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Review by ccureau 
member for 10.3 years, 107 visits, last login: 94 days ago
updated 2.1 years ago
 Covington,Saint Tammany,LA
 $45 per month "Reliable (if slower) connection" "Unreasonable Terms of Service, low usage caps" "After 8 years, time to move on"
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For these past eight years, I directed as many people as I could to BellSouth (later AT&T) FastAccess over Charter simply because they were reliable and dependable. The only issues I've ever had with them was service restoration after Katrina and the weeks of service lost during a switchover from phone+DSL to dry line DSL.
I've always been able to get the advertised speeds (6M/512k) out of my connection without issue. The install has been mostly painless (if drawn out), though their technical support team leaves a lot to be desired.
Now, with the changes that AT&T has put on the Terms of Service, I can no longer stay nor encourage anyone else to. You've lost at least me and the people I can speak to.
Comments:
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 Review by NetFixer
member for 8.9 years, 5039 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 2.1 years ago
- Murfreesboro,Rutherford,TN
- $43 per month
 about 8 days BellSouth- "Used to be a solid connection (and my VOIP worked great with it)."
- "No problems for a long time, then AT&T totally screwed it up.."
- "It no longer works, and AT&T would do nothing to fix it."
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This is a Stand Alone FastAccess Xtreme 3.0 circuit (no POTS line required).
I had some initial problems primarily because the SAFA service is new and the circuit was initially setup as if it were a line share DSL on a preexisting POTS line. It took a couple of days and numerous phone calls and emails to get that fixed.
My primary uses for this circuit are for hosting my VOIP lines, and as load balancing for web browsing, ftp site mirroring, etc to take some of the non-commercial load from my Covad circuit. So far it is performing in that function much better than the Comcast HSI connection that it replaced.
Update 11/25/2008:
Last week I had a second AT&T Direct DSL circuit installed to replace my Covad circuit. The primary reason for the switch was that Covad could not provide a connection faster than 1536 kbps downstream to my location, and AT&T can provide a 35xx kbps downstream connection. The initial installation went as scheduled with no major problems. I initially had some intermittent sync problems, but the AT&T tech provided a new modem after checking the circuit, and that seemed to fix the sync problems.
I have updated my ratings to 100% for all categories because AT&T now knows what a "dry DSL" line is, and knows how to install/support it. Also, the minor sync problems I had with this new circuit and the only problem I have had with my older circuit were all fixed in a timely manner by techs who actually seemed to know what they were doing.
Another update is that my original $5.00 per month discount for also being an AT&T wireless customer disappeared (this happened when the name of the service changed from "BellSouth StandAlone FastAccess" to "AT&T DSL Direct"). It seems that you now have to actually "bundle" wireless with DSL service to get that discount. I declined that offer as I have had unpleasant experiences with AT&T/BellSouth bundled billing in the past.
Update 11/25/2009:
Nothing new to report, but the DSLR reminder service wants an update anyway.
Both of my DSL Direct 3.0 circuits are still working well. I just wish that AT&T would get on the ball and install an RT or VRAD to service my location so that I could upgrade to either DSL Direct 6.0 or U-verse.
Update 06/13/2010:
Not much new to report, but once again, the DSLR update robot is bugging me for review updates.
As previously, both of my DSL Direct 3.0 circuits are still working well. The only complaint I have is that apparently AT&T has begun implementing an ATM level speed cap that is lower than the actual DSLAM sync rate. I used to get ~3.0 to ~3.2 mbps downstream speed on each circuit, but I now only get ~2.6 to ~2.8 mbps downstream speed on each circuit (the DSLAM sync rates are still the same as before). It may not sound like much, but it is just another sign of AT&T's official screw the customer when ever you can policy.
Update 10/19/2010:
I activated basic voice service on one of my DSL Direct lines for use with a fax service. I was a bit concerned about the possibility of my DSL stats suffering (and the possibility of losing my grandfathered free static IP), but neither the DSL line stats nor my static IP were effected. This has allowed me to drop my Vonage Lite + Fax lines (of which I only really used the fax line) and save about $10 per month (and these days every penny counts). I may sometimes complain a bit about AT&T service, but they did this right. No interruption or change to my DSL service, and the voice service went live while I was on the phone with the sales CSR.
Update 03/23/2011:
Well, AT&T totally hosed my bellsouth.net DSL connection, and refused to fix it or allow me to order another one. I won't clutter up this review with the details. Anyone wishing the gory details can read this thread: »Edited title: AT&T only taketh away
I just turned up my new Comcast Business 12/2 service yesterday, and so far, so good. I will review the new Comcast service after it survives (or doesn't) the next couple of spring storms.
