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Review by gtweddie 
Posted: 5.8 years ago
member for 8.7 years, 198 visits, last login: 4.2 years ago
 Lees Summit,Jackson,MO
 $27 per month (12 month contract)
 about 5 days
 "Best deal!"
 "You do not need extra programs on install"
 "You can't beat this!"
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SBC Yahoo!
I was with Earthlink cable, and enjoyed trouble free service for over a year. I kept hearing about the SBC yahoo deal for much less in price. I ordered the service 1 week before Christmas 2003 and had it up and running on the 24th of DEC.
You can't beat this deal and the connection is stable and fast (1300/200) as advertised 1500/384. The CD is set for the novice user and with any knowledge you can set it up without the extra programs on the CD. For the money you can't beat this ISP.
With the PPPoE and my router, it was a snap to install from the online setup that came with my SMC CD.
Some say Cable is faster! I have had them, and can say you will see no differnce in one or the other.
$27.00 a month!
What are you paying?
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Review by Dinamael
Posted: 5.8 years ago
member for 6.9 years, 50 visits, last login: 2.4 years ago
San Jose,Santa Clara,CA
$36 per month (12 month contract)
about 14 days
 SBC
"Less than two weeks from order to working DSL including xmas and new year holidays; speed tests are at the high end of range"
"None yet"
"Quick install, easy configuration of PPPoE on 3rd party router, fast line"
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I ordered DSL a few days before Christmas (Deluxe Package). I had working DSL on January 5th, two days before schedule. Not bad considering the holidays and the heavy rain which likely had SBC crews fixing broken stuff instead of installing new DSL.
The hardware setup was a no-brainer. The color coded wires and diagrams would have been useful if I was retarded. 
Thanks to a link from broadbandreports.com, I registered my new SBC account w/out installing all the custom SBC/Yahoo! software (I'd heard horror stories about the custom PPPoE software and was happy to avoid it). It was a cinch to get my Linksys router to handle the PPPoE once I registered my account w/ SBC, and I was off and running.
I ran a speed test. The Deluxe Package promises 768Kbps-1.5Mbps downstream and 256Kbps upstream. My speed tests averaged out to 1.3Mpbs down and 326Kbps up.
All I wanted was a fast line, and that's what I got.
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Review by kfarmer5
Posted: 5.8 years ago
member for 5.8 years, 6 visits, last login: 3.2 years ago
Campbell,Santa Clara,CA
$100 per month (month by month)
about 27 days
SBC
CLEC party: SBC
"Cheaper than the others, speedy lines"
"Cheaper doesn't pay for competence or reliability"
"Heaven forbid you actually try to run a business."
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(monthly cost includes an unused voice line)
This is a digest of the past year of my SBC experience. I've been an SBC customer for some time, and this has been, unfortunately, what I've come to expect of SBC.
Summary: Rampant incompetence, to the point of not knowing enough about the technology to forward the question on to someone who might possibly have answers.
While I can forgive people not being completely savvy regarding some of the less well-known aspects of networking, I cannot suffer someone who doesn't bother to think "Perhaps I should ask a coworker." This has lead to chronic issues with my SBC service.
First, the order process. Since it's freshest, I'll relate the most recent horror.
Like many others, we host our own email and web services -- perfectly reasonable for capable people to do. Therefore, we order SBC's Deluxe-S service -- 5 static IPs -- for $80/mo. We do so, and are told to expect service after two weeks, which places it just after Christmas.
A week before the due-date, my partner asks me to confirm the situation. I do so, and discover they'd changed us to dynamic IP service, and had already sent the modem in question. After wrestling with them to change the order back to what it originally was, including changing all our contact information (mailing address, phone numbers, etc), they tell us the modem will work fine for the static package. Of course, since we dared to correct the DSL order, our connection date gets shifted to today, 5 Jan.
