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Review by NGW1031982 
member for 4.7 years, 72 visits, last login: 152 days ago
lodged 2.1 years ago
 Brookfield,Cook,IL
 $45 per month AT&T "Solid connection. Doesn't seem to have down time. Always same speed." "Can be slower then cable, the implementation of bandwidth caps." "It WAS good, but the bandwidth cap lower it's value a lot."
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Being a customer for over 5 years now, I have been satisfied with the service.
The line itself has been extremely stable, with so few issues and so rarely that I can't remember how many there were. I believe that I had 3 or 4 issues in the time I have been with them, and most they were resolved in under 12 hours, all within 24 hours.
I am on the Elite package running 6 Mbps down (630KBps) and 768kbps up (81KBps).
I have used the older speedstream 4100 modem, and it's still working in bridged mode.
The order and install process was basically simple at the time, but it's been a while. Everything was straight forward, and there were no problems.
Unfortunately the announcement of bandwidth caps (150GB a month for non-U-Verse customers, IE : me) makes the service much worse. On average I use 200GB-250GB a month easily, and so there is an additional charge of $10 per 50GB you go over.
It's a shame, as any U-Verse customer gets a cap of 250GB a month.
Comments:
 | | Slow but reliable Only had to reboot modem once or twice in over a year. Speed consistent and quality excellent | |
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 Review by steelgaze
member for 11.3 years, 2314 visits, last login: 1.5 years ago
lodged 2.1 years ago
- San Francisco,San Francisco,CA
- $35 per month
 about 6 days- Covad
- "relaible speeds"
- "Caps"
- "Decent for people that arent 'heavy' users"
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Regardless of the DSL providers I've had in the past, all the service seems to amount to about the same level. Support varies of course, as I heavily favored the smaller companies rather than larger national brands. AT&T was nice in the fact that they were cheap at the time, along with no contract term which I wanted for flexibility. Service was generally good with little to no outages. The initial package I was on was 3000/512, but since upgraded to the 6000/768 build on a promotional plan.
Initially I was paying 30 for the service, 3 dollars tacked on for taxes and crap, or at least they claim are taxes. Another 2 dollar bump in the price along with news of caps have all but driven me away sadly, as I'd probably would have stuck around with AT&T service.
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Review by phazah
member for 9 years, 1629 visits, last login: 1 days ago
updated 2.2 years ago
- Findlay,Hancock,OH
- $60 per month
- AT&T
- "Easy get set up, stable connection."
- "no tier above 6mb without switching to u-verse, shitty 150gb cap coming may 1, 2011."
- "Over priced, limited "unlimited" service. Looking for new provider."
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I have had ATT DSL since it first started under SBC. Was fine, crappy selection of higher speeds over 3mb/s and crappy tech support.
After nearly 10 yrs of service, they now force a 150gb cap on usage, reducing my desire to increase my speed over 3mb/s. Due to the 250GB/s cap on u-verse, my interest in switching has died due to 250GB cap could be used at max rate in 24 hours. Why waste the money when i can only effectively use my internet 1 day out of 30. Piss on them
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Review by totalradio
member for 5.6 years, 1525 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 2.2 years ago
- El Dorado,Union,AR
 Business customer- $99 per month
- (12 month contract)
- about 5 days
- AT&T
- "Speed is steady, very reliable."
- "Caps on service !"
- "If you can stand caps, then do it. Otherwise don't bother"
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03/13/2011 - Thank you AT&T for telling everyone what they already knew. You've decided to implement caps on DSL service. I will carry out what I said earlier... I will switch carriers as soon as possible. Looks like DSL Extreme for me
02/06/2011 - Very reliable service, because it has to be or you'll have to deal with someone that considers English a second (or third) language. Even with the slower speed (compared to cable) in my area, its still much better than Suddenlink.
Update - 10/26/2009 - Had an issue where I had to call tech support about creating a PTR record for my static IP. First level tech support was able to direct me to 2nd tier support where they could help me. A few emails later, my PTR was setup and smooth sailing.
