6 megabit AT&T DSL for $27.99

[Liver]

Last Result:
Download Speed: 24177 kbps (3022.1 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 3940 kbps (492.5 KB/sec transfer rate)

Bellsouth Rocks

 

[Liver]

Download Speed: 7683 kbps (960.4 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 931 kbps (116.4 KB/sec transfer

SC to CA

 

[Devistater]

Dont forget the upgrade link:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://swot.sbc.com/swot/DSLRenewalQual.do?DCMP=att_upgrade"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://swot.sbc.com/swot/DSLRenewalQual.do?DCMP=att_upgrade">https://swot.sbc.com/swot/DSLRenewalQual.do?DCMP=att_upgrade</a></a>

Then you can upgrade totally online and never call. So if they lie to you and say "blah blah blah package is required to get this price" then just upgrade online.
Also, then you dont have to argue about the $30 price vs the $28 price for "online" orders.
I was out of contract and it worked for me, but I've heard other ppl who were in contract that it worked online as well.

And despite it saying that its 608kbit upstream, its actualy 768kbit. I've seen speed confirmations, and posts by SBC techs about it, and they apparently dont even have a profile with 3mbit min (like this package) that offers anything but 768kbit upstream.

And finally, if you need help, the best place to get it is at www.dslreports.com or www.broadbandreports.com
There's a few official SBC/ATT techs working support there and a special customer only forum where only they can read others posts. So you can post any probs there and they will fix it. Last time I used them, I got help within an hour on a friday evening AFTER office hours (one guy stayed late to help me). So instead of getting 5 differant answers from phone people, or waiting 20 mins telling them yes my phone line is plugged in, use them. You wont regret it.
The direct link to the SBC/AT&T customer forum with help from OFFICIAL company techs is:
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/sbcdirect
As well there's tabs across the top of the post list where you can go to the public forums for the various parts of SBC/AT&T DSL stuff.

BTW, you can use this upgrade link even if you already have 6mbit, the new package (elite) is considered to be higher than anything else, so its technically an upgrade even if you have the old 6mbit (expert I think) for $45 or $50 price.

OP you might want to add some of this info to your post.

 

[uhohs]

anyone know if the 2wire home portal they're offering is any good?
i'm still using an ancient westell from ~99/00

 

[Devistater]

Originally posted by: uhohs
anyone know if the 2wire home portal they're offering is any good?
i'm still using an ancient westell from ~99/00

2wire is decent, has everything built in (combo router and modem). And some models have wireless built in too.

However, depending on your westell model, you should probably keep it. I did some reasearch a while back on best modem to buy that contained diagnostics (like attenuation and signal/noise ratio), as well as good speed, and features. Westell was the one I found was the best.
Some models also have automatic TCP/IP priority queing (which is like the QoS priority in some 3rd party firmware for linksys routers).
Basically it means that the modem tries to keep bandwidth flowing. Many async connections (basically almost all DSL and cable) have issues where if you max the download your upload tanks, and as well sometimes the other way around, if you are maxing your upload, your download tanks.
This means if you are downloading files, your VOIP can start cutting out, or your web browsing is very slow.
Some westell models have this feature to help prevent that. Normally without that feature (which I've never seen in any other modems) you'd need a router with special 3rd party firmware to do packet shaping and bandwidth priority QoS type stuff. And normally in a router, to get that, you lose about 10% or so of your maximum bandwidth.

Anyway, long story short: keep the westell (especially if you have a router already), they are usually better than any alternatives.

The only limit for most modems (DSL or Cable) is the limit of the network interface. Its usually 10mbit (rather than 10/100). Which is still fine, its rare to have any internet services (cable or DSL) faster than that.

 

[brlacasse]

I think the better deal is the link to the hot female athletes. Nice one.

 

[harbin]

After upgrade, now my DL is 1700 and UL is 768. Need to call them!

 

[Devistater]

Originally posted by: harbin
After upgrade, now my DL is 1700 and UL is 768. Need to call them!

It usually doesn't happen instantly. From what I recall the SBC techs saying a couple years ago when I went to 6mbit, the upstream goes up pretty quick after the upgrade because it can be done automatically, but the download speed can take a few days or a week because they have to do it manually.

Calling wont do much, trust me. But if you want to waste time and have people blither nonsense about it, give it a try

If you'd like to get someone to check on it sooner, do a post at the link I provided above for the official SBC support tech forum, then they can do it for you. (only you and the official SBC support techs can read the post in that special forum, so its ok to post your phone number there, and ONLY there. You can verify you are in the right place by trying to read someone elses post).

 

[Francodman]

Originally posted by: Devistater

Originally posted by: harbin
After upgrade, now my DL is 1700 and UL is 768. Need to call them!

It usually doesn't happen instantly. From what I recall the SBC techs saying a couple years ago when I went to 6mbit, the upstream goes up pretty quick after the upgrade because it can be done automatically, but the download speed can take a few days or a week because they have to do it manually.

