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Review by davidausman 
Posted: 8.7 years ago
member for 8.9 years, 6 visits, last login: 7.3 years ago
 Arlington,Arlington,VA
 $55 per month (12 month contract)
 about 1 days
 "Incredibly quick and competent phone support. Good switchover documentation."
 "Seems expensive. They censor newsgroups."
 "Best DSL company I've ever dealt with. Tech support is superb."
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I was with Flashcom which went bankrupt (and they deserved it because of their bad tech support). I was impressed with the documentation Covad sent me regarding the switchover so I decided to go with them. Then when I called their tech support they actually answered the phone on four seperate occasions in under two minutes and their staff was very knowledgable. Well, that sold me completely. The connection speed has been excellent. It looks like about 580k download. I also moved my website to their space and the site loads much quicker. I get five email accounts which is nice.
They use a dynamic IP and PPPoE.
Apparently they censor newsgroups because I noticed the list was missing stuff I could get under Flashcom. Also, their agreement makes a totally big deal about pornography. Frankly, I don't believe in censorship. On the other hand, their service is so outstanding that I am putting up with it.
My switchover took 1 day. Very impressive.
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Review by cliff_s
Posted: 8.7 years ago
member for 8.7 years, 6 visits, last login: 8.6 years ago
Richmond,Henrico,VA
$54 per month (12 month contract)
about 2 days
 Covad
CLEC party: Covad
"Faster Service than Flashcom, dial-up service 10 hours a month, no waiting for tech support"
"Covad refuses (like Flashcom) to tell you how to hook up to a LAN for residential use"
"It is working, it's fast (495/106) for 608/128 service and LinkSys Routers work"
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Thank you DSL Reports and to everyone who took the time to post here!
Conversion from Flashcom to Covad went very well. I was up in less than 48 hours and had the dial-up service to fill in the gaps. While talking to tech support about a dial-up question, the first thing they said was, "let's see if your line is up yet". It was. Flashcom was Static and Covad is dynamic addressing.
After a couple of days I had given up on DSL with Covad. Multiple calls with them and LinkSys made it look like nothing was going to let me connect the Internet with my LAN. I went through my DSL file and saw an earlier message I had saved and printed from this forum. So I am returning the favor.
PROBLEM: Can't connect my Covad connection to my LAN with a LinkSys DSL Router (model BEFSR11). My OS is WIN98. My Speed Stream DSL Modem is plugged into a LinkSys DSL Router, which is plugged into a plain vanilla 8-port hub. The hub can have up to 8 computers plugged in depending upon who is at home (we like messing with computers).
RESOULUTION: Go to LinkSys web browser page (see your instruction book for the URL). Check the LinkSys Web site to see what is the latest Firmware version (linksys.com) available.
1. Go to Linksys "Setup" page via your LinkSys DSL Router. It's your default IP address of your router. (Model BEFSR11 & BEFSR41 user guide page 12).
2. Set > WAN IP Address to "Obtain an IP Address Automatically"
3. Set > PPPoE to "Enable", and check "Connect on Demand" and "Keep Alive"
4. In the "User Name" box type in your EMAIL address (which should be "your user ID"@covad.net) and enter your password in the "Password" box.
(Example = johndoe@covad.net).
5. Click on "Status" tab at the top of the page
6. Look under WAN, DNS. Write down the IP numbers
7. Click on >Start>Settings>Control Panel>Networking>TCP/IP ->(for your NIC card)>Properties>DNS Configuration>"Enable DNS" ...(I listed my host here, but you may not have to)
8. Under "DNS Server Search Order", add the IP numbers you wrote down earlier and click on >OK>OK
9. Try out your connection and test your speed here at DSL Reports!
10. Give your time and help someone else out.
Good Luck!
p.s. I have informed LinkSys of this installation process.