The middle of last week, the modem arrives. Simple checks of the documentation and hardware shows it to be insufficient for our needs -- as we expected -- and I'm on the phone with them again. Because we're doing self-install (we're not paying $150 for someone who knows less about the hardware than we do to type in IP addresses), they refuse to send us the router. We're stuck using our existing Cayman; we ship the modem back, again correcting our addresses and phone numbers. They also say I have two different connection dates listed -- 5 Jan and 25 Jan. No explanation.
Last Friday, I call to verify matters with tech support, who suddenly decides "Deluxe-S" implies that I log on to the system, which gives my router the IPs. He refuses to listen when I explain that I'm on static, non-dynamic service. He gets flustered, goes nowhere, and we part company. I call back and find one of the handful of people who know what "router" means, and manage to verify the order is still listed for static. I had to check, of course, seeing as I'd had to correct it before.
Now it's the connection date -- apparently they settled on one. I call this morning to get the IP numbers so we can finally move the servers, and am told right off that I'm listed for dynamic IPs. The tech argues with me for a bit until I get him to check the records again. I'm placed on hold 2-3 times until he gets back, saying I am indeed on static service, with IPs not to be available until shortly before midnight. Considering I'm being billed starting today, that's pushing any ethical definition of start-of-service. It also delays us yet another day. I already have several hundred email needing processing, as well as another website that needs to be set up for hosting.
We'll soon see what happens with the connection reliability.
At our prior location, we were down the block from the local substation. Nonetheless, we'd suffer frequent periods of CRC errors -- thousands per minute -- on a daily basis. So far, the correction seems to be: power down the router, lift the headset of the (otherwise unused) phone, and wait a minute. Then replace the headset and power the router back on. For some reason, lifting the headset is required.
SBC's also had a history of dropping us from the routing tables, so that we would be connected (which for some techs seems to be all that's needed) but would not receive packets (which one or two would see as an actual problem). For a time, my tech support calls amounted to "here's my account info -- read the notes, and do what they did". Of course, sometimes I had to argue to get them to do so.
Once, provisioning even gave our IP numbers to a different customer, and made us wait two weeks to get new ones. Never mind that we were paying for a business account.
This time, we're on month-to-month, since we aren't getting any of the niceties of a year contract. We're also not on business service anymore, since it actually meant nothing for our service.
Thoroughly dissatisfied, but we haven't found any alternatives for what we need.
--- UPDATE ---
[5 Jan 2004]
So the connection was technically started on time. However, we had to spend an hour getting them to give us our gateway IP for our router (we'd been given incorrect information earlier). [At one point, one of the tech support people was trying to convince me that it'd be another 10 days before things would be provisioned -- and I'm expected to pay for this @#$@?]. I just downgraded them for the 2+ hours I've had to wrestle with them today alone. I even got as far as raising my voice -- he refused to even acknowledge that I was trying to explain things to him.
We're now able to reach the internet as far as that gateway and little further: tracert is showing very nasty packet loss immediately after the gateway, enough that we're effectively unable to do anything, and nobody can reach us. There's supposed to be a technician visiting the exterior lines tomorrow morning.
Every year, the speed gets faster, but the service becomes less.
[6 Jan 2004]
Finally got service. The wire tech verified our setup was correct and the line was clean. He had to issue us completely different numbers after even he was unable to get past the packet drops.
This order was placed 12 Dec, with service finally provided 6 Jan, requiring about 6h of my time making the same requests to people who should know better.
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Review by (hidden by request)
Posted: 5.8 years ago
(review was emailed from domain sbcglobal.net)
Libertyville,Lake,IL
$33 per month (12 month contract)
Ameritech
"We had dial up for six years. $10 a month more=384K down, 128 up."
"In our expreience, SBC Yahoo had trouble connecting sometimes."
"SBC Yahoo is great for tech support, but the sales dept. couldn't find the prices for faster DSL speeds to me."
