AT&T Troubles

[gogators07]

Hello:

We recently purchased a home in the neighborhood and decided to have our security system monitored via a land line.

We put in our order with At&T for a basic line and threw in DSL nearly two weeks ago. They still haven't been able to get the line working ... and keep putting off the day when they think it will be ready.

They said it is a common neighborhood problem. Has any one else had similar problems in the past -- and were they resolved?

Thanks!

[fatcat]

long time ago we had DSL and the signal was never good. In fact, every time after we complain about the speed, they come out and measure and the distance to the switch measured got longer. It was so frustrating that we end up cancel the DSL service. As for the phone line, we have not had any problems.

[AlexS]

They have told me that DSL and the security system can't reside on the same line. I have 2 land lines, one for DSL and for for the security system. But don't recall the exact technical reason. Something with the way the security system is wired so it can interrupt a phone call and dial out.

[CS Foltz]

AlexS..............At&T is blowing smoke up whatever undergarments you favor (if any!) Multipule signals can be shared on any one line......just a matter of phasing! The only limits are if the hard line is copper and then there can be issues but if the line is fiber optic, your limits are dictated by the equipment at both ends! Fiber optics are the only way to go and AT&T is wayyyyy behind on system upgrades. Ya gotta think about all of the copper lines in place that have to be replaced............Thousands and Thousands of miles! Some of the stuff in service right today dates back to who the heck knows when......20's or 30's who knows!

[ChriswUfGator]

long time ago we had DSL and the signal was never good. In fact, every time after we complain about the speed, they come out and measure and the distance to the switch measured got longer. It was so frustrating that we end up cancel the DSL service. As for the phone line, we have not had any problems.

Same exact issue here. In these older neighborhoods, the distance to the hub is insanely long for DSL. After fighting with them for 8 months, I finally got them to refund everything I'd paid them and switched to Comcast, which is a ripoff but at least it works.

The one tech for AT&T told me "man, you're like 2x the max distance, they never should have installed this." Yeah, nice, except they didn't have a problem installing it, or with cashing my checks for 8 months. AT&T = thumbs down.

[FinnegansWake]

They have told me that DSL and the security system can't reside on the same line. I have 2 land lines, one for DSL and for for the security system. But don't recall the exact technical reason. Something with the way the security system is wired so it can interrupt a phone call and dial out.

We have one line and a security system and DSL (Lite). It all works. AT&T/Bellsouth.

Phil

[Dog Walker]

My relatives in Riverside, south of Park St. have been trying to get ATT U-verse to work for months now with no luck.  No reason why except, "Maybe you have old wires."

Might try Clearwire.  Not as fast as Comcast, but as fast as DSL and will carry phones and security.

[KuroiKetsunoHana]

i have to disagree with you re:  clearwire, unless one lives on a corner--some ov the building materials in the older houses interfere with signal--where i live, i'm supposed to be in a prime spot for three towers, but because ov the houses around me i can only get to one.  result:  unreliable and slow connection.

[Dog Walker]

You are right about the building materials in the older houses!  Plaster and lathe stop signals cold.  I had good luck in a brick house by putting the clearwire box in a window.  Best way is to put the box in a place that gets a good signal, even in the attic, and attaching it to a wireless router.  Attics are usually above the plaster and brick level.

[Overstreet]

In my Mandarin home in 2004 AT&T was activily selling DSL service, via phone calls, mailings and invoice stuffings. We tried to sign up, but found that it wasn't available on our street.  In 2007 they were still actively selling DSL for the same house. We tried to sign up, but found that DSL wasn't available in our street. Springfield don't feel all alone you don't have to have all that old a neighborhood to be toyed with by AT&T.  Comcast came out and hooked us up a couple of days after we called.   

[EAkers]

I have had a monitored Alarm System for years and later (about 2 years ago) went to DSL from the old dial-up connection for my computer system. They made no changes to the incoming lines, just installed a "filter" ( I think you can buy these at Radio Shack, etc). The Alarm company installed one a while back just before the computer was hooked up. Just have a single phone line that used for both monitoring my alarm system and my computer but split.  AT&T is blowing smoke as was mentioned above and you dont' need separate land lines for alarm vs computer dsl.

[Debbie Thompson]

I have Clearwire.  I get the best reception by placing the black modem box in a west facing window.  I get 5 bars in a west facing window, and only 3 in a north facing window.  So I have my modem and router on the window sill on a west facing window.

[Coolyfett]

AlexS..............At&T is blowing smoke up whatever undergarments you favor (if any!) Multipule signals can be shared on any one line......just a matter of phasing! The only limits are if the hard line is copper and then there can be issues but if the line is fiber optic, your limits are dictated by the equipment at both ends! Fiber optics are the only way to go and AT&T is wayyyyy behind on system upgrades. Ya gotta think about all of the copper lines in place that have to be replaced............Thousands and Thousands of miles! Some of the stuff in service right today dates back to who the heck knows when......20's or 30's who knows!

BellSouth is not on fiber...and they are not in a lot of places. Comcast has fiber in some spots.....Its crazy all that money it 2010 and they still use dsl.

[66Mustang]

Did some research and the Springfield HUB is located all the way over by Gateway Mall. Off of Crestwood.

Researching some prints on AT&T now.

[Sportmotor]

AT&T works good for me!