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Review by jaybird116 
Posted: 166 days ago
member for 3.3 years, 957 visits, last login: a few hours ago
 Carpentersville,Kane,IL
 $30 per month
 AT&T
 "Very reliable connection cant recall it ever really going down."
 "Speeds in general are slow especially upload speeds compared to other services."
 "For the money a reliable kind of quick connection..."
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The only time I have really had any issues was with billing when I switched to dry loop DSL and got ride of my land line. I have my cell phone on a combined bill and it got screwed up but the issue was resolved after a few billing cycles. Also calling them for anything is a pain seems the shortest time to get anything resolved takes at least 30 min.
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Review by solo01
UPDATED: 169 days ago
member for 9.1 years, 3837 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Cleveland,Cuyahoga,OH
$30 per month
 about 14 days
AT&T
"Have not had to call to often"
"When you do call,Oh Boy."
"Not bad"
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Have had only one problem in the past year. Something wrong with the line outside. Once I made it past tier 1 support and talked to a tech, I had someone out the next day and took care of it.
Update 6 10 2009- Still going strong with no problems
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Review by efflandt
UPDATED: 171 days ago
member for 7.8 years, 1865 visits, last login: 11 days ago
Elgin,Kane,IL
$35 per month (12 month contract)
about 7 days
Ameritech
"Reliable, stable connection for reasonable price"
"No problems"
"Reliable service depending upon distance, great tech help here"
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While I ran into some snags during my history with SBC Ameritech (now AT&T/Yahoo), everything is currently running smoothly, sales and support has improved, and if that fails, tech support here at BBR/DSLR is top notch.
History: Original 768/160 dynamic connection 1/23/2002 was 2 weeks from order to connection ($49.95/mo). After June 2002 move it dropped to $29.95 768/160 rate. That level was eventually updated to 1500/256.
I am just under 12,000 wire feet from central office (CO). To get faster 3000 kbps Pro service, I had to get rewired to an RT 1596' away (took about a week).
8/2006 Upgraded to Elite 6016/768 and got wireless/modem/router (2Wire 2700HG-B).
3/2007 2Wire had sync problems, and if successful after 8 to 16 minutes, the download sync'd 224 kbps and speedtested 39-208 kbps (upload was still 768 sync). Old Speedstream 5360 modem sync'd in a few seconds and still speed tested over 5000 kbps. So a new 2Wire is on the way (2Wire rep said he never saw that problem before).
11/2007 Replacement 2Wire 2701HG-B has been working fine. One night sometime between last update and now PPPoE would connect, but not get anywhere. It was working fine again the following day. New laptop works great with the wireless.
AT&T Yahoo DSL, and dialup when not at home, have been very reliable for me.
6/2009 Everything still going well. I just got a Blu-ray player and streaming Netflix HD works great.
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Review by nythain
UPDATED: 172 days ago
member for 173 days, 1 visits, last login: 163 days ago
Kansas City,Clay,MO
$40 per month (24 month contract)
AT&T
"Friendly and helpfull in store service."
"Everything else."
"Worst decision I've made in my life."
| Pre Sales information:
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Subscribed ATT DSL Direct PRO tier 3Mbps
Noticed really slow speeds. Since this was my first time using dsl (had been
a loyal cable customer up untill recently) i figured meh, dsl just sucks.
Well, after reading around on the web and finally getting around to visiting
my modems config page, i realized i was only connecting to thier network at
1984Kbps, near half of the advertised 3008Kbps.
Sooooo, next day, im in chat with an ATT representitive, this is how it went
in a nutshell. (sorry i dont have logs)
Me: Hi, was hoping you could help me find out why my modem is only
connecting to your network at 1984Kbps instead of the advertised 3008Kbps?
Them: Here's a link to a throughput test, click on it and tell me the
results.
Me: Download = 1.6Mbps Upload = 384Kbps
Them: Testing your line from my end
Them: Here's a complete explanation. Due to the number of computers on your
network, you are going to get lower speeds.
Me: But the problem is at the modem, as long as it just connects at 1984Kbps
i will never get a faster speed, even if i was the only computer accessing
the entire internet at the time.