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Review by lordskull
Posted: 5.8 years ago
member for 5.8 years, 1 visits, last login: 5.1 years ago
Salinas,Monterey,CA
$29 per month (12 month contract)
about 5 days
SBC
"No down time, great speed, can renew contract to get same great price"
"None so far"
"Great service"
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29.95 per month, DHCP address, PPOE
I have the 1500/128 burestable and have been really happy with it. I have worked for cable modem manufacturers and wireless alike. I know you guy's might have had good service with the cable modems, however remember that comcast is just getting started building out the service. The more people on your block the slower it will get.
You have to realize you are sharing not only the downstream 6 Mhz. channel but they have limited amount of upstream channels / frequencies to use. Also the upstream frequencies that are used are in the lower rand i.e. 22.500 Mhz. These frequencies are extremely susceptible to interference and also have to be shared between users on your cable sector. I am speaking from experience. Working in the technical support dept. as a Sr. Network Engineer I have seen the problems that arise as cable companies get more and more users on one sector.
Of course all services have their horror stories and this is just a situation of conditions that apply to you and your location and your lines phone or cable. I personally would not order cable unless it was my only choice or if my DSL was crap and I could not fix it.
These are just some of the many issues that plage any of these services. It's really hard to really bash one or the other because it just depends on so many factors personal to each user. I get over 1367.3 Kbps regularly with my sbcyahoo on my laptop and that is also over 2.4 wireless 802.11g link.
Not to bad in my opinion. Also I have NEVER had any down time in 2 years of service. Also one thing to note is that after your 1 year 29.l95 contract ends you can call SBC and sign up for another year and get the same great price. I just did that a month ago. SBC was nice enough to mention that to me while I was changing my long distance carrier.
Good luck to all who dive into the broadband market.
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Review by dreverett
Posted: 5.8 years ago
member for 8.1 years, 1202 visits, last login: 1.6 years ago
El Cajon,San Diego,CA
$49 per month (12 month contract)
about 10 days
SBC
"Works awesome most of the time- occasional problems- 3 major outages in the last 3 years"
"Telephone support is slooow due to "determining whose problem it is""
"Have patience when there is a problem- they will fix it, but it may take time"
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Long time SBC DSL user, been happy most of the time. If you have problems and can get online through other means during a DSL outage, the SBC techs here on DSLR are great and help out greatly.
I've had 3 major outages in the last three years, 2 lasting longer than 8 hours. Other than that very happy with the service.
It does help to know what you're connected to, as I found out on my last outage. I'm on an RT (Remote Terminal), and when it shut down a few weeks ago it helped for me to be able to tell them that when calling. (I wasn't the only one affected it turned out)
Other than neighborhood line maintenance issues, and the occasional RT burp, very happy.
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Review by rasheed
Posted: 5.9 years ago
member for 7.6 years, 33 visits, last login: 2.8 years ago
Corona,Riverside,CA
$27 per month (12 month contract)
about 16 days
SBC
CLEC party: SBC
"Great price, excellent Yahoo! benefits, install was easy"
"PPowhatever, must have landline, 1 year contract, slower than cable/Comcast, modem mixup"
"If you don't need the max speeds of cable, much better value for the dollar"
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My $19.95 cable modem promo from Comcast expired, and really $20 is about my price point for broadband service. Comcast did not try to keep me and you have to wait 60 days before taking a new promotion again. So, the search started.
I found the 1500/128 service for $26.95 (1 year term) was close to my desired monthly price. Then, Best Buy was offering a free modem ($90 rebate) and a $100 gift card if I signed up via them. Therefore, I was saving both the $13 shipping fee (but paying $6 in sales tax on the modem), and my monthly rate with the $100 considered comes down to less than $19 per month which is great.
So, I signed-up at Best Buy kiosk under the Takeout Standard Plus service. Takeout means you buy the modem at the store and send in the rebates. It seems the install lead-times were just terrible (at least a 10 day wait). So, I took the earliest date offered.
I got a confirmation of order received from both the Best Buy and SBC DSL order system. Then, I got an email saying my order was put on hold because they couldn't verify my number/pin information (this is because the order page didn't ask for the right pin id). So, I emailed them back and they went ahead and confirmed my order right away and scheduled me again (pushing my install date an additional four days because of the pin check delay).
