Review by MRCUR 
Posted: 1.7 years ago
member for 1.7 years, 101 visits, last login: 15 days ago
 Naples,Collier,FL
 $24 per month (12 month contract)
 about 2 days
 Sprint
CLEC party: Sprint
 "Great Speeds, Fast Shipping"
 "ZyXEL modem doesn't work with XBOX Live"
 "Great Service, if you don't have XBOX Live"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
I called EMBARQ to order the $24.95 DSL package on 3/4/07, and had the modem 3/6. The service was activated before 7 p.m., and the install took about 10 minutes. I get very close to, or more than, the advertised speeds of 1.5/384. The total monthly price is around $60 for the phone and internet with taxes. This is for my grandmother, who lives in Florida half the year. When she is not here, Embarq cuts her bill in half as a vacation package.
Embarq is using a DHCP system for their DSL, which is very nice because you don't have to use any install CD, or even setup an e-mail account if you don't want to (I didn't, my grandmother uses AOL). The modem is a ZyXEL 660R which does not have a USB port if you want to use Embarq with an older computer. Embarq will send a NIC card at your request.
The modem was free, and UPS Overnight shipping was free as well. Activation is $50, but that is refunded either on your first months bill, or with a check.
Now for the bad. The ZyXEL will not work with XBOX Live, unless you put it into bridge mode. Once in bridge mode, XBL is amazing! The port forwarding on the modem does not work, so you have to put it in bridge mode or you will not be playing online with XBL because of the strict NAT. (It is so strict that you can't do ANY multiplayer or private chats.) Because my grandmother only has one computer, I have the modem directly connected to her computer, and I switch the ethernet cable to my 360 when I want to use it. The problem about bridge mode is, that when you want to change back to routing mode, you MUST unplug the ethernet cable, and hold down the reset button on the modem for 30 seconds. If you leave the ethernet cable plugged in while changing back to routing mode, the modem will not pull an IP from Embarq.
Overall, the service has been great, and I might think about switching to Embarq at home in PA from Comcast if they get their speeds up to 10/1 or something close.
»www.speedtest.net/result/96840624.png
Followup comments:  
Dezbend
Premium,MVM
join:2001-04-20
| 10 MEG rumors abound rumor has it that Embarq will be introducing a 10 Meg line later this year.
Here is one...
»GOOOD News!!!
but I have heard it from others including my local CO tech.
--
If it is not recorded, it simply does not exist. | |
|  | MRCUR
join:2007-03-09
Columbia, PA | Re: 10 MEG rumors abound That's good to hear. I am having so many problems with Comcast at home, that I would switch to Embarq even with the XBL problems. | |
| | |
Dezbend
Premium,MVM
join:2001-04-20
edit:
March 9th, @11:44AM
| Re: 10 MEG rumors abound by the way, welcome to the site! There is a forum specifically for Embarq high speed internet: »Embarq
As well as Comcast HSI: »Comcast HSI
and even Comcast cable tv: »Comcast Cable TV
as well as a couple on console gaming and support:
»Console/Handheld games
»Console Tech
--
If it is not recorded, it simply does not exist. | |
| | | | MRCUR
join:2007-03-09
Columbia, PA | Re: 10 MEG rumors abound Thanks for the welcome. I have actually been here for a long time, but finally got around to registering today while on vacation. | |
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SimplyOrange
@comcast.net
| Re: 10 MEG rumors abound I've saw a connection in PA sync up over 10Mbit down/ 1.7Mbit up by mistake. It happens when engineering resets provisioning to wide open on the DSLAM. The funny part is the customer called in about something else entirely not related to DSL, so we had to reset their provisioning. Had the line been groomed it would have sync'd up a lot faster than that. | |
| 
Titus Pullo
I came, I saw, I slept
join:2004-06-26 | When did Embarq drop to bronze? I *thought* Embarq had a Silver rating (above 70) when I joined, and it appears that it still does. When did Embarq fall from grace into Comcast's territory? | |
| | MRCUR
join:2007-03-09
Columbia, PA | Re: When did Embarq drop to bronze? Actually, my grandmother is in a Time Warner area that Comcast is *slowly* taking over. (They are also doing a pretty bad job of it in my opinion.) But anyway, I am very happy with Embarq and am highly considering switching in PA. | |
| 
Trinijoy
Premium
join:2005-09-12
Brick, NJ | asf yeah every cable company is doing this right now, just to compete. I wonder when the lawsuits will happen | |
| gavinallan1
join:2007-03-12
Jefferson City, MO | No Newsgroups! My biggest complaint after having the service for a week is that Embarq DSL doesn't have any newsgroups.
Anyone have a recommendation for newsgroup service? | |
|
shinji
@Level3.net
| rumors I'll confirm and deny a few things here.
10 mbit service.
This is FALSE at this time. Embarq has no plans for 10mbit service. However 8 mbit is being tested at this time. Also some areas may of noticed an increase in upload speed as a trial is being done. The requirement for 8mbit service will likely be 4,000 feet from the Central Office.
NNTP (Newsgroup) access.
Since Embarq split from Earthlink, NNTP service has become unavailable. Embarq is working to get new NNTP service available for customers. | |
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