how-to block ads
|
»next review in page
 Review by frodo123 
Posted: 189 days ago
member for 2.6 years, 74 visits, last login: 17 days ago
 Norristown,Montgomery,PA
 Business customer
 $117 per month (12 month contract)
 about 15 days
 Cavalier
 "Always UP!"
 "max speeds available in my area are poor due to CO distance"
 "Great deal if you can't get cble or FiOS"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
Never really had any problems with SpeakEasy and if I could get faster speeds I would stay with them but, I think I'll be switching to FiOS soon and canceling SpeakEasy.
I currently have 3mb/768k ADSL2+ from Speakeasy and this seems to be the fastest I will ever get on DSL due to the distance from the CO. So the speed limitations and the pricing for the differences between DSL and FiOS are the only reasons I may switch.
The service has always been excellent and Tech support is great!!
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Speakeasy |
 | »next review in page (previous review)
 Review by steve1515
UPDATED: 203 days ago
member for 9.3 years, 3932 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Peabody,Essex,MA
$65 per month (12 month contract)
about 6 days
Verizon
"Static IP; Stable"
"They don't have the OSTG package anymore."
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
UPDATE (5/7/2009): I just got my invoice. Everything looks like it's fine now.
UPDATE (3/19/2009): I called billing last week and they told me they would get back to me on the billing issue by Monday. It's now Thursday, and I haven't heard anything. EDIT: I just called them. They said it was fixed but I won't see it until my next invoice gets generated on April 7th. I'll post an update then.
UPDATE (3/7/2009): I've received my first full month's invoice for my new phone line and it's $10 more than I was promised. Looks like they didn't give me a credit that they said they would. I'll have to call next week and get this fixed. I'll post an update with the results.
UPDATE (2/17/2009): I've been up an running on my new line/phone number for about a week and a half. So far it's been very good. Someone from Speakeasy called me and helped me rebuild my package on the new line. She was very helpful. She was very nice even when I had to call back the next day to get a billing error fixed. I will update if anything changes.
UPDATE (1/27/2009): I'm currently trying to get my packaged moved to a new phone number. I was promised that I would be able to do this without any trouble. I've now been trying to get this done for about 2 weeks. Hopefully this will turn out well. I will post an update soon.
UPDATE (6/10/2008): I still have Speakeasy, but I upgraded to the OSTG package a few years ago for an upload speed increase and 8 static IPs (I only use 2 of those IPs). They no longer offer the OSTG package, so if I ever switch I probably can't come back at my current rate. This is bad since their current pricing structure is very expensive. As long as nothing changes, I'll stay because they are very reliable, and they let me run servers.
I canceled Earthlink during the week of December 22. They disconnected me and freed my line.
Once I noticed that my modem no longer got sync, I knew that I could call Speakeasy. This was on December 31st. Luck me, this was the last day for the rebate for the modem kit.
I called and ordered everything was ok except that the rep selected the wrong speed package. (I'll explain below). Anyway, everything went smoothly and was up and running on January 6th, the date that they gave me.
I ordered the 1.5/256 plan with dynamic IP, they gave me a static IP, which is a free bonus. (Since I'm supposed to have a dynamic IP, they can switch me over to dynamic any time they want. But, that's not a problem for me.  )
The rep accidentally picked 1.5/768. This would cost me 79.99 a month which I didn't want. I just had to wait till my line was activated and they they would correct the mistake and put me back to 1.5/256. I called today to have them fix the problem and they said it would take 24 hours. Well, it only took about 10 minutes. I was very impressed.
I've only had Speakeasy for a week and I love it. It's worth the price. I hope it's always this good.
Summary:
CPE: Zyxel 645M (Using Old Westell)
Speed: 1.5/768
Price: $65
IP: 8 Static IPs
Followup comments:  NbWY1
join:2003-05-23
Columbia, MD | Speakeasy Typical Speakeasy experience. I've used them twice and love 'em  | |
| 
peter Carr
@mit.edu
| Now owned by BestBuy I am a loyal and happy speakeasy customer since 1999 and would recommend them to anybody.