Them: Well, as long as your speed isnt below 1.5Mbps everything is fine and
there's no problem
Me: The problem is, im paying for 3.0Mbps and your saying its completely
acceptable for me to get speeds advertised a tier lower?
Them: That is correct, there are many factors to determine internet speed.
Me: We already covered this.
Them: Well the other problem is the distance from the modem to the phone
exchange.
Me: So what you are saying is i really need to contact Time Warner?
Them: We understand your frustration, but you are going to have this problem
with any ISP you choose, our technology is considerably better than Time
Warner RoadRunner.
Me: We'll see.
So basically, there was absolutely nothing willingly attempted about my
connection speed problem and a whole lot of bragging and backpeddling and
excuse making. All at a higher rate than time warner, a 2 year contract, and
slower speeds to begin with. I would not recomment this company or service
to absolutely anyone. i would recommend a 10.00/mo dial up accoutn before
recommending someone pay 40.00/mo for near dial-up speeds (wich the
throughput test actually told me i was getting, my download, 12 seconds, 56k
download, 9 seconds, marginal difference). In fact, i will be breaking my
contract and contacting time warner in the near future for thier service
again, and would recommend almost anyone do the same.
I hope at least SOMEONE reads this and heeds the advice, bad company, bad
technology, bad service, bad support
--
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 Review by KAIFS
UPDATED: 179 days ago
member for 8.8 years, 3997 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Neenah,Winnebago,WI
$29 per month
about 12 days
AT&T
"VERY FAST SETUP, NO INSTALLATION FEES, FREE MODEM AND NIC VIA REBATE"
"NONE SO FAR"
"MUCH BETTER!!! THEN DIAL UP(AT&T, CS, AOL AND MANY OTHERS), CABLE(ROADRUNNER) OR ISDN(AMERITECH)"
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PLACED OREDER; BY CALLING 1 800 924-1000(FRIEND WORKS FOR AMERITECH, TOLD ME IT WAS AVAILABLE), QUALIFICATION AND EQUIPMENT(PC) DETAILES TOOK ABOUT 30 MIN (BASED ON REPORTS HERE, I DID INDICATE THAT I DID NOT HAVE ANY USB PORTS AVAILABLE, IN ORDER TO AVOID PROBLEMS WITH A USB MODEM), WAS PROMISED 20 DAYS DUE DATE. MODEM(WESTELL), 6 FILTERS AND KINGSTON NIC CARD ARRIVED VIA UPS 4 DAYS AFTER ORDER WAS PLACED, ADSL LINE WAS HOOKED UP 8 DAYS LATER (12 DAYS FROM START TO FINISH). CAN TELL THAT SOMEONE WAS AT MY NETWORK BOX ON THE BACK YARD(FOOTPRINTS ON THE SNOW) ALTHOUGH NEVER ACTUALLY SEEN ANYBODY. SPEEDTEST SHOWED 850KBPS DOWN AND 130KBPS DOWN, TO MY SURPRISE, SINCE IT WAS ADVERTISED FOR 768/128. GOT DYNAMIC IP ADDRESS (THE ONLY DOWNFALL, SINCE WAS PLANNING TO HOST WEB SITE FROM HOME). DID NOT HAVE TO DEAL, AS OF YET, WITH TECH SUPPORT OR ANYONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER, SINCE CHOSEN SELF-INSTALL OPTION. GOT BILLED $99 ON MY PHONE BILL, ALTHOUGH REBATE CHECK ARRIVED 1 WEEK LATER (3 WEEKS FROM THE DATE RECEIVING LETTER WITH WEBSITE LINK AND COUPON CODE). CAN'T COMPLAIN SO FAR, DESPITE THE FACT THAT WAS A BIT HESITANT TO GET ADSL SERVICE FROM AMERITECH BASED ON REVIEWS HERE (DSL REPORTS). KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED. WISH FOR EVERYONE TO HAVE SAME LUCK!
OCTOBER 2002: Still going strong and no complaints. Expended my network and uses and can't even imagine being without some form of a broadband at this point.
