sdillman
join:2001-08-28
Uxbridge, MA
|  [Services] Current Verizon deal
I currently have Earthlink DSL provisioned through Verizon and capped at 768k down, I get 128k up. I'm paying $39.99/m.
I just got a letter in the mail from Verizon for $17.99/m guaranteed to never go up for 1Mbps service.
So the question is.. what is the down side to this?
Why would I want to stay with Earthlink. I have been an Earthlink customer since 2001. |
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Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs:
| Are you really far away from the DSLAM?
Have you never called in for a Speed Upgrade request?
Have you never called in for a Price Match request?
Since 06-15-2007 there has been a thread at the top of this Forum about "up to" 3.0 Mbps EL stand alone version that you can order without having Telephone service as a requirement like your current DSL.
Here is the link and it appears that the page is gone so you will have to call on the phone to EL in order to see if the offer is still available (if that interests you at all).
»Freestanding DSL -- Verizon coverage areas only
There have been dozens and dozens of Price Match threads posted in the last 5 Years here that you can read to see what to do to get a better deal.
As to how good is Verizon DSL if you were to switch, you'd have to ask in the Verizon Forum.
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What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
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sdillman
join:2001-08-28
Uxbridge, MA
| reply to sdillman
Thanks for the info. I have called once before to get the price lowered from $49.99 to $39.99. I guess I will have to call again..
I believe when I last used the distance tool that I can't find anymore the distance to the CO was: 10567 ft
I know line quality is a factor also, but is that distance a restriction at all? |
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Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs:
| said by sdillman  :I believe when I last used the distance tool that I can't find anymore the distance to the CO was: 10567 ft I know line quality is a factor also, but is that distance a restriction at all? It is with Earthlink.
8,000 feet is the cutoff for 6.0 Mbps.
10,000 feet is the cutoff for 3.0 Mbps.
12,000 is the cutoff for 1.5 Mbps.
Do you know what your Downstream Attenuation and Downstream SNR values are?
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What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
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sdillman
join:2001-08-28
Uxbridge, MA
| Here are screenshots from the Westell modem browser:
»www.dreamcycle.net/images/modem01.jpg
»www.dreamcycle.net/images/modem02.jpg
»www.dreamcycle.net/images/modem03.jpg
»www.dreamcycle.net/images/modem04.jpg
I took these back in august, I'm at work now, but had them on my website, so they were handy. |
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sdillman
join:2001-08-28
Uxbridge, MA
| I just checked the actual numbers of the plan and it looks like Verizon is offering 1.5mbps/384kbps for $27.99/m or $17.99 for 1mbps/384kbps, both for life of the account.
The $27.99 plan is probably the one I'll be considering unless Earthlink wants to match it or talk about 3mbps service  if my line will handle it. |
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sdillman
join:2001-08-28
Uxbridge, MA
| Well I'm a bit wary of this whole process.. When I initially signed up with Earthlink in 2001 I was told I would get 1.5mbps downstream, and when I got only 768k and complained they said that the speeds were not guaranteed, only to find out later Verizon was capping the line.
I just finished talking with a rep and they said for being "a loyal customer" they could knock $10 off my bill and give me a free month if I agreed to a year contract. First I would think a loyal customer would get a heads up on pricing changes and higher throughput offerings, but maybe I'm being naive.
I then asked if I re-upped for another year what kind of specs were coming with that plan, and she said I would get the same speeds, and I said those are? and she said 1.5/128, so I said then they would change? and she just re-iterated that I would get 1.5/128k. I told her I would sleep on it and get back to them.
As I see it, I've paid for 1.5 before only to get 768k and Verizon is still $2.00 cheaper and offers twice the upstream bandwidth. And if I bundle it with my current verizon lan line the plan would be 3.0mpbs/768k, hell, the Verizon 7.1mbps/768k plan is only $37.99, which is $2.00 cheaper than what I'm paying for with Earthlink now. I doubt my line can handle that, I just comparing the two plans.