But Speakeasy has recently been purchased by BestBuy and I am skeptical of what is coming next. Based on BestBuy's customer service reputation I would not recommend speakeasy to anyone. I am currently shopping for a new ISP even though I haven't had any problems under the new regime. | |
|
unhappy camper
@comscore.com
|  the new Speakeasy sucks!
I did not had to call them many times.
First it was to activate my e-mail account (they forgot to do that). Got resolved in 3 minutes.
Second time to get my 4 IPs re-assigned because they were scattered all over. Never got a resolution, but some lame excuses, if I remember correctly. It was mentioned that if I would be willing to pay some unbelievable amount that "could possibly get resolved". Dropped it, since their offer was unbelievably expensive.
Third time is now - Jan / Feb 2009 - (after they got purchased by "Best" Buy) and it's awful.
12 days ago I noticed I could not ping the gateway. I power-cycled and then checked every switch and router inside my house. All was OK. Power-cycled the DSL modem. No change to the situation. Called their tech support. John Givins pretended he ran tests (did not revealed in detail what he wad doing) and determined the modem is at fault. Arranged I'd be sent a DSL router as a replacement. Got the DSL router not overnight, as I should have, but 3 days after (partially because bad weather - can not blame Speakeasy here). However, the power supply would not match the router. Complained about that. Got a second power supply re-sent "overnight".
After 7 days I finally got a compatible power supply and DSL router. Plugged those in. Still no connectivity.
Called Speakeasy again. This time Jenn ran tests with me again. Jenn's theory, confirmed later by Covad, was that the noise on the line is out of acceptable limits.
Jenn suggested I stay at home during the week-end, since the phone company might come during the week-end to fix the problematic loop, because it seems it is a cable problem between the CO and my house.
Of course, the phone company (Verizon) reps did not show up during the week-end. Nobody contacted me for 3 days. When I finally called then after 11 days they are pointing the finger at Covad, and Covad is pointing the finger at Verizon.
After "guessing" the wrong answer (till I have a reason to believe otherwise, my modem is fine), sending me the wrong equipment and saying "sorry", they finally are escalating the case. 11 days after I opened the case.
However, there is no end in sight, since Verizon (Speakeasy's competitor) are dragging their feet and did not get involved yet. And Speakeasy - which is providing a *fake* SLA (99% speed "guarantee") does not seem to care too much.
Meanwhile we had bad weather and I had to stay at home. Would I have had DSL available, I could have worked from home. Since I did not had this, I had to take 2 days of vacation, since I could not work from home.
I can not do research from home and I am losing time and money just because of that.
Seven days out of this delay are directly attributable to John Givins, who does not know his job! Jenn made me believe that by today (Monday) things would get resolved. I am paying over $100 / month for a business type of service to receive poor customer service and excuses. Not a good deal, if you ask me!
*Stay away* from "the new" Speakeasy, that is my advice! | |
| | | |
| Forums » comments on review of Speakeasy |
| »next review in page (previous review)
Review by jtl10
UPDATED: 237 days ago
member for 2.8 years, 31 visits, last login: 141 days ago
New York,New York,NY
$464 per month (24 month contract)
about 35 days
Verizon
"Was an OK T1 provider for a while"
"Grossly understaffed customer support, lies about callbacks"
"A BAD choice for T1 service"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings below consensus)
|
UPDATED:
By and large our experience with SpeakEasy was OK, until Yesterday. Since we were out of contract we decided to look for a better deal. SpeakEasy was advertising 3x3 (3mbps up/down) service in our area for about the same price as our existing T1. However, we were able to find a better deal from another company so we went with them and decided to just cancel our T1 service.
Cancelling our service was a NIGHTMERE. I called twice and was promised a call back both times (both in less than 30 minutes) - and no one called. I called again and waited on hold nearly 30 minutes - and despite answering a long series of voice prompts to get the right department was told that the person who answered would be unable to cancel our service and that I needed to be transferred to another division that would be able to help - with another 15-30 minutes on hold... however, as I was being transferred I was hung up on.