Almost into a new year and still no problems. Ameritech forum is the quickest way to get answers and support if ever needed. Considering 2nd DSL to the house with 5statics and Nexland PRO 800 Turbo router. We'll see what Santa might bring.
APRIL 2003: Got my Nexland toy  , waiting for my server to complete to place an order for a 2nd static DSL though SBC. I will be on RT, which is about 300ft from my house for that second connection. No service issues and there is an official tech support right on Ameritech Forum, so I guess I will not need my 800 number filed anymore. As far as service goes, I did migrate to yahoo, without installing anything, and the only reason I have done it is to get that free Britannica for my kids, it is just as good and because I did not install anything, there is no banners or any other crap.
almost JUNE 2003: It is amazing how stable I have been running so far, first on on the DSLAM in my CO and now about month away from second connection. Server project got a bit of delay due to $3000 upgrade that I wanted meaning mobo and 2 P4 Xeons are now going to be in $1K range, add memory and 8 250GB HDDs and we are looking at a hefty bill. One way or another it will happen and my contacts are on stand-by for the 5-Static DSL order through SBC (2nd connection still). That is it for now
DECEMBER 2003: got my second ADSL connection - 5 Static package. Load balancing via Nexland router - LOVE IT! Very stable, but then again, even if one connection hicks up - 100% of traffic goes via active connection. If both broadband conections die - Nexland automatically dials in one of 3 dial up numbers for me for complete redundancy.
JANUARY 2009: Since last review, I had DSL service transfered with me 5X. This is hopefully a place I will stay a while (seeing how this house I purchased withOUT a woman in my life). No problems, seemless transfers, still running on @ameritech.net username . Running a single line vs two DSLs for now, however anticipating VRAD to be turned up very soon and speed going up beyond 3/512...
_____________ June 1st, 2009 ________________
Netopia Model 3347-02 AnnexA High-Power Wireless DSL Ethernet Managed Switch
Running Netopia SOC OS version 7.8.1 (build r2)
Multimode ADSL Capable
Downstream Upstream
---------- ----------
SNR Margin: 12.30 11.00 dB
Line Attenuation: 46.00 27.00 dB
Output Power: 0.00 12.23 dBm
Errored Seconds: 0 0
Loss of Signal: 0 0
Loss of Frame: 0 0
CRC Errors: 650 7
Data Rate: 6016 768
INP 0.000 0.000
atucRevisionNum 1 ATU-C Vendor ID TSTC
TrainedPath Fast TrainedMode G.DMT
Downstream Upstream
----------------------------------------
Interlv delay 1 1
LowestTone 33 6
HighestTone 253 29
TonesExcited 205 24
NetRate 6016 768
AggrRate 6048 800
TotalRate 6048 800
LineRate 6476 864
ATTNDR 8064 896
ACTATP -1 -1
ACTPSD -364 -345
HLINSC 0
Estimated loop length: 9600 feet (bridge tap)
Framing Mode: 3 - (REDUCED OVERHEAD WITH MERGED SYNC)
TPS-TC Encoding ATM
ATM port status : Up
Rx data rate (bps) : 6016
Tx data rate (bps) : 768
ATM Virtual Circuits:
VCC # Type VPI VCI Encapsulation
----- ---- --- ----- --------------------------
1 PVC 0 35 PPP over Ethernet (LLC/SNAP encapsulation)
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 Review by Ark
UPDATED: 184 days ago
member for 7.4 years, 2717 visits, last login: a few minutes ago
Hudsonville,Ottawa,MI
$65 per month
AT&T
"Nice price for packages, free install, free router"
"No fiber, nothing faster than the same 5-year-old 6Mbps yet"
"Better then cable, no port blocking, 6016/768 is good, but getting outdated"
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(March 2004) Well Covad can't offer me service anymore, and SBC said I could get 1536/256 for $64.95 + some b.s. FUSF. I had 1536/384 for $79.95 with Covad before I moved, and there was no taxes or fees on top of that $79.95. (I always get the packages with the 8 static IPs)
The SBC "Team Data" people basically lied to me, since the RT I'm on has not yet been "upgraded". I only get 1536/128 instead of 1536/256. Apparently this multi-year project to upgrade the speed profiles at the RTs is still going on, and it will likely take until June 2004 before they are complete. I have no idea why it should really take that long (2-3 years, they are near the end of the cycle of upgrades now I guess) just to update a profile at an RT to allow me to get a faster upload. I'm now stuck in a 12month contract for 1536/256 hoping that in 4-5 months I will actually get that 256k upload. I'm thinking about upgrading to the 6.0/608 package they offer, but I think that it will really be 3.0/384 until the RT is upgraded from what I've been hearing.