I don't know, Verizon's offer is looking sweeter and sweeter. |
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sdillman
join:2001-08-28
Uxbridge, MA
1 edit | I just finished talking with both reps ( I should say 'chatting' on line ) and it was disappointing. They were like brain dead robots with canned answers that had little to do with my questions. This was my favorite exchange:
you: Well right now I'm paying Earthlink for 768k/128k and have been since 2001, but I would be interested in the 1.5/384 plan or higher, but I take it if higher plans didn't show up my line does not qualify?
Patricia: Within 30 days of your ready (activation) date if for any reason you are not completely satisfied with the services or the charges you may cancel your High Speed Internet service. Simply return all equipment provided to you by Verizon,
you: I know this is a fuzzy question. .but how accurate is the 1.5 downstream speed.. Originally I had Earthlink at 1.5, but the line was capped and I never saw the speed, but not because the line could not handle it, which did not sit to well with me, but they never guaranteed it, so there was not much I could do
Patricia: Cable offers service over a shared cable line where multiple users may be connected to the same local cable line. Verizon High Speed Internet provides a dedicated connection to the Verizon Central office so you don't have to share your local access connection with other users. This means you will always have an open connection available to you, so you will see consistency in your connection.
Open the pod bay door Hal, Maybe it was a robot. .who knows.. I was waiting for her to type 'I like turtles...'
But what I do know is this, Earthlink offered to change my plan to $29.99/m and told me I would continue to get my 1.5mbps/128kbps I get now, ummm which I don't, so the operative word here is 'continue', which I asked about but never got an answer to.
Verizon on the other hand would give me 1.5mbps/384k @ $20/m, so they are ahead right now.
I'll take the time to call REAL people. I just wanted to get some quick info online. |
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Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs:
| reply to sdillman
Currently you are syncing at 864/160 according to the Modem page you provided. Your line should handle at least 1.5/384, but 3.0 may not be feasible unless if you connect to the NID and get better Downstream Stats in the Modem (which is bypassing all inside wiring). The Attenuation would need to drop into the low to mid 40s from the 50 dB it is at now. Currently your SNR is very good, but it does drop as you get faster sync rates.
»EarthLink DSL FAQ »How do I test at my NID? What does it look like?
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What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
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sdillman
join:2001-08-28
Uxbridge, MA
| ok. thnaks for the info it is very helpful. Those modem numbers are taken from the NID, not from where the modem is in the house now. So it looks like 1.5/384 is my best bet and with Verizon offering $20/m it might be the winner. I'll contact Earthlink today and see if they will match that, if not, then I'll move. Thanks again. |
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sdillman
join:2001-08-28
Uxbridge, MA
| Well I took the plunge, because the Verizon rep offered 1.5m/384k for ~$14 a month, and Earthlink could not beat that.
It has been activated today, just trying to figure out how to go about getting my new PPPoE login info, since none of the literature says anything about my situation and the setup CD does not work with my modem. Hopefully I'll be up soon, still have my Earthlink account to close, because the rep said to leave it until the Verizon was up and working... |
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sdillman
join:2001-08-28
Uxbridge, MA
1 edit | Well I got my PPPoE username and password from support and just made a change in my router and I've now officially left Earthlink.
I canceled with Earthlink, but their TOS says I have to wait to the end of my billing cycle, so I loose what I paid this month, and the account will be open until then.
When the Earthlink rep said I would like to inform you that your DSL line will be released with in 3 to 5 business days after the account is closed.. What exactly does that mean, and do I need to take any action with Verizon to let them know?
Oh and BTW you were dead on with the speed estimates on the line, they would not give me 3.0, but I just tested and I'm getting 1.5/384 steadily now. |
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Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs:
| Glad to hear of your successes. If you want to, post the DSL Tab with your current new DSL Stats (with the SNR/Attenuation) and I will share what it tells you on the new provisioning.
EL is semi-firm about the no-proration, but others have posted they were able to get the last bill reduced so I do suggest that you call back and push on them a little bit.
They supposed have a "hold" on the line, but as you know, the Telco can take the line even before EL releases when you give your permission. I would not worry as Verizon has a direct handle on the DSL now.
Regards,
Doctor Olds
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What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
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