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MikeD · Feb 28, 2003, 01:05 PM

I need to switch our DSL from one line to the other. SBC says I need to cancel my DSL, and reorder the DSL for the second line. Then i can proceed to cancel that line. (hope this is making sense.)

Anyway, on the SBC page, I see that there are now all these different choices of DSL. There's 384kbps-768kbs and
768 kbps - 1.5 Mbps

Which one do you have and is there a big difference between the two to justify the extra $10/month the faster plan offers?

Mike
BTW, I did a test on bandwidth place and it says my current connection is running at about 648 kilobits per second.

ghporter · Feb 28, 2003, 04:43 PM

Go with the fastest package you can afford. If you're a normal user, don't worry too much about the upload speed (128 is fine). If you're wanting to host web pages or games and stuff, you'll need faster uploads, but you can figure that out.

P.S. While it seems weird to have to cancel your DSL service at location A and then reorder it for location B, it's how their order system is built. Don't sweat it, and don't worry that it doesn't seem to make much sense (it doesn't)-it works quicker this way.

MikeD · Feb 28, 2003, 07:22 PM

Originally posted by GHPorter:
Go with the fastest package you can afford. If you're a normal user, don't worry too much about the upload speed (128 is fine). If you're wanting to host web pages or games and stuff, you'll need faster uploads, but you can figure that out.

P.S. While it seems weird to have to cancel your DSL service at location A and then reorder it for location B, it's how their order system is built. Don't sweat it, and don't worry that it doesn't seem to make much sense (it doesn't)-it works quicker this way.

Thanks for your response. Not to mention, I think I can take advantage of some new sign up promotion thing for doing so.

I wonder if people do this, cancel their DSL service, then reorder it to take advantage of the introductory pricing thing...

I think for the 768-1.5mbps, it's normally $59.99 and it's going to be lowered to $44.99/mo for the first year.. (which I think is the length of your contract.) The other plan is $34.99 (normally $49.99/mo).

BTW, if you cancel, do you have to give back their modem?? Or did we already pay for that by staying with them for over a year? This could be handy if I wanted to setup another basestation in a distant room.. Just hook up the modem to an airport basestation and bam, all bars loaded! What do you think?

Mike

ghporter · Mar 1, 2003, 09:49 AM

SBC is working very hard at getting out of the ISP business-Yahoo is the ISP, and SBC will only provide the connections. Because they want to get rid of the ISP job, they're working very hard on promotions-it's why they'll let you cancel at location A and sign up at location B to take advantage of the new deal. Those of us that aren't moving can "migrate" to Yahoo and often get new deals as well.

As for the modem, once you completed your initial commitment, you've basically paid for the modem. No sweat.

MikeD · Mar 1, 2003, 12:17 PM

Originally posted by GHPorter:
SBC is working very hard at getting out of the ISP business-Yahoo is the ISP, and SBC will only provide the connections. Because they want to get rid of the ISP job, they're working very hard on promotions-it's why they'll let you cancel at location A and sign up at location B to take advantage of the new deal. Those of us that aren't moving can "migrate" to Yahoo and often get new deals as well.

As for the modem, once you completed your initial commitment, you've basically paid for the modem. No sweat.

So that means that since my modem is "paid off" Then I can have the modem for the new sign up in one corner of the house and then have the other one in another part of the house so I have access anywhere right? Is there a difference between the modems of plan a vs plan b? Or is the speed difference something that those at SBC or Yahoo simply turn on or off from their workstations?

Mike

ghporter · Mar 1, 2003, 07:12 PM

No, you can only have one modem on the same phone line with the same account. While it may be possible to have more than one connected but not on at the same time, you can't share a DSL connection between two modems.

The speed difference is handled at the other end, not at the modem. You get a specific speed based on the package you buy, not on the equipment. This allows for speed upgrades (within the capability of the phone line) at some future date.

MikeD · Mar 7, 2003, 09:30 PM

Originally posted by GHPorter:
No, you can only have one modem on the same phone line with the same account. While it may be possible to have more than one connected but not on at the same time, you can't share a DSL connection between two modems.

The speed difference is handled at the other end, not at the modem. You get a specific speed based on the package you buy, not on the equipment. This allows for speed upgrades (within the capability of the phone line) at some future date.

sigh... So I guess I can kiss my old modem goodbye.. doorstop? I guess there's no use for it right?

Scotttheking · Mar 7, 2003, 10:56 PM

Originally posted by MikeD:
sigh... So I guess I can kiss my old modem goodbye.. doorstop? I guess there's no use for it right?

Why do you have to get a new one?

BTW, I have 256up/640 down, 5 static IPs, and I can do whatever I want.
I do have business class though.

MikeD · Mar 8, 2003, 01:53 AM

Originally posted by Scotttheking:
Why do you have to get a new one?

BTW, I have 256up/640 down, 5 static IPs, and I can do whatever I want.
I do have business class though.

Oh, I thought I mentioned that earlier. We're getting rid of our second line (has DSL on it). So we have to reorder DSL for our main line, then cancel. There are new promotions where we can get faster speeds for less money (always a good thing!). It's standard to send out a new modem, filters, and everything else when you sign up. The first (old) modem is ours from our first time signing with DSL about two years ago.

Mike