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 Review by gregamy
member for 10 years, 3265 visits, last login: 3 days ago
updated 2.2 years ago
- Middletown,Middlesex,CT
- $30 per month
- (12 month contract)
- about 14 days
- AT&T
- "Installed as promised. Self-install package complete. After some repairs the service has been good."
- "SBC/Yahoo CD slammed TONS of crap programs on my PC; initial DSL speed unacceptable."
- "Better do your own homework on the technology BEFORE ordering."
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NOTE: This is a copy-paste, in reverse chronological order, of my ongoing reviews of AT&T service, which began as SNET service when I first subscribed a few years ago. Info still applies...
*****March 2010 Update*****
Unfortunately, I had to leave AT&T DSL. Not for customer service; as you can read below I was pleased. No, I had to leave simply because I needed something faster, and AT&T could not provide it in my area. I moved to Comcast cable access and took my phone number with me...
Some day I may go back, if they ever get faster speeds in my area.
*****10 November 2008 Update*****
The last several years have been pretty good. I've gotten consistent speeds, consistent service, and only a couple of calls for physical line probs (that were addressed promptly). As a result, I upgraded from basic (1.5MBit, $19.95) to Pro (3.0MBit, $30). After a couple of tech visits to fix physical line probs service has been good; I'm seeing ~2.5Mbit down and ~400k up.
Still with 'em after all these years...once again thanks to the tech support I get from this forum... - GA
*****01 September 06 Update*****
I re-subscribed again this year, except I chose to drop all unnecessary phone add-ons (voice mail, caller ID, call forwarding, etc) and subscribing to Express (I'm too far away from the CO for Pro) in order to get the costs down to ~$42/mo total.
My service over the past year has been good, and consistent. Despite the original teething problems, my transfer rates for the Express service has been a consistent ~380k upload and ~1300 download, despite the distance. I have to reboot the modem every month or so, but otherwise no issues. - GA
*******24 February 2004 Update******
It's been over 3 months since I repaired the outside wiring as described above, and my service has been excellent. Consistent max speeds, minimal - if any - noise problems, and minimal disconnects. The every-once-in-a-while new IP address still happens on occasion but it's manageable.
My 1-year anniversary is in May, and if this level of service is maintained - and they continue to offer the pricing packages that are competitive with Comcast Cable Internet - I will be re-subscribing to SBC DSL. - GA
*******19 November 03 Postscript******
Talk about your up and down relationship...
I've resolved the changing IP issue by adding a PC to my internal LAN, running a separate program that monitors the router's IP address and updates my DNS records automatically (DynDNS, see noeld.com). Not the perfect solution, but it works.
New problem: over the last 3 months I've been having connection problems: disconnects, extremely slow speeds, audible phone noise. It took 6 weeks and three technician visits (including an external wire replacement) to get rid of the audible phone noise but my DSL speeds were stuck at around 800. I finally got fed up and re-terminated all the outside wiring connections at the house and at the pole myself and cleaned up all the bits of insulation and corrosion that the telco technician left on the wires. Result: a very clean, consistent 1300/200 speed. While I'm not happy that I had to do this myself after three tech visits (the external wiring is supposed to be the responsibility of the telco) I'm glad it's fixed.
Frankly, if it wasn't for the help I got on this forum I probably would have canceled DSL long ago...I still can't imagine what the ordinary Joe is going through dealing without this board...
So, the relationship is "up" right now; let's see if it can stay that way for a few months...GA
*******22 July 03 Postscript******
Well, I'm unhappy again.
I've been watching my connection, and each and every night at approximately 12:54 AM my PPoE connection gets renewed and I get a new unique IP address. Every night.
I called tech support and was asked if I bought a static IP address. I told him no, and he replied that the system is set up to work this way intentionally "for your security".
One of my main intentions for buying SBC DSL was to be able to access my resources from outside my home. Since they are changing my IP address each and every night, and I have no way to determine what the update IP is from the outside, this "feature" has removed my ability to get there.
