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Review by jeff3120 
member for 11.7 years, 4777 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 3 days ago
 Chicago,Cook,IL
 $25 per month about 7 days AT&T "Reliable connection" "none really" "Good value for the money"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
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Update: I recently upgraded from DSL to the uverse 12mb package. The upgrade was relatively painless and I'm seeing download speeds in the 11.6mbs range while upload speeds are in the 1.3mbs range. So far I'm very happy with the stability of the line. AT&T provided a free 2wire router/modem with wireless capability. I haven't used the wireless on it yet so can't comment on that.
While I haven't need the phone tech support in a while, I would wholeheartedly recommend the on line SBC support available on this website. These official techs are wonderful, and only an instant message away.
Comments:
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Review by b315653
member for 9.6 years, 2509 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 8 days ago
- Mentor,Lake,OH
- Contract price not specified.
- AT&T
- "The DSL,Tech's on BBR, SBC Direct Forum"
- "Phone Tech's"
- "Bang for the Buck"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
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I ordered online sometime in Sept. 2003 for the 384-1.5/128 speed for 29.95. Recieved my welcome pack/modem soon after. Waited untill the scheduled live date and hooked everything up but couldn't get online. That's when I called the support number and went through all their steps. Still nothing. I told them my modem would recycle itself without me even touching it and that must have gave them a hint that the modem was bad. They sent out another pronto and when I hooked it up and bingo DSL. I have since rerated to 26.95 and also added a router to take care of my connection. Connection is ROCK SOLID. Never even have to think about it. Still waiting for the upgrade to 256 upload but I'm on a RT and they haven't got to me yet. Great product for a great price is the bottom line. Also the techs here at BBR rock. I visit here almost every day just to stay on top of everything. Thanks to Beach Boy for checking my line for 6.0/600, unfortunately I'm to far to upgrade but oh well i still have a great connection that doesn't tie up my phone line. SBC gives me Dial-Up also as a back-up but haven't needed it yet although I jump on once in a while just to remind me what it used to be like. Also SBC is my local,local toll, and long distance provider. DSL ROCKS.
Well it's 08/05/2004. I posted on SBC Direct forum to re-up for another 12 months at 26.95. I also wanted the upload increase to 256 because I am on a RT and didn't get the boost yet (still was 128). I posted on 08/02 and on 08/05 I ran the SBC speed test here at BBR and bingo 220 upload. You ROCK moose and so does SBC DSL. Rock Solid connection. Don't ever even think about it any more. Even my wife can surf without any problems. I could never return to dial-up. Only wished I was closer to RT when they were offering 6.0/600 but o well, you can't have everything. Keep up the good work SBC.
I have to respond to the negative posts on Ameritech (SBC) forums. My advice is the same as the tech's here, don't call SBC before you come here first and post at the regular forum (Ameritech) and if you don't feel you received help than go to SBC Direct forum and post there. If you do this first chances are really good you won't have to call anybody in India (SBC Customer Help) to talk you in circles. the techs here ROCK and know what they are doing. Why call anybody else and get totally frustrated? Take the road less bumpy.
Well it's 02/04/05 and all is still well. Received the upgrade a while back on the upload side. 384 now (330 actual). Rock Solid connection ALL the time. Wish SBC would come back with that 6.0/600 for 44.95 again but if they don't I'm still happy. One thing about re-upping your contract. Don't do it here at BBR. I did and found out too late that it didn't show up on my account and I slipped into the month to month price. I called and they finally straightened it out but you know I will have to wait a couple of months to get the credits. O well, live and learn. Moral of the story, Call SBC to re-up and get tech help here at BBR. Later.
Pre-Qualified at SBC Direct for Pro Package. Got the thumbs up and made a call for the upgrade on 03/21/05. Recieved the upload increase to 512 (435actual) and waited for my Active Date of 03/29/05 to get the download increase.Active date came with no increase so I posted in SBC Direct and within a day I recieved an answer that the profile was not changed at the Redback. Good to go now.
One thing. I'm on a RT and I was only getting 1.9 down so I reset my RWIN to 14750 and it jumped to 2522 down. This is a known problem that just requires a tweek. Moral of Story- Post in SBC Direct when you have problems, get results. Thanks to "wolfdragon01" at SBC Direct for his assistance. DSL Rocks.
Just an update. Called today (06/21/2005) to get a rerate. Talked to a nice AMERICAN lady. She checked the computer and said that would not be a problem. Now I have Pro Package for 24.99. SBC is aggressive but fair. Again DSL Rocks! Never in recent memory has my connection not been there. Rock Solid. Fair Price. Great Techs at BBR. What else could you ask for. (Maybe that 6000/600 package offer again). Keep your cable folks, DSL for me, period.
Called today (02/04/2006) to rerate. Was paying 24.99. rerated to 17.99 for 12 months. This is a great service for that price. Rock solid connection. Always on. Now they lower the price. Great product SBC!