Called again, promised a call back, no one called.
Called again, promised a call back within 30 minutes, received a call 3 HOURS later... and I cancelled. And I will never, ever do business with speakeasy again.
It's too bad... the service was OK... but they simply don't have anywhere near enough customer support reps to operate a business. Thank goodness we never had any major connection problems... we could be out for a long time with customer service like this.
Bottom line - STAY Away.
--
Our company was looking for T1 service to supplement our existing DSL connection. Since cable or direct fiber wasn't available in our building, the only choice was a traditional T1 with local loop. After some problems negotiating a contract with another provider, we went with Speakeasy.
Since this connection was going to be backed up by a DSL link, reliability wasn't the most important concern for us; however, so far we haven't had any problems with the service. Uploads and downloads have been very near to rated speeds and there has been no problems with excessive packet loss or latency.
Installation was delayed a bit, solely because of delays by Verizon getting the local loop to work. This is typical of my experiences with Verizon.
One nice thing is the myspeakeasy web site. It works well and had very detailed notes durring the entire installation process.
Compared to other T1 providers this service was a good deal. However, it's still a bit disapointing to pay so much for a connection that a good deal slower than my cable modem service at home (at least for downloading).
Overall, I'd definately recommend Speakeasy to others. Their staff is friendly and helpful and we've been very pleased with the service so far.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Speakeasy |
| »next review in page (previous review)
Review by Omnifarious0
Posted: 261 days ago
member for 261 days, 3 visits, last login: 183 days ago
Seattle,King,WA
$56 per month (12 month contract)
"Responsive"
"Won't do anything, charge for service not provided, charge disconnect fee for service not provided"
"Avoid"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings below consensus)
|
I ordered Speakeasy broadband for the apartment of my girlfriend so I could have net access when I was there. I've had generally good luck with Speakeasy in the past, but not this time.
First they complained about her telephone number. She uses a number that can automatically roll over to her cell phone. Apparently, despite the fact that the physical line terminates in a nearby central office, this prohibits them from providing service over that same line.
So I went for service over her second line, which exists, but is disconnected. Speakeasy does not require an active telephone line and has a service that works with an inactive one.
This appears to go better, but when the technician comes out he complains about some detail of the apartment building's wiring and suggests I go for Comcast (Never!) or ClearWire. Speakeasy then wants me to take responsibility for the wiring in the apartment building. I refuse to do this, but ask them to keep the ticket open in the hopes that they find some way to provide service.
A few months later, I give up and ask them to cancel it. They then want to charge me a $300 disconnect fee. They never connected. It was never properly installed. But they charged me right along for the service and then wanted to charge me a $300 disconnect fee.
This is totally unacceptable.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Speakeasy |
| »next review in page (previous review)
Review by shortmexican
UPDATED: 266 days ago
member for 266 days, 4 visits, last login: 181 days ago
Seattle,King,WA
Contract price not specified. (12 month contract)
"employ's American workers"
"out of date out of touch"
"not the worst, just bad"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings well below consensus)
|
Everyone at Speakeasy hates DSL few of us even use Speakeasy, Despite the employee discount that makes it almost competitive. Slow DSL is for losers that are too upset with Comcast to see reason. As for working at Speakeasy? I think you get better treatment in prison.
after two years I have had enough. I have seen people fired for minor infractions or just honest mistakes as sacrifices to paperwork. While others spend the day spoofing emails on the clock to harass other employees without consequence.
Thank god I am out. Management is the lowest rung of bureaucrats rearranging deck chairs on a sinking ship. Nothing we offer can't be found for less somewhere else. Please avoid at all costs. even in this economy I would rather find work elsewhere.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Speakeasy |
| »next review in page (previous review)
Review by ClintJCL
UPDATED: 280 days ago
member for 8.1 years, 42 visits, last login: 253 days ago
Alexandria,Fairfax,VA
$85 per month (month by month)
about 15 days
Verizon
"Everything works!, true static IPs, no PPPOE"
"extra IPs too expensive"
"I will stay for years to come."
| |
After a VERY bad experience with Lightning Bolt DSL, I switched to SpeakEasy.
