level 2 support.... working the issue.. not my computer or modem... swapped nics and modems.. same problems... co or redback some place.... has to go to network op center...

1030... WOW darleen again... (in canada in atlantic time zone. she's not a newf, and she never been screeched) transfering me to level 2 tech support...
Fred at level 2 support. dc area.. kinda doing the same thing as last night.. this is getting old. He rebuilt the circuit again.. WOW it's working
era2000
join:2003-12-30
Bronx, NY

era2000

Member

covad prices

You know what sucks with Covad.
If they ever update their prices you'll have to sign another 1 year deal with them to get the new price...

Review by mr4july See Profile

  • Location: Park Forest, Cook, IL, USA
  • Cost: $99 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 18 days
  • Telco party Southwestern Bell
  • CLEC party: Covad
Consistent connection, good ping times
None anymore!!!
Got their act together, very fast DSL
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

I have my Dsl through Covad.net. The service is very good here in Chicagoland....never have any downtime and ping times are good(50ms). The problem I have is that I have the 1.5/384 package and when I tried to upgrade to the 3.0/768 package...they cannot do it. I have called several times and have been told it is a server issue! They always say "someone will call you back", But no one ever does. I tried to upgrade on Feb 12, and as of today Feb 26 nothing. Does this seem ominous for the future of Covad, when they cannot upgrade exsisting customers and cannot tell you why? It does to me having gone thru Northpoint and Internetconnect woes before. Anyone else with this issue?

03-04-2003

They finally got it going and it is fast.....today I got 2545/650...smokin....way to go Covad.

member for 23.3 years, 935 visits, last login: 10.9 years ago
lodged 20 years ago


mfd35
join:2000-11-22
Westwood, NJ

mfd35

Member

Account manager

Try going to your account manager and do it from there.
mr4july
join:2000-11-23
Park Forest, IL

mr4july

Member

Re: Account manager

The online account manager has been out of service since they upgraded their site. All you get is a "this function unavailable", when you try it.
mr4july

mr4july

Member

Re: Account manager

03-01-2004....They finally got their website to work...upgraded online.....got faster speed within 1 hour......so far so good:D
mr4july

mr4july

Member

Re: Account manager

2545/650......very fast now dsl at this speed is great!

Review by sydnius See Profile

  • Location: Newark, New Castle, DE, USA
  • Cost: $64 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 15 days
  • Telco party Verizon
  • CLEC party: Covad
Pseudo-static IP, fast, reliable
Bit pricey, news server stinks
Solid, esp. if you require static IP
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

Have had TeleSOHO (1.5/384) for over a year. Zyxel 643 reconfigged in bridge mode to a BEFSR41. BEFSR41 handles PPPoE connection flawlessly.

Install was quick and painless (self-installed without a problem). Line has been solid for over a year with only occasional dropouts which are probably router related, cycling power reestablished connectrion instantly.

Covad has had news server problems on and off for as long as I've been with them. Only two connections are allowed, and DLs are capped at 16KB/sec. Eww.

Overall, great to deal with. News server blows.


member for 21.2 years, 1447 visits, last login: 179 days ago
lodged 20.1 years ago

SCSSlotter
join:2004-02-17
Los Angeles, CA

SCSSlotter

Member

Covad is as Inept as They Come!

Here's my horror story concerning Covad:

I initially attempted to sign up for service on 1/23/04. My call was routed to India, where my call was handled by a sales rep whose English was as poor as her knowledge of the product she was selling. After one hour on the phone answering questions which easily could have been asked in all of 15 minutes, she screwed up my contract and told me that it would have to be re-drawn to avoid any conflicts. I told her that I would call back, and I did so over the weekend, leaving a message for a different sales rep who is located somewhere on the east coast. In the message I left, I made it clear that the number I was leaving was my cell phone and that the service I wanted was for my home.

So, at what time do you think this woman calls me back on Monday morning? Try 5:45 AM. She leaves me a message saying that she wanted to get an early start w/ me. As unbelievable as that was, I did call her back later in the day. She re-drew the contract and told me to call her back on 1/29/04, as my phone line wasn't to be installed until that coming Friday, 1/30/04. I did so, only to spend almost five whole minutes on the phone w/ her before she had any idea who I was or what I wanted. It was rather insulting, to say the least. We finished up the details of the contract, however, and she told me that my order would probably ship on Monday, 2/2/04.

