Optimum1
Hey Macleod, Get Offa My Ewe
Premium
join:2001-08-22
Minneapolis, MN
clubs:
 ·Comcast
| What Happened?
Why has this forum died? Judging from the last post here, it would seem there is some suggestion that Speakeasy is going away or going under. Can someone explain? All the news I see indicates that Best Buy bought them, and things are just running status quo -- although it seems they've switched their focus to business customers. What's the real deal here?
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Founding member of FFF -- Former Folding Farmers. I'm all better now... |
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CylonRed
Premium,MVM
join:2000-07-06
Bloom County
 ·Speakeasy
edit:
March 8th, @09:22PM
| I don't think anyone from SE monitors or answers questions here in ANY offifical capacity - the last one I saw has the note to go thru the telephone support for any support which seems to say to me that they don't monitor this forum or they do it sporatically and they post anon instead of via a user nic that they used to allow.
It does seem that the focus has changed to business as residential service is not a huge profit center, especially since BB bought them.
I know my connection has not ever wavered and some have left because of FIOS. I don't think they are going under - they charge to much for that to happen as they *should* be making a profit due to the price they charge.
Other than that - I think the only thing you will hear here from SE is the regular old corp line that nothing has changed and to call in for support. Kinda like the same line we got at my work when we were bought by a private equity firm "No changes in jobs forseen...." Yea - they started firing folks within 2 weeks all unannounced and more to come. |
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Optimum1
Hey Macleod, Get Offa My Ewe
Premium
join:2001-08-22
Minneapolis, MN
clubs: | Thanks for the update. |
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bigbearbear
join:2004-04-09
| reply to Optimum1
I don't think the lack of forum postings has any indications on the performance of Speakeasy, I believe it simply shows most customers of theirs are satisfied with the service and have nothing to write about.
I've been a customer of Speakeasy for 2 years now, I work from home and the Speakeasy DSL line is used for running servers and tests for work. I also have Comcast for clients machines and primary Internet connection (faster download speed). I'm happy to say, the Speakeasy line has been, and continues to be, rock solid and runs my servers well. The only couple of times I had issue was when a new housing construction in my area knocked out the phone line (no dial tone) but though no fault of theirs, Speakeasy tech support was helpful and guided me to resolve it with AT&T (SBC back then).
So why am I posting now? Their ADSL2 service intrigued me and I wanted to see if there are complains about it. 
Seems like the only complains I find are pricing, which isn't an issue for me since its a company paid line and speed/reliability are more important to us. |
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NgtFlyer
join:2000-07-09
Marietta, GA
·Speakeasy
| reply to Optimum1
I've been a Speakeasy customer going on 5 years now and I've rarely ever had any problems with the connection. Service has been top notch through the years and on the couple occasions I have had to call support, the first-line support reps have always resolved the issue quickly. |
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sommerfeld
join:2006-01-24
Arlington, MA | reply to Optimum1
One change I've noticed is that the "home office" branch of their phone support menu tree seems to have degraded to 30-60 minute wait times most times I've tried calling recently.. |
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NgtFlyer
join:2000-07-09
Marietta, GA
·Speakeasy
| I imagine, like everyone else, Speakeasy is feeling the economic crunch and has had to downsize. Also, the ILECs make it difficult if not impossible for 3rd party providers to perform installs and provide service. Luckily I've had my service for about five years and it's been very reliable.
The home markets are dominated by what the general consumer is exposed to or what is made available to them. Many of these markets see monopolization by the cable providers since the homes are outside of the effective distance from the CO. If they are within distance from the CO, AT&T is often the only choice as more and more new homes are on fiber trunks. 3rd party providers just can't compete here.
Speakeasy is expensive. I pay that premium for the upper-tier service and static IPs I have. I have servers.
But, with the economy in a crunch, and the decrease in "enthusiast" users, I suspect sales of new home installations has slowed significantly. It is much easier for 3rd party providers to work with businesses and that is why Speakeasy has changed its focus to the business customer. Still, it is good that they offer service to the home where it is possible.
I only wish the cost was a bit less for the higher ADSL2+ speeds. |
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jcricket
join:2002-08-30
Seattle, WA
·Speakeasy
| reply to Optimum1
Speakeasy gets 90% of their revenue from business (mostly small) customers these days, and less than 10% from residential. This change happened almost 5 years ago. I think the lack of competitive pricing for the recent service offerings (if you are a consumer), coupled with increased speeds/low prices from cable and telcos meant that most of the users that would post here simply left for greener pastures.
I am one past customer, for example. Yes, Speakeasy was great when they offered better service, faster speeds and the same price as Qwest. But any time it went down (which was rare, to be sure) it was a nighmare navigating the Covad, Speakeasy, Qwest blame chain.
So I switched to Qwest, pay $10 less/month and get 2-3x the speed. I don't run servers at home, so that wasn't a draw for me anymore. Home "connectivity to the net" is basically a commodity right now, in most consumers eyes. I wish I had options like FIOS, and I'm not switching to cable (DirecTV is far better for HD in my area), but it is what it is.
All this said, I doubt Speakeasy misses me. My bet is now that it's almost 95-97% of their money from small businesses, especially those interested in the VOIP service. |
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JonW
join:2002-08-13
Herndon, VA | reply to Optimum1
My residential service had been working fine, but I'm seeing some packetloss and other issues today, so I hoped on the forum to see if anything was reported. Otherwise, I just haven't had any need lately, and haven't been around. |
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jaykaykay
4 Ever Young
Premium,MVM
join:2000-04-13
Scottsdale, AZ | reply to Optimum1
I haven't found a need to come here either. Point of fact, I am quite happy with how my line and service have been for the past 8 years. |
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