ALL problems were INSTANTLY resolved.
I negotiated for 5 IPs, as I am absolutely unwilling to pay $6/month for an IP. I know what an IP is worth, and it is jack squat.
I am a bit upset that I forgot to negotiate for 7 IPs instead of 5, which would have allowed a router and a PS2 to be added to the fray (currently: 5 machines direct-connected, just how I like it, don't want to sacrifice any of their IPs).
So... No wifi-PDA, and no online-PS2 without cable-pulling, as I am unwilling to pay $12/month for thse 2 things. THAT crippling kind of sucks and is caused by their prohibitively high IP pricing.
However, all ISPs seem to overcharge IP addresses. It's how they make the big bucks.
Overall, THE SERVICE IS EXCELLENT!! The speed and reliability are great. http responses are fast compared to Lightning Bolt.
NO PPPOE.
Decent support.
UPDATE:
I have been harassed multiple times over the last few months for "using too much bandwidth". But of course, since they don't have limits, they wont tell me how much I am allowed to use. Just that it is "too much".
Against my best instincts, I complied with another request to install a scheduler, so that my bandwidth is limited to 25% levels during business hours. I even made business hours 10 hours long to deal with other time zones.
Again, I am called out and harassed today, despite the fact that I believe my usage has actually gone down a bit, and is certainly mostly during the evenings and night and weekends. Here is the email I got:
Hi Clint,
I know you can be rather difficult via email, but this cannot wait.
Are things still secure on your LAN? Have you added new wireless gear to your network that's not been locked down, maybe? You are severely over-utilizing your residential-class circuit, and are outside of compliance with our Terms of Service.
I know you are quite savvy, and since we have already discussed this matter, I must be firm. This download pattern must change, or your services will be terminated for abuse of our network.
Excerpted from »www.speakeasy.net/tos/#moderation
"Customers will not be charged for the bandwidth consumed, nor do we have specific limits or caps on that bandwidth. If you utilize any of your Speakeasy services in a manner which consumes excessive bandwidth or affects Speakeasy's core equipment, overall network performance, or other users' services, Speakeasy may require that you cease or alter these activities."
If something else has happened, then I humbly apologize for my tone, but you are still responsible for what happens at your end of the network.
Lawrence McBride
Executive Escalation Manager
Toll Free > 800-556-5829 ext. 5103
Direct > 206.971-5103 Fax > 206.728-1500
Email > lawrence@hq.speakeasy.net
www.speakeasy.net
At this point, I feel very lied to. Who else thinks I should take them to small claims court for my setup fees (both for them, and for my next ISP)?
In the end, the terminated me. THEY CALLED ME UP AND SPECIFICALLY SAID, "DOWNLOAD LESS THAN 100 GIGS NEXT MONTH, OR WE WILL DISCONNECT YOU". Does that sound like what Lawrence McBride just said? Hell no. I also specifically asked them if I was negatively affecting other users' service, and they said no. They just didn't like me downloading 250G in a month. That's my prerogative!
They even threatened me with a $300 early termination fee, despite the fact that THEY WERE TERMINATING ME.
EarthLink may be the worst ISP ever, but SpeakEasy is the biggest hypocrite of an ISP.
Here is the link to my screenshots of their pre-sales chat where they, apparently, lied to me about the ability to use 100% of my bandwidth!:
»www.flickr.com/photos/clintjcl/76331358/
Attachments:
Followup comments: NitroBiz5
join:2007-11-15
Kent, WA
| Read the TOS Clint
I can understand your frustration and appriciate your love for freedom of speech but on the other hand you have to understand what your doing or have decided to do on a daily basis is affecting their network and inability to service their other customers.
Here is a excert from their TOS:
3.1 Bandwidth: As an ISP, Speakeasy's financial liability is partially determined by the amount of bandwidth customers utilize. Speakeasy can normally balance that cost and utilization while continuing to provide great service to all customers. Customers will not be charged for the bandwidth consumed, nor does Speakeasy have specific limits or caps on that bandwidth. However, if Customer utilizes any of Customer's Speakeasy services in a manner that consumes excessive bandwidth or otherwise negatively affects Speakeasy's core equipment, overall network performance, or other users' services, Speakeasy may require that Customer cease or alter these activities.