The following morning, I received a call from the tech dept. in India claiming that there were load coils on my still-to-be-installed phone line, which would prevent Covad from providing me w/ service. Mind you, this was after my line had been pre-approved on three separate occassions. I asked what could be done, and he told me that I needed to contact Verizon, who was to be providing me w/ my phone line.

I immediately called my sales rep, Susan Morrison is her name, and I told her of the situation. She told me that it was Verizon's doing and nothing could be done on her end. She told me to get on the phone w/ Verizon, as well, to see what might be done.

I proceeded to spend the next three-and-a-half hours on the phone w/ Verizon. Eventually, I was able to speak w/ supervisor who, in no uncertain terms, I explained what the purpose of this phone line was for. I told her that it was an unnecessary installation if I couldn't be provided w/ DSL service over the wire. She had the installation tech call me before he arrived that afternoon, and he told me that he'd test it for me once he had installed it. He did just that and was informed by two independent sources w/in two separate dept's. at Verizon that there were no loads on the line, and that I was good to go for DSL.

I called back to Covad that afternoon, 1/30/04, only to find Susan Morrison unwilling to check into the situation. She told me incessantly that Verizon was showoing a loaded line, and there was nothing that could be done by Covad. She told me I had to have Verizon check it out.

I called customer service at Covad, filed a complaint, and was referred back to the sales dept. to file a new contract. Basically, this sales rep told me the same thing that I had heard from Ms. Morrison, but assured me he would get w/ his engineer and see what the bottom-line was.

On Monday, 2/2/04, I called him b/c he had neglected to call me back. He told me that his engineer found loads on the line, and that I needed to contact Verizon. I, therefore, spent the following two days on the phone w/ Verizon, only to find out that there were no load coils on the line to begin w/, that there was nothing I could do even if there had been, and that Covad should have been the one on the phone to Verizon all this time, as they are the one leasing the line from Verizon for purposes of providing DSL.

At this point, I had had enough. I contacted the Covad's Vice-President of Customer Relations. She contacted her lead tech who, in turn, made two phone calls to Verizon, straightened the whole mess out, and shipped me my DSL package by Wednesday, 2/11/04. The reason it took so long to ship was, she wanted a Verizon tech to physically check the line to make sure there were absolutely no problems.

At this point, I thought most of my troubles were over. Was I ever wrong! During the process of obtaining service from Covad, I went approximately 800 minutes over my monthly cell phone plan. At a cost of $.40 per minute, I was charged $400 for a bill, which usually costs me in the range of $75 per month.

You can believe that I contacted Covad and raised Hell. I told them that they neglected their responsibilities, and I was forced to be accountable for something they should have taken care of in the first place. The vice-president of customer relations agreed w/ me and forwarded me to the billing dept. I'm currently in the process of obtaining a four-month credit from them. They've been giving me the same run-around as their sales dept., but at least I can always turn back to the vice-president of customer relations.

As for the service itself? Well, the new router they ship w/ their DSL service, the Broadxent ADSL Gateway 8120, is rather weak. I can't make the NAT work in conjunction w/ the firewall, and the NAT won't forward ranges of ports the way my old US Robotics router would. I've contacted tech support for Covad, asking how I might turn the Broadxent into a bridge and run it into my US Robotics router, but they have no idea and told me that I needed to contact Broadxent. I did so today, only to have them tell me that the ISP's that ship their product have signed a contract stating that they will handle all tech support for these routers. So, back to Covad I went...sounds ironically familiar, doesn't it?

One last note, the service itself (it's the 1.5/384) is nothing to write home about. The connection loses sync about once an hour, the connection drops for 30-60 seconds, then re-syncs.

Well, that's enough complaining for one evening. I'd love to hear your thoughts on my experience. Also, if anyone has any ideas on turning the Broadxent 8120 into bridge, the help would be much appreciated.

Shut Up
@suth.com

Shut Up

Anon

Re: Covad is as Inept as They Come!

If you had any idea about the technology....you wouldn't be saying any of this. Get a life and learn how to use proper grammar.