05/07/06 Well, it finally came available at a good price (6000/608). I ordered the upgrade for the Elite service today. I did it online at www.att.com/upgrade for 27.99. If you look at the first part of this review you will see I paid two dollars a month more for the basic package in 2003. I will complete this review when the upgrade is completed.
05/12/06 This was my live date and when I gave it a speed test I had the proper upload but not the right download (3371/637). Posted in ATT Direct and left my computer for two hours. When I returned, bingo 5100/653. I'm good to go. Good price (27.99) and good speed. What's next ATT? DSL Still ROCKS.
03/31/07 All has been good since last update. Solid speeds and good connection. Only thing I don't like now is there are no offerings if you commit to a year of service. Come on ATT, how about rewarding loyalty.
08/20/2008 All is still good. Price for Elite is 34.99. Rock Solid connection. Never even think about it. I see a new cabinet going in by my RT (actually 2). Maybe U-Verse is coming with 10/1.5 internet. That would be great. We will have to see.
10/13/09 All is still good. Elite is still 34.99. Wish they would discount for year commitment. Service is rock solid though. Don't even think about it. Been looking for U-Verse but still not on my side of street. Maybe next year. Would love that 10/1.5 speed.
12/20/2010 All the same but up to $38 for Elite. Still Rock Solid connection. Just recently I looked again at U-Verse availability. To my surprise it is now available to me. Will have to wait until my Dish contract ends but will then consider switching over for faster internet speeds.
05/16/2013 Made the switch to Uverse in early 2012. Dropped my land line. Picked up TV and Internet. Very rocky start up. I have a bonded pair install but 1 line would keep dropping off. I'm about 2900 ft from Uverse cabinet. After many many techs and lineman calls one lineman figured out that it was one of my lines from the neighborhood box to the Uverse cabinet. He switched that one out for another and pretty much fixed my problem. Been good since. Some HD channels are not the best but overall I enjoy the service.
Comments:
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 Review by David
member for 10.9 years, 5490 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 9 days ago
- Granite City,Madison,IL
- $34 per month
- about 7 days
- Ameritech
- "New modem, new house, new service"
- "None really; flatwire is still a bad thing"
- "a good install with plenty of options down the road."
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings above consensus)
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Well I finally gave up the apartment lifestyle for a house, it is an older home so the wiring was a bit of a challenge this time. I had to install a nid splitter based on some of the wiring situations presented in this old house from the 1940's. When I inspected the current wiring situation my chances of a good install with the existing infrastructure was paralyzed. There was even flat telephone wire under brand new carpet!! So that was when I realized I knew I was screwed for DSL in the house from any of the existing internal wiring. The NID splitter was an answer, I bought an external box and installed it in the basement. Ran Cat5e wiring for the existing internal wiring jacks that the end user created. Ran a new piece to my computer area down here, and a new piece of wire to the NID and wired it the standard way. The NID splitter was not difficult to install and just using cat5e and keeping extra pairs on hand in case the cable gets hit was a real plus.If I ever have a tech come to this house even after I think he will appreciate the flexibility I gave him with the cables I laid down. I am going to take some pics and show my work.
Speed I ordered was 384-1536/128, $29.95/12 months, I have an efficient 5100 modem, and a linksys router. The linksys makes the network run rather smoothly with little downtime at all. Don't like the router?? install RasPPPoE. It's quick simple and only 94k space.
The only reason why I rated the Pre-Sales information a 4 was the Rep I talked to did not know about the pkgs offered, or any products. He did advise he was new to the job and hired last week. To his defense he did put in the order correctly and my install date was on track with what he told me.
Side note:
Keep in mind I am on line support here at BBR for SBC.. My successes and failures might not match what you experience. When I did my installation I did not do it the normal customer way. I did it with a built machine and used a third party software. So this review is only of my experience with dsl regardless who I work for..
04/18/07-
Yes it pestered me to update again, So far besides the occasional phone line outage. Which ironically the DSL was up for both times for even with the static. A bit perplexed on how my nid/sni splitter did that, but none the less the DSL was working. The power outage last year was kind of taxing. Had no power but ironically I had a spare generator that I got power to my computers and network and I had Internet. Seems like the office was still supplying power to the DSLAM. last year's power crisis I don't remember how many cell phone batteries I charged up, and access to the Internet (my own network) I passed out. I lost count with the neighbors, they were impressed I had sat service, Internet still working and phone service. Kudos to the Coleman Powermate 4000 generator as well.
11/11/08- Still have the service. still using it.
04/15/10
Still works as expected- Have some noise on the phone portion now but I suspect it might be external. It's intermittent so I will wait till it fails.
10/24/11- site pestered me to update again. Still have it. Only call I had to make this year was to the POTS side of the house to have a squirrel guard (damaged from recent storms I think) removed from the line as it was dangling. DSL with my phone line still works as it should.