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Review by aldawile
Posted: 8.7 years ago
member for 8.7 years, 9 visits, last login: 7.8 years ago
Riverside,Riverside,CA
$55 per month (12 month contract)
SBC
CLEC party: Covad
"FASTEST HOOK UP EVER (less than 4 hours hookup)"
"waiting to find out...."
"with this kind of hookup speed....who cares about anything else?"
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After my initial DSL ISP dumped me because "residential wasn't profitable" for their company, I wasted 3 months trying to get Winfire access. Well I did! only for their final outage to happen 30 MINUTES after I went live for the first time.
Outraged, I went to TST Onramp that jerked me around till I cancelled my account request with them.
THEN I called Covad and got hooked up with their "Safety Net" that was still valid from my first DSL ISP disconnect. They put me together with Covad.net and told me I'd be live in 1-3 days most likely. If not, then it would be 7-10 days max. I already had the Speedstream that I was using from my first DSL ISP so I didn't have to wait for shipment...
I WENT LIVE IN LESS than 4 HOURS!!!
Covad.net is giving me 290down/240up with a 604/128 package. (Still scratching head on that one.) Their sales reps were not very knowledgable...but I'll tell you what. I don't care! I had almost no hold time whatsoever while on the phone with them. I came to dslreports and found a post about a guy who has the same Linksys router/hub I do and it works like a charm! (The router does the PPOe connect once you establish the settings so I didn't even download the software from Covad.net's website)
So All I can say is WOW!
If this connect keeps up, I'm going to be very impressed with a switch on that happened in absolute RECORD time. I was initially concerned about the dynamic IP but with a router doing the PPPOe it is entirely transparent to me anyway! Most excellent!
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Review by jazab
Posted: 8.7 years ago
member for 8.7 years, 1 visits, last login: 8.7 years ago
Lake In The Hills,Mchenry,IL
$69 per month (12 month contract)
about 5 days
Ameritech
CLEC party: Covad
"It is cheap"
"Information on the service and Customer service are defficient"
"No worth considering as an ISP"
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I was with Flashcom and my Covad Service level was Telespeed 144 (IDSL 144/144). I have a home office and need to connect 4 workstations. For that reason, Flashcom gave me Business Account (BizSurfer for $99/month).
I tried to find info on the services Covad.net offered and the costs. I had a very hard time. Having been satisfied with Flashcom's service and knowing the CLEC was Covad, I decided to trust Covad.net because of the Covad name. I was stupid. I placed my order on the Web site. The web site gave me Telesurfer as the only option. At that point, I did not realize that it was not the same service. Since they had invited me to switch over, I was under the impression they knew my service level with Flashcom and were offering an equivalent. The price was cheap and I did not look for more.
The first problem is that they disconnected me without any notification. My Flashcom DSL was still alive when they did.
The second problem is after 5 days I got tired of waiting for the promised email that would tell me the switch had been completed. So I called them to get a status. The switch had been completed! I asked what was the procedure to get up and running. I was told to call the same number and select the tech support option. The representative could not transfer me to tech support.
I called again and spoke to tech support. I was instructed to install PPPoE. I mentioned I had IDSL and a router. I was told the PPPoE software should take care of the router config (sure!). I hung up and installed the software. As I was expecting, the connection timed out. I called tech support back. I was then told my OS was not supported (NT Server). Great! I booted a Windows 98 workstation, installed PPPoE and the connection still timed out.
I called tech support again. I told them I add a business account with Flashcom and a static IP. I was told a business account with Flashcom required SDSL. I felt like the rep was telling me I was lying.
I finally got an answer: even though I have a home office with 4 workstations, I am still a residential customer. My config requires a static IP and Covad.net can not help me. I was suggested to switch to another ISP.
I sure was stupid enough not to investigate further before making the switch. But my recommendation is, base on the lack of good information on the service Covad.net offers and the obvious lack of knowledge and guidance offered by Covad.net's customer service, consider another ISP even if it cost a little more.
Hope this help someone avoid making the same mistakes I made.
