HOT: $30 DSL a month-SBC SNET CT

[c627627]

Thanks jeeplaw for the help and the deal, I agree it's kind of strange they don't list a telephone number on their bills.
TacoSupreme, I think they usually let you get out of the contract within 30 days, after that, you're... well you know.

 

[Jstic]

Furor,

I've had SBC SNET DSL in Connecticut for the past year+. The service is not bad about 70% of the time. Rarely is the connection lost. But during busy hours(after dinner, Sunday nights especially) the service can slow to near 56K speeds. I would check on the speed that the thread starter posted, my service is 384K minimum, and I rarely get speeds anywhere near 1mb/s. They have different packages for different speeds. If the package is for 384k-1.5 mb, don't expect to get much over the 384k.

This offer really concerns me because it does not appear that SBC SNET has enough bandwith now to give the service that they are advertising. Unless they are going to do some serious equipment upgrading, this will only make it worse.

There are now a couple of other alternatives at least in my area if you want DSL, until recently SBC SNET was the only option. Not sure if I would enter into a 1 year agreement with SBC SNET at this point.

Just thought I would pass this along for anyone considering this offer.

 

[aperry]

I just recently signed up with SBC DSL (Southwestern Bell), and it works great. Got in on the 6 month for $29.95 deal, even though technically, it is not available in my area. 1 YR contract too.

My only complaint is that they don't offer the binaries in their Usenet newsgroups.

 

[DEFIANT1]

I just got a postcard from AT&T offering 6 months of Broadband for $19.95 a month for 6 months....Anybody have any experience with trying to get PacBell to pricematch? This would save me $180 over the next 6 months if so, and would be one of the best deals I've found yet this year!

 

[TacoSupreme]

Thing is... I've been with Pacbell DSL for like 3 years now. But I just got another computer. and I want to be able to have DSL on both my computers. and it seems a little hard to do that with my stupid USB modem. also I'm paying 50 a month... so having to pay only 30 would be nice. Thats why i wanna know what do they consider new customers? Or can I just cancel my DSL now.. because I'm not under contract anymore and rejoin?

 

[Jstic]

Taco, can't you just use a router to share the connection?

 

[TacoSupreme]

I dont think so... both computers have NICs.. but the modem needs to be connected to the computer through USB.

 

[DEFIANT1]

Originally posted by: TacoSupreme
I dont think so... both computers have NICs.. but the modem needs to be connected to the computer through USB.

Yes you can... A simple switch between your computers, and "internet connection sharing" enabled in XP (2K too, I think) will take care of your problems.

 

[TacoSupreme]

doh.. i got a router... would that work? a linksys one..

 

[Pretty Cool]

Taco, my guess is that they associate a name and phone number. Hence, I doubt if PacBell would consider you a new user. Whether they will extend those terms to others is to be determined. As for your modem issue, I would have suggested complaining about USB's reliability. Perhaps they will exchange it, but SBC is not known for good customer service. If you are desperate enough, your local classifieds like the Recycler or an auction like Ebay are possible sources for ethernet dsl modems.

If you decide to cancel your service and sign up again, be aware that PacBell might charge an install and equipment fee. Also, remember that SBC has implemented a new cap system. All new connections begin at 192kbps. Theoretically, as stability is demonstrated, you speed is gradually increased until the maximum(1500kbps) or until unstable. Unfortunately, even users such as yourself who have dsl all along are initially capped at 192. As you would have expected from SBC, many people seem to "stuck" at 192 for weeks. Are you familiar with those 3 month "introductory" rates? Well, in my opinion, that is how long it will take before you are finally connecting at the maximum dsl speed for your phone line.

 

[TacoSupreme]

Taco, my guess is that they associate a name and phone number. Hence, I doubt if PacBell would consider you a new user. Whether they will extend those terms to others is to be determined. As for your modem issue, I would have suggested complaining about USB's reliability. Perhaps they will exchange it, but SBC is not known for good customer service. If you are desperate enough, your local classifieds like the Recycler or an auction like Ebay are possible sources for ethernet dsl modems.

If you decide to cancel your service and sign up again, be aware that PacBell might charge an install and equipment fee. Also, remember that SBC has implemented a new cap system. All new connections begin at 192kbps. Theoretically, as stability is demonstrated, you speed is gradually increased until the maximum(1500kbps) or until unstable. Unfortunately, even users such as yourself who have dsl all along are initially capped at 192. As you would have expected from SBC, many people seem to "stuck" at 192 for weeks. Are you familiar with those 3 month "introductory" rates? Well, in my opinion, that is how long it will take before you are finally connecting at the maximum dsl speed for your phone line.

Hmm well I could put the DSL account under my moms name. I was looking at the special offers they were offering to my area and theres a deal just like that. I've told them again and again that my modem is really unreliable and has many bugs, but they just dont say anything lol.

Yea the deal the offer, doesnt have a installation fee.. and the equipment is free. as long as you install it yourself. I dnno I think the the maxium dsl speed for my phone line sucks haha but thats just me.

hmm just a question if I do get another modem for DSL. how would I keep the DSL active for both computers? because I have to log on everytime.