*update* I got my upgrade, after a ton of extra calls to sales, since the order didn't make it into ALL of the systems the first time, it didn't happen when it was first supposed to, but now I am finally at 6016/608 ($100/month) and it's great. Until Covad gets into these RTs, SBC is the only choice for me. Its too bad because they really aren't that organized and don't communicate between departments very well it seems. The only thing that saves SBC is the great tech support you can find here on dslreports.com.
~3 years later and the price is down $5 but the speeds remain 6.0/608, which is getting pretty mediocre for 2007. They better offer higher speeds soon!
Another update. Still at 6.0/608. Doesn't look like any faster speeds are coming this way anytime soon. Too bad there is no fiber option from AT&T.
(June 2008) Yet another update, some 4.5 years after I signed up at this house. Price is down to $80/month with a new 12-month contract. I needed a new router because the power adapter on my old one died. I got a free 2wire 2701HG-B (after instant credit, only had to pay $12 shipping and sign up for a new contract). Seems like old one, but supports 802.11g and WPA2 instead of just 802.11b and WEP like the old 1800HW. The new plan ups my upload from 608 to 768, which is also nice. Overall, I'm paying slightly less for slightly more now, but I wish ADSL+/VDSL/Fiber or something was available here now, because 6Mbps is starting to feel outdated.
(May 2009) Upgraded to 18/1.5 U-Verse VDSL. Went very smoothly, speeds are great and consistent.
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 Review by hdman
UPDATED: 185 days ago
member for 6 years, 2089 visits, last login: a few hours ago
New London,Waupaca,WI
Contract price not specified.
Ameritech
"The SBC people here at Broandbandreports.com"
"SBC's information between sales, support, is deplorable"
"Come HERE to get the data before banging your head against the wall...."
| Pre Sales information:
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(ratings well below consensus)
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First, let me explain that had it NOT been for the people who work with/for SBC who help out here at broadbandreports.com, I would STILL be messing around with the lost connections, hang ups, non-returned calls, and misinformation from the OTHER folks at SBC. Below is a diary that I kept throughout the whole fiasco. I am not a kook, but I keep good notes and when it became apparent that this was going to be a mess, I started keeping a diary. The whole experience is over now, thanks to the good people here, but my review of the process and service should be very evident in my diary notes below. I apologize in advance if I break some rules here, so I am hopefull the mods will edit as required. Please note, that the diary contains emotional notes and I did not edit them out so you can see how frustrating it was getting, however I am more tempered now that I got help here at this website and the forums. Here goes:
Having been completely jerked around by the liars at Charter Cable in 2002 who left me a message in the fall of 2001 stating that I would have cable in the Spring of 2002, then denying they ever said it, I finally got a letter from SBC this summer (2003) saying that DSL was available. The story is below....
1. September, 2003. After months of waiting, was told DSL would be avail on Nov. 14th, 2003.
2. Called SBC week of 11-5 to get a jump, and it was available. Ordered for 920-982-XXXX on ticket number XXXXXX. Ordered via Kimberley at 877-XXX-XXXX and she stated that all was well with line and I would easily get DSL. No problems on distance, all looks GREAT according to her.