05/15/13- still have the elite service works well for what I need. Will be moving to uverse potentially for IPDSL service in the latter 1/4 of this year (around october). Hopefully by then I will have most if not all the technologies I want figured out.
Comments:
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Review by edporch
member for 1.9 years, 362 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 23 days ago
- Fishers,Hamilton,IN
- $75 per month
- "My local ISP who used AT&T was great"
- "AT&T is letting DSL infrastructure die on the vine..."
- "Don't use AT&T DSL without considering other alternatives"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings below consensus)
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I've had AT&T DSL through a local ISP for about 10 years in Fishers, IN (borders Indianapolis, IN).
I had the 6Mb/768Kb speed.
My local ISP was GREAT and did EVERYTHING they could to serve me within the confines of AT&T's maintaining their DSL infrastructure.
In that time, I never had reliable speeds due to phone lines that never stayed repaired for more than a few weeks at a time.
When the phone line was repaired, I saw the tech test it to be capable of 8Mb+ speed, and I would get tested speeds of 5.1Mb/510Kb on my computer.
But within a few weeks, the speed would commonly be back down to 1.5-3Mb/400-510Kb.
When I would report the trouble, my local ISP would start a Trouble Ticket with AT&T and the tech would ALWAYS find trouble somewhere in AT&T's infrastructure.
In the last 2-3 years, AT&T began responding to Trouble Tickets my ISP started, and deny their was any trouble with a line that CLEARLY had problems, then bill my ISP approx $120 for "wasting" their time.
This caused my local ISP to be afraid to generate Trouble Tickets with AT&T.
So in that time, my DSL usually ran slow, reconnected often and AT&T repeatedly kept lying about my troubled line.
I finally got fed up and yesterday had Comcast Business Class installed on 12/6/2011, and my web and mail server couldn't be happier.
In conclusion, my local ISP was GREAT, and did the best they could.
But AT&T's apparent policy of letting their DSL service die on the vine was the problem.
UPDATE 5/1/2013:
I've continued using Comcast Business Class Internet and it was been great!
I couldn't be happier!
Comments:
 | | Question Did you try contacting your local or state PUC (Public Utiity Commission)? | |
| | Reviews:
 ·AT&T Midwest
| Re: Question That's a good idea that I didn't do.
But I figure with the power of AT&T behind the decision to not properly maintain my phone line, and even to go as far as LYING about it having issues (PROVEN issues), it would've been a constant fight.
AT&T already had my ISP afraid to generate any Trouble Tickets.
YET at the same time, if I tried to start DSL service directly with AT&T, they INSISTED that DSL wasn't available at my location.
Anyway, Comcast Business Class better is able to suit my needs, with a bottom end speed class that's already many times what AT&T offered. (even when it worked) | |
| | | | | Re: Question Still wouldent be bad if ya still filed a complaint still, never know when a PUC or AG is waiting for that next complaint to finish off a case against AT&T. | |
| | | | Reviews:
·AT&T Midwest
| Re: Question I agree with you in theory.
But if I did this, my former ISP would have to be dragged into this, because they are the ones who are dealing with AT&T.
AT&T already had them afraid to start Trouble Tickets with my account.
If my former ISP got involved in this, AT&T would likely make MORE trouble for them.
I think it's best to do what I did here.
Let people know what they're in for if they get DSL in my area.
Being that Comcast Business Class is available too, they can make their choice. | |
| | | | | Reviews:
 ·Insight Communic..
| Re: Question said by edporch:I agree with you in theory.
But if I did this, my former ISP would have to be dragged into this, because they are the ones who are dealing with AT&T.
AT&T already had them afraid to start Trouble Tickets with my account.
If my former ISP got involved in this, AT&T would likely make MORE trouble for them.
I think it's best to do what I did here.
Let people know what they're in for if they get DSL in my area.
Being that Comcast Business Class is available too, they can make their choice.
Why would your local ISP be involved? Your complaint is with AT&T and failing to meet FCC standards to unbundling the local copper loop, AT&T is known for dragging its feet when a 3rd party is using their copper. | |
| | | | | | Reviews:
·AT&T Midwest
| Re: Question My local ISP would be involved because I had no contractual arrangement for my DSL with AT&T.
My only contractual arrangement with AT&T was for them to provide me voice land line service, which they did.
The only contractual obligation AT&T had directly with me was to provide a line that I could make and receive voice communication.
Things even degraded to the point that my ISP would have no choice but to suggest that I call AT&T and tell them I have static on my voice line.
And of course when I did this, AT&T would simply say they hear no static and my voice line is OK.
Then nothing would get done. | |
|
| | So write a review on Comcast. Don't bump an two year old review with information that has nothing to do with the review. | |
| | | | Re: So write a review on Comcast. Sorry.
It IS relevant that my change of providers mentioned in the INITIAL review had been backed up by time to be the correct choice.
