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Review by BoxerVR4 
member for 3 years, 6 visits, last login: 1.5 years ago
updated 3 years ago
 Colorado Springs,El Paso,CO
 $45 per month- (month by month)
 about 3 days "Very stable connection, good speeds." "Latency is high but can be fixed... (read post)" "Good service, 95% english speeking!"
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I'd considered COVAD but decided to stick with the devil I know.
I have the 12mbps stand-alone package without phone service and paying $45/mo with no contract. The price expires after 12 months anyways, but they told me to call around the 12th month and they'd be able to keep it the same or give me the new promotional price.
The order process was OK, being a computer repair/tech myself i find these calls annoying!
I did the install myself with no problems other then having to call for my PPPoA username and password since they do not ship it with the welcome kit. The install CD is supposed to fill it all out for you and adds some extra software to your computer, but for those of us that hate installing bulkware like this remember to ask for your username and password before getting off the phone!
[Latency Problem]:
The Qwest DNS (Domain Name System) servers are slow! You can get around this problem by using a different DNS provider. I recommend using »www.opendns.com there free, fast and reliable! They also offer a paid version that helps block your computers from accessing bad and harmful websites (such as porn and known virus sites) for only $10 a year.
It works a lot better if you change the DNS settings at the router level. To do this on the Netopia Router (Model 3347) open your browser and go to »192.168.0.1 then click "Quick Setup" on the left-hand side. Look for "Select the DNS type:" and select "Static DNS Addresses" then enter the DNS IP Addresses you got from »www.opendns.com.
[Other Problems]:
#1. The biggest problem I've had with Qwest is them changing the price or screwing the bill up! It has happened a number of times and usually after an hour phone call they get it fixed. They have the most complicated billing reports I've ever seen. I can't put all the blame on them though, I added a phone line to my account and then canceled the order before it was turned on, but they had already changed my DSL number and account numbers and somehow lost the old one so they couldn't go back and see what I was paying before. Although even after they got it figured out I still had to call them each month and explain the whole thing over!!!
#2. When I moved out of my apartment and got a house with my girlfriend we put the new service in her name, will she just moved out. So she canceled the service, but I found out from a Qwest rep. that it would be "easier" to just transfer the account into my name that way the service wouldn't be interrupted. So she called them back and had them transfer it over to me. One day later the DSL goes down, I thought maybe it was just something that happened when they switched it over and figured it'd be right back on, wrong.
So I gave them a call, turns out that when they put the transfer order in they forgot to cancel the disconnect order! So after I explained what happened they got it straighten out, or so I thought! The lady I talked to was nice and put in an escalation order to have the DSL reconnected as soon as possible, it only took an hour or so and I was back online and surfing away!
...until about 4 hours later, when the DSL shut off again! I tried to reconnect but it was complaining about the username and password (which I was told would not change). I work nights so I decided to head for bed and hoped it would clear up by morning, and guess what? it didn't!
So I get back on the phone and decided to call tech support first since I figured they could give me my login info faster (I don't recommend calling tech support since they all seem to be over seas and can't understand you, or you them for that matter! BTW, I am not racist at all! I just don't like messing with a language barrier when I'm already pissed off!), but they couldn't find my account anywhere! So the nice guy said let me get our account/billing department on the phone. He dialed the number and apparently got bored so he hung up leaving me to figure out the stupid phone system, finally I got to the right person though.
And after about an hour of trying to prove who I was they figured out that not only had the disconnect order been canceled but the account transfer order had also been canceled, both like 8 times, that's why it was coming on then going off again! Poor Qwest tech guy must of been connecting an disconnecting the same house all day!
Anyways they tell me that once an account has been disconnected they can't transfer it, but they would be more then happy to start a new account for me! That's when the heart rate stated to jump up because I figured they wouldn't give me my old rate, and they weren't going to, until I said something and got a little pissy explaining that its there fault not mine!
It only took another 20 minutes of explaining who I was to get the new account setup. I asked for my new username and password but she didn't seem to know how to find it and just told me that a welcome kit would be in the mail in the next 5 - 7 days! Even though I had already explained that I needed the DSL back on by the weekend (it's Friday morning), plus she had already put in an escalation for the installation (that I had to ask her to do otherwise it wouldn't have been turned on till sometime next week!). As I sat there thinking to myself "The DSL is going to be turned on either sometime today or tomorrow, but I wont be able to use it until I receive my welcome kit next week!? Thanks that makes a lot of sense!".