3. Received modem on 11-11-03.
4. Also on 11-11-03 received call that line is not compatable with DSL no reason given or known. Spoke with MANY reps, finaly was told that reason was "pair gain". Used over 90 minutes of cell time to get this data!!! Spoke with "Tammy" at 888-767-XXXX User ID "XXXXX". She said to try 920-982-XXXX (my other number) and if also had pair gain, she and her supervisor would allow me to put DSL on one line, and leave voice on the other. Ordered DSL for second line on ticket XXXXXX. The provisioning company is Advanced Solutions, Inc. (ASI) and they had found the Pair Gain on first number ordered.
5. On 11-12-03 spoke with Emerging Products Center (EPC) at 888-767-XXXX. They stated that both numbers are on fiber and would have pair gain problem. Also, there is no way to do what "Tammy" said could be done in step 4. They told me that I need a remote terminal and this would take care of pair gain issue on both lines. Would also work if CO in New London was able to take me off pair gain system and put me on pure copper wires if they were available. They suggested I call the Wisconsin Corp office at 800-257-XXXX. I did that, they were absolutely NO HELP. Went to the CO in New London, nobody works there, it is just a building with no people.
6. Re-orderd DSL for 920-982-XXXX on 11-17 with completion due 11-24-03. Wade XXXX, our local SBC business rep for my companies business lines, basically blew me off by saying it was a residential issue, no help. On 11-24, no DSL light on modem, so I opened a trouble ticket. Some woman from ASI talked to my wife this evening and said that DSL was not ready yet in my area, and to "keep trying" by ordering the service until it works. Yea...RIGHT!!
7. On 11-25 I contacted "Charlie" at ASI. He told me that they (the engineers) had surveyed my area this morning, and now instead of being 13K feet away, I am magically 34,700 feet away with NO pair gain. He said 21000 feet is fiber. He told me that normally this would be the END, but there are codes in the system for my number which shows that Remote Terminal is being implemented. He can NOT change my order to be via remote terminal because it shows "not available" at this time. He directed me to repair at 888-611-XXXX to find out when RT would be up and they were useless. They sent me to "scott" at the business office at 800-924-XXXX who wanted to sell me long distance. He sent me to "sue" at the installation group at 800-649-XXXX and she is in XXXXXXX and has "been around the block" and she was interested in helping me. She connected with me BACK to the DSL group and "katrina" wanted to start the whole process over. We ended that call, and "sue" tried to speak with an engineer in the New London area. She called me and left a message stating that the local engineers would call me by the end of the day on 12-2-03. We'll see.....
8. The trouble ticket opened on 11-24 is XXXXXX. It is is now 12-2-2003 and I have been on www.broadbandreports.com talking to 2 great helpers in KAIFS and ADSL-Guy who both work for SBC. I wrongly jumped on KAIFS, and he was PO'd and I was wrong to do it. ADSL-Guy has also elevated the issue. "Sue" above is having engineers call me with a report by the end of the day today. By now, my order has been cancelled and I am to return the equipment. They are stating that I am 35K feet away, but now there is NO fiber in the lines, it is all copper. SBC just can't seem to get the same story twice.
9. Just for giggles, I called the DSL line and spoke with "Robyn" at ASI. She told me that I was too far at 35K feet (impossible) for DSL unless I get an RT in the line. She said she would check on an RT availability and placed me on hold, and cut me off. This is about the 10th time this has happened (seriously, this is not an exaggeration). Those IDIOTS at SBC can't even operate their own phone system and yet we HAVE to trust them with ours?? Can't wait for the cell phones to crush the wired morons....
10. Just for giggles, I called the SBC DSL line again today and ran the gambit to see what the scoop was. I was told that my service is supposed to be "up" on 12-3, tomorrow. Yea, right. "Jerry" opened case file XXXXXX for todays call. He then looked at the above closed trouble ticket and then gave me the same old corporate line that I am "too far" for DSL unless I get an RT. He said I should call 611 from my phone and see if I can get wired to one if there is one...I will try that tonight just for laughs...
Based on data from KAIFS at the website above, my theory now is that I truly am ALL copper to the CO, but the line runs PAST my house down the road for a few more miles. I am "bridge tapped" so that they can use this wire for somebodyelse down the road if I give up the wire. I will try and see if SBC can terminate the wire AT MY HOUSE so that the distance is cut down. Will try that tonight as well. I really do hate SBC with a passion and will start looking at other alternatives for wireless data once this issue is past me. SBC sucks, period (except for the people at Broadbandreports.com that is). The repair people were no help at all. "Jerry"'s advice was no good....who would have guessed?