So, then I wait. I looked over the modem, it is a 5100 (new), and has all of the necessary equipment. I also decided to download the non-software install directions from BBR so that I can connect without having to load in the SBC Yahoo software.
On the evening of the install date, I received a letter in the postal mail from SBC confirming the order and UPS had delivered a modem to me (what?? That was not supposed to happen.)
Anyway, I leave the UPS modem package alone (it is almost identical to the Best Buy package except without the retail packaging). I put all the filters on my phone lines. Then, I connect the modem to my router. I put in the special PPPoE login for registration from the BBR instructions. Had to clear out my old lease settings on my machine (was using my previous service providers DNS/etc.)
Modem synched up right away and got an IP address in the router to use. Went to the registration site and registered. Changed the login/password to my new information for the PPPoE and was up and running.
Did some speed tests (both via SBC speed sites and other ones), and was getting about 1300/130. This is close to the specs listed for Standard Plus which is good. I am on a RT (remote terminal), so I don't have the 256 upload yet, but I expect that should happen sometime during my contract term.
So, am I done? Not quite. I have to make sure I don't get charged a shipping fee for the UPS delivered modem (I did the takeout plan, it should not have been sent. I have a feeling that all takeout customers have been getting one sent to them too.) And, I have to send in the three rebates. And, I have to make sure I get Comcast to disconnect my Internet service.
What about the performance? It is a bit slower than cable modem was for me. Having a router makes it a whole lot easier I realized because it lets my computer network get updated almost automatically, and I don't have to do any PPPoE on the computers themselves. The Yahoo! Premium services (such as Launchcast, etc.) are excellent though.
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 Review by bull51
Posted: 5.9 years ago
member for 9 years, 855 visits, last login: 5.3 years ago
Chicago,Cook,IL
$26 per month (12 month contract)
about 7 days
Southwestern Bell
CLEC party: Southwestern Bell
"Cheap and Fast"
"Haven't found any"
"Fast for 20 bucks less a month than Earthlink"
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After having Earhtlink DSL for three plus years and although I was very happy with them saving twenty bucks a month is pretty important and I can't tell a dimes worth of difference with the speed. It is the best deal in broadband.
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Review by webbiz7128
Posted: 5.9 years ago
member for 5.9 years, 3 visits, last login: 5.8 years ago
Menlo Park,San Mateo,CA
Contract price not specified.
SBC
CLEC party: SBC
"Connected quickly - but bad follow-up."
"Wrong package / speed. I can get faster speed. SBC doesn't care."
"Nightmare. Slow 150K speed & no help will put me out out of business."
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I am a new subscriber to SBC Yahoo -- It has been a Nightmare ... so far.
I had MSN-Qwest broadband. MSN left the business sending their broadband customers to SBC Yahoo. When I had MSN-Qwest, I was paying $49.95 and happy to do so while getting consistent 660Kbps down /256 up. (610 down was the slowest it ever was.) MSN transitioners please read on ---
When I called and ordered SBC Yahoo by phone (which I had to do since I already had ADSL though SBC's Palo Alto CO), I ordered the Deluxe package (768 - 1.5 down / 256 up) just to keep what I already had. When I ordered I was told "no problem" - I could order the Deluxe Package and they would get the line switched over in four days and they did. I am a web designer and create streaming content. The "medium" speed (650 down) was always a good test of my product for slower broadband connections and I was happy with that. Qwest had a cap with ASI of 640Kbps, but I had a faster connection. I work from home and had the DSL hooked up on a residential line. No filters. This phone line is ONLY used for DSL.
