Opinions of switching services

Barb · Post by **Barb** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 12:25 pm

I just got an offer in the mail from SBC for SBC Yahoo Business DSL for 29.95 a month. On their web page, I can order it for even less, 26.95 a month for 12 months. The modem is basically free after an instant credit. I can't imagine why I can't install it myself and save the $200 installation fee.

I have been using Roadrunner for about 4 yrs now and really haven't had many problems with it. I'd only consider changing because of the price difference.

I know services vary in each area and my SBC may not be the same experience as someone else's.

But if anyone is in the Kansas City Metro area and has an opinion, please feel free to share.

I'd be using it on a small home network with the desktop being old and running WinMe and the laptop connected wireless running XP Pro.

There's information to the SBC service that I'm looking at here:

http://www01.sbc.com/DSL_new/content/0,,10,00.html

It would be the basic package. While the Standard Plus package is faster the regular price after the 12 month period is more than I'm paying for the RR now. I think the basic package is comparable to what I have now.

Oh and probably a dumb question.... It would work the same as RR? I know some ISPs you have to log in or something. Mine is on all the time with no log ins unless I set it up that way.

Thanks
Barb

Barb · Post by **Barb** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 12:28 pm

Ok I'm reading further into the web page. It says I can't self install if I have a router??

Any reason for this?

Barb

Road Runner · Post by **Road Runner** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 12:56 pm

Originally posted by Barb
Oh and probably a dumb question.... It would work the same as RR? I know some ISPs you have to log in or something. Mine is on all the time with no log ins unless I set it up that way.

Thanks
Barb

I do believe SBC is under PPPoE Standards, so you would probably be required to have your user name and password ready to connect. Just by any chance what your Telco? Pac Bell-SBC? Southwestern bell - SBC? Or Ameritech - SBC?

Barb · Post by **Barb** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 1:04 pm

My phone company is Southwestern Bell.

PPPoE ?
I'm guessing it's not difficult to set up? With my cable, I just plug it all in and it works.

While I'm comfortable installing, tweaking and setting things up on here, it's always nice to just have things work when you plug them in.

Barb

Road Runner · Post by **Road Runner** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 1:39 pm

Originally posted by Barb
My phone company is Southwestern Bell.

PPPoE ?
I'm guessing it's not difficult to set up? With my cable, I just plug it all in and it works.

Most DSL Connections are PPPoE Connection, Cable ISPs use a DHCP method for connecting, which is what Road Runner uses currently. There is a Southwestern Bell Forum at broadbandreports.com, they have qualified Tech Support Personnel that are on the forum and help people out in situations, and heres the Road Runner Forum, which have some Techs also and people there are also very helpful, Good Luck!

Barb · Post by **Barb** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 5:07 pm

Thank you!

One last question. Do you know why I can't do a self installation if I have a router?
I have the Dell TrueMobile 1184 Wireless Broadband Router.

With a router, the SBC page says I have to pay $200 for installation!

That pretty much takes care of the money I'd be saving switching services.

Barb

Road Runner · Post by **Road Runner** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 5:23 pm

Originally posted by Barb
Thank you!

One last question. Do you know why I can't do a self installation if I have a router?
I have the Dell TrueMobile 1184 Wireless Broadband Router.

With a router, the SBC page says I have to pay $200 for installation!

That pretty much takes care of the money I'd be saving switching services.

Barb

I'm sorry but I have no idea why there isn't self-installation with SBC DSL...I'm on Verizon DSL Service.

TeenInternetAddict · Post by **TeenInternetAddict** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 10:02 pm

SBC-SouthWestern Bell has a self install kit option. You do not have to pay $200 for a tech unless you do want a homerun done. A homerun means SBC will install a new line for the DSL. All you do on a self install is install the filters, install the phone line, install the ADSL modem. Configure your router for PPPoE and you're up and running on DSL. DSL uses PPPoE while cable uses DHCP.

SICMF · Post by **SICMF** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 10:10 pm

I'm sure services are different in all areas but i tried the SBC DSL and it was horrible, Constant disconnects and very slow speeds. Also Customer Service wouldn't help because they don't support Home Networking. I shipped them all there stuff back and went back to my Comcast. About two weeks later they shipped the DSL equipment back to me, i called them and they said they made a mistake and would send me a return label. That was a year ago and i still have all the DSL stuff in it's box in my closet. I would keep the trusty cable. JMO

Barb · Post by **Barb** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 10:13 pm

It says the self installatoin can be used unless you have a router, then they want 200 bucks to have a technician install it ?? I dug around their page but could not find out why that made a difference.

