ADSL modems recommendations please! [updated]

[dcdomain]

Well.. if I went for the most expensive service, they would have given it free. But they only offer two different ones. An internal PCI one, which would have forced me to install an extra NIC and make one PC a server and leave it on 24/7 if I want the other computers to be able to access the net 24/7. Or the external USB one, which I can't connect to any existing router... so, I opted to get a modem myself... which I seem to be running into a lot of problems right now, because the CSR's don't really know, and email goes unanswered...

Sup Rossman, don't you ever go to sleep?
I've heard a lot of good things about that modem... but I still need to make sure that is compatible with my service. I looked over at DSLReports and couldn't really find anything. And there definitely isn't much over at the Winfire site...

 

[RossMAN]

dcdomain - Make sure that whatever DSL router (modem) you get that it is 100% compatible and supported by your local telco AND DSL provider. Otherwise if something doesn't work, it's all up to you to diagnose, and fix it.

My telco (US West/QWest) had a promotion with a FREE Cisco 675 router which is pretty nice I must admit.

But the minute AT&T @Home cable is available here I'm switching it's like 3MB/sec for $39.95/month all you can surf.

Yeah I'll be going to sleep in an hour or so, finally getting tired - staring at a monitor does that.

 

[Kanly]

dcdomain,

are you sure Verizon won't give you an external Westell modem?

I just went through signing my girlfrind's mother up and installing everything for her over Christmas and she's in NJ also.

When I signed her up, there was a choice for an external modem and a pci card. I got a Westell modem, non-usb and a Netgear 10/100 card.

If I remember right, there was a choice between usb and non-usb external modems.

She got that with the regular $39/mo home account.

 

[dcdomain]

Dukeleto,

Thanks for the insight on Verizon... did she get connected already?!?! If so, that's pretty darn quick! I'm a cheap bastard, so I ordered it through Winfire, $10 a month... cheaper than dial up access!!!

So I'm guessing Verizon is probably gonna be the Telco I have to deal with huh? And nah, Winfire, them bastards don't offer anything but the USB. It was the Westell Wirespeed you were talking about right???

Just bought some network cards today, so I'll hook everything together up and then sit patiently for the DSL service to activate. So far... they are almost three weeks late with that email telling me of the activation date.

 

[highwire]

The Winfire site at:
http://www.winfire.com/products/serviceplans.asp
down near the bottom says "If you already own a compatible DSL modem" with a popup link that names the compatible modems as Speedstream 3060 (pci) and 4060(usb) which says :
"If you have a different kind of modem you will need to purchase one of the above modems from Winfire."

I don't know if this is BS just to sell a modem or they have a requirement beyond the adsl connection itself. If not, any new DMT/g.lite modem, it seems, should have a good chance of working - i.e. one of those 50 dollar Westells on eb@y.

I seem to remember they also sell bandwidth blocks - ~10 hrs of higher speed for X dollars which may mean that they have a throttle control on the customer's modem. This could mean that only certain brands are right for their down channel control. Speculation.

I'm on the fence myself about whether to go with Winfire. The price is right, but everything else is on the downside. Yuck webmail. Some kind of "bar" always on the screen even if you opt for no ads @ $10/month. Spyware activity tracking. An extensive personal information submission like you were joining the CIA. Creepy. And lame follow through on connection schedules and customer contact. Dunno.

 

[dcdomain]

Highwire, if you are on the fence, I suggest ordering soon... that way, Winfire could start on it's SLOOOOOWWWW process of getting you setup. They have a cancellation date when they give you an activation date, so you can cancel before the due cancellation date and not be charged anything... I've ordered for three weeks already, and still no activation date or cancellation date. In addition, someone I just met in the DSLreports forum hooked me up with some info on what modems I could use. Since you are in Cali, go check what Telco will be providing you the service and go check their site. They should have a list of modems that are compatible, in addition to the modems listed on Winfire's site.