I know some other ISPs have caps, but I don’t care. I’d like to know the actual reason for our current DSL service to require a bandwidth cap. I don’t experience a decrease in speed, unlike cable users who share bandwidth.
If there’s truly a tiny percentage of users that will be affected, I don’t understand why AT&T feel the need to drive another wedge between their customers.
I read my AT&T bill for the February 2010 and got freaked out:
PRICE CHANGE NOTICE
Attention AT&T High Speed Internet Members: Starting with your March 2010 bill, the monthly rate for your AT&T High Speed Internet Express, Pro or Elite plan will increase $3 (or $3.01) per month. For details and rate information for your specific plan, please go to http://support.att.com/dslupdate or call 1.866.417.6819.
(My emphasis added in bold.)
I have the Pro service for $30/month. So, twelve months from when it starts increasing, it’ll be $66?!
The text is unbelievable. Someone please clarify.
Related: FCC Commissioner Calls For Examination Of Broadband Price Hikes (MediaPost, March 10, 2010)
I received my replacement DSL modem[1. Motorola/Netopia 2210-02-1022] on Thursday, but didn’t plug it in until tonight.
When I was trying to get my temporary 2Wire DSL modem/wireless router to work with my Linksys WRT54GL, I failed miserably. It was in the back of my mind.
Tonight, I plugged in the new DSL modem. All I had to do was change its configuration to bridge mode. After plugging it into my wireless router, I was connected and back to normal.
It took less than 10 minutes, most of which was spent plugging and unplugging cords.
Sometimes, you just gotta dig in.
*****
Afterward, I found this guide: “How do I properly setup a Motorola 2210 modem with a Linksys router?” Nice.
An AT&T data comm technician arrived today a little after 2pm. I was told the line wouldn’t support the “Elite” speed of 6 Mbps, which was one of the reasons why my connection “broke.”
After a phone call and restoring my account to the “Pro” speed of 3 Mbps, all was well. Sort of.
My modem wouldn’t connect, but his spare modem would. I can’t complain. It gave me about 11 years.
I had to order a standard DSL modem from AT&T, which should arrive by Thursday. Lame.
Fortunately, Chris Lin had a backup one[1. Specifically a 2Wire HomePortal 1000HG, which has a built in wireless router]. I drove to his place to pick it up, chatted for a bit, and accepted a few brownies[2. "I have half a pan of brownies left over and I'm starting on a cheesecake recipe. What to do..." via Twitter] before going home. Thanks man!
I won’t use his DSL modem permanently. I have a Linksys WRT54GL router[2. Flashed with DD-WRT] I’d prefer to use. Plus, Chris told me that the built-in wireless router in the 2Wire DSL modem/router isn’t good.
Although it was pretty stupid having to wait a week, it’s good to be connected at home again.
[amtap amazon:asin=B000BTL0OA]
Consider me off the grid until further notice. AT&T[1. Which hasn't been down since August 2006] is tripping out. To make matters worse, a scheduled technician can’t come out until next Monday, April 27th.
I did try to escalate it for Wednesday, so we’ll see what happens.
Boo.
Update 4/21/2009 10:15pm — AT&T left me a message on my answering machine. My attempt to escalate a technician visit was declined due to a full workload. Fail.
In addition to the few days I work, I’ll be mooching WiFi at AT&T hotspots (e.g. Starbucks), friends’ places or the library until then.
