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I've had DSL for some time so my connection experiences might not reflect current times. The only other broadband choice at the time was cableTV and I was unimpressed with thier abilty to provide TV signal. They might have improved since then, but I believe ATT/Ameritech provides greater techincal and security features. While I have DirecTV, there is no need to go to that for broadband, though I'd likely consider that if DSL wasn't available. My service is Pro with a down of 2500 and up of 500. member for 19 years, 94 visits, last login: 10.3 years ago lodged 15 years ago
I have had DSL in Decatur, IL for over 6 years and have never had any issues with Ameritech/SBC/AT&T. I just finished an upgrade from Elite 6Mb/s/768Kbps dynamic to the Elite 6Mb/s/768Kbps static package. Beth in the "static" department was very nice and helpful through the order process and told me it would only take two days for the statics to be assigned. I waited my two days and called back to get my statics...oops they were closed. I thought what the heck, I'll chat with an AT&T tech support via the web support (I was very skeptical that someone knowledgeable would be on the other end). I was wrong!! Within a ten minute period I had my IPs and was good to go. As for the reconfiguration, I grabbed a spare Netopia 3346 (I am an IT consultant and fortunately have these at my disposal) and off I went. After about 5 minutes I was smooth sailing on the Internet and setting up my virtual servers. I would like to reiterate that I have never had any issues with AT&T and suggest them to client's all the time for their small business setups. If AT&T DSL is good enough for my client's it should be great for most residential users. member for 22.1 years, 320 visits, last login: 13.1 years ago updated 15 years ago
Being a computer novice I was a little intimadated about the self-install but one phone call to tech support clarified things for me. I have had this service for about 2 years. Had a problem with the line going from pole to my house,I called and in 1 day they had replaced the whole line and put a new junction box on the side of my house. Within 2 weeks they came back and buried it in my yard and also ran it under my street to the box acroos the street. Having the official support on the forums makes life so much easier.I IM the "moose" who is in the EPC dept to get the speed changes and new contract and over night it was done with NO hassles or being put on hold. They also post general info so you know the overall state of the system and any changes that are coming. I can't thank them enough!!! 768/128 now 1500/256 @ $26.95 speadstream 5360 dynamic member for 21.9 years, 4504 visits, last login: 3 days ago updated 15.1 years ago
Update... I moved and no longer have this service. _____________________________________________________ I ordered the Pro package for $24.99 a month which is advertised at 1.5-3.0 Mbps. My speeds are currently 2400/486 which is not that far off from the caps. Pings are super low and my connection quality is better then I ever had with my cable. I had to get a basic phone service in order to get DSL but it still cheaper then having cable in my area. member for 19.9 years, 2385 visits, last login: 5.6 years ago updated 15.1 years ago
I live in Downtown Akron and ordered dry loop from ATT since cable is provided in my apartment. Long story short, my service didn't turn on on the scheduled date... which was followed up by the tech missing the first two schedule times. I understand emergencies happen, but I'd appreciate some sort of automated call saying my tech won't show... When the tech arrived he said "Wait, you're not in apartment 604?" I should have figured the wrong apartment number was the issue because when I tried to order online, my apartment number did not show in the list on ATT's website, but 604 did. AT&T customer service gets pretty confused by the dry loop DSL; usually easier if you tell them up front. Also, when I ordered, I got got the 764k/384k plan with the understanding I could upgrade later. When I called two months later to upgrade, I was told it wasn't available. I'm guessing it has something to do with my eariler apartment number issue, so I'll be calling again to argue my point. I don't know what equipment is given out these days. I'm using an old speedstream modem from a friend. 3 for pre-sale since false info on the upgrade was giving and for mis-entering my address. 1 for install since it took 3 appt's to get a tech to show, and since it was installed wrong due to wrong apartment number. 5 for connection. No downtime I'm aware of, but I don't log outages 2 tech support is the usual, oversees drill. Gets the job done, but painfully. If you decide to order it, be VERY sure to double check all the details. I would definitely call ATT back after ordering a service call to verify the information. member for 18.7 years, 54 visits, last login: 1.5 years ago updated 15.1 years ago
