DSL recommendations

[Texasmame]

I've had Verizon for nearly two years now but am thinking of making a switch. 

Any recommendations/warnings, etc. about certain companies?

[mrhowell]

I've had Bellsouth for about 4 or 5 years and very happy with it.  Top speed in my area is 3 mb down 384k up.  In some areas, they have 6mb down and 512k up.  Some people complain about the Bellsouth help desk but i've never had to talk to them. 

[AlanS17]

I used Verizon for 3 months when I first moved up here to the Dallas area. I had more trouble in that time than with all other providers cocmbined in my entire life.

Now I have ATT (formerly SBC), and it's ok. If everything is set to go you really shouldn't anticipate to many issues. One little billing hiccup can turn into a nightmare, though. They have odd billing practices that are very anti-consumer if you do the wrong thing.

[AtomSmasher]

Now I have ATT (formerly SBC), and it's ok. If everything is set to go you really shouldn't anticipate to many issues. One little billing hiccup can turn into a nightmare, though. They have odd billing practices that are very anti-consumer if you do the wrong thing.

Same here, and I agree with everything you said.

[Texasmame]

*bump*

[AlanS17]

What part of Texas are you in? What are your options?

[delta88]

*mb broadband or nothing at all!!!!! 768 up

[Spaz Monkey]

I like my SBC DSL price, but their service SUX0RS!!  I had the modem go out and called the help line.  They were 1) outsourced & 2) stupid.  They did everything with a checklist mentality.  If you told them, "I've already did this crap with the other guy on the third and fourth time calling", you would still have to do it again.  They even sent a guy out to make sure the wiring to the house was correct before sending me a replacement for the replacement.  We even told them, there's something wrong with the modem!

[ChadTower]

Can't get DSL here and probably never will be able to get DSL here.   

[Texasmame]

What part of Texas are you in? What are your options?

DFW.  Just getting opinions for now. . .

[AlanS17]

What part of Texas are you in? What are your options?

DFW.  Just getting opinions for now. . .

AH! That's where I am, too. I know DSL prices are good, but maybe other broadband options need to be explored. I think you can get FIOS (fiber optic) for $40 per month. That's offered through Verizon, but I'm pretty sure it's a completely seperate division from their DSL. Cable internet is my personal favorite for reliability, but it's just so freaking expensive.

The ATT DSL is still better than Verizon (IMO), and I don't know what other providers are even available in the area.

[Havok]

I have Verizon and love it. Of course, I don't have DSL - I have FIOS. 10MB down, 2MB up, and only $29.99 a month. (I have the slowest option!) You owe it to yourself to see if they offer it where you are, or put yourself on the list to be notified when it's available. And their Usenet access is great - I get 1.3MB\sec downloads!!!

I switched from cable internet - the access was too variable, and waaay slower on its best day than what I have now, which is rock solid always fast, always available. Not to mention Time Warner e-mail sucks: it would be down at least once a week, and not come back up for hours.

[Texasmame]

I have Verizon and love it. Of course, I don't have DSL - I have FIOS. 10MB down, 2MB up, and only $29.99 a month. (I have the slowest option!) You owe it to yourself to see if they offer it where you are, or put yourself on the list to be notified when it's available. And their Usenet access is great - I get 1.3MB\sec downloads!!!

I switched from cable internet - the access was too variable, and waaay slower on its best day than what I have now, which is rock solid always fast, always available. Not to mention Time Warner e-mail sucks: it would be down at least once a week, and not come back up for hours.

I'm paying $30/mo for Verizon DSL.   

What extra charges are there to setup the FIOS?  Do they have to rewire your house or some such bunk?

[ChadTower]

If you already have a network of some type, my guess is the most they'd have to do is run an optic line TO your house and then maybe an installation that got it IN your house.  Then you'd be able to connect the FIOS network device to your internal network the same way you do the cable/DSL modem.

[Havok]

They run the optic line to your house, and then a CAT5 cable to a location you specify. A wireless b\g router is included for free, which gives you 4 wired ports as well. I had the guy run the CAT5 right to where my cable modem was, and just swapped cables.

[Texasmame]

They run the optic line to your house, and then a CAT5 cable to a location you specify. A wireless b\g router is included for free, which gives you 4 wired ports as well. I had the guy run the CAT5 right to where my cable modem was, and just swapped cables.

HMM. . . doesn't sound like too much of a beating.  Is the router they provide wireless as well?  Others in the house have laptops and they still need wireless access. . .

[AtomSmasher]

They run the optic line to your house, and then a CAT5 cable to a location you specify. A wireless b\g router is included for free, which gives you 4 wired ports as well. I had the guy run the CAT5 right to where my cable modem was, and just swapped cables.

HMM. . . doesn't sound like too much of a beating.  Is the router they provide wireless as well?  Others in the house have laptops and they still need wireless access. . .

I'm going to go out on a limb and say yes.  (see emphasis added to above quote)

[Texasmame]

They run the optic line to your house, and then a CAT5 cable to a location you specify. A wireless b\g router is included for free, which gives you 4 wired ports as well. I had the guy run the CAT5 right to where my cable modem was, and just swapped cables.

HMM. . . doesn't sound like too much of a beating.  Is the router they provide wireless as well?  Others in the house have laptops and they still need wireless access. . .

I'm going to go out on a limb and say yes.  (see emphasis added to above quote)

Hey, now!

[AtomSmasher]

Hey, now!

 

[Texasmame]

*mb broadband or nothing at all!!!!! 768 up

MB?