Verizon DSL 1.5/128 for $34.99(Maybe 29.99)

[jrichrds]

Originally posted by: all168
I heard from a local new station KFWB said verizon will lower their DSL price, I don't know how soon, but if they lower below $29.99, it will be hot price, consider AOL or earthlink charging $24.xx for their dialup service.

Yes, and that's what we're talking about now. DSL "Up to 1.5"/128 for $34.99 (or $29.99 if packaged with other Verizon services).

 

[jrichrds]

Originally posted by: tjaisv
Why are broadband providers so generous with download speeds and so stingy with upload speeds? The story they've always given is that people don't download as much as they upload. And, for the most part, that's true. But c'mon, 128 is ancient, like ISDN ancient! At the very least base upload should at least be 256, or better yet 384. I know I'm preaching to the choir here but are they even listening here on this one?

They don't want you to host a server or other bandwidth drainer.

 

[zuffy]

Called Verizon today and it was a very simple upgrade. Customer Service has improve big time. CS said I will have the new speed by 5/12 6pm

 

[WTT0001]

Mine just got upgraded, running 1482 kbps / 136 kbps (180.9 Kbps) Not too shabby considering I am supposed to get 1500 / 128

Thanks for the deal LordThing

 

[LordThing]

Still waiting on my upgrade....hopefully this weekend I will be surfin in full glory.

 

[jasonroehm]

I work for an ISP that provides DSL service through Verizon, so I deal with them a lot. Here's the answers to some questions I've seen in this thread:

1. If your line supposedly only qualifies for 768/128 but you are reasonably close to the CO, then you might want to ask the tech if he can look into line conditioning for your line. This involves their removing devices in your area that would interfere with tihe DSL, keeping your service level down. They usually do this at no charge.

2. To the person who could not upgrade because the frame relay is only 768kbps, I'm surprised. The frame relay that they are talking about is the connection between Verizon Online's location in your city and the Verizon phone network. Your DSL connection goes from your home to the CO, then onto Verizon's phone network. To get to the Internet, it must go through your ISP's (in your case, Verizon Online is your ISP; they are a separate company from Verizon the phone people) connection to the Verizon network in order to eventually get out on the Internet. There are two types of connections that your ISP can have: frame relay and ATM. Frame relay is being phased out right now, and Verizon is moving toward ATM connections in all of their new locations. Frame relay connections top out at around T1 speeds I believe, while ATM can go up to DS3 and beyond. The problem keeping you from upgrading is that VOL's connection to the phone network is only 768kbps in your city, which means that all DSL customers are feeding off of that line. Nice, huh? If the speed is not oversold, you don't really ever notice a difference between frame relay and ATM service. Frame relay service uses the good old Fujitsu dark gray modems usually, while ATM service can use a number of them, the most popular being Westell Wirespeed ones.

3. "Fire up the modem and let it sync" is one of Verizon's classic phrases. This is not something you should have to do very often. When you turn on the modem, its lights will blink for 30-60 seconds. This is called letting the modem "sync up" to the line. Once the lights are on steady, your connection is good to go. The DSL still is an always-on connection because this is only done when the modem is first powered on. I know that the older Fujitsu modems do require periodic resets of the modem for whatever reason; the connection will just go out completely until you power off and on the modem. If you call Verizon's DSL technical support center, the first message that plays asks you to reset your modem and reboot your computer first.

I think I can answer your questions pretty well on this topic, so if anyone else has any questions, I will do my best to answer them.

 

[blueribb]

I have a question.

I've had Verizon DSL here in PA for almost 2 yrs and use Windows XP Pro. When my computer is finished booting up, I still have to
"connect" using an icon on my desktop. And no, I did not install their software.

Is this connection icon necessary ?

At work I have cable and it's always connected.

Thanks in advance.

 

[reitz]

Originally posted by: thatsright
1. When I spoke to the rep. on the phone, he mentioned that the install software I get won?t be using any PPPoE software like I used with Verizon DSL in the past. Is this True?? Im a bit skeptical. If PPPoE does come with the DSL and I do need to use it, are there any other alternatives to it, or can I install some stripped down version so I don?t have to install all of that software that Verizon wants you to.

The newer models of the Westell modem have PPPoE software built in. You enter the username/password when first setting up the modem, and it handles the authentication from there.

2 Once I get the DSL, I want to share the DSL connection for two WIN 98 PCs. (Mine and friends.) Can Anyone give me any good links online for guides n such that would help me out on this. And has anyone had any trouble sharing a Verizon DSL connection? Just asking.

You've got two options:

Install two NICs in one of the computers, and use it to share the connection. You'll need a crossover cable to connect the second computer to the second NIC in the first computer. It's fairly easy to set up, but the downside is that the first PC needs to be on and connected for the second to have internet access.

Buy a router (I paid $100 for a Linksys two years ago; I imagine the price has come down somewhat since then). Connect the DSL modem to the WAN port on the router, and then connect both PCs to the router.

 

[blueribb]

The older Westell "InfoSpeed" modems did not have the built-in PPPoe connection software.

The newer "WireSpeed" models do and do not require pressing a connection icon.

I'm on hold with Verizon now to request a free upgrade to their newest modem.

I'll update this info later.

Edit: Holy Crap. I called for an upgraded modem and they are sending it out UPS today. There's no
charge and they don't want the old modem back.

 

[codeyf]

Originally posted by: blueribb
The older Westell "InfoSpeed" modems did not have the built-in PPPoe connection software.

