DSL advice?

[kryscat]

We want to switch away from SBC/PacBell for our DSL service and we're trying to figure out what to replace it with. Right now Rob's debating between Sonic.net and DSL Extreme. Anyone have good/bad experiences with either of them, or with some other company? We just want a standard dynamic IP (1.5-3.0 mbps), for a reasonable price. Ideas?

Comments

[kildareflame.livejournal.com]

Here at House Neurotic we use Speakeasy.net Can't really think of any complaints, their service is consistent with mostly planned down times late at night for upgrades once in a while.

[nytemuse.livejournal.com]

Ack, I had just the opposite...I HATE Speakeasy but I'm stuck with them until next August. Their communication lines suck and their billing cycles have screwed me six ways from Sunday, plus they routinely overcharge me.

Is Covad DSL or cable? If it's DSL, they were pretty cool when we had them. But I've also heard good about Sonic.net

It's pointless now

[otterley.livejournal.com]

I used to use Raw Bandwidth, and I still recommend them. Mike, the owner, is a great guy, very knowledgeable, and will go out of his way for anyone.

But, being poor, I've found SBC's price to be too irresistible to ignore (i.e., $14.95/mo). I have also been fortunate not to have had any outages or service problems.

One of the problems with going with a CLEC like Sonic.net, DSL Extreme, and the rest of them is that they're still dependent on SBC because SBC controls the telephone switch. Given that SBC connects you to the same Internet that the other providers do, you're paying a premium for, well, not much. If there's a service problem that's on SBC's end, your CLEC is going to have to call SBC anyway. And SBC has not been having a fantastic relationship with the CLECs lately.

Also: The FCC has recently promulgated rulemaking in the wake of NCTA v. Brand X that says that ILECs like SBC will no longer have to allow CLECs onto their network for DSL service at "most favored nation" rates - so expect the prices to go up.

[fanlain.livejournal.com]

hukuma had sonic at his place and it seemed fine. at rwc i had lmi...personally i think i'd prefer lmi. they're in berkeley but they provided service as far as rwc.

some things are worth paying for and good net access is one of them. i'd cut elsewhere.

i sound like a junkie.

sonic.net

[r6.livejournal.com]

I used sonic.net. I liked that they seemed small enough to be responsive about my problems. They sent me an email to let me know I was running an open mail relay.

Re: sonic.net

[fanlain.livejournal.com]

yeah they've been mostly reliable. i think i've had almost no issues with service with lmi where i think he did have some issues with sonic. but both were very reliable and small enough to provide an intelligent level of customer support which i also think is fantastic.

there is a website i'd highly recommend called www.dslreports.com - you can type in your zip code and look up reviews based on service in your area to see what others are saying. i used that when i was moving.

when i was in sf, i lived in a house that had sbc. when there was an outtage once, sbc barely responded and certainly not fast enough.

[hukuma.livejournal.com]

In my experience, sonic provided reliable service and great customer support. LMI was good on the support, but we had a few more outages with Lenore's service in RWC than my DSL support.

[pyrokitten-mew.livejournal.com]

sonic.net has been very reliable. kinda expensive after the first year though.