Comments:
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 Review by WeSRT4
member for 12.5 years, 1582 visits, last login: 2 years ago
updated 2.1 years ago
- Mobile,Mobile,AL
- $48 per month
- about 3 days
- AT&T
- "Hmmm.... the only thing available where I live"
- "AT&T= 150gb caps with overages"
- "While I'm not a heavy downloader I don't like the idea of caps."
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Update 3/16/11:
I've had a couple of outages since my last update.. one lasting a couple of days while they "ordered" parts. Speeds have consitantly gotten worse since AT&T took over Bellsouth. Now to top it off AT&T has now announced caps with overage charges. Cable already beats AT&T's aging dsl technology. Now with the caps and constant price increases AT&T is non competitive. I only wish someone would deploy cable in my neighborhood. It's only a matter of time and i'm gone as a landline and wireless customer. This company has no vision and doesn't care about its customers; only the bottom line and their investors. They have ruined their relationship with me as a customer forever!
PRICING
Well, it's been a year since the merger and AT&T STILL hasn't aligned dsl pricing with their existing pricing. In effect AT&T is mistreating old Bellsouth customers by charging them more for the same services that AT&T charges less for in all other areas of the country. There is no excuse for this. We keep hearing that it takes time to get everyone on the same system, but that is plain BS. All they need to do is change the pricing of the tiers within the system that we are currently on. In fact they could do it overnight if they wanted to. For this reason I now give AT&T a one on value for money.
Reliability
AT&T has had issues with DNS that has led to outages for the entire southeast. For this reason I am moving the reliability from five to four. Overall service is still very reliable.
Tech Support
Recently when AT&T had and outage I called to get support and got a message saying that call volume was extremely high and that I would need to call back. For this reason I am moving tech support from three to two.
Bottom line: The merger seems to be hurting the level of service.
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Review by kdouglas10
member for 10.6 years, 64 visits, last login: 67 days ago
updated 2.1 years ago
- Jacksonville,Duval,FL
- $32 per month
- about 3 days
- AT&T
- "Now PPOE; Mostly works all the time; modem seems to reset every 24-36 hrs"
- "Can't get above 2400 kbps downstream; AT&T DSL NOT FAST ENOUGH for happy ROKU experience; Apple TV OK; still running 480i"
- "03/11 Actively evaluating alternatives to use IPTV; More to follow"
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I was the second person in our neighborhood to get DSL. Just 10,000 ft from the CO, we had to wait for BellSouth (BS) to decide to buy the MUX/DEMUX to interface with a fiber head-end. When the original tech came out to test my line, he said I was good to go for about 8000 kbps downstream. Never had much above 4500, but pretty soon BS throttled it back to 1100-1200 kbps. Still have the old bridged service and wonder if PPoe would be as good or better. If it was better, I would gladly move to BS Extreme service. You know how it is, though - when it is working well enough, WHY CHANGE ANYTHING? Before I got DSL, I used 56K dial-up for about 8 months because it was faster than cable modem when half the folks on my block were using their cable service. I still do a little computer tech support in the neighborhood, and my observation is that on the whole, customers are more satisfied with their BS DSL than with Comcast Cable modems. As long as the Comcast techs keep installing modems via USB connections rather than using Ethernet, the speed is worse (even when customers are paying for 3000 kbps down) than standard DSL from BS. About a year ago, I helped the Property Owners Association move from dial-up to DSL. We had equipment mailed to us (took 2 days to get it), self-installed, networked and everything was good to go in about 2 hours total!
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Review by Gflo
member for 3.9 years, 193 visits, last login: 207 days ago
updated 2.2 years ago
- Oxford,Newton,GA
- $42 per month
- AT&T
- "It connects me"
- "Slow speeds, high ping, overpriced tech support are idiots."
- "Avoid if possible"
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The speed is 3Mbps down 384Kbps up. Its not dial up but it sucks if i'm trying to watch an HD stream, upload anything or play Xbox live(or any other online game). The ping started at 28ms but has since gone up to 48 which is noticeable depending on the game you are playing. Slingbox is unusable. I tried to get switched from interleaved to fastpath in order to cut down on the ping, none of the techs knew what I was talking about.
If it wasn't the only thing available down my street(comcast is to lazy to run the lines 1/2 of a mile down this street to fill in the gap in this whole block) I wouldn't be here.
The total bill comes out to ~$100 for some unknown reason, I only have 3mbps dsl and POTS.