The modem arrived quickly - 2 days. When the line was active Dec. 19, I got the software installed (with some difficulty on one of my 3yr old WinMe comp. No problems on the XP comps). I was shocked to find my DSL speed was 150 Kbps down / 44 Kbps up !!!! I called for tech support 8 times and finally got escalated to Tier 2. Marginally helpful - but I was told the following:
1) They had me listed for the Basic Package - Max. of 384 down / 128 up. Since my order was entered as Basic Plan (in error), I was told I was stuck with that plan and speed and it could never be increased above 384. I told them it was an error. I ordered the Deluxe plan. They said, "We changed you to Basic. No way to get Deluxe." I explained everything - had 660. "We cannot help you."
2) I was told by several Tier 1 techs that no matter what speed had - I would be capped at 384 down - and it had to do with my distance to the CO. Verbatim- "What speed you used to have with another company over our lines does not matter. With SBC Yahoo, the most you will ever get is 384. That is all we offer. But we will only guarantee you half of that speed (192 Kbps). You are too far away."
Okay --- I know something about this distance issue. SBC computers have me listed at 11300 feet from the CO. I live 9720 feet from the CO (street distance) and 7844 feet from the CO in a straight line. SBC Install tech who installed the line in 2002 gave me the results of their line tests -- at 9211 feet high and 10100 feet at max. impedence. The install techs were delighted with the good line quality. Nothing has changed since then. Great SBC phone voice service. A colleague has SBC Yahoo and he lives 4000 feet further from the CO than I do and he gets 900+Kbps of 1.5Mbps.
I begged the Tier 2 guys to check the line distance and please adjust or override it - since it was wrong. I'd pay anything to get it checked. No go. Carved in stone. The computer distance is never wrong...
I was in a Catch 22. As long as the computer said 'Basic plan' - that's all I would get. If I could get it changed to Deluxe plan, they could escalate my call. If the computer says Basic plan I am capped to that. But the order people would not change it to Deluxe plan - no matter what - because the order computer now said 11300 feet - and the limt for 768 Kbps was 12000 feet -- but I'm under 12000 ft and I had 660 Kbps !!! The support people would not even talk speeds I was not paying for. It had to say Deluxe Plan...
3) More calls - finally talking to a "Supervisor" - "Richard" -- I asked they please review the whole account, line distance and please correct the plan and speed. He said he was looking at my account - I already called a lot and he would not do anything I was not already told. I should not call anymore. SBC was "done talking about it". He said he would do nothing about the plan or speed. He volunteered one thing he probably was not supposed to tell me --- The account showed I was capped at 192 Kbps !!!! "Richard" told me I was lucky to get that speed, it's all I was geting from SBC DSL and it was "still better than dial-up" (!!!!!!!).
I was furious. I want to complain all the way to SBC management in Texas. I am writing letters to the media. Thay have to know about this!
I am out of business at 192 Kbps. This will ruin my business.
I got a phone message the next day 12-31-03 - saying "Congratulations. We reviewed your account and could get an increase to a cap of 256Kbps". Sigh.
I don't know what else to do with SBC Yahoo - Except cancel it. Can anyone help?
I can get Comcast cable. I called Covad DSL and 2 other DSL - all checked my number and line distance and they said I can get 1.5Mbps - no problem.
Anyone know what I can do to make this better?
Anyone else forced to find other than MSN and have the same experience?
Or do I just need to dump SBC Yahoo and tell the press?
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Review by jmdomini
Posted: 5.9 years ago
(review was emailed from domain sbcglobal.net)
Wheaton,Dupage,IL
$27 per month (12 month contract)
Ameritech
CLEC party: Ameritech
"No Hassle Install, Great Support Here on DSLR"
"None So Far"
"Great service for a very reasonable price"
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Switched over from Comcast, who I was having constant slowness problems with and poor customer support. Now I am getting more stable speeds and saving money over Comcast.Beach Boy over in the SBC Ameritech forum qualified me for service and helped me along with the order process. Kudos to him, he is an asset to DSLR!
My service was activated 10 days before my assigned due date, which was a great suprise.
The avalibility of high quality SBC techs here on DSLR makes it worth it in itself!!
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AT&T Yahoo
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