That's why I did the followup. | |
| | | | | Re: So write a review on Comcast. Nope. Just makes you look like a shill for comcast. | |
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 Review by eak
member for 12.1 years, 250 visits, last login: 59 days ago
updated 69 days ago
- Clarkston,Oakland,MI
- $41 per month
- (12 month contract)
- about 3 days
- AT&T
- "They service Michigan as a monopolistic entity. Funhouse RULES!"
- "And the more you bend over, the better they service you. what uverse?"
- "SBC/Ameritech/ATT funhouse ROCKS! Tier1 phone support sucks rocks."
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings well below consensus)
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Update 27/Feb/2013 - What happened?
About 3 months after I went live on uVerse DSL I was upgraded to 24Mbit down/3Mbit up under a "promotion". I ran speed tests and I was in fact getting that speed. Had intermittent line problems this morning and logged into my modem for the first time in a long time and now Im at 12Mbit down/1Mbit up (even through "Max" is supposed to be 12Mbit down, 1.5Mbit up) and what Im ACTUALLY set for is 11,996Kbps down / 1024Kbps up.Spent an hour on the phone with tier 1 who wants to roll a truck when the problem is obviously either at the VRAD or in the C/O but of course they won't admit it.
I am so sick of telco selling one thing, delivering another and making changes without notifying you. Oh yeah, and they just raised my cost $5.00/mo.
Update 04/Jan/2012 - Welcome back ATT & Dish
Well, Comcast sucks. 54 outages in 32 days. Couldn't take it any more some I am back in ATT hell. At least the uVerse DSL install went smoothly. 3 days from order to install and I have a new wireless DSL router for "coming back to ATT".
Update 16/October/2010 - Hasta La Vista, ATT!
I have been a member of the Midwest forum almost since this site started.
I had to FIGHT and I mean FIGHT to get DSL in my new home. It took getting VP's involved and getting two linemen who were removing loads from my circuit fired to get it.
I have been pushing and prodding for uVerse since I found out it got installed in my CO. I have watched vRad being deployed all around us including runs that had to pass by our sub dmarq and still no uVerse.
About 5 weeks ago I was finally told uVerse was available but when I went to order it, all I could get was uVerse DSL. No TV. Yippe. The exact same DSL speed I already had for $5 less a month.
I just found out Dish (which I got through ATT) dropped Fox Sports Detroit so no more Red Wings games. On 01/Nov we will also lose the local Fox affiliate (which means no American Idol and all the other shows my wife and kids love to watch).
So I called ATT on Friday and I said you have 2 choices. Give me uVerse TV by 01/November or I will no longer use ATT phone, DSL or Dish network. They told me there is nothing they could do. The service person "tried" to get me qualified without success.
So I hung up the phone and I got Comcast with 3X my "uVerse DSL" service speed, more channels and unlimited local and long distance calling for about $80.00/month less than I was paying for all of those services from ATT.
I really don't want Comcast. I hate Comcast. And NO I don't want Direct TV, either. So, so long and thanks for all the bad memories.
Hasta la Vista, ATT!
Update 02/March.2010
I have been trying to get uVerse here for well over 2 years. I continue to see degradation in the performance of my DSL line and Im tired of piss poor upstream bandwidth.
A recently made friend who is a digital line guy for Ameritech investigated and confirmed that I STILL can't get uverse out of the C/O that is literally 1100 linear feet and 2200 cable feet from the dmarq for my sub, 600' cable from my house that has a VRAD sitting out by the street. Go figure.
But he also told me something that just PISSES me off. They now show me as >10,000 cable feet from the C/O, last measured in Nov 2008 at under 6000 cable feet which means they have AGAIN put loads on the circuit either between me and the sub dmarq or between our dmarq and the C/O.
I HATE AMERITECH! I swear if I didn't despise Comcast cable even more I would completely dump everything Ameritech in my home.
I guess I get to go waste even more of my valuable time, probably getting in touch with VP's of customer service AGAIN, demanding a Class A on my line AGAIN all to force Ameritech to just give me the damn service I pay for and to quit screwing with my lines.
Update 24/Nov/2009 3:00PM
I have had uverse available out of my CO (PNTCMINR) for almost 2 years. I am 2135 feet from said CO that has had a VRAD for more than a year with a spinning power meter on it to my sub dmarq and 600 feet from the dmarq to my home
And yet I still can't get uverse. For more than 2 years I have been going to the uverse site, checking availability, filling out the little email/phone number/name questionnaire and faithfully checking the little box "contact me to see how I can help get ATT Uverse in my neighborhood".
No calls. No email. No responses. No service. I obviously have had no problem paying out the wazoo for overpriced Elite DSL service. I also am experiencing the monthly rape called AT&T landline service, I am an AT&T cellphone user and I have Yahoo Dish Network service for my TV.