For the full TOS please refer to this website: »www.speakeasy.net/tos/msa.php
I would suggest you reconsider your actions. | |
| | | |
| Forums » comments on review of Speakeasy |
| »next review in page (previous review)
 Review by djpiazza
UPDATED: 312 days ago
member for 8.6 years, 2114 visits, last login: 19 days ago
Caldwell,Essex,NJ
Business customer
$106 per month (12 month contract)
about 12 days
Verizon
"Reliable Service, Static IP's, no restrictions"
"More expensive than other providers"
"Can't compete with Fios."
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
The Order - I ordered Speakeasy in June 2003. Had service up and running faster than expected. Frustrated that I had to order a Verizon Phone line to get DSL service. Quickly learned that it didn't matter what ISP, all required Verizon phone line. Being an AT&T local customer, I had to add a basic Verizon line. this was still much cheaper than using Comcast. (STAY AWAY FROM THEM) Sales people very helpful. Only problem was a misunderstanding regarding the rebate process. It was eventually solved but caused a huge delay in receiving the rebate. Started billing 3 days before service was up but a quick phone call had them credit the days back.
The Install - Plugged in the router Prestige 645m and connected to supplied filters. Connected Linksys Wireless router using NAT. Plugged in Computer and it worked. Couldn't have been any easier.
The Service - I don't really have any complaints about the service. It works great. Speed provision is 1536/768. I regularly test at 1306/564 with 15.4ms ping times.
Occasionally an e-mail comes warning of maintenance down time, usually 3-7 days in advance. While there have been some unexpected down-times, they have been few in occurrence and short in duration. Mail servers seem to work fine.
Overall - I think Speakeasy is a top rate company. Yes they cost more but I am gladly paying the bill for service that works and the added benefits of features I want with no restrictions.
Upgrade - I just ordered an Upgrade to 3.0/768. At first was told I can not have the current promotion of 69.95 for 3 months than 99.95 thereafter because that was for new customers and I am still under contract(1.5 months left). I stated that I was willing to extend contract and should be rewarded as a loyal customer and not punished for it. I was transferred to a manager who more than willingly allowed me to have the promotion, although she had to do it "creatively" due to computer processing restrictions. Will post an update as to how this pans out and how long it takes.
UPDATED - Well It's 4 days later and My speeds are blazing. Apparently Speakeasy decided to include me in the upgrade to 6.0/768 for the promotion. Thank you very much. Line steadily tests at 5061/705 now. Interesting that I have a great increase in upload as well. Previously very steady upload of 560's went to a steady 700+ now. SPEAKEASY ROCKS.
**Updated 8-31-2006**
I have to say the service still performs exceptionally well but I have become increasingly disappointed in their pricing. It seems everywhere I look I see speeds getting faster and prices getting lower. But not a single change from Speakeasy. And now with this BS price increase disguised as a regulatory fee when everyone expected the rate to go down with the elimination of the federal tax, I am beginning to look at alternative solutions. Updates to follow.
**Updated 1-18-2009**
The time finally came. I am now a Fios for Business customer. I tried to stay with Speakeasy, but they had nothing to offer to compete with Fios and offered nothing for me to stay with the slower packages they offered. Was a bit surprised when they said ADSL2 was not available to me yet it "was" available to me 1 year ago when it first came out. After 5 1/2 years with SE, I thought they might at least try to retain me as a customer. They did not. Didn't even try. SO goodbye SE and good luck.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Speakeasy |
| »next review in page (previous review)
Review by abenamer
UPDATED: 319 days ago
member for 7.9 years, 54 visits, last login: 319 days ago
Brooklyn,Kings,NY
$90 per month (12 month contract)
Verizon
"Dry line DSL installation, courteous service"
"Quick and efficient installation"
"Pretty fast connection speed"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
I'm more than 11000 ft from the CO but I managed to get 2.5 mbps down and .6 mbps up. They're replacing my old Acedsl connect.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Speakeasy |
| »next review in page (previous review)
 Review by SilverTab
UPDATED: 321 days ago
member for 9 years, 141 visits, last login: 275 days ago
Birmingham,Jefferson,AL
$89 per month
BellSouth
"Good package...static IPs!"
