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Losing new customers over modem rental

Dear Sonic,

I've now recommended your service to two friends and they've both decided to use other providers instead. The two reasons they cite for this are being forced to get voice and the modem rental. I always counter with the fact that the included voice is basically free when compared to similar data services. But they can never get over the modem issue. People just don't look kindly on this. I know that's only two potential customers, but I thought I'd pass it on.

I just ordered Fusion, which is adsl2 with landline phone over the AT&T copper, afaik. The required modem lease is for first month, only, to simplify troubleshooting potential start-up issues. That seems reasonable. I didn't see anything about VOIP.

»wiki.sonic.net/wiki/Equipment_Policy

Customers who wish to use their own equipment may do so, however, the equipment fee is required for service and the customer must retain the rented equipment.

We ordered on the phone and the sonic sales rep explained it as I said, as I recall. I don't know if policy has changed or there was misunderstanding/misrepresentation in this sales transaction or something else is going on.

Please let us know if you are still being charged the monthly modem rental fee or if it really was for the first month only for trouble shooting purposes.

This is GF's new account and we had no intention of buying our own modem. So, she rents the modem and we expect it would be easier to get support for it, if need be.

Me too. I am looking to get plain old ADSL service (I'm out of range for ADSL2/Fusion) and being forced to rent your guys' equipment is a deal breaker for me.

It's effectively a 32% below-the-line fee on top of the $19.95/mo rate. Not cool.