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Review by dbeumer2
Posted: 8.7 years ago
member for 8.8 years, 309 visits, last login: 3.9 years ago
Longmont,Weld,CO
$64 per month (12 month contract)
about 7 days
Qwest
CLEC party: Covad
"Reliable, fast response from tech support, less expensive than competition"
"PPPoE, more expensive than Bazillion"
"Overall pleased with service"
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Switchover from Bazillion went smoothly. Unfortunately I'm 32000 feet from CO so all I can get is IDSL. Line speed is consistantly 130+/130+.(max 144/144) Using an Efficient Networks bridge feeding a Linksys DSL router to feed an internal network with 4 computers. Originally had dynamic IP with Bazillion, Now PPPoEwith Covad.net.
Qwest and Covad installation folks in local area are very good. Other than Bazillion going bankrupt, the whole process of ordering, installation and use of DSL has been a good experience -- Sure beats the 21k dialup performance I was getting !
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Review by piraino
Posted: 8.7 years ago
member for 9.3 years, 213 visits, last login: 3.8 years ago
Milwaukee,Milwaukee,WI
$75 per month (12 month contract)
Ameritech
CLEC party: Covad
"Not an upgrade or replacement, It's a DOWNGRADE!"
"Shop before you convert."
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So Flashcom is no longer. I signed up for Covad's safety net and was
connected this week. I was supposed to get the same service that
Flashcom offered me. Telesurfer Pro. I called covad.net to verify that nothing in my service woudl change from Flashcom to Covad.net Well, to my suprise, Tele Surfer Pro is not the same as what Flashcom sold me. Telesurfer is 1.5 / 128 for $74.95 per month!
First off, I now have PPoE. I did not have PPoE before, I had a static IP address. No biggie, but I prefer having a static IP.
Secondly, I was receiving 1.5/384 from Flashcom.
My line was slow but repaired by Flashcom, and it's worse with covad.net.
There are cheaper ISP's that will provide 1.5/384. Shop around. Covad.net
is not worth the price for the service they are offering.
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Review by bobhagen
Posted: 8.7 years ago
member for 8.8 years, 50 visits, last login: 6.2 years ago
Woodstock,Mchenry,IL
$55 per month (12 month contract)
about 7 days
Ameritech
CLEC party: Covad
"Switched from Flashcom - Everything has improved, and they answer phones!!"
"None"
"Increase in price from Flashcom, but I feel more secure about service - for now"
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Originally had placed order with Flashcom last May, and Ameritech dragged their feet (3 months) before installing a line for DSL. Covad quickly came out and connected once the line was in, and Flashcom service was acceptable, but not great. Ordered 608/128 with 2 static IPs, SpeedStream 5260 DSL modem, at about $46 per month. Experienced service at about 500/100, which was certainly acceptable for me, with ping times around 105. I am not a gamer, so that didn't really matter. Flashcom e-mail became VERY unreliable and problematic, and the eventual bankuptcy caused unneasiness. But Covad picked me up and did a switch-over in about 7 days. I didn't always know what was going on with the line change and got different stories when I called and inquired. I received a packet in the mail a week after I requested the switch, and called Covad to find out what I needed to do next, and they said that my line was ready. Technician walked me through the setup on the phone, and it worked first time. Service is still about 500/100 (using same SpeedStream modem), but ping time has improved to about 55 - 60. Covad uses PPPoE and dynamic IP, but I bought a NetGear RT314 and have all my PCs hooked up through it (done after connection with Covad following line switch). Found that the router needed the ENTIRE e-mail name (username@Covad.net - not just username) for access to Covad. E-mail service is much better than Flashcom - so far. Pretty good experience for the most part. But the most amazing thing is that I have called Covad about 5 times and NEVER ended up on hold!!! My hope over here is that Covad will take care of their direct customers before the other ISPs in the event of a major outage. 10 hours of free dialup is also included with the monthly charge. Free first and 13th months for customers who switched to Covad.net will also help lessen the expense.