Anonie
@e-tronics.com

Anonie

Anon

Re: Covad is as Inept as They Come!

I have to agree that Covad is inept. I have multiple horror stories, which are to long to state here. Covad is the worst...that sums it all up.

Review by rx7mike See Profile

  • Location: West Bend, Washington, WI, USA
  • Cost: $99 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 14 days
  • Telco party Ameritech
  • CLEC party: Covad
Sales had all the info i needed. Service is stabil.
Ameritech/SBC and Covad communicate for crap.
Over all I'm happy. Next time im going to use a different phone provider.
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

Good Points.
1.Covad sales rep was very knowledgeable.
2.Covad tech/support/help line was great in trying to get some problems fixed during my ordering process.
3.Lines speeds are better then they thought I would get. I have the 3008/768 package at just over 10k feet and my speeds are about 80% of that. 280-300k down 77-80k up.
4.Shipped my dsl/router fast.(broadxent 8120).Plenty of emails stating the status of my order.
Bad Points
1.Ameritech/SBC and Covad need to fix their communication methods. SBC says call Covad, Covad says call SBC. Both had very polite phone support though. To bad it didnt fix my problem. Being polite and helpfull are 2 entirely different things.
2.Ameritech/SBC dragged their feet getting my data line switched to Covad. They even called me twice to see if I wanted to use their DSL.
3.Ameritech/SBC wont offer me these speeds? Why NOT? Works well from Covad. They said my line could not handle it. Obviously thats not true. And I've been using it full blast since it went live.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
2 weeks from now I'll make an update and see how stable the line is. So far I havent had a single problem, other then calling to get put on fast path.

Update feb 13th 2004
--------------------------------
Well looks like SBC is at it again. I got my phone bill and covad bill the same day. Guess what SBC is charging me for dsl service i dont get from them. So i call to dispute the bill, and guess what, they want to turn my data line off. WTF. They claim my dsl is coming from them. I explained to them that my POTS is from them and my DSL is from covad. Then the lady transfers me to a "Specialist" ha what a joke. After 4 transfers and no answers I get transfered a 5th time. Next I'm told to call covad?????? WTF do they have to do with my phone bill??? SBC is claiming my covad order was canceled on the 27th of january???Well its working.

ON a side note the service from covad is awesome. Speeds are super. I had one outage for 2 hours but it was due to maintenence being done to the DSLAM I'm on. Other then that been awesome!!!!! Big thumbs up to covad.

member for 20.1 years, 93 visits, last login: 18.6 years ago
lodged 20.1 years ago


ruscorp
I Never Stop Posting For You
Premium Member
join:2002-08-29
Earth

ruscorp

Premium Member

Friggin' baby bells

Typical baby bell dragging it's feet to save a fleeing customer. Happens to me too. SE/COVAD say it's Verizons fault and Verizon say it's SE/COVADs fault.

Don't let it hurt you though. COVAD provides great service. Good luck!

Review by hackysak See Profile

  • Location: Summit, Union, NJ, USA
  • Cost: $109 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 10 days
  • Telco party Verizon
  • CLEC party: Covad
Price.. Additional block of 5 static IPs.. SPEED 3000/768.
Excellent service, additional IPs and GREAT price (compared to other DSL providers)
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

---------------- UPDATE ----------------------

I've recently upgraded my package from 1500/386 to 3000/768. The price for this package is $99, however, since I have the block of 5 static IPs I pay an additional $10/mo. The transition to the upgraded service was EXTREMELY smooth..

Also, I've had to work with Covad tech support recently due to a bad line on my side. However, I dealt with at least 4 Covad techs and each time I called I was talking with a rep within a minute of calling (most less than 30 seconds). The techs I dealt with were extremely helpful and courteous.

PS - I'm still saving $10-$15/mo from what I was paying for Megapath's service.