So instead of trying to explain yet again that I needed my username and password today! I decided to thank her for her help and wrapped up the phone call.
After around 2 hours went by I called Qwest again and gave a brief description of what happened (unlike this review sorry! just needed to vent.). This time they couldn't find my new account! So I explained to the lady that it had just been setup a few hours ago and that the system probably hadn't updated yet, so I was about to tell her thanks anyways I'll just call back later... but she said hold on and somehow found it (she said it was because there main server hadn't updated yet. But I had already told her that!). Being smarter than the tech on the other end is so frustrating!
Finally I got my username and password! While shes telling me how to access the router page and telling me that there's no need in trying to connect yet because my service wont be turned on until the 25th to 27th, I was already logging in, it was a little after noon so I figured they had gotten it turned back on already, and yes I was right! 
She continued to repeat over and over not to try it yet, while she tried her best to explain the router page. I didn't wont to hurt her feelings so I just let her continue.
So now after 2 days and a few hours worth of phone calls (which I would like to say that I was only ever on hold for a few minutes! Very quick pickup times, nice job there Qwest!) I am back online in time for the weekend!
[P.S.]:
As far as I know I have the 12mbps service, although a few of the reps. I talked to said I had there 20mbps. Instead of saying anything and risk having them screw my account up again I figured I'll just wait until I get my bill to see what it is. The router page does say 12122/892 (kbps) but that my change as I got a voice mail yesterday stating that a tech will be out Saturday to finish my installation, not sure exactly why, I told them I already had it all hooked up.
[OK I'm Done]:
Even after all that I've had to go through I would still recommend Qwest DSL! I've been with them for close to 10 years now and besides the constant billing mess they've been really good. My connection has been very stable 99.9% uptime and the actual speeds are just a little lower then advertised.
Will thanks for letting me vent my frustrations! And sorry it went on for so long!
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Review by banjo_john
member for 7.5 years, 2655 visits, last login: 255 days ago
updated 3 years ago
- Loveland,Larimer,CO
- $38 per month
- about 5 days
 Qwest- "Highly reliable, fast connection at a good price."
- "Hard to communicate technical issues through off-shore support."
- "Great value for the money!"
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Updated 5/19/10: Still great reliability after four years of service -- no noticeable downtime in the last year. Connection speeds holding up well with a bit of slowing in evenings due to congestion. The 2701HG-D modem is still running with no significant problems, but it does tend to retrain once a week or so.
Updated 5/15/09: Continued great reliability -- no noticeable downtime. Even in evenings, connection speed maintains 6+ Mbps actual transfer rate. Modem seems to retrain about once a week, but that's probably due to a minor local line issue. Still using 2701HG-D modem/router. With the addition of free WiFi at ATT hotspots, the value for the price has increased even more. I had one minor billing issue during the year (didn't get properly placed on price-for-life plan the first time) but that was easily resolved.
Updated 7/22/08: Have had over two years of service with excellent speed (7M/896K) and reliability -- over 99.99% uptime.
I started with the 2Wire 2700HG-D modem, then updated to a 2701HG-D I picked up on Ebay, as well as experimenting with a Netopia 3347-02-ENT. All connected fine to Qwest, but the 2700HG-D had more frequent (but not excessive) retrains. The 2701HG-D has a couple minor glitches, but overall is a quite solid unit. The Netopia 3347 ENT model also worked well, but it's a hassle to configure for simple installations (telnet interface only). Note that this was NOT the Qwest version of the Netopia -- the Qwest version has a web interface and should be much more friendly for SOHO users.
I signed up with the price-for-life deal over a year ago to lock in a good promotional price.
Original review:
Qwest installed a remote DSLAM in my semi-rural neighborhood a bit more than a year ago, and I was one of the first to sign up for service in our area, where fixed wireless is the only other broadband option (no cable company). No issues at all with the order or initial install -- I put in my own "whole house" filter at the NID and installed a Cat5 home run to my office for the modem. I've been on the 7M/896 speed option, and have been very happy overall with the performance of the connection. I did see some slowdowns earlier in 2007 but these were resolved with the help of some great Qwest folks that monitor the BBR forum.