They offer you a "deal" to "fix" the problem; that awesome deal is $59.95 for eight IP addresses, despite the fact that I'm currently paying $29.95 and I only need one IP address. Given that the only reason I have a home phone line instead of using my cellphone for everything is that I wanted DSL, this whole schmozzle would cost me a total of about $120 per month for Internet access.
This new development is giving me great pause: I am seriously re-thinking Internet access alternatives, given the amount of money being spent.
*******18 June 03 Postscript******
Due to the work of the guys on this forum, my speed issue has been resolved to my satisfaction. My download speeds are within the expected range for a 1500k connection.
I was not aware that SBC connects at the slowest available speeds and monitors the connection for reliability. Once that's established it gets upped a notch and watched again. This is the 10-day "optimization process." Unfortunately, my SBC sales rep had signed me up for "192-1500" service, which meant that once I got within that range they stopped upping the speeds. Thanks to a gentle nudge it was upped to the 1500k level and now I'm getting speeds consistent with that (minus overhead).
In addition, the link provided below by DDAWG5150 gave me the info I needed to selectively uninstall the programs slammed onto my PC by the Yahoo! install disk.
I am satisfied now. A bit perplexed about the way the company works, but satisfied by the end result nonetheless. SBC owes you guys in this forum big time; you've saved them at least one long-term phone and DSL customer.
Thanks folks!
****May 2003****
After a new move I had to decide on my broadband connection. I came from cable modem with limited satisfaction (Optimum Online). I had a cell phone so I didn't need a landline; I use DirectTV so I don't need cable TV. Both SBC DSL and Comcast cable promised 1500/128 speeds, but the price of the DSL/phone was cheaper than the Cable modem/TV.
I was assured on three separate phone calls to SBC reps that I could expect 1500k speeds for downloads. I gave them each the new address and the previous resident's telephone numbers. All three assured me the speeds I could expect. Based on this and pricing, I ordered a landline and DSL. DSL was installed precisely two weeks later as promised with the self-install kit arriving a couple of days in advance.
The first big hassle was the install CD. Not content to give me a simple PPOE client, this SBC/YAHOO monstrosity installed tons of craps software on my PC without asking me what I wanted installed. I got a new browser, it changed preferences, added default parental controls, add-on toolbars, desktop and menu icons, significant registry entries (enough to add two minutes to my boot time on Win2K.) It made a total mess of my PC, and I can't find anywhere wher eI could have kept it from happening. [EDIT: search the forums here for solutions to avoid this - GA]
Worst of all, when I finally got it all hooked up, I noticed that my download speeds were about the same as my dialup earlier that night. I went to three different sites and used various bandwidth testers to find that my speed was not 1500/128, it was about 150/100. That's right: one hundred and fifty. [EDIT: SBC was horrible about explaining this "optimization/learning" process. An accurate description of the system would have helped me to avoid this dissatisfaction. - GA]
A call to tech support resulted in nothing: the guy told me that I had to wait 10 days for them to "optimize" the line. I told him that I was promised 1500 speeds; could I expect the "optimization process" to increase my speeds tenfold? He gave me no response.
I then took it upon myself to do some research, and it appears that according to this web site and others I'm anywhere from 12,000 to 14,000 feet from the CO. This is info that they had prior to making these promises to me; they knew better and I'm the sucker for it.
Where I stand now is that I'm an unhappy customer after less than 24 hours. I'll give them their 10 days, and then I'll probably exercise my 30-day guarantee. Then I'll cancel DSL, I'll cancel the landline (with all the neat little attached toys) and buy cable modem service.
Hopefully this will work out, but right now I'm not too happy...