"Unfortunately you have to deal with Covad and Bellsouth, so you may never get them..."
"Cross your fingers and hope that your order goes perfectly...they DO NOT deal with problems."
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings below consensus)
|
I orginally ordered DSL with Bellsouth, but with two computers in the apartment we really need static IPs to get full functionality, especially when doing things like webcasting. I was using my computer for routing and NAT, but I still couldn't get both computers to do a webcam broadcast simultaneously or separately, and I don't really have the time to be a sysadmin for the apartment. After loads of research and several types of routing software, I still couldn't find a solution where my roomate could webcast, so I just decided we should switch to an ISP that will give us static IPs. I guess I should have cancelled Bellsouth before I even contacted Speakeasy, but not knowing much about the process at the time, I didn't think there would be a problem. Boy, was I in for it. It's quite a story, but check it out...it should sound familiar.
I ordered DSL from Bellsouth around the end of October and got it up and running on November 15. However, we decided that we would switch to Speakeasy and ordered service with them about a week or so after ordering from Bellsouth, but I didn't want to cancel my service with Bellsouth until I heard something from Speakeasy. On the 17th or 18th we lost connectivity with our Bellsouth DSL. After a few hours on the phone with them, they told my roomate that somehow we had gotten removed from the system. I now realize that that HAD to have something to do with my speakeasy service, because on the 17th, my Covad loop was delivered according to my TAC page. WHAT? This was a line-sharing order. There is no loop installation on a line sharing order. *sigh* That didn't occur to me at the time.
Well after being on the phone with them for awhile, they realized that I had been cancelled somehow...one of the people I talked to mentioned Covad, but I told them that until I get some kind of confirmation from Covad that Bellsouth is still my ISP...so they got us turned back on immediately. [Let's stop right there and realize that at this point, I had heard NOTHING from Speakeasy. NOTHING. And again, why did they mention a loop install?] Then on the 20th we lost connectivity again...this time for good. The data light on the modem would only blink. After a few more hours on the phone (again, it was my roomate with them because I had to leave for work) they concluded that the modem must be malfunctioning. They scheduled a technician to come and replace the modem on November 30. But on the 27th, I *finally* got an email about my Speakeasy order saying that the loop install date is...or WAS the 17th. I didn't notice that that was the day we first lost connectivity. At any rate, the Covad install date was set for the 30th, and now I knew it was safe to cancel Bellsouth, so I did. When the technician set up the modem and the data light blinked, I immediately realized that that was the same thing the Bellsouth modem was doing, so it probably wasn't broken. Slowly, I saw the bumf*ckery arising from the muck. I think Bellsouth just got confused.
What I'm wondering is what exactly happened on the November 17, and what happened on November 20? And what exactly is the present problem with my loop? How many loops do I have now? Why did Covad order a loop? Of course, only Bellsouth and Covad can answer those questions, but Speakeasy should be seeking this information, too. I work in DSL installation for Verizon and from what I know this problem can probably be solved very quickly. I already had DSL, how could they screw up the cross-connect?
By this time, I was reading horror stories on DSLR. So rather than let the order get bogged down in the internal workings at Covad or Bellsouth, I decided to continue to give them both a kick in the pants by calling Speakeasy daily until I either know what happened and when they're gonna fix it, or until the DSL starts working.
So I did. And I kept hearing the same thing:
"Covad is currently working with Bellsouth to resolve the issue..."
"We should know something within 24 to 48 hours..."
"Check your TAC page within the next 48 hours..."
"Covad doesn't have any new information, so I'm gonna open a trouble ticket..."
"They will respond within 48 hours..."
"There is no new information available, but if you check your TAC page within the next couple of days..."
