Re: Pre-sale Question in DSL Extreme http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20435594 en Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:35:28 EDT Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:35:28 EDT Re: Pre-sale Question http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20439822 anon :
said by Okman See Profile :

if you pick up the phone and you hear a dialtone, doesn't this automatically mean that you're connect to some local phone switch? but yeah check with AT&T that you can get dsl over the line
at&t California is the old Pacific Bell/Nevada Bell system which has some oddities that many US telcos do not offer. One is that if you disconnect your phone line, you may continue to hear a dial tone, be able to dial 911 or 0 but basically can't use it for anything else until your line is disconnected because they need the circuit for another customer. So even after disconnect, you may have a dial tone for months but only for 911 really.

ZUM, for people who haven't ever heard if, was a PacBell/NevBell method for dividing up large cities into zones. Prefixes within your zone were free calls. Calls to other zones, maybe called Zone2 calls, were charged increasingly more as the call distance became larger. at&t has kept the ZUM/zone system through the SBC years and now the at&t years. Just info for those outside CA.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20439822 Tue, 06 May 2008 12:59:30 EDT Re: Pre-sale Question http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20436899 mdurkin : AT&T Metro Plan is not a phone line, it is an add-on to a local phone line that you can buy in order to get ZUM 3 calling (13-16 miles from the rate center your phone line is served by) for a flat-fee. It's like a long distance plan for a particular type of outbound call. Normally on a flat-rate local calling phone line, zones 1 and 2 (0-12.99 miles) are included, and Zone 3 is a per-minute cost. Local Toll starts at 16+ miles. You can pick another long distance carrier to handle your local toll calls with 1+ dialing, but you cannot pick an alternate default provider for zone 3 calls (though you can use a dial around code).

If you want to get the bare minimum phone service, you want a Measured residential phone line which in AT&T territory in California should quote at about $5.70/mo, but is really more like $12-14/mo after taxes and fees. A Measured rate line has per-minute fees for all outbound calls, even local. It includes a $3/mo outbound usage credit which can be used towards zone 1 through 3 calls. Inbound calls are free, and local toll and long distance are not affected. You can also save on the activation of your phone line by ordering it at www.att.com since AT&T has been crediting the $40 activation fee as a bonus for ordering online instead of calling in. You'd want to be careful to select measured residential service, and not select any options because they'll try to sell you all sorts of extra services; of course decline DSL if you want to order from DSLExtreme. Note activation doesn't include inside wiring. Potentially you may need to adjust inside wiring at the phone box to make jacks work in your house, although often the first line at a residence winds up activating the jacks too without being rewired.

If you have low enough income, you could also get universal lifeline phone service, which costs about half what a regular line costs.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20436899 Mon, 05 May 2008 21:08:34 EDT Re: Pre-sale Question http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20435594 Okman : if you pick up the phone and you hear a dialtone, doesn't this automatically mean that you're connect to some local phone switch? but yeah check with AT&T that you can get dsl over the line]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20435594 Mon, 05 May 2008 16:48:18 EDT Re: Pre-sale Question http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20434986 dslx_gm : You would just need a local phone line. Typically most clients that use their cell phone but want to get DSL get a metered use line. I believe the cost is ~$10 per month. I have not heard of their Metro Service plans. I would recommend giving AT&T a call to confirm that you can get DSL service over that line. I am pretty sure you would be able to as long as it is a local line and not a add on type service.
--
George
General Manager
DSL Extreme
Will work for reviews. ;)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20434986 Mon, 05 May 2008 14:56:56 EDT Pre-sale Question http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20434645 anon : I'm looking into getting service after being dragged around by horrible service from Time Warner. I don't currently have a local phone line as my roommates and I all use cellphones. I checked and I am in an AT&T area (San Diego). AT&T provides Metro service for $3/month, I'm wondering if DSL would work with that line?


Provides unlimited ZUM 3 calling in seven metropolitan areas.

AT&T Metro Plan(SM) is a service that provides one monthly fee for calling within ZUM 3 area in California. These areas are: Los Angeles Extended Area, San Francisco-East Bay Extended Area, Orange County Extended Area, Sacramento Extended Area, San Diego Extended Area, Ventura County Extended Area, and Riverside & San Benito Counties Extended Area. AT&T Metro Plan(SM) keeps your local toll costs in check while you talk to family and friends.
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20434645 Mon, 05 May 2008 13:51:41 EDT