Calling wont do much, trust me. But if you want to waste time and have people blither nonsense about it, give it a try

If you'd like to get someone to check on it sooner, do a post at the link I provided above for the official SBC support tech forum, then they can do it for you. (only you and the official SBC support techs can read the post in that special forum, so its ok to post your phone number there, and ONLY there. You can verify you are in the right place by trying to read someone elses post).

You're wrong bud, calling is what did the trick for me, just make sure you get transferred to Tier 2. They update the gateway profile, and over the phone the lady set me @ 6mbps

 

[Devistater]

Originally posted by: Francodman
You're wrong bud, calling is what did the trick for me, just make sure you get transferred to Tier 2. They update the gateway profile, and over the phone the lady set me @ 6mbps

In my experiance calling them is practically worthless, glad you got good results from it though.

 

[uhohs]

Originally posted by: Devistater

Originally posted by: uhohs
anyone know if the 2wire home portal they're offering is any good?
i'm still using an ancient westell from ~99/00

2wire is decent, has everything built in (combo router and modem). And some models have wireless built in too.

However, depending on your westell model, you should probably keep it. I did some reasearch a while back on best modem to buy that contained diagnostics (like attenuation and signal/noise ratio), as well as good speed, and features. Westell was the one I found was the best.
Some models also have automatic TCP/IP priority queing (which is like the QoS priority in some 3rd party firmware for linksys routers).
Basically it means that the modem tries to keep bandwidth flowing. Many async connections (basically almost all DSL and cable) have issues where if you max the download your upload tanks, and as well sometimes the other way around, if you are maxing your upload, your download tanks.
This means if you are downloading files, your VOIP can start cutting out, or your web browsing is very slow.
Some westell models have this feature to help prevent that. Normally without that feature (which I've never seen in any other modems) you'd need a router with special 3rd party firmware to do packet shaping and bandwidth priority QoS type stuff. And normally in a router, to get that, you lose about 10% or so of your maximum bandwidth.

Anyway, long story short: keep the westell (especially if you have a router already), they are usually better than any alternatives.

The only limit for most modems (DSL or Cable) is the limit of the network interface. Its usually 10mbit (rather than 10/100). Which is still fine, its rare to have any internet services (cable or DSL) faster than that.

thanks for the info, the westell modem i have is a wirespeed 36r516
pdf
know if this model is considered good? stick to it over the 2wire that's being offered?

thanks.

 

[Devistater]

Originally posted by: uhohs
thanks for the info, the westell modem i have is a wirespeed 36r516
pdf
know if this model is considered good? stick to it over the 2wire that's being offered?

thanks.

I think thats one of the more basic westell models, but it says it goes up to 8mbit/800k so there's no issue with it holding you back speed wise.

If the 2wire is free, give it a try. I was impressed with how easy the 2wire is to configure it last time I played around with it at my Grandma's.

And if you dont have a hardware router (like linksys or netgear or whatever), definatly go with 2wire, that westell model doesn't have firewall/router features.

 

[Francodman]

AT&T is having major issues right now w/ their speed. Hopefully they resolve this soon.

 

[Devistater]

Originally posted by: Francodman
AT&T is having major issues right now w/ their speed. Hopefully they resolve this soon.

Maybe in some areas with some people.
Not here.

I'm happily downloading away at speeds higher than 600kbyte/sec right now.
And I tested the upload, its hitting 65kbyte/s or so (they haven't put through the 768kbit upgrade for that yet on my line, thats the speed I was getting before at my 6016/608 package I was paying $45 a month for).

If you are having issues, try that official SBC tech forum I linked earlier. They are great at figuring that stuff out. There's a few cases like in bay area where they oversold some service and the speed drops in peak hours in the bay area, but they've been gradually migrating people to new "redbacks" to handle the load. So if you can chat to the official SBC tech, he might be able to migrate you early if thats your problem.

Or if its a differant problem, they can probably help you diagnose that as well.

 

[cvrefugee]

http://img334.imageshack.us/img334/8607/newspeed9bo.png

 

[MOCKBA1]

Originally posted by: bigboxes
Why does this (Comcast commercials) bother you? Are you a DSL fanboy? To be honest with you I am a Comcast 6M customer that currently gets 9.6M down for $34.95/mo. Yeah, comcast sucks when they emphasize the positive ingnore the negative. SBC also requires you to have a phone line with them. Don't forget about the slower speeds as you move away from the central office. Yes, your cable may be slower as more people are on the node, but let's not go overboard about how great DSL is. I was happy to fire SBC as my overpriced phone provider and don't plan on going back any time soon.

Comcast requires to have TV with them.

 

[Devistater]

Originally posted by: MOCKBA1
Comcast requires to have TV with them.

No, they have pricing for internet only, no cable TV
.
I think the normal is like $45 a month and without thier cable its like $65 a month. Something like that anyway, it may have changed.

Edit:
I just checked. Its $43 for customers, $57 for non customers. Thats for the high speed (I think 8mbit).