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 Review by cautery
member for 12.2 years, 593 visits, last login: 235 days ago
lodged 2.2 years ago
- Haughton,Bossier,LA
- $43 per month
- AT&T
- "I can literally throw a rock and hit the DSLAM"
- "Never get anywhere near advertised speeds"
- "I can't believe I am considering moving to cable... this just "sucks"."
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First... let me say that I am NOT a telco basher... I dig AT&T for the most part... Been with them since they ate Cingular... SWB/SBC was just a "baby bell" and headquartered 40 miles from my house growing up... But...
AT&T Southeast (formerly BellSouth) is not delivering anywhere near the service for which we give them a lot of money.
We originally got DSL under BellSouth as a part of a bundled service deal back in 2007. We've always had the top tier service offered (currently, 6Mbps/512kbps) We have the grandfathered "free" static IP.
Over the last year or so, the service has been progressively degrading.... It's like a flashback to PacHell days in the San Joaquin Valley, CA back in '99... SAME exact symptoms...
Right now.... the speed tests say we are getting about 2.642Mbps/428kbps.... which while not great and no where near 6Mbps/512kbps, is better than yesterday from 1700 hrs until 0100hrs this morning (CST, and yes, I stayed up just to monitor), when the speedtests were in chorus telling me that my service was dragging along at 368kbps/230kbps.
Inexcusable... I'm investigating a switch to cable now...
Comments:
 | | call in call in to full troubleshoot the issue/could be an outage or network issue/let the agent troubleshoot from top to bottom. make sure u check everything on the inside too. i`m sure u can get back to 6meg just need to isolate the issue bottleknecking ur connection. | |
| | | Still Troubleshooting.... 1 month and 17 days since I published my review... Lots of phone calls, lots of research, lots of frustration.... ZERO progress.
--
Clay Autery
"More, Better, Faster..." | |
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Review by Simon Simon
member for 3.1 years, 64 visits, last login: 24 days ago
updated 2.2 years ago
- Mount Pleasant,Charleston,SC
- $37 per month
- AT&T
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Used to be good, kept the connection alive for days, but not anymore.
The connection drops 2 or 3 times a day and has been confirmed by the
logs in the Airport Extreme router logs.
AT&T's answer...canned responses from their reps. No help at all.
Checked modem firmware, it's at the current level. Logs show minimum
errors on the modem.
It is believed they are dropping the connections of everyone to minimize
bandwidth usage.
As for speed, forget it. They fail every speed test as far as
delivering something close to advertised.
Alternatives >> Comcast. Been there, done that, not much better.
--
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Review by kh99
member for 2.3 years, 4 visits, last login: 2.1 years ago
lodged 2.2 years ago
- York,York,SC
- $37 per month
- (12 month contract)
- about 30 days
- AT&T
- "Slow, but consistant."
- "False Advertising on several levels."
- "STAY AWAY = Worst Customer Service EVER = Snake Oil"
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Consumer protection?
Use technical complexity to get away w' BLATANT FRAUD.
Would anyone buy based on a MAXIMUM quality??
Defies any market logic – other than fraud.
Fake DSL Speeds:
Speed consistently limited below advertised rates w’ effect of limiting VoIP functions.
Advertised Downstream 768 Kbps – never been above 650 Kbps.
Advertised Upstream 384 Kbps – never been above 110 Kbps.
Been using PCs since DOS / 9.11. Know how to: 1) keep apps from running in the background – especially anything that accesses net, 2) accurately measure bandwidth, and 3) deal with all the other potential problems they come up with.
Complaints to AT&T – ALWAYS – go through the same idiot proof set of questions & excuses – designed to discourage any further complaints.
Fake Rebates:
Use confusing set of rebate requirements to discourage follow up.
I qualified for 2 rebates (modem & paperless billing). I did a lot of research, asked lots of questions, & kept good notes; But they deny such rebates on my account.
Also:
Rates have increased above where they were supposed to be at this time. Tried to resolve this issue, again by calling Customer Service, but just got told again and again that the company's policy and records for my account did not match what I was told when I signed up.
Don't even get me started on the ridiculous jumbled mess that makes up their online services and promotions = Unbelievable.
Comments:
bikti
join:2010-10-26
Sacramento, CA Reviews:
 ·Time Warner Cable
| yes Hi
i agree with everything you said ., except my dl speed is 5% of advertised attt dsl west coast
One thing i did was file a complaint with BBB and they have had to listen to me and try to fix it (no success) but i did feel like i had some measure of satisfaction | |
| | | | | Re: Advertised rates I live in Clover, SC and get 3.04 megabits consistently, but can only get the 3 mbit plan, but the CO is only a stones throw from my house in Lake Wylie, SC.