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Review by goillini
member for 7 years, 1783 visits, last login: 50 days ago
updated 2.2 years ago
- Madison,Dane,WI
- $30 per month
- (12 month contract)
- about 3 days
- AT&T
- "speed, reliability"
- "phone-in tech support is so-so, privacy policy (or, lack-of-privacy policy)"
- "Rock-solid reliability at a nice price"
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(Updated 12-23-2008)
We had AT&T DSL for a little over 3 years before we recently switched to AT&T's Uverse DSL. We had the Elite DSL package and were very happy with the reliability -- over the course of 3 years we only had 2 outages, and those were within a couple weeks of each other. The only bad things I can say about AT&T's standard DSL is that the speed is not that great (6 Mbps was nice 3 years ago, but we were happy to switch to Uverse's 18 Mbps tier ... we are, admittedly, not typical home users as my wife works from home and requires a fast Internet connection) and their phone support is not always real helpful, either.
The first outage involved intermittent PPPoE disconnections. The first AT&T tech I talked to was pretty clueless -- I knew more about the modem than he did. Granted, I work in IT and kinda geek out on this stuff, but AT&T's techs should know their product better than the customers. So, he didn't have a full understanding of the different modes the modem can be in (in terms of where the connection is) and he also didn't seem to care/understand about the problem being 'intermittent.' The fact that it was working when I called in meant that everything was fine. I apparently needed to more carefully time my call so that it happened during one of the times when the PPPoE link went down (the connection would stay up for 10-15 minutes, then go down for anywhere from 2 to 30 minutes, then come back up for another 10-15 minutes).
I had to call back a 2nd time and spend close to another hour on the phone, eliminating any remote possibilities of problems on my end (tech: "how about we swap out every DSL filter in your house, in case one of them died") ... good thing I had spare filters from my previous DSL installs, or they probably would've used it as an excuse not to have someone check AT&T's end, which SURPRISE, was the problem afterall.
The second outage was similar, except that this time all PPPoE authentications failed, so the connection was completely down, not just intermittently. This time, when I called in to AT&T, there was already a trouble ticket open for my area, so I at least didn't have to spend another two hours jumping through hoops for their phone techs. The outage lasted almost the entire day (1 am to 11 pm).
But, those are the only two outages I had in over 3 years, so not too bad.
My only other problem with AT&T is their "privacy policy" -- if you can call "you have no privacy" a privacy policy. See »www.eff.org/legal/cases/att for some interesting reading.
Unfortunately, here in Madison, voting with your wallet and going with a company that doesn't let the NSA sift through your online data would mean using Charter cable (expensive, poor reliability, poor customer service and endemic billing problems) or TDS. I signed up for TDS phone & DSL when we moved to Madison, but after waiting for over 3 weeks and through several missed deadlines, we couldn't wait any longer and signed up with AT&T instead.
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Review by cduck
member for 4.6 years, 23 visits, last login: 2.1 years ago
updated 2.2 years ago
- Santa Clara,Santa Clara,CA
- $40 per month
- AT&T
- "Seemingly friendly sales person."
- "Fraudulent"
- "Sold me AT&T HSI Elite and couldn't provide the contracted service."
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I was sold the AT&T HSI Elite 3.0 Mbps - Up to 6.0 / 512
The network is EXTREMELY slow.
I was then told because the office is more than 10K feet away they cannot provide the service they sold me.
Sample of consistently bad results in DSL speed tests:
Download/Upload Kbps / Latency ms
893 /690/190
1870/335/64
1013/635/54
919/623/67
782/629/71
240/650/
1915/628/
317/648/
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Review by slowpoke
member for 10.8 years, 132 visits, last login: 1.1 years ago
updated 2.2 years ago
- Truckee,Nevada,CA
- $33 per month
- AT&T
- "Pretty reliable 3MB downstream except during holiday periods"
- "Performance is horrible during holiday periods"
- "cheaper than cable"
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I've been using this AT&T DSL since mid-2006 in Tahoe Donner (near Mogul Drive).
Service has been good, but in 2010 and 2011, I realized that during the holiday periods, when there are lots of visitors in town the bandwidth really starts to suffer. I don't think this is unique to AT&T. I hear other internet providers in the Tahoe region also have poor bandwidth during the holiday periods. I won't blame the part-time residents (I am one too); I think the bandwidth into the region has been oversold by AT&T and the cable companies.