Obviously, I give ATT too much money for them to consider me a good candidate for their best service. Im sick of the crappy 6Mbit DSL service so I guess its time to switch to Comcast. Ill make sure I take the 20-30 neighbors who asked for help setting up their DSL, wireless and Dish receivers when I tell them to switch with me to Comcast. At least then we will all get faster Internet access. And I guess if I am to believe the Comcast ads, they have a higher quality HD picture and I can dump my AT&T land lines and get Vonage.
If there is anyone with an AT&T uVerse clue that can help me part the sea of cluelessness and actually get uVerse spun up, I am intersted but come Jan 1st, if I don't have uVerse, Im going to say goodbye to ATT DSL, ATT phone and the Dish.
I will make sure I add all of this to my AT&T review as well. It won't make it much worse than it already is but Ill make sure I drop my stars down to 1 just to make a point.
Update 04/Nov/2008 3:005PM
Tom the cable tech came onsite. He ended up replacing my pair to the CO. He is still measuring the cable distance at over 6000 feet. Yes, to the CO 1/4 of a mile away. Over 1 mile. Something is still wrong but Tom is either too clueless or believes that playing stupid would placate me enough to let him feel like he had finished his job and there were no further problems. My line is still only testing to a max speed of ~8Mbit (it has always tested to ~10Mbit) but this is better that the 5 IP addresses (because I host servers) but such is life in Ameritech/SBC/ATT land. I get a TON of marketing garbage every week asking me if I want cheaper DSL (they never advertise cheaper rates for static IP packages), convert from cable to their digital TV service (a partnership with Dish network, and Ive been a Dish subscriber for 6 years) and switch to AT&T cellular (my wife has been a Cingular, now AT&T customer for 5 years) but I guess Ill just let them continue to waste their marketing dollars.
The Funhouse forum is still the best reason to join this website and its the one thing that I can say has kept me being a DSL customer. The moment I can eliminate them from my home for higher bi-directional speed, I will be gone. Their monopoly on my C/O and the state of Michigan will probably prevent that from happening before my 4yr old graduates from high school.
Updated December 25, 2005
I would like to publicly state that BeachBoy, Toaster and (Bill) ROCK! They actually had my line up to correct speed within 5 minutes of me posting. We ran into a few snags caused by me removing voice mail off my DSL line last week but BeachBoy and Bill went WAY above and beyond the call of duty. Both stayed 2 hours beyond the end of their shift to work the the issue.
Thank you BeachBoy, Bill & Toaster! You make me more than thankful this forum is here every time I have ever had an issue! This forum is the reason I am still an SBC customer and it is the only reason I give SBC support 2 HUGE thumbs up!
Thanks!
Updated 05November 2004 -
Had a speed related issue. Solved in minutes by Beach Boy!
Updated 16March2004 - BeachBoy ROCKS! My current tech support rating is based COMPLETELY upon the guys participating in the SBC forum online. Without them, it would be a 1! Needed my password reset. Done in a flash. Needed my speed cap checked. It had been set back to 4Mbit instead of 6Mbit. Reset and working beautifully. THANK YOU!
Updated 16March2004 - BeachBoy ROCKS! My current tech support rating is based COMPLETELY upon the guys participating in the SBC forum online. Without them, it would be a 1! I ordered the Expoert+S upgrade for my DSL line and was having problems getting the expected speed levels out of it. I would post his real name here but I don't think I should. This man is another BIG reason why I am still an SBC DSL customer. Thanks!
Updated 03/01/2004 - MAXO ROCKS! Noon on a Sunday and he helped me try to track down a problem with my sister-in-laws ADSL in Sterling Heights, MI. Now I just wish that there was an online interface to SBIS so that I could request that they reset her Radius session without having to wade through phone hell. This support forum is THE BEST! SBC phone support still sucks rocks. When my s-i-l called up support they told her to go talk to a video game manufacturer about why her DSL wouldn't let her surf. Ill be tracking down that person today to have them reprimanded.
Updated 12Dec2003 - ADSLguy ROCKS! Noticed my bill was reporting that I had Expert/S package but I should only be on Deluxe/S. Sent IM to ADSLguy. He called ME! Asked for confirmation. Called me back 20 minutes later and everything is cool. Just ran speed test: 1286/321. Ive said this before. The online support you get from the Funhouse forum is the best thing that has ever happened to SBC/Ameritech data service. They have again impressed me with their courtesy, prompt follow through and professionalism. They should get a bonus for every good review they get for SBC. THANKS!
Updated 12Oct2003 - If the SBC support forum was offered any place other than DSLReports I would never come back here.
Updated 23Sep2003 Well, I have been VERY happy with SBC. Their front line phone support has been more than a bit of a let down but the support here in the Ameritech/SBC forums is, in a word INCREDIBLE!. I recently split my business line with lineshare ADSL with static IPs off to their own bill. What a circus! The business rep said it was a no brainer. I wouldnt see any downtime or outage. In actuality they canceled my DSL and phone line, assigned a new phone number to me and I was down for 2 days before I could get it all straightened out. In the process I think I got a front line phone support contractor fired for lying to me but its all in a days work. Im upping my view of tech support to 4/5 ONLY because of the support forum here. I pity anyone who has to call in for support.