Maybe you are topping out at 650 Kbits Per Second because of distance or over-selling their service.
Try Comporium. I've found their 7 mbit Cable Service (7 Mbits Down and 512 kbit Up Cable Internet Package very reliable. Also, the 7x.512 plan is available in Fiber, Cable and DSL areas, So I think you may be eligable for the service. It is also VERY reliable. I've only had 1 day down (due to upgrades in my neighborhood) in the 2 years I have used it).
It's worth a try.
CNOTECHDUDE. | |
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Review by sdmuk00
member for 2.3 years, 0 visits, last login: 2.3 years ago
lodged 2.3 years ago
- Mount Sterling,Montgomery,KY
- Contract price not specified.
- (12 month contract)
- about 15 days
- AT&T
- "Technical Support are very friendly."
- "Service has been an issue for sometime"
- "I am working with the BBB trying to get out of a contract to move back to cable."
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I have had the same issue as most. During non-peak hours i.e.,very early morning say 2:00AM EST I get a little over 6 Mbps until early afternoon not sure when this occurs I work during the day. When I get in between 5:30 and 6:00 PM EST my downloads have dropped in the range or .5 Mbps up to .85 Mbps. I have spent several hours on the line with technical support that may be friendly, but they are not that knowledgeable nor will they escalate a call. I have had technicians out on several occasions. I have had this blamed on interference, and one support person actually asked if my neighbor had their sprinkler running. I explained to this individual that even if they did have it running in the middle of December it would not hit my lines. Anyhow AT&T replaced a card in the dslam, but this helped for a very short period like a couple of hours. This was only done after the BBB was notified. I recommend that anyone who is experiencing this issue to contact the BBB and let them know that AT&T has essentially refused to resolve the issue without involving another entity. Although I am still using AT&T I am trying to get out of the contract that I never really agreed to, and going back to cable. I only left cable due to the fact that I cannot stand Time Warner, and when AT&T promised me 6 Mbps over the 7 Mbps that Time Warner offers here I jumped all over it. Now in retrospect wish I had not. I am 30 miles or so from Lexington, KY. when I lived there I got 20 Mbps with the local cable company there, and if memory serves me correctly I got close to 10 Mbps with the phone company there. So that makes me wonder how a smaller company servicing a much larger area can do so much, but conglomerates such as Time Warner or AT&T cannot seem to service a town of about 20,000 people. Guess I should have stayed in good LEX. Guess the dollar for the investor wins out over consumer, but at some point this is going to crash all around them if they do not remedy there problems. I like most everyone else like a healthy return, but not at the sacrifice of service..
Comments:
| | service lead/operations manager!!! what u know, sounds like BIG CLUSTER F UP. sounds like your going through the att gover rolldex process. Its time you be esclated to service lead or operations manager to fully investigate your issue like a orderly in order to isolate the issue. hint hint: I deal with sh.. everyday and it depends on you get buddy. unfort i work dum. idio.. everyday and i feel sorry for you and the customers. att gives us junk training and the processes are so tore up it depends on who you get. The Unions have tore att dsl southeast to shreads..so much for customer service and quality. At this point your being bottle-necked somewhere either at the modem somewhere or network side possibly. You need a genius because trust me I got myslef force qualified for 6meg and I love it. I`m sorry I love my contacts, u got to know someone good within att majority of time because ur dealing bunch republicans and tore up processes. Ask that knowledable person if they have access to BBT tools to get in depth anal of your line(loop length, specs, interference, etc). DONT YOU JUST LOVE THE IVR(heck if u breath it sends you to Bombay support) when you call in. I love my 6.7 downloads(consistently everday) sometimes it giggles the cochles of heart, hehehe You can get it fixed, now I wish there were more of me for you but I`m burn out..been here almost some odd years but still ticking. I give 140% everyday and att dont care...morals are low and promotions are politics instead of clean across the board process. Just remember when you call in your dealing ATT GOVERNMENT roledex processes, but hey you eventually get some good consistent speeds if you reach a full 360 knowlegable person of pots, dsl, and the many variables that play in. Good Luck, I work tommorrow so if you call in maybe you will get me, if you do you will ask urself this guy is overworked and underpaid..man he knows his sh..but deals with bozos and political republicans running att with too many chiefs and not enough Indians. GOOD LUCK FELLER....GOD SPEED..time for bed now...HAPPY DSL DREAMS!!! | |
| |  CanezoidEnd of line
join:2001-02-16
Powder Springs, GA
