Carson:
I spoke with a DSL tech/rep at AT&T who had trouble talking about anything technical! He said AT&T can do Voice signal tests (which they did last week for us) BUT...can NOT do Data tests on our line BECAUSE we are no longer an AT&T DSL user!
He did mention that they can do various technical things (rebuild the circuit, make the line more "stable", etc. from the office) to "improve" our DSL service IF we are with them!
Get it?
Whoever has your DSL contract does have the ability to IMPROVE your service IF THEY WANT TO - or if you complain loud enough!
The AT&T rep. also said that when DSL Extreme orders on-site service, the AT&T technician can run this so-called Data test (for DSL Extreme)!!!! So a Data test can be performed by AT&T - just NOT for us!!!
I told the (rather ignorant) AT&T service guy that I believe it's just the corporate run-around by both organizations just to squeeze more fees our of us (much like auto repair scams) since they have the customer over a barrel. They hide behind each other to get your $$$ - and you're stuck with few if any alternatives.
It's sickening when I read the very same complaints about virtually all the ISPs out there - they're all running the very same game, like the auto industry BECAUSE THEY CAN. And their well trained reps. all speak the very same double-talk and techno-speak, like we see in here, to cover up the OBVIOUS SCAM they are all working. I'll sweat out my 1 yr contract with DSLX and then be off to greener pastures!
Good luck with Verizon - you'll need it!
jim