AT&T broadband users..... Anyone else get this email?

[Twister00]

I got this email on 8/06/02, 2 of my friends on ATT did not, I was wondering if people who have routers are the only ones to get this. How would they know who did and didn't use a router? Anyone with thoughts on this? Almost seems like a form letter. But then why didn't everyone get one?

All comments would be welcomed.


Dear AT&T Broadband Internet Customer,

AT&T Broadband offers customers the ability to network multiple computers in their home through our Multiple IP Service. As a result of recent changes made to the AT&T Broadband Internet network, some
customers may be currently receiving additional IP addresses without subscribing to our Multiple IP service. If you are such a customer and would like to continue receiving additional IP addresses, you will need
to subscribe to the Multiple IP Service by August 19, 2002 in order to avoid disruption of service. The charge is $4.95 for access to an additional four (4) IP addresses.

To subscribe to the AT&T Broadband Multiple IP service, simply reply to this e-mail with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. Regardless of your decision to subscribe to this service, your AT&T Broadband
Internet Service to your primary computer will not be affected.

Our goal is to provide you with the best high-speed cable Internet service available, and we are confident that your choice of AT&T Broadband Internet continues to be the best value in the market today. We
know you have a choice of service providers, and all of us at AT&T Broadband value your business.

Sincerely,
AT&T Broadband

 

[Torghn]

Dang, should have bought a wirelessrouter insted of WAP. I liked receiving extra IP addresses for free.

 

[rw120555]

Does a router (or at least your router) even take advantage of multiple IPs if they are available? For mine, the docs say "All of the NETGEAR routers are designed to route only one WAN IP." So, I interpet that as meaning only one IP from the ISP will get used, even if others are available. But, I could be wrong.

ANyway, if you have been singled out, maybe it is just because they detected that more than 1 of their ips was being used at your address. Whether that was occurring because of a router, or because you plugged 2 different cable modems in, maybe they wouldn't know. They'd just know that one way or another you had managed to take advantage of the freebie service.

Or, maybe the freebie service was only made available to some users, and you were one of them and your friends weren't.

Or, maybe your friends just don't read their email very carefully.

If you have a router, is there any particular advantage (or disadvantage) to having more IPs available from your ISP? Just curious.

 

[Torghn]

If you have a router, is there any particular advantage (or disadvantage) to having more IPs available from your ISP? Just curious.

None that I know of, the only thing I can think of is if there is some online service (like a game or something) that only lets one connection per IP address. Or possibly some direct connect software or something like that.

 

[Twister00]

As far as I know, I am only using 1 IP address through my Netgear router. I have it set to spoof this PC's MAC address. The only thing I can think is I did change the NIC a few months back in this PC. Oh well come 8/19/02 I guess I'll find out. I very rarely use both PC's online at the same time. It's just one more way for AT&T to get more money from its customers. It's not bad enough that they raised the rates $13.00 in 13 months. I don't quite get it I don't get anymore bandwidth over my line whether I have 1 or 2 PC's hooked up to the same modem, do It doesn't seem much different than having 1 TV or 4 hooked up in the same house, which is free to do. They just want more money.

 

[Doh!]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. It appears that AT&T randomly sent out the email to hopefully scare its customers in signing for extra $. Even when the MAC addrss changes & AT&T accuses you of running multiple PCs, all you have say is that you did an upgrade to the hardware or used a laptop to connect (instead of a desktop). In any event, using the router, you're only using one IP & the email from AT&T does not apply to you. I think it's a dirty corporate trick.

 

[max105]

If you're using a router, then you're only using one IP address between all the computers connected to the router as far as I can see. I think they're just randomly sending these letters out to people. ATT has always been the type to try to scare and leech mroe money from their customers.

 

[Twister00]

I hate AT&T!! Too bad they have me by the short hairs. I don't think I could ever go back to dial up, at least not when I have access to broadband internet service. And since I am too far from the switch DSL is not an option right now.

 

[fishingeek]

I got the same message today in the mail. I guess I will wait it out and see if anything happens. I am using a Linksys router and dont see how they could tell if I have more than 1 computer hooked up. I will post if anything comes up.

 

[Twister00]

Got a snail mail letter on 8/9/02 which was the exact same letter as was emailed to me earlier in the week.

 

[BurnItDwn]

IP address blocks cost money. if you use more than one it should cost more as it is more expensive for them.

 

[jarsoffart]

I think $4.95 is a great deal for four additional IP's. I remember around three years ago I ordered one additional IP For like $10 extra every month. I think having each computer directly connected instead of through a router is very nice. You can host Tetrinet servers and you can have Tetrinet parties at your house!!! (I don't have Tetrinet parties) On AOL Instant Messenger you can directly connect too!! By the way, I use a router and I didn't get the email. I also think AT&T is a great company that is struggling to survive the imminent decline of their industry.