GorbGuy
join:2003-09-23
Middleville, MI
clubs:
 ·AT&T Midwest
| Dial Up Price Increase
So I got home today and found a letter from AT&T Yahoo Dial informing me that my service will be going from $9.99/month to $15.95/month come December 1st. Yes... a 60% increase in price! That's a dollar more than Basic DSL (which isn't available to me.) Can anyone in the know enlighten me as to why the drastic increase? I called the 866 number and was told that they are adding features and "value" to the service and as such, need to raise prices. It's dial-up for pete's sake. It doesn't get much better than 42.2k, regardless of these new "value added" features (read, more stuff to clog up an already slow homepage.)
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Same letter
@att.net
| I got same letter in mail today. I'm upset because now its cheaper to go with dsl. I can get dsl where i live. Actually 10.00 a month for first year with free modem. The problem is this. I'm not computer smart and hooking up to dsl kind of scares me. They do offer a tech who will come out for 200 dollars but thats way to much. Does anybody know how hard it would be for someone like me to hookup to dsl. |
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Frohike
join:2000-07-23
Waxahachie, TX
| reply to GorbGuy
Why are they increasing it? To push customers to DSL. Its costing more to keep dialup numbers up and running for the small amount of customers still using dialup.
Do you think ATT makes money off of 10-15 people using dialup service in small towns to keep a local access number active? And they aren't pushing the price up to keep a profit margin - they simply would love to do away with dialup service. |
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GorbGuy
join:2003-09-23
Middleville, MI
clubs:
·AT&T Midwest
edit:
October 31st, @01:26PM
| said by Frohike  :Why are they increasing it? To push customers to DSL. Its costing more to keep dialup numbers up and running for the small amount of customers still using dialup. That's all fine and dandy, offer me DSL and I'd be content. As I told the lady on the phone last night, the issue isn't the money. If DSL were available, I would probably have the highest tier. The real problem, for me, is a.) how large of an increase in price it is (I asked if she was going to see a 60% increase on her salary next year, she said probably not,) and b.) DSL is cheaper. I'm paying ~$60 a month already for this service (my phone line is only used for Internet.) For a buck less, I could have service that is 15 times faster.
said by Frohike :Do you think ATT makes money off of 10-15 people using dialup service in small towns to keep a local access number active? And they aren't pushing the price up to keep a profit margin - they simply would love to do away with dialup service. In the end, it isn't my problem if AT&T makes money off my dial-up service or not. I'm not a shareholder nor am I an employee with stock options. What I am is a loyal Ameritech/SBC/AT&T customer who has been with them for nearly 10 years. That's a lot of my money going into AT&T, that has been used to give people, such as yourself I presume, the option of having DSL and now Light Speed U-Wish. Why shouldn't I be afforded at least some of those same opportunities? Instead, AT&T is telling us Dial-Up laggards that we're no longer valued, but for an additional $5/month, we can stay with them... I mean after all, in "6 months I should access to DSL."
In any case, thanks to this bone headed move to try and swindle me out of an additional $60 a year, come December 1st, they'll be losing $720 per year. From a business perspective, I don't see where that makes much sense. But, who knows. Look at how well AOL is doing.
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Old_Grouch
If you don't want to know...don't ask
Premium
join:2004-05-26
Greenwood, IN
clubs:
·AT&T Midwest
| reply to Frohike
said by Frohike :Do you think ATT makes money off of 10-15 people using dialup service in small towns to keep a local access number active? If they plan to keep the "free" dial-in service for DSL users to have when they travel etc, aren't we talking about the same service/facilities? If keeping the modem racks and numbers is such a pain...we all better watch out because they will want to dump all dial-up.
said by Frohike :...they aren't pushing the price up to keep a profit margin - they simply would love to do away with dialup service. That has a clearer ring to it for me. I could believe that they'd rather we DSL users move to some wi-fi scheme for travel.
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At Team Discovery we know how to get more outta that danged 'puter of yours! |
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cooperaaaron
join:2004-04-10
Rockford, IL
·AT&T Yahoo
| reply to Same letter
It is easy to do, they provide instructions in the self install package. Everything you need ( parts and modem ) comes in the box. If you have any problems, there are phone numbers to call and websites to request help. Or, just come here and someone will help you out. |
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Old_Grouch
If you don't want to know...don't ask
Premium
join:2004-05-26
Greenwood, IN
clubs:
·AT&T Midwest
| Ditto what cooperaaaron said.
The hard part will be to make sure you have an ethernet card in your PC. If you know that exists...the rest is pretty straight forward.
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At Team Discovery we know how to get more outta that danged 'puter of yours! |
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mrk22
join:2003-06-13
Eastlake, OH
| reply to cooperaaaron
said by cooperaaaron :It is easy to do, they provide instructions in the self install package. The self install package is not for a non-computer person. The disc that you are instructed to use installs a lot of unnecessary software that can really slow down the computer. To properly use the self install kit, you should find the FAQ on this site that explains how to register for a username without using the disc. |
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cooperaaaron
join:2004-04-10
Rockford, IL
·AT&T Yahoo
| Meh, let's get the user set up and using DSL first, then they can go back and remove what they don't need, I used the disk and it gives you options to install or not to install certain pieces of software..  |
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janrey4
join:2004-04-05
Greer, SC
| reply to Same letter
said by Same letter :
I got same letter in mail today. I'm upset because now its cheaper to go with dsl. I can get dsl where i live. Actually 10.00 a month for first year with free modem. The problem is this. I'm not computer smart and hooking up to dsl kind of scares me. They do offer a tech who will come out for 200 dollars but thats way to much. Does anybody know how hard it would be for someone like me to hookup to dsl.