11. It is 12-3 and the call from the engineers NEVER came, but I am not suprised. I will be calling "sue" again to let her know. Talked to "sue", she was shocked that I was never called, however somebody placed another installation order, but it was not me. That order was due today, but "Jerry" told me yesterday that was the cancellation order so I have no clue who to believe.
12. Spoke with "Mike XXXX" who is an SBC engineer in Appleton. FINALLY a super nice, super smart guy who actually will talk. He did the physical survey and it was checked twice. I am serviced to terminal XXXXX which then runs SOUTH of my house to S, then West to the crossbox at Rogers and S. This crossbox is 12,168 feet from the CO, and I am another 12K feet from that crossbox, so now I am REALLY 24K feet away. He is going to see if we can TRY the DSL and see if it syncs, and if not, he will have an ISDN person call me with pricing. He is a super sharp person, and appears to be committed to helping my cause.
13. Mike said that his co-worker, Shawn XXXXX, said NO DICE on trying DSL. Also, nobody called me from the business office so I called them a few days later. They told me that my CO is not provisioned for ISDN. The experts on broadbandreports.com don't think that is true, and neither do I. However, I really don't want to hassle with SBC any more right now, so I give up....
14. On 12-13 I got a card from SBC welcoming me to SBC/Yahoo DSL. It has been 2 weeks since the last order was cancelled, so these people really are morons... However, on 12-15 I had a TON of noise on my line so I called to make sure one of these morons didn't accidentally turn on DSL for my line. They had not, so I REALLY had a line problem. "Jim" the local SBC service tech found bad phone cable on my line somewhere in town and fixed it. Super nice guy who kept me informed the whole way. He did say that I am ALL copper right to the CO with no pair gain at all, so now who do I believe. He said that someday they will run fiber from the CO to the cross box and to keep my eyes open to see if a newer, bigger hut goes in there someday. That would be my clue that an RT is coming. I will do that, but for now the issue is dead. If it had not been for the great SBC people at Broadbandreports.com I would still be fighting with the people inside SBC and ASI and probably would be ordering several modems to keep "trying" as I was told to do by some idiot at ASI. I will ONLY get my data from the web from now on because those SBC people know the facts, and the SBC people who man the phones are some sort of flunky in my opinion.
15. I hope to be able to add more here when I really get broadband someday....
All in all the experience has been a nightmare. Thanks SO MUCH to broadbandreports.com, ADSL-Guy, KAIFS, and others for putting an end to the debacle. I am saddened to learn that some jerk got some of these people in trouble and now they can't help here any more. I sure hope some manager at SBC reads my reviews and contacts me about the problems, because I would sure love to tell them. I would also love to tell them to support this website because it is a great place to get REAL information. For now, I am on dial-up again.....
01-06-2004 Just an update, but SBC keeps sending me letters asking why I have not logged on yet. The letters also state that my service is active and I am being billed. I did call customer service and they said I was NOT being billed and my invoices reflect that. However, they were baffled as to why I was getting the letters. Yee ha..... I am working another route with Charter Cable again....I will re-edit when I have more. Be careful about what you hear from SBC people unless you hear it on BBR as well.
09-24-08 - Its been over 4 years since the debacle ended with SBC. They have run fiber from New London to Appleton, right PAST the box mentioned above, yet no new hut was added. UVerse is being lit up in Appleton, but us rural folks are hosed once again by ATT who is attacking the cable companies in Appleton. truth be told, I highly doubt ATT will EVER go after rural people with anything other than a thinly veiled partnership with WildBlue or others just to say that they have options for us. ATT, someday you will lose your lock on our area, and my guess is that will be the day you bring actual service to the area.... Thats all for now...