Updated 21Jan2003 Ameritech is now SBC.
Updated 13Jan2003 0:00:00AM - trying to get it listed as my ISP
On Dec 27 2002 I placed my order to upgrade my 768/160 to 1500/256. The order process went relatively smooth. Due date was 06Jan2003, which came and went. On 07Jan SBC maintenance reported the upgrade as complete but it was not. ADSLguy in the Ameritech tech support forum confirmed that there was an error in the redback profile which still had me capped at 768/160. It took until Thursday night and almost 8 hours on the phone to get an ASI tech through the tech support line to uncap me. Unfortunately another ASI tech re-capped me Friday morning because my business profile hadn't been properly updated by the business office. 8 more hours over 3 more days, 5 - 1st line techs, 3 supervisors, 2 managers, 5 ASI techs, 3 maintenance techs, 4 billing reps, 2 escalation techs, a call to corporate with a demand for an executive appeal and 3 calls with the escalation engineer didn't accomplish what 3 IM's to ADSLguy accomplished in 1 day. I can't say enough about how awesome his support and the other Ameritech personnel in the Ameritech forum has been.
If:
1) Any other DSL provider in my CO offered service
and
2) Ameritech didn't require you to have a phone line from them on the pair with your DSL line, even though its business class service with static IP's
and
3) if ANY other telephone company offered local service to me
then I would dump Ameritech in a heartbeat and take every person I know with me. However, Im saying that without the choice nor the experience of actually using any company but Ameritech in Michigan since they still pretty much have the monipoly on service here.
I believe it is robbery that I have to pay $80.00 a month for 1.5Mb/256Kb PLUS $25.00 for a voice line to get a static IP address with 256Kbit upstream bandwidth. Its not like they couldn't put a 1 year checkout on the DHCP for my router. It doesn't take any more engineering to set up a static IP than for a dynamic IP. You can get the exact same speed with a dynamic IP for $49.00 but then theres still that voice line charge.
Tech support is a MAJOR problem for Ameritech. Most of the front line has been outsourced to at least 2 companies who have limited access to the people who can actually do the work. Also, SBC is going through some significant growing pains as it integrates the DSL networks of the other telco's it has purchased. To top it off, they consider the wiring side and the data side two completely seperate companies. THis can cause more than a few headaches when you have wiring related problem which is causing you dificulty with the data circuit.
Overall, the stability of the circuit at 768/160 has been pretty much flawless in the last 18 months which is probably better than what you can say about any other provider. You are taking your life into your own hands if you should ever decide to make a change to either the voice or data side and be prepared wait for a long time to get anything done with painfully long hold times with tech support and thats if you actually know what to ask for and you aren't afraid to ask for managers. You will be far better off using the Ameritech support forum.
If I can answer any questions, don't be afraid to ask.
And when you believe you just can't fight any more, remember the following phrase:
I DEMAND AN EXECUTIVE APPEAL.
You will need to get to the corporate offices to get it but it can work miracles.
EAK.
Update 21June2001 - the key to getting things done when you are at your wits end is to contact the Executive Appeals organization, demand an executive appeal and demand an executive complaint number when you file it. 5 weeks after contacting the Executive compaint organization, I now have DSL.
===============Initial order detail===========================
I placed my order for voice service 6 weeks ago, at the direction of Ameritech Team Data, specifically so that I could have DSL active when I move into my new home next week. I work from home and I MUST have connectivity to do my job.
They assigned me a 248-393-XXXX number which is serviced by the PNTCMINR
»/coinfo/clli/PNTCMINR CO at 3556 Walton, right at the corner of Baldwin and Waldon. This is so close to my house that, if it weren't for trees, I could see it. It is less than 2000 feet. Instead of setting up my lines to be serviced by that CO, they instead set me up to be serviced by the Independance township CO, PNTCMINE(D?) »/coinfo/clli/PNTCMINE
at 3385 PONTIAC RD and now they tell me I am (of course) too far from the CO (>14000 feet) and that they won't create a DSL order for me.
I have spent >4 hours on the phone and Ameritech is telling me that they can get my line changed so that it will be serviced by the correct CO so Im crossing my fingers.
I really REALLY do NOT like dealing with Ameritech.
Eric.
Comments:
| | Your U-verse problem If you want to get faster help, I have two suggestions:
Post in the AT&T Midwest direct forum on this site. More than likely, a technician will get actual help arranged for you.
Secondly, when contacting U-verse technical support, here's a helpful tip:
Immediately upon being greeted, ask to speak to Tier 2. In most cases, you'll get no argument about being transferred, or else you will be asked simply for your account number prior to transfer. If a Tier 1 agent says "well maybe I can help" or "I need to know the problem before I transfer you", politely repeat your request to be transferred to tier 2.
