AT&T "high speed dsl" False "high speed" cordova, Tennessee

I ended up canceling at&t broadband. They said they wanted me to pay them more money because I canceled the contract. I had to state that they did NOT hold up to their end of the bargain so I would not pay them a dime. This went back and forth for a while until I finally decided to ignore them as they had done to me when I couldn't stay connected. Long story short I received another bill. I called and talked to a guy who obviously didn't have his head up his arse. I asked him to look up the account while I was on the phone see how many times I had called stating that I could not stay connected. Not only that but it showed on the account that they sent me a crap modem and had to send out another. It worked great for two days then I had to start calling them again stating that I am not paying for something I am not receiving. Now mind you I could not stay connected longer than 5 minutes. Doing anything online was a joke and it made it impossible to do anything.

Long story short this guy took off the charge. Thank you Steve for actually taking the time to actually look up how many times I had to call regarding problems with my service. Kudos to you!!!!

Thanks again!!!

The above poster said that DSL (or "aDSL) as he called it does not share bandwidth with others. I am here to say that he is incorrect. I have worked in the telecommunications field for many years, primarily with DSL and cable. Both DSL and cable products are indeed shared with all residential and business customers out of their servicing central office (CO). If "Jimmy" next door is downloading a massively huge movie file, that will affect your bandwidth in your house next door 100% of the time; especially during peak hours where other bandwidth usage out of that CO is heavy. The only way to avoid this is to install a T1 in your house (which is very cost prohibitive) or some other dedicated bandwidth product. So- just to clarify, DSL is absolutely, 100%, a shared product. 

DSL (or really aDSL) is not share meaning that you do not share the connection and you are not competing for bandwidth with others that are on the network as you are with Comcast network.

If you get the chance read up on the comparisons sometime. True enough the Comcast speed is higher but depending on how many others are logged onto the internet on the same node you are your speeds may vary.

The person at AT&T talking about peak hours has their head up something (I won't say what). I agree if they are not going to guarantee you 6 then they should bump you down to paying for what you are getting until they get their butts in gear and either troubleshoot/repair the issue at the CO and/or the wiring in your home if you are paying the extra money for the insurance than you may want to have them determine that the problem is/was at your house and they can upgrade the phone lines in your house (should be free if you got the insurance).

If Comcast suits your needs than you should keep it as long as you are happy with it. If you decide to try AT&T again than you need to be more aggressive about having them check out their cabling and other equipment. If one person gives you crap than just say you have static on your DSL line (which shouldn't be there) and you want it fixed.

I appreciate and understand what you are saying . Although if you call AT&T they will tell you that your connection will not be that wonderful in peak hours. I am happy with comcast , the other reason I left in the first place was due to the "Knoxville" customer service. They are rude and disrespectful. I did a little snooping and there are many reports on comcast after hours customer service being the worst anywhere. I have no other options. I have comcast or AT&T there are no other options that I have found here. As your information was insightful it did leave me scratching my head as to you saying that AT&T dsl was not shared. As I stated via AT&T their response was to my constant disconnects and/or server not found issues, at peak hours your connection will be slower than what you are paying for. Via Dave at AT&T yes you pay for 6 but actually we can not guarantee this. If you pay for 6 you will be getting 4. I am not disputing your knowledge but I am not ignorant when it comes to cable or computers. DSL yes I am ignorant. IF AT&T does not state or willingly tell you that what you pay for it not what you get. Unless they are cornered.  Again I am not dismissing your knowledge I am just stating what was told to me. Comcast is not a problem. Thank you again for your response.

"High Speed Internet" was shooting for U-verse but because I live just 30 feet give or take across the street from my neighbors that have it...it is not offered in my area..WOW"


Yes unfortunately AT&T is offering the UVERSE in very limited areas.

"I also decided why not give satellite a try. Now mind you Direct TV is for the price cheaper than Comcast but its amazing so many more channels (this was also offered by AT&T). Now I pay for the fastest that is offered which is 6 mbps. Which was offered for 19.99 yet I am paying 45.99 that is with the discount. I am less than 50 miles from where the office is. I am getting , are you ready for this, 3 mbps." 

DSL is available at speeds up to 6 MB but there are limitations. These are:

The distance between the CO and the consumer (the longer the distance the slower the speed)

The quality of the local loop (the worse the wiring, the slower the speed)

The DSLAM used in the CO (older equipment may not have recent improvements that allow for faster speeds.

DSL lines typically do not work well if the DSL standards  for maximum cabling length at the CO are exceeded. The maximum length of the local loop is 3 miles. So how far over 3 miles are you from the CO?? There is a very good chance that even though your neighbors house has been connected to upgraded equipment (that supports UVERSE and higher speed internet) that the changes have not been applied to the same switch that you are on (the CO's have several switches in them).

"During "peak" hours its maybe 2 mbps. I have been doing a speed test for the past 3 weeks and I have only twice gotten 5 or higher."

DSL does not have "peak hour" limitations you are not on a shared network like you are with Cable internet. Chances are you should have had AT&T check out their cabling going to your house since there may have been physical problems causing this.

If you are not happy with Comcast or DSL why not check into the satellite internet. It is supposed to be good. The only thing is if you are an avid gamer this is not a good idea since there is delay  involved of about 1 second or more that is critical when playing games.