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Review by rasheed5 See Profile

  • Location: Corona, Riverside, CA, USA
  • Cost: $27 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 16 days
  • Telco party 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
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

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.

member for 21.9 years, 33 visits, last login: 17.1 years ago
lodged 20.2 years ago


anarmsxprt
join:2003-12-17
Riverside, CA

anarmsxprt

Member

Agree totally

I too was from Comcast with 2.3 megs DL. I paid $59.95 a month for that though, and service was not constant. For $26.95 I get 1.3 megs and reliable service. Only thing was after advice from people here I uninstalled all the crappy software from SBC and it works great.
lordskull
join:2004-01-05
Salinas, CA

lordskull

Member

Re: Agree totally

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.

Review by bull51 See Profile

  • Location: Chicago, Cook, IL, USA
  • Cost: $26 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 7 days
  • Telco party Southwestern Bell
  • CLEC party: Southwestern Bell
Cheap and Fast
Haven't found any
Fast for 20 bucks less a month than Earthlink
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

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.

member for 23.3 years, 855 visits, last login: 19.6 years ago
lodged 20.2 years ago







Review by webbiz7128 See Profile

  • Location: Menlo Park, San Mateo, CA, USA
  • Cost Contract price not specified.
  • Telco party 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.
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:

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?

member for 20.2 years, 3 visits, last login: 20.2 years ago
lodged 20.2 years ago


Lanik
Lab-nik

join:2001-06-25
San Francisco, CA

Lanik

SBC Online Support

If you're willing to wait till monday you can have some of the SBC online techs that visit our »AT&T West forum take a look at your line and see what can be done.

IM Matthew See Profile, kmac1 See Profile or David See Profile come monday and point them to this review you may be surprised at the results.

Good luck.

David
Premium Member
join:2002-05-30
Granite City, IL

David

Premium Member

Actually

I am here now...

Send me the IM and I can get a check into it and look up some stuff.

bs1234543
@dsl.lsan03.pacbell.n

bs1234543

Anon

bs

hahaha they said something similar to me when i called about speed problems. conversation went something like this:

"im paying 49.99 and getting only basic service, the dsl is slower than what im paying for"

"well its better than dialup at least"

David
Premium Member
join:2002-05-30
Granite City, IL

1 edit

David

Premium Member

I am still here to assist as well as

CCCMTech See Profile
Matthew See Profile
kmac1 See Profile

for SNET we have 2 gentlemen that can assist...

MrFixitCT See Profile
VivelaDSL See Profile

Please send us an IM or an e-mail and we can assist..

Thanks
David

SBC DSLreports.com online support team..
wz
join:2001-11-23
Palmer, TX

wz

Member

Bell Co.'s

When your not getting the service your paying for you should file a formal complaint with your Public Utilities Commission. They can be found in your State Government listings.
Delushs1
join:2004-01-05
Debary, FL

Delushs1

Member

Sounds a little fishy

Sorry for what's going on there
If you check with Billing and also Sales(EPC-change order);
you will find that a lot can be done.
If you paid for and were promised a certain level of service, SBC will either provide it or it CAN'T!
The line distance and stuff is complicated, but if you check all of you WinXP settings and make some adjustments you may see a dramatic increase in speed.
Make sure you have ALL you Windows Updates(critical) and maybe even NOT have the SBC-provided software installed.
WinXP can do the PPPoE in Network Connections!!!
If you use sbc's speedtest and it doesn't match here, mention it and complain---Not everything other companies is true either; your 'other' companies can NOT test you SBC phone line without permission and they are just telling you what SBC's 'sales-people' would say to get a sale.
If you are close enough to the CO and you can verify this, let SBC know---you may not get 1.544MBps, but you will be guarenteed you min speed---never the max---finally, in closing I would not use DSL for 'streaming-content'!!!!
If you do, getting the 6MBps down/384kbps up is expensive, but works! For online-gaming and web development as well.
Definitely talk with the SOS dept as a last resort as they will try to keep you from CANCELING. Hope this info is helpful and I apologize for the problems.
Reno DSL Tech
It's Only The Internet
join:2001-03-15
Sparks, NV

Reno DSL Tech

Member

Speed Fix

If the online SBC guys can't help you,tell them you want a ASI tech to come out and take line readings at the mpoe.If the distances you say are correct and the cable is okay,the readings should show the "capped" speed and what the max is that your line can handle.Then ask the ASI tech to please call the EPC and ask them to put in an order to override the speed cap. It may take some doing but here in Reno, we have done that with some of our customers and most work fine at the higher speed.They won't take your word for it but they should take the ASI tech's word. Hope this Helps.

bimo
@asticbookfairs.com

bimo

Anon

worked for contractor handling sbc

Worked for Convergys, which was a subcontractor to a subcontractor Accenture, which was hired by SBC.
Worked for them in 2003 for 10 months. The sales department will lie. they will put u on dialup when you request dsl. They will cap you at the low end dsl speed when the copper network cannot handle the higher speeds.
And most likely you will talk to India and not US techs.
ATT / Bellsouth is a lot better but not as good as cable internet service.

Review by jmdomini

  • Location: Wheaton, Du Page, IL, USA
  • Cost: $27 per month (12 month contract)
  • Telco party Ameritech
  • CLEC party: Ameritech
No Hassle Install, Great Support Here on DSLR
None So Far
Great service for a very reasonable price
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

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!!