 

[Pretty Cool]

I would complain that I lose connection hourly. Also, you tested this setup on multiple computers and multiple operating systems. As a experiment, you borrowed a friend's ethernet modem, and every thing worked properly. From my understanding, SBC has actually discontinued issuing usb modems because they were so unreliable. Refusing to swap a defective modem just shows how lazy and apathetic PacBell csr's display to their customers.

Are you sure that your phone line is not capable of higher speeds? SBC previously advertised 384-1.5/128 speeds. However, in practice, they would issue speeds of 384/128, 768/128. or 1500/128. Because of TCP/IP overhead, real speeds were 320/100, 650/100, and 1100/100. Since a lower speed was easier to establish than the maximum, PacBell could complete more installations in a given period. Almost everybody had to complain before they received higher speeds. PacBell would claim that line were unable to handle the speeds, but almost all those who requested the uncapping saw no difference in reliablity after the removal.

Once you receive an ethernet modem, you would simply connect it to your Linksys router. Then, attached cat5 networking cable from your router to your NIC in each of your computers. Get rid of that garbage Enternet software. Enter your username and password using the router's html interface and you are done. You can now turn on any of your computers and they will be connected to the Internet. One computer does not have to be on all the time to act as a server. Only the modem and router have to be turned on fulltime.

 

[Phuacu]

For those that are having interrupted connections or something like that, try using RASPPPOE. I've been using it and DSL works fine for me. Go to dslreports.com and go to their utilities section to download it. Or search on your own.

 

[TacoSupreme]

ah ty. I just made a bid for a speedstream 5260. so hopefully that will fix my problems. hopefully I dont need any special filters for the 5260.. cause i have the 4060 and I forget what filters I put in besides the phone filters.

also i've been using a phone line to connect to my modem but i seen some auctions with a "Dsl phone cable" ... is that just a phone cable? lol

whew hoo finally found my dsl box along with my wall mount dsl thing.. do i really need it htough?.. wher emy phone line comes from is the ground.. and its not very wall mountable lol

 

[Stifko]

I wish I could find a cheaper DSL ISP in NYC.

 

[jeeplaw]

Just found out I'm 2400 feet from the telco office..should be interesting to see what kind of speeds I get. Has anyone else from the CT region tried getting in on this deal? Any problems?

 

[c627627]

jeeplaw please help!

I called this number 1-888-992-8576 which took me to your CT office before and they confirmed this earlier.
Now all of a sudden this CT number reps are saying there's no such thing as $29.99 for 1 year, and this was confirmed by a CT manager as nonexistant.
All SBC offices around the country need is that 800 number to offer this deal to us.

How about helping us out buddy by dialing 811 and asking what 800# you can dial to get to someone at SBC who can confirm this deal exists.

 

[aperry]

Originally posted by: Pretty Cool
Also, remember that SBC has implemented a new cap system. All new connections begin at 192kbps. Theoretically, as stability is demonstrated, you speed is gradually increased until the maximum(1500kbps) or until unstable. Unfortunately, even users such as yourself who have dsl all along are initially capped at 192. As you would have expected from SBC, many people seem to "stuck" at 192 for weeks. Are you familiar with those 3 month "introductory" rates? Well, in my opinion, that is how long it will take before you are finally connecting at the maximum dsl speed for your phone line.

That is not true, at least not in the hills of Arkansas. I just got hooked up as I mentioned before, and have run numerous tests, and all of them have come in over 1200kbps.

 

[TacoSupreme]

you know.. you guys can go to like pacbell.net.. then go to DSL then look under special offers slap in your area cod and it'll show any special offers.

 

[c627627]

Originally posted by: TacoSupreme
you know.. you guys can go to like pacbell.net.. then go to DSL then look under special offers slap in your area cod and it'll show any special offers.

OK THANKS, the only $29.95/12mo deal I found on those web links was Ameritech DSL Internet. Now, it's "Up to 768Kbps / 128Kbps DSL Internet Service"
Here's a quick YES or NO question for anyone who knows: is 768Kbs what cameronj described above as "something like 4x dial-up" and "just a stripped down version of their standard plan"

 

[jeeplaw]

Originally posted by: c627627
jeeplaw please help!

I called this number 1-888-992-8576 which took me to your CT office before and they confirmed this earlier.
Now all of a sudden this CT number reps are saying there's no such thing as $29.99 for 1 year, and this was confirmed by a CT manager as nonexistant.
All SBC offices around the country need is that 800 number to offer this deal to us.

How about helping us out buddy by dialing 811 and asking what 800# you can dial to get to someone at SBC who can confirm this deal exists.

Just got off the phone with SBC, and the rep said that the plan is in service until Sept 12, and that you can reach an inside service rep at 1-800-453-SNET.

 

[c627627]

Pfew! Finally the verdict is in. First of all thanks, jeeplaw, that 800# could have saved me a lot of time if I had it earlier. It turns out yes - SBC SNET has this great deal but no - other SBC subsidiaries do not! They told me that each SBC subsidiary has its own promotion and will not match other SBC subsidiary promotions like this one in Connecticut. :frown:

(They also said that SBC Southwestern Bell does't even offer the "stripped down" version of 768k, they only offer 1.5M DSL)

$29.95 first six months, $49.95 thereafter, 1 year contract is the best you can get from SBC Southwestern Bell. I heard somewhere that prices change on the 1st so it remains to be seen if there's going to be a change then.