Their job is to transfer you to Tier 2 immediately upon request. Most of the time, that's exactly what happens. The help is from individuals that aren't reading from a "reset your router" script or "run the AT&T speed test that uses AT&T servers" script.
A truck roll may honestly be what you need, but if the technician doesn't have some kind of pooled data that is associated with the type of monitoring that tier 2 can do over the course of a couple of days, he may not really have enough information to fix your problem, even after 2 or 3 trips that are all repeat attempts to fix the same problem. | |
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Review by editweb
member for 9.7 years, 675 visits, last login: 30 days ago
updated 77 days ago
- Aurora,Dupage,IL
- $45 per month
- about 12 days
- AT&T
- "Rock Solid - Don't worry about outages at all..."
- "The world has passed it by. Eventually it will fall apart and AT&T won't fix it anymore."
- "Was good in it's day - won't scale in the future."
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
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Install wasn't totally smooth but close. Ordered on a Friday. Phone sales were very nice and thourogh. Got equipment the next Tuesday. On Thursday the line tech came out and tested the line. (I wasn't home.) Had sync by Saturday. The only bump in the road was that the router in my CO (AURRILAE) wasn't updated properly and I coudn't connect. An IM to Annonomoose and Beach Boy in the Ameritech forum and the problem was identified and fixed.
I don't use the Yahoo browser and I feel that saves me a lot of grief. If you get SBC/Ameritech DSL, DO NOT use their software. Set up the connection yourself and use the standard edition of IE and you will stay happy and sane.
Unfortunately, I'm still on 11,000 feet of very old copper running through East Aurora. Until the RT at the end of my block lights up, I'm only getting 318/108 speeds. Hopefully 1.2 is just around the corner.
The only outage was a planned one that occured at Midnight on a Sunday for a few hours. Sunday morning, I cycled the power on my modem and all was well.
The stats:
Speedstream 5100 modem
PPPoE/Dynamic IP
Ordered 1.5/384 - Getting 318/108.
Overall - Very good experience.
UPDATE:
After the 10 day changover to a nearby RT, I'm now getting much better speeds.
Ordered 1.5/384 - Getting 1320/340
Much better.
Comments:
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Review by toolingguycg
member for 84 days, 4 visits, last login: 51 days ago
lodged 84 days ago
- Crystal Lake,Mchenry,IL
- $120 per month
- AT&T
- "Stays up"
- "Speed Caps"
- "Liked it better when 1st connected, will try U-verse for faster speeds."
| Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
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Moved from dial up about 10 yrs ago, and was happy with it up till about 6mo. ago, then started getting connection resets. Guess I need to upgrade to the new technology to get the performance I used to get. I've ordered U-verse and am waiting for the install. Will review that after it happens.
Comments:
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 Review by Dolphin
member for 10.7 years, 3740 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 109 days ago
- Evanston,Cook,IL
- $38 per month
- (12 month contract)
- about 20 days
- AT&T
- "Good Package for Price"
- "Lack of coordination between sales and technical support"
- "Service has improved -- don't remember the last time I couldn't connect."
| Pre Sales information:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
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I ordered the 768/128 package at $29.95 per month (for 12 months). Equipment included an Efficient SpeedStream 5160 DSL modem, filters, and installation CD. Equipment arrived approximately 3 days before activation date.
The actual ordering process was thorough and painless. The salesperson answered all my questions (I had quite a few questions) and she seemed relatively knowledgeable about technical details. Install (I opted for self-install) was a breeze and took less than 15 minutes. The exception to a completely painless install was the "registration" process. The "registration" page didn't work and I had to call tech support to be re-directed to an alternative mean of registration. After that, I was up and surfing at reasonably good speeds. In general, tech support has been friendly & helpful but there is certainly room for improvement.
I was not pleased with the confusion between sales and technical support. When I ordered DSL, the sales rep. gave me an activation date. Well, fortunately, I called *before* the activation date just to make sure. Good thing I did call. I was told that my activation date was different than the original date I'd been given. I wasn't pleased with that snafu. I was given a different activation date and that one stuck.
After installation I encountered a problem with accessing certain websites. My call to technical support was not very helpful. They could not solve the problem. Eventually, I resolved the issue myself (with the help of members at the DSLReports website). That doesn't bode well for people that are less technically savvy than I and aren't aware of DSLReports website. Connectivity has been relatively good despite some mail server issues. At times (not very many), I was not able to receive email and *that* is NOT acceptable.
I spite of the difficulties I've encountered, at this point, I'm still pleased with AT&T's DSL service.