(review was emailed from domain sbcglobal.net)
lodged 20.2 years ago


Review by mholdersr See Profile

  • Location: Modesto, Stanislaus, CA, USA
  • Cost: $29 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 10 days
  • Telco party SBC
Works all most all the time
Startes out at 1200 kb, then droped to 500-600 kb
Going to cable

My SBC dsl was installed a year an a half ago and hass all most worked all the time. It started out reaal fast 1200 kb. Then after about 6 months droped to around 500-600 kb. I have tried all the tweeks and tests and nothing seams to improve it. I have called SBC many times and I realy dont think any one there really knows what there doing. SBC sent a teck to check the lines in our house and reported all is well.

Bottom line is I think I will change to cable now that it is in this area.

We ordered the 192-1500 kb serivice. Came with the Speed Stream 5360-123 modem. Installed with no problem with ppoe service.

member for 21 years, 188 visits, last login: 19.3 years ago
lodged 20.2 years ago


dbuth
My Circadian Rhythm Leans To The Night
join:2001-12-23
Turlock, CA

dbuth

Member

Have you asked for tech help in the SBC forum?

Come into the SBC Pacific Bell and Nevada Bell forum. The technicians there can check your line and verify if there are any problems. It is faster to ask for help in the forum than to call SBC.

I have had fantastic results by dealing with the official technicians in the forum. I am in Turlock and may be moving sometime in January 2004 to Modesto on Standiford. I will use there help and suggestions to ensure a trouble free move of my dial tone and DSL circuit.
anime cabbit
join:2003-12-21
Placentia, CA

anime cabbit

Member

Re: Have you asked for tech help in the SBC forum?

i think that cable ownz over sbc, getting cable cuz sbc said i couldnt have dsl, after sending me all the stuff and getting me a bit upset over it not running

Review by anarmsxprt See Profile

  • Location: Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
  • Cost: $26 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 1 days
EZ Setup, Fast Connection
None Yet!
Very pleased
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

I recently hooked up my DSL and I love it. I came from Comcast cable where my DL was about 2.1mbps. My DSL is about 1.3 but seems more stable. I love it so far.

member for 20.2 years, 359 visits, last login: 15.2 years ago
lodged 20.2 years ago







Review by Swordfish II See Profile

  • Location: Anaheim, Orange, CA, USA
  • Cost: $27 per month
  • Telco party SBC
  • CLEC party: segNet Technologies
Freaking cheap
Very good
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Value for money:

Just got Sbc yahoo dsl the 386/128 package since they said i was too far from the teleco. I got all the stuff installed it and did some speed tests all of which were 1260/212 or above. SWEET

member for 21.8 years, 1631 visits, last login: 2.2 years ago
lodged 20.2 years ago







Review by omegared337 See Profile

  • Location: Yuma, Yuma, AZ, USA
  • Cost: $29 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 10 days
cheap dsl
none
well, sales person asking for some feed back.
Pre Sales information:
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Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

i wanna know what you guys think of sbc yahoo DSL, i am a salesperson who just moved to yuma, az. i am a pesky telemarketer . and i was just curious to see what you guys think about the service. you know the ups and downs vs cable.

member for 20.2 years, 7 visits, last login: 15.3 years ago
lodged 20.2 years ago







Review by morrisosu See Profile

  • Location: Hugo, Choctaw, OK, USA
  • Cost: $36 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 5 days
  • Telco party Southwestern Bell
  • CLEC party: Southwestern Bell
Excellent Reliability!! Never any probs!!
None really! Could use faster upload. Yahoo! Software sucks, but glad you can use pppoe/router to connect, very nice of them!
Very good buy!
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

No probs whatsoever with SBC, just signed new contract with Deluxe Service with 256K upload. Customer service very friendly when I wanted to sign new contract and go from old $59.95 monthly charge to a $36.95 charge.

A++++ all the way!!!!


member for 20.2 years, 6 visits, last login: 18.6 years ago
lodged 20.2 years ago







Review by SirSteve See Profile

  • Location: Woodbury, Litchfield, CT, USA
  • Cost: $15 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 17 days
  • Telco party Southern New England Telephone
  • CLEC party: Southern New England Telephone
Great throughput
Buggy SBC Yahoo! software installer (but I had a workaround)
Great value
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:

[$14.95/month for 384-1500Kbps down/384Kbps up service]

My turn-on day was delayed 3 business days because my start-up kit arrived late. *But* SNET gave me my first month for free because of the delay (cool !). I also tried the SBC Yahoo! Installer knowing I could select just the Connection Manager to get the Enternet 300 PPPoE software installed. The installer had some problems so I just cancelled out from the installer and manually installed Enternet 3000 diectly off the CD. Shortly after getting on-line I installed a ZyXEL B-2000 wireless router so I ended up uninstalling the Enternet software anyway (PPPoE is in the router). I was on-line and surfing at good stable speeds in no-time. Great product. Highly recommended.

Now getting 1300/330

member for 20.3 years, 4415 visits, last login: 2 days ago
lodged 20.2 years ago

Shook23
Don't Get Pwnt.
Premium Member
join:2003-11-06
Wellesley Hills, MA

Shook23

Premium Member

speed difference

Big difference between 384 and 1.5 eh?

SirSteve
Premium Member
join:2003-11-28
Woodbury, CT

SirSteve

Premium Member

Re: speed difference

Out-of-the-box I'm getting 725Kbps down and 225Kbps up (un-tweaked). I'm waiting for the initial modem 10-day 24/7 ON period to end before I try some tweaking.
tispectrum
join:2001-03-17
New York, NY

tispectrum

Member

Re: speed difference

I'm in Sharon. Finally got DSL in the area after 2 years of questioning when. My download speed is consistently over 1000kbps. Upload will never exceed 200-300kbps. So far I'm satisfied.:)