I'm on the Qwest/MSN package, but have never used the MSN services and did not use the Qwest/MSN install CD -- I use a 3rd party for my email hosting.
Reliability of the connection has been great -- only a couple very short outages over the last year (no more problems than my land line phone).
Overall a great deal for the price!
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 Review by adsldude
member for 12.5 years, 6479 visits, last login: 33 days ago
updated 3 years ago
- Colorado
- Contract price not specified.
- Qwest
- "VDSL2 now available instead of ADSL or ADSL2+"
- "Qwest billing is always a challenge"
- "Worth upgrading if you want xDSL and faster speeds"
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I've been with Qwest ADSL for 9 years. I like the consistent speeds and reliability of xDSL in this area. My alternative is Comcast cable which I'm just not interested in. My recent upgrade to from ADSL to VDSL2 was smooth except for the billing issues. In defense of Qwest they know they have billing issues and they are quick to correct the errors.
I subscribed to 7/5 VDSL2 and the DSLR Speed Tests to LinkLine.net in CA are 6.4m/4.6m which is great. The Actiontec Q1000 modem has been rock solid so far and offers enough functions including wireless N, 4-port gigabit switch and functional firewall to eliminate my need for additional routers.
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 Review by evilpeppard
member for 9.7 years, 2191 visits, last login: 6 days ago
updated 3 years ago
- Aurora,Arapahoe,CO
- $63 per month
- about 7 days
- "Decent speeds. Reliable. Price for life."
- "No static IP available with MSN package."
- "Good speeds for a decent price."
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Update for May 2010:
After November 2007, a new 12000/896 package became available, which I switched to via Qwest.net. I also got a static IP address and was paying $62.50 per month. The service was rock solid the entire time we had Qwest.net. Unfortunately, the 12MB package was all that was going to be available for a while.
I did research and found Comcast had actually dropped their prices from what we had been paying years earlier. We switched to Comcast Business Class 12/2 tier with one static IP for $64.90 per month and canceled Qwest in May 2010. I would consider Qwest again if they dramatically increased their available speeds. I have no complaints about Qwest except I wish they did have higher speeds available.
Update for November 2007:
Qwest has laid fiber in our neighborhood and we can now receive the 7MB package. With this new speed and the "price for life" of $36.99, plus a free modem, we have made the switch back from Comcast. I am definitely impressed, plus the cost savings is great over Comcast's.
Old Review:
We've had Comcast for many years (back to the @HOME days). Comcast keeps increasing their prices to the point it is almost ridiculous. Qwest DSL has been available for the last few years for significantly less, but the motivation to switch ISPs wasn't there until now. We had the Premium cable Internet package with no cable TV @ ~$66/mo. I just found out they were increasing this price again around Q4 of 2005 to ~$78 (including modem rental). There was the motivation I needed. Qwest was offering 1500/896 @ $26.99/mo for the first year and $39.99/mo after that.
Qwest has consistently maintained their package pricing, while continuing to offer faster service. They used to only offer 640/640 as the max where I live in Centennial, CO before, but now they offer 1500/896 (which I am getting). They state a 3000Mb download package will be available soon.
Good luck with whatever provider you choose.
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Review by smtroy
member for 3 years, 0 visits, last login: 3 years ago
updated 3 years ago
- Sequim,Clallam,WA
- $30 per month
- (12 month contract)
- about 5 days
- "DSL Internet in a rural area"
- "Connectivity drops"
- "Only game in town if you need full time Internet"
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I live on Diamond Point. There is no cable Internet access that I know of, so DSL from QWest is the only service provider that I know of. In general, I was gratified to find that I could even get DSL here. The price is good, $30 per month. But the connection is not awesome.
The good news is when I'm working and connected to my company through VPN, it's pretty robust. Maybe one or two drops for a full 8 to 10 hour day. It's why I have DSL, so that's a plus.
Watching Netflix late on Friday night can be a hassle. During a 40 minute (one hour) TV episode over Watch-it-now, it will drop two or three times, every 10 minutes or so. It then takes three to five minutes to reset and buffer the connection. So I often just give up watching over Watch-it-now.
