Beware satellite internet service

[DonLashier]

Originally Posted by Ronald Garrett

I just found out DSL is available, {since Dec. 31, 2007] in my area. They are coming Monday to install the equipment. I have been assured there is no throttle on this service.

Don't believe it. The only way to guarantee no throttling is to get a DIA (Dedicated Internet Access) circuit like ISP's use. Around here that's around $300 to $400 per month per megabit. Pound the hell out of a normal DSL account and it'll be throttled, but probably not as obnoxiously as the satellite account. At least the satellite providers disclose their policies - most DSL providers do not although that is slowly changing. Nevertheless, satellite service is only viable as a last resort when nothing else is available. I suspect their drastic policy is really an attempt to drive off heavy users. Qwest will just close your DSL account if you use it very heavily and constantly.

It's simple economics. Dedicated bandwith costs anywhere from $50/mb/mo to $500/mb or more depending on the location and size of the pipe. No one wants to sell at a loss. We limit accounts variously to 2GB, GMB, or 10GB per month but rarely have to enforce it and then it's usually because of file sharing (bittorrent or limewire) and customer education solves it. The average broadband user consumes less than 2GB per month. Our heaviest use customer (a graphics/printing shop) uses 10 to 12 GB. Someone with file sharing running can easily consume 50GB or much more per month.

- DL

[Ronald Garrett]

With this satellite service I had six issues in the first five months. Then the thing just died all together. I called tech service and they told me after some testing that the modem was dead. Sent another one in ten days. It would not work, they then said power supply must be at fault and sent another one. Five days this time. When new power supply arrived it was different than original. It required a separate plug in assy, which was missing. I had to go hunt one up at local store. Total time down: 17 days. This is typical of this company's service.

Like I said, hard to believe in this day and time.

AT&T may end up the same, dunno, but it sure can't be any worse? For 20 bucks a month I can talk 24/7 on my land line. I'm going to try and discipline myself to get as much as possible done that way and use a less expensive cell phone plan.

Seems to me we pay way too much for technology these days, or is it that we are spoiled by evolving technology?

[Noel_Carboni]

If you're getting good service from AT&T you're lucky. They're just as bad as anyone else, if not worse.

-Noel

[MikeA]

Originally Posted by Ronald Garrett

Seems to me we pay way too much for technology these days, or is it that we are spoiled by evolving technology?

Way I see it is:

They have something we want (access to technology)

We have something they want (cash)

We pays our money and we takes our chances

Mike.

[Ronald Garrett]

You're right Mike, I paid my money, and I didn't get much for it. I am way out in the country. I will trade listening to traffic on the xway for hearing my rooster crow every morning anytime. Just makes accessing the latest technology a little more difficult.

Maybe, just maybe forums like this one will let us all learn and share. A thousand minds are always better than one.

My hope is that I will be up and running next week without a throttle. Ah sweet freedom!

[AndrewCassino]

I have to say, living in a big city really does give one much more leverage. I have my choice of several wireless, cable and DSL providers EACH. Threatening to switch (and really being prepared to do so) gives one a lot of leverage and I have used it to mercilessly rake Earthlink over the coals, something I have no qualms about doing ever since I discovered they lowered their new customer rates a year ago and continued to charge me (a customer for over 15 years) $15 a month more than a new customer. Apparently, being a long-term customer means you're a sucker in the ISP business.

I advise everyone to use an ISP-independent email provider for your primary email (Gmail, Yahoo, etc) so you can switch ISPs on a dime. I did that a few months ago and now when I threaten my ISP that I am going to switch, I really mean it, and I think they can hear it. Even though they lowered my rate, fixed my tech problems, and refunded a couple of months of billings, I'm still pretty annoyed and might just switch for the heck of it!

[Ronald Garrett]

Apparently, Noel hit the proverbial " head on the nail". I bragged too soon on AT&T. The sheet included with the modem said I would have service "after 6:00 pm on March 3rd". Gurss what, no service yet.

Called them and complained. Told them this was no way to impress a new customer. Didn't faze them. They informed me they would have it up in "four or five days". According to their information they sent me it has been available here since December 31, 2007. I guess they think a three month delay isn't bad.

I must be patient. I must be patient. I must be patient.

Addendum: just got off the phone with AT&T, they say it will be an additional seven days before service is active. Awsome! I'm impressed!!!

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