05-26-09 - About a month ago, we tried the whole process again. Had a local contact from BBR set me up to test the DSL. He entered an order, got it all OK'd, then the local service tech came out and cancelled the order stating I was too far away. He left a message stating that he would rather give us no service versus poor service. I could SWEAR we had agreed to TEST the product...but I guess that part never sank in at AT&T. I am pretty sure that AT&T will never service my home with DSL or UVERSE. Now that they have an agreement with WildBlue, they can state that they truly do offer broadband to rural areas, which is a crock of crap in my book. There is a home no more than 1000 feet from me who HAS DSL....but they say he is on a different crossbox than I am, and that the wires that would connect me to that same box were pulled out years ago. Again, I call BS!!!
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 Review by tr6scott
UPDATED: 194 days ago
member for 7.6 years, 3436 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Oxford,Oakland,MI
$25 per month (12 month contract)
about 14 days
Ameritech
"Cost, Relability, Speed, EPC and Tech Support HERE!"
"Phone Tech Support"
"Good Bang for the Buck! and Support here is awesome!"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
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Update: 5/29/08 Another year has past, and the service is still rock solid. Run a few web servers from the house and there have been no loss of connections. Same with Charter, still say next year I will have cable internet, they are a complete joke. Still using the 2wire, no problems no issues.
Update: 7/31/07: Another year, switched to a used 2wire 1000HG router, still going strong, great service, great price. Charter Cable, who I have a cable TV customer for 10 years, still do not offer the internet service to my residence, after 6 years of saying they would next year. I would not switch if they did.
Update: 11/2006: Another year and still no issues, Great Service and price has dropped over the year.
Update: 6/2005 stepped up to the 3000/512 plan consistent 2300/425 price is down to $24.95 for this service level. Absolutely no issues... went over 12 weeks without a disconnect, rock solid, well done, very satisfied.
9/2004 Update - No issues still running strong!
5/03 Upgraded to the 1256/128 plan for same cost, deal is getting even better! Still no service issues since last review.
Original Review:
I ordered and went live about 5 months ago. The self install kit was easy to do, and software wasn't too bad, considering I was running NT4 at the time. I am now using XP and the install is much better.
In the first few months when there was connection issues, or little bumps and blips, I (being a newbie) would pick up the phone and dial tech support ASAP, big mistake! Phone tech support (Tier 1) is pretty much useless for anyone that the intelligence to find this site, and read it. Every time I called, there was a small Network issue, and I would end up with a tech telling me to rip the tcp/ip stack out of NT4, and then when the system wouldn't boot, he told me it was a computer problem, and I needed to call the manufacture.
With the tech support here that entire BS has gone away. If there is a blip, I can do a post, and with in 10-15 mins, another user will usually confirm if it is an Ameritech issue or mine, and the support guys are on the job quick.
The online support here is the best! If it was not for the support here I most likely would have been a Charter Cable customer by now, at least to try. But the online support here has spoiled me, and I don't have a reason to even look for the alternatives.
Plan 768/128 dynamic, efficient dsl modem, Ethernet card in computer.
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Review by sbcretired
UPDATED: 202 days ago
member for 3.8 years, 738 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Scottville,Mason,MI
$26 per month (6 month contract)
about 7 days
BiznessOnline
"Reduced contract time to 6 mo"
"Price could always be less"
"Just upgraded from dial up, awsome speed"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
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Ordered basic DSL, as a SBC retiree I get a couple dollars off per month so its a better deal for me. No hits or misses getting online and connected. Just went smooth. I did follow advice and not use the SBC installation cd. Decided also to not use the @global.net e mail. Felt I could keep the old yahoo.com and my other webmail. Thats the purpose, being able to change isp's and not change mail address, right?
I originally was told I had to purchase a modem, but that turned out not to be quite true. I got a spare one off e bay and wound up getting their new modem and having a rebate for the purchase price and only costing me the shipping. The one off e bay works fine, I would have not messed with their new modem and rebate had I known XP would work so well with connection wizzard.
I also have a single whole house phone/dsl filter. Decided having those plug in jobs was not cool.
I am running 1.3meg down, 330 k up. Very pleased with outcome.