Technical service is pretty good, other than the fact that it takes about 5 minutes to actually talk to a person the few times I have called. They can usually tell what's happening from my modem on their end, so their system is fairly well developed.
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 Review by angussf
member for 11.3 years, 1105 visits, last login: 6 days ago
lodged 3.1 years ago
- Tucson,Pima,AZ
 Business customer- $75 per month
- (24 month contract)
- Qwest
- "Decent tech support for business"
- "Online info not as clear as it should be"
- "My first choice for broadband connections"
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Too bad Qwest partnered with MSN for home users.
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Review by blakeburton
member for 3.1 years, 0 visits, last login: 3.1 years ago
lodged 3.1 years ago
- Twin Falls,Twin Falls,ID
- $50 per month
- (24 month contract)
- Qwest
- "always works"
- "I never have any trouble since installing quick care from their help site"
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A technician set it up. At first, I had to re-boot the modem often. Since installing quick care from their help site, I've never had to do it again.
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 Review by pwrtoppl
member for 4.5 years, 380 visits, last login: 2.5 years ago
lodged 3.2 years ago
- Westminster,Adams,CO
- $25 per month
- (12 month contract)
- "cheap cost, bundled deal with dish network, choice between no contract and contract"
- "slow speed, no choice of speed for major areas, constant drops in connection due to weather, poor tech support"
- "you get what you pay for, cheap service means cheap connections"
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For what it's worth, the speed is not terrible if one plans on basic webrowsing, but almost anything else network intensive will be a failure. It seems there is not a choice in what speeds you get, it's more of the area you happen to live in. Where this review comes from, in a major suburban area, the slowest speed possible was also their fastest speed possible, a killing 1.5mbps. To top that off, it seems you never hit that speed, even coming from a speed test site, where you might hit 900kbps at best. anything streaming related would not break 150kbps.
The modem(s) aquired over the time the contract was held had issues. One modem died over a short 4 month use, where it simply ceased to continue working. The second modem had a temp issue, where it would drop the connection from the outside to inside if it was freezing or below, often leaving the connection off for periods up to an hour or more. The poor selection of modems did not aid in the service.
When contacted over connection drops, Qwest would often respond that there was no outage in their area, despite multiple users being without service. This often meant thier basic troubleshooting often lead to the end user being the cause and fault. If communication between multiple techs and the end user could not past the modem, and remained internal on the users network, the call was often ended without further support, or often a tech was sent out, long after their outage would be resolved. When a tech actually admits there was an issue, but the phone tech would refuse to admit to simple faults, communication between support was evident...poor at best.
With that in mind, if someone wants a really cheap service, with bad modems, poor support, lack of speeds, then Qwest works best for that type of situation.
Great company, poor practices
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Review by viperlmw
member for 8.3 years, 2242 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 3.3 years ago
- Grangeville,Idaho,ID
- $32 per month
- about 5 days
- Qwest
- "Works like a champ!"
- "None"
- "Best in the West!"
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Still rock solid, and FAST! Upgraded to Platinum (7M-896K), never goes down. During power outages, it still runs on my UPS (during extended power outages, I fire up my generator, plug in my UPS, fridge, TV and my HR21-700 (DirecTV Hi-def DVR), drink cold beer and enjoy!) without even blinking. The local cableco (SuddenLink, after 3 name changes in 3 years) can't do that. Plus, they only offer 1.5M max here.
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Review by idle
member for 3.3 years, 1 visits, last login: 3.2 years ago
updated 3.3 years ago
- Denver,Jefferson,CO
- $50 per month
- (24 month contract)
- about 8 days
- "Fast Enough, Inexpensive"
- "Complete Incompetence"
- "I miss Speakeasy"
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Got the 7x5 package which was a complete disaster during install. First, the installer power cycled my linux box without my permission. Next, he closed *ALL* of my windows on another computer (checked... still has a month of uptime). Finally, they are forcing me to use PPPoE which the ZyXel model requires NAT for, so I am unable to allocate a public IP (relegated to using a DMZ). Note to Qwest, BRING A LAPTOP NEXT TIME.
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