---------------- ORIGINAL REVIEW ----------------------

I switched from Megapath to Covad mainly due to price increases on megapath. I'm currently saving around $40/month. This was a lateral switch, therefore the same service package (1500/384 + 5 IPs). The only difference between the two (that I know of) is megapath assigns an actual IP address to the router where Covad uses PPPoE to assign the same IP to it. Though, so far, I've not experienced any problems with PPPoE (I'm connected 24x7). Actually, there is one more thing I forgot.. Covad allows 10 hours per month of free dial-up usage with this account (megapath didn't, to my knowledge, offer this). Great for those who are on the road and don't have a dialup account but find themselves, at times, in need of dialup access. Covad also has a "dialer" program (for windows only, I believe) which has a list of all their dialups so you can locate one local to you no matter where you may be. I have yet to use this program, but I know it's available.

The roughest part of this venture was waiting to have the service switched from Megapath to Covad. Apparently, the line needed to be completely disconnected and then re-provisioned (even though Covad was the CLEC for Megapath). So, I had some Internet withdrawal while I waited for the switch (I was jonesing..).

Keep in mind, the timeframe I've included (Days from order to success) only includes the connect time. I didn't add in the additional time it took for line to be completely de-provisioned since this was dependent on Verizon as well. However, you can figure in 2 weeks for de-provisioning. One thing that was nice is Covad provides free dialup service throughout the entire process (at least they did for me).. I know, ugggg.. But it was good for checking email and IM'ing.

All in all, I found Covad to be extremely competent and courteous (especially since I must admit I did call quite often to find out how the disconnect process was going). The ordering process was easy and the salesperson I dealt with was extremely informative. She explained that it would take additional time since I was moving from DSL to DSL over the same phone line, etc. Once the order was actually in progress, Covad's customer support website includes all the details (and stages) of the order as it is in process. So, at that point, I could go to the website to see what stage of the connect process I was at. Also, to hurry the process along, as soon as the local telco has set up the line and is dispatched to verify the line, Covad sends out the Installation kit. The timing works out perfect for verification of the line (which takes about 2 days or so).

I've been using the service for around 2 weeks now and haven't noticed any problems yet. Everything has been rock solid. I didn't rate tech support because I haven't yet been in contact with them (the installation kit and instructions were sufficient to get me up and running)..

Keep in mind, price is my main consideration. I'm not made of money and where I can save money I will (and I've tried to work with Megapath on this issue, but they failed to get back in touch. Apparently, it wasn't important enough to them to warrant a response). I would imagine that the prices of high speed internet access should be going down as more people sign on. However, if it is the case they keep going up (because of greed, as usual), then, even though I am addicted to the speed, I will have to re-evaluate whether or not I really need this access. It's not really a necessity (plus, I can download what I need for home from work). I don't see Covad doing this, but I see the constant argument and price hikes by other companies (cable and DSL) and it's really starting to tick me off.

One other note. This package goes for $69.95/mo I believe. The price difference for me is an additional $10 for the block of 5 IPs plus I guessed at the taxes..

member for 22 years, 3572 visits, last login: 1.1 years ago
updated 20.1 years ago

bored_in_nh
join:2003-01-04
Stamping Ground, KY

bored_in_nh

Member

now with static IPs

I'm switching to Covad from another provider. I asked no less than 5 times "will I be connecting via PPPoE?" and each time the reply was "no". Same deal here ... 1.5/384 with 5 IPs.
ZeDeNx
join:2003-01-28
Brooklyn, NY

ZeDeNx

Member

Its you

Oh your the dude that was having issues with Speakeasy and was stuck on step 2 of the installation proccess?

So how did it go and why did you decide to cancel
bored_in_nh
join:2003-01-04
Stamping Ground, KY

bored_in_nh

Member

Re: Its you

pretty bad ... now with Covad and happy.

Review by un33k See Profile

  • Location: Richmond, Chesterfield, VA, USA
  • Cost: $69 per month (12 month contract)
  • Telco party Verizon
  • CLEC party: Covad
Lower price than my old Speakeasy service...lower pings
PPPoE, but it's not too much of a hassle
An ok provider....glad to have low pings again
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

I was sick of being backhauled from Richmond to Chicago by Speakeasy, so I decided to give Covad a go for a year. Due to a mix-up with their new billing system, it took a little longer than I would have expected to be switched over, but overall, it was worth it.

I can actually start gaming again, as pings to my gateway are 15ms again, not the 50+ms on Speakeasy. Anyone in Richmond should definitely give Covad a look.

member for 23.2 years, 856 visits, last login: 16.1 years ago
lodged 20.1 years ago