I finally got a hold of my brother who uses SBC and he installed his with no problems. He'll give me a hand if I run into any trouble with it.

Thanks for all the replies.

Barb

Barb · Post by **Barb** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 10:17 pm

I'm sure services are different in all areas but i tried the SBC DSL and it was horrible, Constant disconnects and very slow speeds
********

Now darn it! Just when I finally convinced myself to give it a try.
*G*

I read the links that DSL Broadband posted and there was a thread about the service in my area. It seemed that all were happy with the service once it was up and running.

Barb

SICMF · Post by **SICMF** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 10:18 pm

Originally posted by Barb
I'm sure services are different in all areas but i tried the SBC DSL and it was horrible, Constant disconnects and very slow speeds
********

Now darn it! Just when I finally convinced myself to give it a try.
*G*

I read the links that DSL Broadband posted and there was a thread about the service in my area. It seemed that all were happy with the service once it was up and running.

Barb

Like i said it could be different, But i figured you should know.

Barb · Post by **Barb** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 10:24 pm

I do appreciate your comments.
I want to know of everyone's experiences. I have RR because at the time that's all that was offered. Now I'm getting to do comparison shopping and all opinions are welcome.

Barb

SICMF · Post by **SICMF** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 10:30 pm

One more thing, Make sure you ask them How close you are to the Main Switch. They will still give you service but limit your MTU to 1480 and you will not get advertised speeds. They did that to a freind of mine. I believe the limit is 20,000 ft, if you are any more than 15,000 ft i wouldn't get the service.

blebs · Post by **blebs** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 10:31 pm

If you want to save money, the switch may be worth it, but other then that, stay with what you have. Once the intro period is up, you'll be paying more for it then for roadrunner.

Barb · Post by **Barb** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 10:46 pm

Actually, after the one year, unless prices go up, I'm still about $5 cheaper than RR on the Basic Service.

I never retained the K and k difference.
SBC's Basic service is download up to 384Kbps.
The Standard Plus is 384Kbps-1.5Mbps

RoadRunner offers up to 3,000kbps

The Basic is comparable?

Barb

blebs · Post by **blebs** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 10:53 pm

384kbps translates to 48 Kilobytes per second. Road Runner is giving you very close to 3000kbps or 375 KBps.

In other words, if the standard only gives you 384 down, your roughly 7 or 8 times faster then dial up.

Take a look at this:
http://www.speedguide.net/read_articles.php?id=115

Road Runner · Post by **Road Runner** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 11:08 pm

Road Runner is 3000kbps downstream and 384kbps upstream and now Brighthouse users are getting the upgrade.

j79zlr · Post by **j79zlr** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 11:15 pm

standard guarantees 384, up to 1500, should get closer to 1500 unless you are very far from the CO, so you would be about half of RR download speed.

Uncle Lar · Post by **Uncle Lar** » Sun Oct 12, 2003 4:05 am

Being that I'm a central office tech for SBC, I'd have to be biased and say go with it. I'm not even going to argue against the cable, I don't want that fight here. The one thing that you may be forgetting however...once the one year service agreement is up, you can always sign up for a year again and get the same great rate. Just because they say your rate will go up AFTER the one year doesn't mean you can't sign up for a new deal. Also, the other fellow was just about right on the distance from the central office. However, you may be fed off of a remote that has fiber ran to it. Feel free to call SBC and ask if you are allowed to sign up for another year at the same low price.

Road Runner · Post by **Road Runner** » Sun Oct 12, 2003 12:15 pm

Uncle Lar maybe you can help people out at broadbandreports.com under the SBC Forums, we would love another Tech on the forum, especially someone who is Tech at a CO

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Mon Oct 13, 2003 7:03 am

SBC is PPPoE, but I highly recommend you use a router for your PPPoE logon (you can set routers to maintain your connection as on all the time). Rather than have a direct connection, and use Yahoos horrible bloated software package....recommend to not install their software.

Barb · Post by **Barb** » Mon Oct 13, 2003 9:21 am

I had read that many people were able to connect no problems without installing the software. I am hoping I'll be able to do the same.

Thanks again for all the replies,
Barb

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