After three weeks I gave them one more chance to find out what was going on. But that yielded nothing within the 24 hours it was supposed to take, so I called back and ended up giving them ANOTHER "last" chance. On that call, a ticket was escalated within Covad that was supposed to yield a response from Bellsouth within 48 hours. I told the tech (who I'm sure didn't care...I know, I do the same thing...I work for Verizon) that I would cancel if they lied to me again. The next day, I checked the TAC page, and Covad acknowledged the inquiry. The NEXT day their 48 hours was up, but being the nice guy that I am, and realizing that Covad didn't acknowledge the ticket until yesterday, I gave them ONE MORE day. The next day, after holding for 30 minutes or so, I asked the Speakeasy tech to see if Covad had a response yet, and as I wholly expected, they did not. I wasn't the least bit surprised. I knew when I picked up the phone that it would be my last correspondence with Speakeasy, and it was. I cancelled immediately.
If they so much as THINK of charging me some kind of disconnect fee, I'm going to call an airstrike on them.
I probably should have cancelled Bellsouth before I even got their modem, however, I didn't receive word from Covad or Speakeasy until the 27th which led me to believe that my order had fallen through the cracks, and I was on the verge of deciding to keep Bellsouth. But Speakeay told me that most telcos will not allow an order to go to completion if the customer already has DSL with them...they'll tell Speakeasy that the user has to cancel DSL with them before Speakeasy can move in. The Speakeasy tech who answered my first angry email informed me that the reason Bellsouth didn't say no is because the information that would have told them that is on paper, in filing cabinets. That's ridiculous.
Speakeasy and Covad are not proactive enough when things go wrong. "There are established processes that we have to follow..." as one tech put it in an email response. Yeah? Well your established processes BLOW. You need to come up with new process to deal with orders that go wrong. How about you create the 'telco hassle dept.' to deal with the likes of Bellsouth. Well, in the end, they failed because Speakeasy doesn't give a damn whether *I* have DSL or not, so they're not gonna get mad at Covad and Bellsouth. But I had to watch from a distance. I had a lady call me at work who's order was being screwed up. I couldn't even tell what happened. She had been told that her install date would be moved up, but it got moved back or something like that. There wasn't really anything she could do...so I thought. She asked to speak to my supervisor. Well after 70 minutes of talking to damn near every dept in Verizon, her DSL was up and running. A little fury can go a long way when you're right and they're wrong. But since Speakeasy doesn't care, my fury fell on deaf ears.
I've now gone crawling back to Bellsouth's non-static IP-offering a$$es. At least now I can hassle them directly, and get my DSL fixed. Unfortunately, the holidays are bogging me down now.
Speakeasy + Covad + Bellsouth = CRAP. ...over an indefinite time period, no matter how often you check your TAC page.
UPDATE: I came back here to read this review just for the nostalgia value, and one of the commenters mentioned that Covad was sueing BellSouth. I looked it up... and in 2002 Covad eventually won!
"In a decision handed down on Friday, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a lower court erred last year in dismissing Covad's case. Covad has charged BellSouth with intentionally delaying its ability to offer DSL (digital subscriber line) service to BellSouth customers."
BellSouth INTENTUALLY screwing Covad over. All these years later, the truth finally comes out. I wish I could have testified...
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Speakeasy |
| »next page (previous review)
 Review by jaykaykay
UPDATED: 323 days ago
member for 9.6 years, 3820 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Scottsdale,Maricopa,AZ
$79 per month (12 month contract)
about 5 days
Qwest
"The connection time to hook up was amazingly quick and pain free. The TAC follow up info was also easy to follow."
"Sometimes the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing support-wise."
"Using this ISP was the best move I could have made given my other options."
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
(1/7/09) Another yes. I am still with SE although thinking seriously of leaving after all this time. They are just too expensive and for the $79 per month, I am not getting nearly what others get elsewhere. I am still on the Legacy plan which is so legacied, I doubt it even makes sense to stay with SE on this plan, but their other plans are also too expensive.