The newer "WireSpeed" models do and do not require pressing a connection icon.

I'm on hold with Verizon now to request a free upgrade to their newest modem.

I'll update this info later.

Edit: Holy Crap. I called for an upgraded modem and they are sending it out UPS today. There's no
charge and they don't want the old modem back.

What is the advantage of upgrading the modem???

Oh, my upgrade should be done today

 

[blueribb]

See this page for more information: http://www.pcmag.com/print_article/0,3048,a=4623,00.asp

Scroll way down the page to find the heading marked "How to Sidestep PPPoE"

 

[Boogak]

Worked for me in Dallas, Tx. Took 10 minutes and mine should be upgraded in less than a week

 

[HurtMe]

Unbelievable. Can't believe San Jose area doesn't have Verizon DSL. I thought everything is hooked up in the 'silicon valley'. Does anyone else living in San Jose have a dsl/cable suggestion?

 

[dimwit]

So sad, I'm on frame relay too... But they did drop my bill $5 to $30.

 

[RobCur]

BECAUSE YOU ARE SO COOL!
Faster download, for the same price as SBC standard plus is the greatest thing next to HOT DEALS!

Originally posted by: LordThing
You guys are making me feel all gooey inside. I like helpin people score a easy deal like this. Almost feel like a super hero.

 

[Vivi]

called them up and got the upgrade yeah!!
In Brooklyn and looks like I qualify for the 1.5 download. Double the download bandwidth and reduced 5 bucks per month -- kick ass

 

[JubJub4]

This is whack man. I used to have the 1.5 service, but downgraded to 768 because my remates left. Now they say my area doesnt qualify for the 1.5 service.

 

[render]

I called last wednesday and now I'm getting 1.4. very nice

 

[WT]

I am on the OLD GTE plan, still using a gte.net account rather than Verizon. Its basically a grandfather clause and I pay $39.95 a mo. for 768/128. A co-worker wanted to get DSL and Verizon charged him $59.95 (!!@%#!) for the same 768/128 service !! At that point I was damn glad I didn't have to go with Verizon. I'm about 11,500 ft. from the CO so I am gonna call and HOPE that I get bumped up. I'ts really a shame they can't bump up the 128 U/L side to at least 256 but thats life ... I'll take what they give me at this point. The local cable co. offers 512/512 for $35 but they are overselling their bandwidth and all the mp3 junkies in my neighborhood would kill my connection at around 6:00 PM every night. Thanks for the hot deal !!

 

[iambecoming]

I heard about this deal on www.broadbandreports.com last week, called them up and had my line changed within 5 minutes on the phone. This deal saves me $15 and doubles my speed... there's nothing wrong with that in my book!

 

[WT]

Damn damn and double damn !!! My dumpy old town and their dumpy old Frame Relay wiring has jumped up to bite my virtual @ss yet again !! I just got off the phone and the VOL CSR at first told me I was qualifed but then said, ohh, I'm sorry, I meant you are NOT qualified for 1500 service. I said, ohhh, I suppose that is because of a Frame Relay setup and she agreed with me. No timetable at all on when or IF I will ever get ATM in the area. I'm thinking about switching to cable even with the teenage asshats D/L'ing all night long ... stoopid Frame Relay 1950's technology .... and to hell with my Fujitsu modem !! FUJITSU !!! We put the F.U. in FUJITSU !!

:disgust:

 

[codeyf]

Originally posted by: WT
Damn damn and double damn !!! My dumpy old town and their dumpy old Frame Relay wiring has jumped up to bite my virtual @ss yet again !! I just got off the phone and the VOL CSR at first told me I was qualifed but then said, ohh, I'm sorry, I meant you are NOT qualified for 1500 service. I said, ohhh, I suppose that is because of a Frame Relay setup and she agreed with me. No timetable at all on when or IF I will ever get ATM in the area. I'm thinking about switching to cable even with the teenage asshats D/L'ing all night long ... stoopid Frame Relay 1950's technology .... and to hell with my Fujitsu modem !! FUJITSU !!! We put the F.U. in FUJITSU !!

:disgust:

Hey! Watch it! I'm sure Mr Fujitsu was a cousin of mine or somethin!!!!

 

[zxczxc]

I called at noon on 4/30 and was told that my line doesn't qualify... called again at 6PM and this time the rep said mine qualifies and the upgrade would be done by Tuesday. I ran speed test yesterday and my DSL was still at 768/128k. I got the speed upgrade this morning and speed test resulted 1482/133k!!!

 

[wasssup]

Originally posted by: zxczxc
I called at noon on 4/30 and was told that my line doesn't qualify... called again at 6PM and this time the rep said mine qualifies and the upgrade would be done by Tuesday. I ran speed test yesterday and my DSL was still at 768/128k. I got the speed upgrade this morning and speed test resulted 1482/133k!!!

:Q

My account was just activated today, and i'm only getting 700kbps

The guy I was speaking to said that because the original "service ready date" isn't for another two days, I won't have full strength till then...odd.

 

[Brandon2000]

Where are you guys testing most of your dsl speed?

If I goto www.dslreports.com, I get around 600k per second

If I goto www.bandwidth.com, I get around 1300k per second

If I goto Verizon test page, www.ba-hss.com, I get around 1400k per second

If I goto cnet's test page, I also get around 600k per second

Anyone with a conclusion, did the upgrade work or not? Thx for your time.