I dunno what the other speeds cost, thier pricing page is confusing and I dont feel like taking the time to figure it out when I dont want it anyway.

 

[squirrel dog]

I'll reiterate this point again and again and again until people get it: being further away from the Central Office doesn't necessarily mean your speed goes down. Back in the old old OLD days of DSL that was true, but now most telcoms that offer DSL service deploy Remote Terminals capable of being DSL endpoints at various locations throughout their coverage area. These are almost always linked up to the CO via fiberoptic (and a lot of it) so the speed you get at X feet from an RTS will almost always be the same as the speed you get X feet from the CO. (give or take a millisecond of latency)

True dat . fiber makes the central office transparent up to the rt site . So you could be many miles from the serving office and get max thru put .

 

[aboothman]

I had the same "issue" with my up being immediately upgraded, while my down speed took longer. I called on Saturday for the hell of it, and on Monday
I received 2 phone calls from SBC/ATT saying my speed should be fixed and they were testing it. Sure enough, 5400 down/600+ up.

On the forum that Devintater linked above there seem to be a lot of people who are waiting on their download upgrades, so it sems to be a normal "issue".
As for the statement about calling being useless, well, I can see that....if you hang up before you talk to an actual PERSON. I have NEVER had an issue with SBC,
and their customer service has always been excellent. Maybe try being polite next time

 

[neocor]

Is the deal available in NJ.

neo

 

[Baked]

Just placed the order for the new promote. Looks like they'll activate it on the 15th. When I talked to the service rep, she said she couldn't give me the the promo price. But then I keep pressing her and ask is there anyway I can get it, and she went online and placed the order for me. $27.99 for up to 6MB down. Kick ass.

 

[kalster]

you guys getting close to 6mpbs, what is your distance from the CO?

 

[V00DOO]

Thanks, I just upgraded!

 

[sat4fun]

Originally posted by: Francodman

Originally posted by: Devistater

Originally posted by: harbin
After upgrade, now my DL is 1700 and UL is 768. Need to call them!

It usually doesn't happen instantly. From what I recall the SBC techs saying a couple years ago when I went to 6mbit, the upstream goes up pretty quick after the upgrade because it can be done automatically, but the download speed can take a few days or a week because they have to do it manually.

Calling wont do much, trust me. But if you want to waste time and have people blither nonsense about it, give it a try

If you'd like to get someone to check on it sooner, do a post at the link I provided above for the official SBC support tech forum, then they can do it for you. (only you and the official SBC support techs can read the post in that special forum, so its ok to post your phone number there, and ONLY there. You can verify you are in the right place by trying to read someone elses post).

You're wrong bud, calling is what did the trick for me, just make sure you get transferred to Tier 2. They update the gateway profile, and over the phone the lady set me @ 6mbps

How do you get ahold of Tier 2 support? I called the number on my upgrade confirmation and talked to some woman in India while I was connected to my system from work. I was given the "what are the lights on your modem doing?" bullshit. I was told that they couldn't do anything unless I was in front of the computer.

I looked at the dslreports AT&T direct and that looks rather confusing and a long wait. I have no patience waiting for a tech to respond to a post. How long does that take? Do I have to first post in the local forum and it is then sent to the AT&T direct?

 

[Devistater]

Originally posted by: aboothman
As for the statement about calling being useless, well, I can see that....if you hang up before you talk to an actual PERSON. I have NEVER had an issue with SBC,
and their customer service has always been excellent. Maybe try being polite next time

I'm always polite on the phone. And I always wait to talk to a person when I call, even if it takes a while.

I just get tired of being told lies like "you have to buy all these services if you want that special price," or getting told to check to see if my modem is plugged in if my DSL is out.

Originally posted by: sat4fun
How do you get ahold of Tier 2 support? I called the number on my upgrade confirmation and talked to some woman in India while I was connected to my system from work. I was given the "what are the lights on your modem doing?" bullshit. I was told that they couldn't do anything unless I was in front of the computer.

I looked at the dslreports AT&T direct and that looks rather confusing and a long wait. I have no patience waiting for a tech to respond to a post. How long does that take? Do I have to first post in the local forum and it is then sent to the AT&T direct?

If you ask them on the phone to transfer you to tier 2, that sometimes works. Othertimes they just tell you they have to go through all the newb stuff first.

As for dslreports, you post in the AT&T direct forum only, if you want official SBC help (since no one else can read the posts there but the official techs, so you can post your phone number). And last time I used it, I got a response back in a couple hours, the same day.
I just checked ONE of the tech's post histories. He's replied to 16 threads in AT&T direct today, and over 60 of them the day before.
So even if there's a few posts waiting for a reply, that doesn't nessasarily mean it will take a while

Anyway, its up to you. I'd reccomned giving it a try, because I've had such good success with it compared to clueless people on the phone telling me crap and wasting my time with "but is your modem plugged in" stuff. But whatever works good for you, go ahead and use that.