free dsl???

[Grafik]

I found a webpage, freedsl, and it claims they will give away free dsl to anyone, installing all cables and converters for nothing...now why would anyone do this for free? only thing i can think is that they migiht be running irremovable ads all the time...but if it's free and better than rr, how can i safely look into it withuot cancellign road runner and then haveing dsl screw me over and then be up a creek...any thoughts on this wacky deal?
-thanks

 

[Wedesdo]

that company's bankrupt.

try winfire instead - www.winfire.com

 

[littleman]

your link is to freexdl.com ...uhh

 

[zzzz]

freedsl.com redirects to winfire..btw, has anybody got their service?

 

[ah6tyfour]

FreeDSL does do it...i can vouch for them...got a call 2 days ago from a woman that was asking that i verify that i had applied and was ready to set a date....

i told them i had PacBell DSL already.....

 

[CindyDalrymple]

The problem is that you have to buy a $200 DSL modem and if you are already using a free ISP like Netzero or some other ad flashing ISP then you will end up having two large ads running on your computer -- one by DSL and the other by Netzero.

 

[sworshs]

I got an offer from them too. But I already have a DSL modem, I don't want to buy their DSL modem. Also, if you look at their terms carefully, their is an EARLY TERMINATION FEE. I already have cablemodem, but I like the idea of having the free DSL as a backup. Does anyone have any experience with this company?? I am just hesitated. I have to reply to them by October 25th. Any info on this will appreciated. Thx.

 

[kendogg]

Cindy why use Netzero when you get Dsl?

since Dsl provides a dedicated line for being on the internet

 

[Mal007colm]

I signed up for this. The benefit for the Co. is that they believe that most people will go to high speed internet connections in the near future. If they giveway the service free they can go to advertisers with all the ready customers they have. I checked it out I had the option of Pacific Bell (southern california). It was $99 for the modem, $99 for the install and $49.99 per month. I figured if I go with Winfire (www.freedsl.com) then I paid $199 for the modem (same as modem and install for Pac Bell) and then service was free instead of Pac Bell's $49.99 a month. I decided I didn't want the Winfire add so I pay $9.99 a month. A savings of $40.00 a month the way I look at it. As far as the early termination I am signed up for a year. No big deal, Co may not even last that long.

 

[DEvienT]

In their TOS, there's a 13-month commitment or you pay a $200 (I think) cancellation fee. Interestingly, my lease is only 12 months. And buying the $200 modem is another big time suck. And don't forget about the crippled DSL speeds--144K or something like that instead of the full 1.5Mb on some of their "pay" services. A bit of a scam, I'd say. But if you can deal with the restrictions, go for it.

 

[mofo888]

For certain areas (south cal.), Freedsl had (back in Feb 00) a special promotion
for "enhanced service" in which you choose a "paying plan"
either $9.99, $19.99, $34.95 etc...

I choose the $19.99 which gives me 384k dl and a free dsl modem.
3 month service contract. Cheap price, but of course, you get what you paid for. "probably crappy service"

 

[formulav8]

I already have cable but i signed up with them anyways. It will be up and running monday. Got the $20 service and the $99 modem deal. Not to shabby. I've talked to quite a few people that have it and they like it. It is buggy just like any dsl is. Things should get better as time goes on.

 

[SqUiRm]

My problem is i have a 56K modem but i can't get ne thing more than a 36,000 bps connection because of where my house is located or something so i'm thinkin of getting Cable or DSL. I'm not sure which one yet tho. That free DSL i think isn't worth the $200 and all that stuff...

 

[Madcowz]

Am I the ONLY one who hasn't been contacted? I signed up a 9 months ago and I called up about 3 months ago asking for an update and they said don't call us, we'll call you.... sounds like the shaft to me, I haven't heard anything from them since

 

[mikebill]

But according to PC magzine, winfire has stoped offering new registration for FREE dsl. They now only offer paid dsl service. But yes, those who signed before has accepted their service (in a limited region)

 

[JD]

Reviews of FreeDSL service:

FreeDSL User Feedback

FreeDSL Service Plans

Winfire.com Terms of Service: See Section 10.10 for details of "Termination, Cancellation, and Fees" for different plans, "Extended" and "Basic"...Summary: Initial Term = 13 months...Early-Cancellation Fee = $200


Something Just Recently Become Available from 2Wire.com:

2Wire's Homeportal 1500 "Residential Gateway"...Combines 8Mbps ADSL Modem, Router, Hub & Firewall to give a "complete, secure, high-speed home networking solution"..."future-proof" = simple-upgradeable...$599 list

What would the components cost separately:
1) 8Mbps-capable ADSL Modem ==
2) Router ==
3) Hub ==
4) Firewall ==
5) Value of install ease ==
-----------
Total == ???