2-25-06 Still 100% no problems, My speed has dropped about 30k each way for some reason though. If only it were cheaper. Still tons better than dial up.
05/09/2009 DSL chugging along fine, thought about upgrading a few times, but heck, I can watch streaming tv and utube fine so why spend more.
Over the last couple years I have had a couple of cable issues that SBC/ATT fixed, but no other problems.
I do not like talking to techf support in a foreign country.
One of my biggest concerns is if ATT goes to some form of measured download/extra charges.
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Review by g4brokemke
UPDATED: 205 days ago
member for 6.6 years, 323 visits, last login: 20 days ago
Milwaukee,Milwaukee,WI
$23 per month (12 month contract)
about 4 days
AT&T
"Good price"
"AT&T jacking up their prices--again.."
"Just enough speed for what i need personally."
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
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After having sub par to bad service with AOL Broadband (folks, $54.95/mo is WAAY to much for their so-called content), I took the chance on SBC Yahoo for the price and service. Placed my order on the internet, which a day later found out the order was cancelled (thats what i get for doing stuff on the 'Net...hehe).....well called SBC back and placed the order again. ASI was very helpful in establishing my service, told me it would take at least 7-10 days to receive my equipment. That was on April 15th, with a migration date of the 22nd. Got the equipment on Monday the 21st and sat on doing the install until the next day. Have enough microfilters for a small house, the NIC card, a Speedstream 5100, and various cables. The install was easy, and was synched up and ready to go within 30 minutes. Now i signed up for the 384-758/128 package, $34.95/month for a year service for (384-768/128) (10 email addys, and the other bells and whistles that go along with it..and of course, I have a dynamic DNS...but hey, right now not very picky about it...) but decided to "what the heck, try a speed test...". 633/128 fon the first try. Has not changed much since.
This morning though, the connection manager software decided to puke out and not work. Called tech support and got great help from John at the ASI center --told me i didnt need the connection manager software, just Enternet PPPoE. Ok....bye bye connection manager!! (Uninstalled that puppy...)
So heres the smackdown. Mail and Newsgroups. Had it running this morning--even though I have authentication through the servers....its not working now. Newsgroups arent working either. But otherwise great service and tech support from every one I have talked to. So hats off to SBC and their techs!
Update
Still not able to get mail/news through their servers. Guess it will be hit or miss until I can get ahold of tech support in the AM.
Update 04/25/03
It was a problem on my end that was causing the mail/news server problem. One word--firewall. (Explains a lot, eh?) So its not my fault and SBC gets an extra star.
Update 11/25/2003
When I saw that SBC was offering a lower price for the same service, I asked to be grandfathered over to it, why should i have to pay more when everyone else is paying $26.95/month for the Standard Plus package.
It was not a problem, it was changed right away with out a hassle.
I have ditched the connection manager software, and running PPPoE through my Linksys gateway. Speeds have been consistant --my last speed test on BBR was 768/220 so im pretty happy with what I have.
Have not done any other tests lately, but very satisfied with the service.
Update 7/28/2004
Moved from Win98 to XP and ditched the connection manager software. Running through a Linksys four port DSL/Cable router with PPPoE enabled instead --checked the speed this morning and found it at 1205/205...pretty good, since i just use the connection for basic stuff, and some gaming.
Update 03/05/2008
Moved to a different house last year and since I was not the primary provider anymore for my DSL, my sister is and I was able to migrate my old SBC account to the new DSL line. AT&T sent out a tech also to combat a problem she had on her line, apparently the previous owners put a split on the line and it was causing a lot of line noise. Once that was corrected, hooked up the old equipment and my new Netgear wireless router and we were up and running that evening. So far no real issues, except when i am working on my laptop (a ThinkPad T41) and shes on the desktop fighting for bandwith. But all in all we're happy with the service.
Update 4/7/2009
I moved...again! This time the equipment is no longer with me, its at my sister's place, router and Speedstream DSL modem...shes running it just fine on her spanking new HP computer running Windows Vista Home. And she thinks its pretty cool. Unfortunately I can't do speed tests to see how the service is doing. But if she is happy with it, thats a good thing.
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