I ordered DSL from SBC-Ameritech in September of 2003, through a BBR member who also works in SBC DSL sales. I ordered the Standard Plus package - 1500 down, 128 up (soon to be 256 up, for free, within the next six months), and dynamic IP - with their one-year contract deal for $30/month over 12 months. I opted for the free modem and the self-install. The due date for the line was nine days later, but the line was up and fully operational six days later, and I had gotten the DSL setup kit (modem, filters, and software) only four days after the order. I didn't even have to wire a home run for the DSL, thank goodness. The line filters worked perfectly, and I was getting about 1300 down and 135 up after tweaks, which is acceptably close to the full capability of a 1500/128 line that was run from an RT. I also didn't bother to install their software. It's not recommended by "anybody who's anybody"; it installs various useless bloatware. Instead, I used Windows XP's PPPoE initially, I then switched to RASPPPoE, and I now have a router that does PPPoE. I haven't experienced slowdowns, sync issues, ping spikes, or any other sort of connection problem since the line came up. The only problem I've experienced was while using their support over IRC-style chat. I was trying to find out how much speed my line could handle in each direction, if I got something like the Expert package (6000/608). (This speed "type" is called max attainable speed, as opposed to sync speed or connection throughput.) The support rep with whom I was chatting would simply not give me that information. Instead, he gave me a scripted spiel about how the speed I was getting was perfectly acceptable, even though that didn't answer my question whatsoever. So, I ended up requesting the info from another BBR member who works in SBC DSL tech support. He told me that, unfortunately, since my DSL is RT-based, a technician would actually have to come out and plug a device into my line to get me that info. Eventually, however, SBC techs - at least, those in his "department" - will be able to get that sort of info without a tech visit. Which brings me to tech support. I haven't needed to use SBC's phone support, and their chat support was useless the one time I tried it. However, their support here at BBR is top-notch. From my experience (and somewhat from hearsay), every tech who works the SBC forums here does all they can to get problems fixed and questions answered. And yes, "works" is the correct term; the support here is official* - part of their paid duties as SBC employees is to answer questions here. Hardly any other ISP out there does this at any level. In fact, this is the main reason I ditched my 3000/128 cable Internet connection for SBC. * Well, as of a couple weeks ago, sales and billing issues aren't officially supported here anymore. Several kind folks were able to support such issues unofficially for a while, but that was ended after a situation involving one customer (not myself) that could've turned out very badly for the SBC people involved - as in, it was the customer's fault, but SBC heads would've rolled anyway. :-( 7/19/04 UPDATE: I'm still satisfied overall with my service. I've had no major hiccups with it, so I decided to renew my contract last week, keeping the lower-speed plan (now called Express). Just now, I checked my line status at rolande's site (see the SBC-Ameritech forum to find out what this site is), and I noticed that the ping times for my line dropped a few milliseconds a couple hours ago. Hmm... So, I Remote-Desktopped to my home PC, ran the SBC speed test, and sure enough: 1299/218. So, I finally have 1536/256 sync; so far, my line can handle the higher upload. 11/11/04 UPDATE: Still satisfied. About two weeks ago, my line got bumped again, to 1536/384 sync (1300/330 actual). The line seems to be able to handle the higher upload. 1/31/06 UPDATE: Still satisfied at 1536/384 sync, 1300/330 actual! I rerated to $20 plus taxes and fees over a year ago. 5/18/06 UPDATE: I moved to a brand-new house. AT&T's ordering system is such that even though new construction may be served by a DSL RT, phone service must be working for several weeks before the provisioning system goes, "Oh, OK, your line is DSL-able." Since I wanted to have no gap in my DSL service, I had to order new POTS at the new house, wait for it to go green for DSL, then move DSL from my POTS line at the old house to the POTS line at the new one. AT&T apparently had to send out another tech to move my phone line at the RT from a POTS-only jack to POTS+DSL. Anyway, the DSL at my new house isn't quite as stable as I'd hoped. I get a noise margin of at least 24 at the NID, so it isn't AT&T's fault, but sometimes it's only 7 inside the house whenever it's raining. Yay, now I have to yell at the builders... 11/15/06 UPDATE: I had to get another phone line run within the house, but the noise problem's solved. It's been rock-solid with a 20-24 noise margin. 7/21/07 UPDATE: One day last week, an AT&T person who was doing some work in the neighborhood accidentally futzed up our phone line. It resulted in a loud hum and a nasty echo on the voice portion; the DSL signal was also horribly degraded. When I called phone repair and they quoted me an ETR (estimated time of resolution) of a week later, I was expecting the worst; however, both voice and DSL were completely fixed the next day! 2/26/09 UPDATE: Last week, I upgraded to Elite (6016/768 sync). The upgrade took only two days. Throughput is right near the max I can get after PPPoE overhead - about 5000/650. Awesome! member for 22.8 years, 5928 visits, last login: 4.7 years ago updated 15.1 years ago
