[ale] OT Question for COmcast users

[Geoffrey]

Jim Lynch wrote:
> Jim Lynch wrote:
> 
> You all got me hot and bothered about speed factory, until I called 
> them.  They want $60/mo for a static IP and an ethernet connection. 
> Their $50 option is only a usb device and a dhcp served ip address.  I 
> don't much care about the dynamic IP, but I can't live with a usb modem. 
>  They said they would furnish an ethernet modem, but I'd have to pay 
> $150 for it.

A couple of issues you need to consider.  Bellsouth's package is $47, 
but you'll have to pay $10 for multi-user network services that you get 
with the Speedfactory $60 plan.  Now you're at $57 vs $60.  If you're 
planning on doing the multi user solution without paying the extra $10 
to Bellsouth, then you should compare the proper prices to the 
Speedfactory offerings.  Either way, you'd be signing an agreement you 
would not be adhering to.

Also, speedfactory does not charge you taxes, they are not required to. 
  Bellsouth is not required to, but they do, because it's easier on 
their billing service.  Add your tax, depending on your county to your 
$57, here in Cobb that would push it to $59.85 vs $60.

Next, Bellsouth is going to put you on a bridged network, because they 
are using pppoe.  That means that EVERYONE on that bridged network, 
(other Bellsouth customers) are broadcasting to everyone else on that 
bridged network.  What does that mean to you?  Additional traffic up and 
down your dsl line, which reduces your throughput.  Also, what about the 
security issues around your hardware broadcasting to other hardware on 
that bridged network?

Finally, customer support.  Speedfactory has been flawless.  The few 
times I've had to contact them regarding a problem, the outcome has be 
one of two:

1. Problem disappears by the time they get on the phone. (very short 
wait times < 1 minute.  More often then not, I get a human answering the 
phone.)

2. I had to reset my router and all is well.

Also, mention Linux to Bellsouth, see what kind of support you get. 
With Speedfactory, everyone I talk to knows network stuff.  Further, 
they don't balk at the mention of Linux.

Finally, I'll share my most recent experience with Bellsouth.  I spent 3 
days and talked to 11 people at Bellsouth trying to get a service that I 
was already paying for turned on, on one of my lines.  (Line busy, call 
forward).  The last person I spoke to was a supervisor.  I told her that 
with the kind of customer service I'd received I should consider turning 
my local service over to someone else.  She then asked me if I would 
like her to transfer me to customer service so that they could terminate 
my service.  Now that's customer service.

> BS did offer to give me a new modem free if I signed up for a year. 
> Since I don't see me without a high speed connection any time soon, I 
> guess that'll be the cheapest route, albeit not necessarily the best one.
> 
> Bryon, thanks, but the Allcatel is what bit the dust.  I've learned 
> since that lots of people have had problems with them.  I'll pass.
> 
> Thanks for all the information.
> 
> JIm.
> 
> 
> 
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-- 
Until later, Geoffrey	esoteric at 3times25.net

Building secure systems inspite of Microsoft