(I wonder if the modem chip inside is Amati/Texas Instrument? TI bought Amati Communications 4 or 5 years ago. Amati held patents for the only 8Mbps ADSL technology at time. Most present DSL modems are 1.5Mbps max, I believe. Future bandwidth = up to 8Mbps?)

Technical Specs:
? Supports Ethernet 10BASE-T, HomePNA 1.0 (1Mbps) and 2.0 (10Mbps), wireless (interoperable through Ethernet port), and USB connectivity for Windows PCs.
? Supports ADSL full rate (G.dmt ? ITU G. 992.1) and G. Lite (ITU G.992.2), depending on the product version [i.e. either model 1500 or 1000]
? Includes firewall security, NAT/PAT
? Supports TCP/IP, DHCP, DNS (client and server for each)
? Supports PPP over ATM, PPPoE, RFC 1483
? Supports client initiated VPN tunnels with PPTP, L2TP
? Regulatory compliance and certifications: FCC Part 68, UL 1950, CSA 22.2, FCC Part 15 Class B, CISPR Class B, HomePNA 2.0, ADSL, USB
? Requirements: At least one computer must have a CD-ROM drive and either Windows 95, 98, NT4.0 or Mac OS 8.5 or higher. All PCs to be connected to the HomePortal must have a network interface card (10Mbps Ethernet, HomePNA 1.0/2.0, or wireless card with base station) or USB port for a Windows PC. DSL is available through a service provider. To find available service and options, go to www.2Wire.com/findDSL.asp

"HomePortal 1000 [series?] delivers and distributes DSL to all the PCs, telephones, and Internet appliances in your home." (...Homeportal 1500, too, I presume?)

 

[shah1]

I have a Question:

My roomate has a MAC...if I bought a dsl router could he use it with FreeDSL.com. Or does he need software....looks like FreeDSL does not have any software for MACs.

 

[goog40]

I signed up a while ago and I qualified for the free modem w/ 10 referrals, but I guess I'm not in the area they're covering. I'm in southern california, so hopefully they'll get to my area soon.

This is what I get when I enter my phone # in their site:
Based on the phone number you provided, we expect to provide DSL service in your area within 60-120 days.

Is the banner ad they show bigger than the winfire toolbar?(like the all@dvantage viewbar?)

 

[Wedesdo]

i been using freedsl for 3 month now - it is fine, except it goes down, just like all dsl providers, once in a week or so for 1 or 2 hours.

oh well, it's free

 

[Ender510]

Here is my situation.. I would appreciate any advice that you guys can offer.

I got an email saying that I was 'approved' for the promotion going on.. what I want DSL for is to run a web server. I have registered 3-4 domain names and plan on running IIS, Exchange Server and have those 3-4 domains going on the server machine. I wanted to also have at most 20 or so email accounts per domain, so not too many there.. maybe 1-2 listserves as well. Mostly, the purpose of the sites were to share w/ my friends and not worry about the message length or inbox limits (like yahoo's 6mb) and have a central spot to have files stored.

Now, as for winfire.. I would probably go for the 34.95/mo deal. Here are the details: 13 month committment, first month free.. free modem (internal for win98 and external for all others). The kit they send out I would install myself (how hard is it to install? ) No charge for modem or installation.

Now, I know I need a static IP, but they said they would be providing this in a few months.. they don't offer it now. Will they ever? Also, in the case that they do offer it later, how much more would it be? The customer service rep had no details on this at all. Also, in the case that I break the 13 month contract, they will charge me the 34.95 for the remaining months left or $200 - whichever is less. I would also get to keep the modem.

I also found out that I am about 5600 ft from the CO. I hope this is accurate, I found this out from another company. Anyhow, the rep said that if I am that close, I should be able to get the 1.5 downstream and 384k upstream pretty consistently. They also provide a free dialup when I am not at home and also 5 email accounts.. but email of course isn't really practical since i plan on running my own mail server.

Now for questions I have...

Questions

1) What would be the min. system requirements for the server, ram, cpu, etc? How about what would be decent requirements for the server?

2) How could I go about circumventing the necessary static IP? Are there rerouting/forwarding services or would I just never reboot to maintain the IP?

3) Anyone hear if winfire is good/bad, comments?

4) How realistic is the static IP thing in the future?

5) For those that have winfire, how big is this 'minimal ad bar' ? Also, how reliable has the service been?

6) The modem specs are:
SpeedStream 3060 (PCI Internal) and 4060 (USB External).
Would the external USB work w/ Windows 2000 Advanced Server? Or only win98 as the customer rep had told me?

I look forward to all comments and help.. thanks in advance!

Ender