It's easy, directions included that are very easy to follow. You don't need any $200 tech nor do you need to know anything more than how to run an installation CD and follow directions(both suggested for the non-technical oriented). It's no harder than installing a game and plugging in a modem. |
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schja01
I need to get a life.
Premium,MVM
join:2000-04-27
Morton Grove, IL
clubs:
·AT&T Midwest
| Considering all but the most basic DSL package includes a free dialup access ...
You might (ahem) find a friend to set up a secondary account for you and then you can get a free ride on his dialup privledge. Assuming the DSL neighbot doesn't really use dialup. Technically doeable but something ATT probably would not volunteer.
My dad is out of DSL range and he uses my backup dialup for his very infrequent internet access. Fits his requirement just fine.
J |
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maartena
Obama 2008
join:2002-05-10
Orange, CA
| reply to Frohike
said by Frohike :Do you think ATT makes money off of 10-15 people using dialup service in small towns to keep a local access number active? And they aren't pushing the price up to keep a profit margin - they simply would love to do away with dialup service. If only they would actually replace it with DSL service. I know some people out here in California that live in a small town of 3000 or so, and have no cable internet, no DSL, just dialup.
And unfortunately there are hundreds of such towns all across the United States with no other alternative then dialup internet.
A 60% increase? What possible "new services" could a dialup customer get that he already has not now? I could see an increase from $9.95 to 11.95 if it was really for added features and services.
In this case, they clearly want to push everyone to the cheapest DSL tier available which would be $1 cheaper indeed, but they forget to actually supply DSL to hundreds of thousands of clients in rural America.
And if suchs a rural town wants to put in their own fiber and take it in their own hands, they get SUED by the cable company and the telephone giant in the area.....
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"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -
Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father. |
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Splork
join:2001-02-20
Austin, TX
 ·AT&T U-Verse
edit:
November 26th, @10:31AM
| reply to GorbGuy
There is no business-consumer loyalty in today's world. Let me clarify by saying that it may still exist with small mom & pop locations, but AT&T could care less that you've been a customer of theirs for 10 years. Today's world is driven by the bottom line and how many extra pennies the company can get for shareholders. It's a damn shame, but it's the truth. Good luck with your new company. |
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satellite68
join:2007-04-11
Louisville, KY | reply to GorbGuy
www.reliableinter.net |
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A Friend
@comcast.net
| reply to GorbGuy
Give CopperNet a try. I've used them as my back-up for Comcast and when I travel. The standard dial-up is still $9.95 with the first three months for $1.00.
»sub.copper.net/landing/?PromoCode=5301257  |
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koma3504
Advocate
Premium
join:2004-06-22
North Richland Hills, TX
| reply to Frohike
said by Frohike :Why are they increasing it? To push customers to DSL. Its costing more to keep dialup numbers up and running for the small amount of customers still using dialup. Do you think ATT makes money off of 10-15 people using dialup service in small towns to keep a local access number active? And they aren't pushing the price up to keep a profit margin - they simply would love to do away with dialup service. Thats what i was told but think they mean it for just more than small towns.
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† Koma †
If YOu Don't Think It's Possable!! It's Acually A Reality!! The best way to predict the future is to invent it. Alan Kay!!
Ya Don't Know The signal Till Ya Ride It!!
Voice Break's There's Trouble!! |
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gbh2o
join:2000-12-18
Greenville, NC
 ·STANAPHONE
·Voxee
·VBUZZER
·VOIPo
·Embarq
·callwithus
·MyPhoneCompany
·Axvoice
·Packet8
| reply to GorbGuy
There are many other providers wanting to provide dial up for you.
»www.thelist.com/ and »www.freedomlist.com/ are just two sites to assist in finding low-cost services.
The wireless solution cited above looks enticing if it is available to you! |
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ncbill
Premium
join:2007-01-23
Winston Salem, NC | Time to switch to a cheaper ISP!
also check findanisp.com
I use vtisp.com ($40/year for 150 hours/month) and even they have a local number available at our mountain cabin in the middle of nowhere. |
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cornelius785
join:2006-10-26
Worcester, MA
| reply to GorbGuy
for many of us here, doing a self install kit for dsl is a no brainer, there is nothing to it because many of us are truly computer literate. we understand what an ethernet card, dsl modem, filter, etc. is. i'm sure most of you have come across people and know people that are like "i insert what where?" (after saying it several times) "it doesn't fit there" or "hold on, i'm going to have to write this down" "uh, i've got a question.." "hold on, let me write this down..". a self install kit is not an option for those people. |
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Box435
@Level3.net
| reply to GorbGuy
I received the same letter too. When I called to CANCEL my dial-up I was told the increase is because they will be increasing the speed. right now I dial up at 28.8. I am in a rural area and cannot get DSL. I have a few options for dial-up locally that I will use for $10 or less. I have had a free yahoo email address for 8 years now so I don't have to worry about my email address changing all the time. I was looking in to using my cell phone as a modem but Cellular one wants $60 a month..a little to rich for my blood |
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