·Comcast
 ·AT&T U-Verse
| Re: service lead/operations manager!!! said by annonyattemp : what u know, sounds like BIG CLUSTER F UP. sounds like your going through the att gover rolldex process. Its time you be esclated to service lead or operations manager to fully investigate your issue like a orderly in order to isolate the issue. hint hint: I deal with sh.. everyday and it depends on you get buddy. unfort i work dum. idio.. everyday and i feel sorry for you and the customers. att gives us junk training and the processes are so tore up it depends on who you get. The Unions have tore att dsl southeast to shreads..so much for customer service and quality. At this point your being bottle-necked somewhere either at the modem somewhere or network side possibly. You need a genius because trust me I got myslef force qualified for 6meg and I love it. I`m sorry I love my contacts, u got to know someone good within att majority of time because ur dealing bunch republicans and tore up processes. Ask that knowledable person if they have access to BBT tools to get in depth anal of your line(loop length, specs, interference, etc). DONT YOU JUST LOVE THE IVR(heck if u breath it sends you to Bombay support) when you call in. I love my 6.7 downloads(consistently everday) sometimes it giggles the cochles of heart, hehehe You can get it fixed, now I wish there were more of me for you but I`m burn out..been here almost some odd years but still ticking. I give 140% everyday and att dont care...morals are low and promotions are politics instead of clean across the board process. Just remember when you call in your dealing ATT GOVERNMENT roledex processes, but hey you eventually get some good consistent speeds if you reach a full 360 knowlegable person of pots, dsl, and the many variables that play in. Good Luck, I work tommorrow so if you call in maybe you will get me, if you do you will ask urself this guy is overworked and underpaid..man he knows his sh..but deals with bozos and political republicans running att with too many chiefs and not enough Indians. GOOD LUCK FELLER....GOD SPEED..time for bed now...HAPPY DSL DREAMS!!!
I would have to say probably one of the most retarted if not the most retarted reply I've ever read. This area is for ATT people who want to help, not spew sugar coded rants. In no way does anything you say help this op. So could you please step off and get clue.
Political republicans, are you kidding me? The unions have "tore" att dsl se to shreads? What planet are you from? The CWA is in NO WAY republican bud, get your facts straight. Would you like me to forward the garbage mailers I get to you so you can educate yourself? Please.
It's this exact testimony from what appears to be an insider that makes all the rest of the hard working peeps here look bad & I'm sorry, that's not the case w/ me. If you don't like what you're doing w/ ATT, pack your bags and do something else, no one is holding a gun to your head are they?
Political replublicans, lord Jesus, gimme a break. | |
| | | | | Re: service lead/operations manager!!! go play with your light saber Mr. Republican. Its not a political rant, facts speak for themselves. I dont need your junk mail or sympathy. I know what customer service is and how to fix my customers accounts. Next time u get account gets disconnected for non-payment or you have to call into the kool aid IVR dont come hissing to me for help. I like my job and wish for things to get better, thankyou. The CWA is democratic, hahaha, never said they were republican, anyhow just remember if I get yOU on the phone I`ll probably support plus you so pay the 100 dollars and put you on mute to tell my coworkers how uncorporative u are. i was telling the custmomer how can esclate his issue since his issue has become a major problem. Sometimes its best to skip a lot of steps and move to the honey. Now go powercycle your smokarola and have a PPPoE day. LMAO. | |
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Review by jxhill
(review was emailed from domain bellsouth.net)
lodged 2.3 years ago
- Bogart,Oconee,GA
- $35 per month
- AT&T
- "really poor evening connectivity, extremely low connection speed"
- "would refer to cable options or direct fiber to the house"
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Customer satisfaction is extremely low
same symptoms and signs throughout the southeast (speeds vary in the
evening 1.0-3.0; P.M.-12 AM speeds are horrible)
I have spoken to tech support etc. and continue to get the run around...
Comments:
| | call in call in and request a service lead to fully investigate your issue in depth. when you call in unfort in depends on who you get because evryone is not on the same page. Start at the pots side phone and work your way down to the click of your mouse. If your a chronic caller just request a technician and be done with it. hint hint..I know...deal with the sh.. everyday... | |
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And I don't for an instant think that you are actually that ignorant. The reason you posted the $100 price tag was obviously to try to paint as bad an image as possible.
Used to live in Hamiltons Harbor in mt. Pleasant, Same thing