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Review by endyke
Posted: 8.7 years ago
member for 8.7 years, 11 visits, last login: 3.2 years ago
Litchfield,Hillsborough,NH
$52 per month (12 month contract)
about 2 days
Verizon
CLEC party: Covad
"No hold time on customer service calls (a huge plus, being an ex-Flashcom customer!)"
"lack of experience with Windows Me"
"very happy, great phone support, great connection"
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Switching from Flashcom to Covad was very easy. The switch cutover was done within one day. I had some problems with the client software (not being a PPPoE or networking expert) but stumbled across the resolution, an Internet Explorer configuration issue that is either unique to WinMe or to IE 5.5. In this version of IE, under "Tools," "Internet Options," "Connections," there is a button at the bottom labeled "Sharing" next to the LAN Settings button. We have two computers networked to share a connection, so I clicked on "Sharing." I had to change the "Connect to the Internet Using" option from the 3Com card that is physically installed in the server to the Network Telesystems PPPoE adapter driver that is provided with the client software. Once I did that, I was able to ping both the primary and backup servers and start my browser software.
Hope this helps someone!
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Review by Hasher
Posted: 8.7 years ago
member for 9.4 years, 639 visits, last login: 18 days ago
Lakewood,Cuyahoga,OH
$74 per month (12 month contract)
about 1 days
Ameritech
CLEC party: Covad
"Line was reprovisioned from Flashcom to Covad.net with ease."
"None."
"Easiest switch from 1 to the other. I loved it."
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I was a Flashcom Bankruptcy victim but never had a problem with Flashcom. Well the good luck continued I received a letter from Covad and Flashcom saying I need to begin the Covad Safety Net process to switch me off of Flashcom. I did that and was given Covad.net with a good price for 1.5/384 service. Service was for Dynamic IP via PPPOE. Covad.net also supplied FREE dial-up service just in case the switch went bad. I came back from work and found my flashcom connection dead. I proceeded to then input the PPPOE information into my Linksys router and the name and password ( username was "username@covad.net) with the only issue being the name. I then looked at my linksys after it connected to covad and found the DNS servers assigned and I put those into my TCP/IP setup for my LAN card and i was up and running. Service has been flawless and I can download at about 160kbps. which is Phenominal for a 1.5/384 service. I loved everything about Covad and they were great in answering questions when I call support.
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 Review by Dude
Posted: 8.7 years ago
member for 9 years, 2138 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Chicago,Cook,IL
$54 per month (12 month contract)
about 3 days
Ameritech
CLEC party: Covad
"Covad is the CLEC and they are now my ISP."
"PPPoE not Static IP"
"Better than Flashcom and they own the DSLAM!!!!!!"
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I originally had Flashcom's service. I hated it. I had Flashcom's
package of 384/128 with a Static IP. When I found out that Covad bought
Flashcom's customer base, I went to the site to switch right away. I
went to Covad's Safety net Program and they told me I had 4 choices as
of right now of who can transition me the fastest. The choices were
DSL.net, Speakeasy.net, XO Communications, or Covad.net as my ISP. Well
I did a little investigating and found out that DSL.net, Speakeasy.net,
and XO Communications wanted between $99 to $149 to migrate even though
Flashcom went bankrupt. So I decided to go with Covad.net. They charged
no setup fee and also gave me my first month free.I also get 10 hours of
dial out access included in my monthly charge. The migration over to
Covad.net took roughly 3 days. My service wasn't even down. I tried to
connect to Flashcom's service and nada. So I called up Covad Tech
Support and they had me reconfigure my settings. In 5 minutes I was up
and running. I now connect to Covad's Service via their PPPoE Client.
Download speeds are the same. The highest I received was 40kbps. Which
isn't that bad. Could you believe that I am actually doing business with
the people who own the CO. That rocks.
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