I have the elite package from att. For 2 years now, I have not had a problem. Connection speeds are always great. Download speeds range from 630-640 kbs and up speeds range from 80-100kbs. It is not as fast as cable but for the price it is all around good. They advertise 6mbs down and 768kbs up. Speed test shows 5.2mbs down and 650kbs up. Ping times are pretty good. I have the speed stream 4100 and so far it is rock solid. Dry loop DSL rocks. member for 15.1 years, 6 visits, last login: 15.1 years ago updated 15.1 years ago
I ordered the cheap 768/128. The monthly is 49.95. The order and install was smooth. Until ameritech had to move my line from the what they called electronics to a hard line. It only took the tech 10min. The DSL modem provided was received before install date. The service is PPPoE with a dynamic IP. Love the reliabilty. Update 2/25/2002 (Speed 653/133) Still solid and reliable have had no outage that effected me. Mail sucks down a lot of time glad I never really use it. Newsgroups bites it is capped and has less groups. Update 8/31/2002 Still solid no complaints. Update 9/27/2002 still solid a year into it. I could do without the ton of spam in the mail account that I don't use. Update 5/13/2003 Still great service I upgraded to the 1500/256 package I love the new speed. I still wish email and newsgroup service would improve. Update 9/14/2004 Sometime this year others and I have been experiencing hung sessions, at the time I reported it I also had some line issues. Since the line has been fixed I get hung once in awhile along with sudden rapid IP changes. I still think the service is great considering I'm on the edge of the allowed distance. Update 4/16/2005 Still get a hung session once in a while only reason it's annoying is because it requires a modem reboot. I will have to put a remote power down unit on it to make sure I can get back in when I'm away. Update 2/19/2009 Still solid got a small speed increase still leaves me wanting more. I seen a RT nearby, I hope that might help a bit. Also switch to a dry line recently. member for 22.5 years, 3568 visits, last login: 11 years ago updated 15.1 years ago
stable,consistant,reliable connection. No problems with AT&T's services. Very happy  update:11-26-04 no trouble..stable connection..love it! update:2-14-09 still running strong after many years of service, line is heavily used. member for 22.6 years, 226 visits, last login: 12.9 years ago updated 15.1 years ago
ATT Basic Package (dry loop on line 2 - line 1 has too much signal loss for dsl so only using phone on that one) Took awhile for them to "fix the wiring" around the block to get it to work. Then, I went out there and twisted the two copper wires on (which were disconnected before b/c they weren't in use). Then, I figured which was Green and Red or whatever distinction you want to make and hooked up the DSL box to get it to work. I am using Wilcom DSL Filters, which probably make little difference, but at least you can remove the DSL filters from all your phone outlets if you so desire. Overall, I would say that calling Tech Support is a waste of time for ATT DSL. Most of the processes for creating a username, resetting modem, etc can be found online and printed out for future reference, instead of contacting Tech Support India. The only good reason to call is to cancel service or barter for a lower price! Time Warner Cable Road Runner Internet has never worked well here! Those damn squirrels eat up the line every Winter, which requires calls for service during the -20 degree temps of Winter. I feel sorry for the technicians, but got to have my basic cable TV for my TV CARDS and Vista MCE. I have tried Road Runner a couple times throughout the year, but modem speed is erratic and sync gets lost more than ATT DSL. Also, the rated speed is a joke as the real speed stays close to the 100 - 500 kbps. The extra cost for "really high speed" is just advertising. You don't get really high speed, sometimes you get really low speed. In addition, the installers just hack there way through the house to run cable, instead of doing things neatly. Thankfully, I have found a use for most of the existing holes in the house like running Ethernet Cable and such. member for 16 years, 13 visits, last login: 11.2 years ago lodged 15.1 years ago
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