UPDATE: I was pleased and surprised to get a promotional rate (with a speed upgrade with NO price increase! )
Since my last review, I have had no problems with receiving email and no dropped connections. I have had to contact tech support a couple of times but I do not call in for support. Instead, I go to the "Ameritech" forum here for support. The support I've received in the forum has been excellent. My questions and issues were addressed immediately by the techs in the forum. My accolades go to the techs for fantastic customer support! Many users would be lost without their help. If you have a problem, just send an IM to one of the techs at the Ameritech forum and they will get back with you. I sent an IM to a tech in the forum and he got back to me within 15 minutes! Now, that's support at it's best!
Update: I'm pleased with the service and the price. Recently got re-rated at the same price -- actually, I'm paying a little less. Downtime is rare and that's a big PLUS.
Update: Ameritech is now AT&T. So far, I can't recall the last time I was unable to connect (of course, I'm very pleased about that). Recently, I thought about switching back to cable. But I thought again and decided not to switch because I remembered how frustrated I was when my cable speed deteriorated during evening hours when everyone on my block was sharing bandwidth!
Comments:
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 Review by StillLearn
member for 11.1 years, 4653 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 118 days ago
- Streamwood,Cook,IL
- $34 per month
- (12 month contract)
- about 7 days
- AT&T
- "Reliable fast connection, almost no packet loss"
- "no usenet or web server offering, but that is the norm today"
- "Exceeded expectations. Reliable connectivity"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings above consensus)
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Original review 2006:
Initially I applied for DSL and cable both, and each was
unavailable. The first that became available was Cable from ATTBI.
It was good. I felt that the fact that it shared a cable was an
advantage in that any outage would affect a lot of people, and so
get fixed faster. It had 1500 MTU. In those days, for DSL you had
to run an application on your computer to do PPPoE. While cable
was more expensive, I felt it was probably better. It did have
packet loss at times, which I learned was due to upstream frequency
ingress. ATTBI was bought by Comcast.
I had come to expect that less than 0.5% packet loss was OK, and
that 1% was tolerable. I wrote my own logging program that would
ping my Comcast gateway, and I later ran Ping Plotter continually
(I still do, but not because of any problem). Near the end I was
getting >5% loss frequently, and two service calls did not fix it,
I decided to try DSL. My expectations were that the DSL would have
some packet loss, and that the Usenet and Email of the DSL would be
inferior.
DSL very much exceeded my expectations. Packet loss was
non-existent. Theoretically slower (3 MB vs 4 MB, it felt as least
as fast. And while the Usenet and Email were not quite as good as
for Comcast, they very much exceeded my expectations. Personal web
space of Geocities with ads was a step down, but that was not
important. The free dialup for contingency or travel and even some
free 802.11 hotspots is a plus. Newer DSL modems do the protocol
stuff for you, and the 1492 MTU is not significant.
I upgraded DSL to 6MB. That felt similar for browsing, but it gave
faster downloads. Latencies are low. SN margin dropped about 8
dB, but packet loss is only about 0.01% -- less that 1 lost ping
per day pinging every 10 seconds, but up from zero.
I have friends with problem-free Comcast and DSL. The better
choice will vary at different locations. The Ameritech/SBC/ATT
folks are much more forthcoming and proactive with information
about problems or outages, especially at DSL Reports. I just read
of outages. They have not affected me so far.
Update 2008 September 29
Still doing well, enjoying the reliability. Usenet servers do fine with me, altho high-volume users might think otherwise. Email has improved, but the main thing is connectivity. And that is really nice. Incoming email is very good, and I make good use of AddressGuard. There was a problem with SMTP, but that has improved to where I seldom need to use a workaround.
Having customer support available via DSLR is really nice too.
Update 2013: I have moved to ATT U-verse 18 Mb internet going to a higher speed. This review is for the 6 Mb (actual about 5 due to overhead) regular DSL I dropped. Over my 6 or so years with DSL, it was very reliable. The Yahoo email servers were a little problematic for the first couple years, but they have been behaving well. So I raised my services mark. Pings on my fastpath DSL were about 10 ms. On U-verse they are higher because there is always some interleaving. From a normal web browsing, the regular DSL felt peppy as peppy as the U-verse, but the U-verse is better for watching video etc.
Comments:
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 Review by Trihexagonal
member for 8.7 years, 132 visits, last login: 1 days ago
updated 130 days ago
- undisclosed location
- $20 per month
- "stable conection, reliable service, polite representives"
- "none"
- "I'm stayng with AT&T"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
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I've had DSL service through AT&T for over 10 years and couldn't be happier.
I currently have the DSL HSI Express package and called today to ask what they could do to entice me to stay with AT&T instead of switching to a Charter bundle like I'd been thinking about.
They bent over backwards to keep me as a customer by offering me their highest speed internet connection, 6Mps, at $19.99 for a year with no contract to start 5-26-13, and also modified my phone service to include extra features like Call Waiting at a lower cost than what I was currently paying per month.
The end result being a faster internet speed and reduction in my total monthly bill.
They advised me when the year was up on 5-26-13 I could call again and work out another deal to keep me as a customer.
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