I've called about increasing my bandwidth (December 2011). There is no option for an increase and I get the impression they will not take new DSL customers,
Speed has been 3Mbps, as promised.
Equipment provided was 2-wire DSL router/modem/wireless, but I am now using my own modem and router for DDNS and UPNP.
Comments:
| | AT&T DSL Need at least 10 Mbps to drive my HD Netflix streamer. Nothing near that offered by ATT DSL. These companies had better get with the program because new technology is coming and they are going to be left behind. | |
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Review by jakrob
member for 11.4 years, 203 visits, last login: 79 days ago
updated 2.2 years ago
- San Francisco,San Francisco,CA
- $35 per month
- about 7 days
- AT&T
- "No need for a land line anymore"
- "customer service is really bad, the right hand doesn't know what......"
- "if cable isn't your thing this is a viable albeit not perfect alternative."
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Now have dry loop dsl. basic service is slow, go for a higher speed, Customer service is not very good, they kept passing me off to another department. You can use non-AT&T equipment but you are on your own for set up. It's an alternative to cable but I wouldn't say it's better than cable.
update, the good news is there download/upload speeds are very close to what is advertised. The bad at least for me is I can't get any higher than 3000/512 in my area, but if you live elsewhere they do offer higher speeds. With one exception that was system wide, it has been smooth sailing. Also new customers get a great price for the first year.
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mfaklis
join:2007-10-09
San Francisco, CA Reviews:
 ·SONIC.NET
| AT&T Blocking port 25 I've been trying to get an Exchange server to send email for weeks, but yesterday a AT&T tech told me that they block port 25. The Microsoft tech told me port 25 is required to be open in both directions for Exchange to work,even if you server is configured to email as SSL encrypted over port 465.
I need an inexpensive DSL line that doesn't block any ports. Any suggestions? | |
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Review by lpdrumm
member for 2.2 years, 12 visits, last login: 2.2 years ago
lodged 2.2 years ago
- Reno,Washoe,NV
- Contract price not specified.
- "Sometime the internet connetion works"
- "My internet speed is around 0.5 in the evening and ATT can't seem to figure it out"
- "I'm switching ISP"
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I have had nothing but frustration with ATT. My internet service slows to nothing in the evening. The worst it's been was 0.07 Mbs. All the tech can say is.. That's bad, but your line is OK...
The last tech said he had another customer with the same problem. When I asked if he got his problem fixed the tech said no.
I'm done with them.
Comments:
| | AT&T DSL - CRAP (of late)! Lately I have noticed the exact same thing (TX). 6M line, though we've never seen over 5.
But lately it's WAY flaky, 1M, 2M, 3M - I've caught it several times a day in the past week or two where it's WELL BELOW the 'normal' 5.
I initiated a tech chat but did not have time to finish it. The one thing they were going to have me try is bypassing my router, connect directly to the modem. Guess what! no change.
I'm so done with them. The only reason I have not switched already is that we've had them forever, need to change all the important email addys first (per wife)!
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| | HeXxed
join:2010-11-06
Corning, CA | Re: AT&T DSL - CRAP (of late)! Same thing in Corning,CA 96021
5.2 mb/s in the day, soon as 7pm hits it dies to like 1.4 mb/s until midnight. | |
| | | | | Re: AT&T DSL - CRAP (of late)! DSL is not load specific is it? It should not fluctuate like that?
Last night was HORRID, 4-5 during the day but then it bottomed out between 7-12pm just like you....0.3M was my lowest reading!!!!
that's like frickin dial-up! or worse!!!
I couldn't even get some pages to load!!!
DONE. bye-bye at&t, hello suddenlink cable phone + 10MB inet. | |
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join:2010-11-06
Corning, CA | Re: AT&T DSL - CRAP (of late)! Oh, I believe you 100%.
I know how it is, I'm an unhappy customer as well. | |
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