BellSouth ADSL Worth the Wait?
Written: Oct 09 '00 (Updated Dec 12 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Fast, Easy to install, Reliable, NOT Cable
Cons: none
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| djsplendid's Full Review: BellSouth FastAccess ADSL |
When I first started looking for a high speed ISP the first place I looked was towards DSL. BellSouth, being the monopoly that it is in this area, was my only real choice. Low and behold, BellSouth cannot service me. Oh well I say, and go to cable modem (we'll say my experience with cable modems is less then satisfactory, see review)
My lease expired a few months ago, I relocated a mile and a half from where I previously lived. Now I'm right around the corner from BellSouth's office so they should service my area. I call to sign up, and it's my lucky day. They do service my area. Disgusted with my cable modem I have the modem sent to me.
It's now 4 weeks later, no word from BellSouth. I was told it would take 2-3 weeks for my lines to be tested and the modem company contacted. The modem company would then have to "release" (that's the term BellSouth (BS from here on out, pun intended as well) used when they told me what would happen. Upon it's release it's then sent to UPS for shipment which takes via ground method, a standard 7-10 working days unless local. So I call BS. I ask what's going on with my modem and they say my line hasn't even been tested yet. I'm assured that it would be taken care of and my modem would arrive in 2-3 weeks.
It's now another 3 1/2 to 4 weeks later, no word from BS. Now I'm getting aggravated. I call yet again, and low and behold I'm told my line is OK and my modem is in the process of being "released" and shipped. I'm told it would arrive by the following Thursday.
It's Friday, my modem actually arrived. Some 2 1/2 months after I originally called BS for it. A bit relieved but still aggravated, I begin installation.
Installing the internal DSL was a breeze. It pops right into an open PCI slot with ease. The hardest part of it is installing the drivers. I had to install them 3 times, and with the help of BS's Fast Access Trouble Shoot line. (Which was EXTREMELY helpful and very quick to pick up, lord knows we ALL hate long periods of being on hold and listening to Muzak) With the gentlemen at BS's help my drivers were properly installed and I was ready to go. Since the first part of the installation process is signing up for BS's Fast Access ISP my log on took less then 2 seconds and I was surfing away at lightning speeds. But before I logged on, since DSL uses the same phone line used for phone calls, filters must be installed. Simple process, it just plugs into your jack and you plug the telephone's (not the DSL telephone cord) into those filters. 10 seconds per phone extension is all it takes.
I'm extremely happy with the DSL, it's almost 2-3 times as fast as cable in the area, and unlike the cable service (which was down at least 3-4 hrs out of the day, 10 mins here, 30 mins there) I'm ALWAYS connected and able to do what I want. There's even the option of disconnecting your connection if you don't use a firewall, a saftey feature cable modems don't offer. If you're looking for high speed connectivity, reliability and an overall good web surfing experience look no further then BS Fast Access DSL. My average download is 77-85 k per second. As where the average download on my cable modem was 26-45 k per second.
Since 1st logging on with my DSL (approximately 2 months ago) I have not experienced any long periods of disconnection. There are times where the modem disconnects but then immediately reconnects (with my prompting) but nothing aggravating and nothing more then 3-5 minutes in length. A lot more reliable then cable (in this area)
- note - The customer service issue of being given the run around was upsetting. 2 times I was told everything would be done and it wasn't. It was made up for by the helpfulness of the Troubleshoot representative that helped me. For the most part, when I've needed to call BS their Customer Service was extremely helpful. I won't let 1-2 instances of lazy personnel ruin my experience with this service.
All software and hardware was provided with the modem (Driver Disc and Filters, 5 total, and the Fast Access ISP Install Disc as well.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
djsplendid
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Member: Chris Patton
Location: Baton Rouge Louisiana
Reviews written: 156
Trusted by: 94 members
About Me:
i LiKe CHeeSe! =)Well not really, but I do web design and Flash.
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