We have not been getting anywhere near what we should be getting now, 768 up and down. Even with overhead, we should be getting better than this:
Speed Test #64405602 by dslreports.com
Run: 2009-01-07 22:15:14 EST
Download: 621 (Kbps)
Upload: 637 (Kbps)
In kilobytes per second: 75.8 down 77.7 up
The Spam filter, which I once praised, has gone to h***. It's catching a lot of Spam but SE is failing in picking up way too many addresses that have already been in my black list for some time. I got quick service/response when I put in a trouble ticket about this. I was basically told that the filter just wasn't very good. I agree!
I would still like them to upgrade the number of addresses that are allowed beyond the 500 for the Spam filter. After going on almost 10 years with SE, one can easily collect many many addresses for Spammers. They are still as prolific as rats! 500 accumulated addresses, after as many years as I have been with them, is waaaaaay too little, IMHO!
However, on a good point, my phone response time was not long and those I spoke to when needed for service were polite.
(3/19/08) Yes. I am still with SE. Other than finding my speed tests less than consistent, which they used to be, I have nothing bad to say about them yet. I've still had no problem with Support, and while I would like my speeds to be rock solid as the used to be before the past 6 to 9 months, I see no reason to leave them.
My service, the old Legacy connection of 768/384 was supposed to give basically the same up as down, the 768 minus overhead. Seldom any more am I getting that speed and I am unhappy about what i am getting as it is even slower than it should be most days. Nothing, absolutely nothing, has changed on my end so I have no idea what has caused the slower speeds.
I also would still like them to upgrade the number of addresses that are allowed beyond the 500 for the Spam filter. After going on almost 9 years, from the start of 2000, one can easily collect many many addresses for Spammers, as they are as prolific as mice. 500, after as many years as I have been with them, is really too little, IMHO.
(05/13/06) I am still using this ISP and aside from a question or 2 that I have had, I still have nothing bad to say about them. Granted, they are horribly expensive compared to many, but for my $$$, I think the service and uptime has been fantastic and I wouldn't want to try to find any other ISP for the same good record.
I would like one thing changed that they say they cannot do at this time though. I would like to be able to add more than a 500 cut off to Spamming addresses. Over the years, and I've been here for quite a few, the addresses have built up to the point where I may have to start deleting and hope I don't open a pandora's box.
Aside from that, I give a jolly 3 cheers and more to my friends at Speakeasy. It's a pleasure doing business with them.
(10/15/04) Today, I thought I would update my review and checked to see just how many Trouble Tickets I have had to enter since starting with SE and how well they have responded to them. In all the time I have been with SE, I have had only 19 TT and almost all of them have been handled well. There was only one that got handled with a lot of aggravation on my part. However, it eventually did get properly taken care of.
This is quite a record for any ISP when it comes to support/problems and solving them. I will still most certainly continue to recommend SE. They seem to be putting everything together well and continue to be A-1 in my book.
(1/15/03) I have had SE for going on 4 years now. I haven't written a report up till now finding it easier to do my writing in the Speakeasy Forum and elsewhere that I could. SE is not perfect and has its warts just like any other business, but over all, my choice to have gone and stayed with them couldn't be a more amicable one.
My service connection is not offered any more, 768/384 which most of the time is almost as good with the upload as with the down. While I qualify for a faster one, I am going to stick with what I have. If it ain't broke, why fix it. I get at least 80% throughput, and for me, this is great. I am not a gamer, so the latency issues don't really come into the picture unless there is a problem. I would love to see SE have a local POP here, but from the looks of things, that is not to be in the offing. If there was a local POP, I would then have to say that everything was just about perfect as the latency would be far less as well. Going 1800+ miles to ones POP does affect the pings!
Would I recommend SE to others? You bet!!! Would I be upset if I had to try to find another ISP? You bet!!! Do I hope to remain with SE? You bet, and I believe that they will only get better. Is it worth the extra money I pay for my account compared to the other choices that I have available to me, both DSL and cable? You bet!!!!
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Speakeasy |
|
|
Speakeasy
·
What does this have to do with isp review?
·