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Tuesday June 19, 2007
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A number of outlets are citing this AP report, which notes that AT&T has launched a $10 DSL service, as required by the FCC as a condition of AT&T's $86 billion acquisition of BellSouth last December.
Since the offer competes with AT&T's more expensive DSL services, the offer is hidden; this BellSouth DSL comparison page doesn't list the service, and a similar page doesn't either. Only when you click through to the "Term contract plans available" link halfway down is the secret plan revealed via a Javascript popup. EDIT: The link to the $10 deal is here. Thanks to ExtremeTech reader "cyberstrategist" for the link.
The service provides download speeds of up to 768 kilobits per second and upload speeds of up to 128 kbps, which is equivalent to the cheapest advertised AT&T plan, which costs $19.95 per month in the nine-state former BellSouth area and $14.99 in the 13 states covered by AT&T before the acquisition, the AP reported.
Are there catches? Of course there are.
The service is only open to new customers, according to AT&T. If you're an existing customer and want a cheaper option, it might be wise to call customer service and start protesting. While the modem is free, the term period lasts a year, and early termination will cost the full price of the modem ($75) if done so during the first six months, or $37.50 if done after that.
(Note: the story was allegedly broken by the The Tennessean, according to the AP; however, we can't find a link. This probably means that someone at the paper better learn how to improve their search functionality.)
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June 19, 2007 7:58 PM
Anyone found a link to this 'deal' yet?
It is no surprise that The Tennessean's web site is impossible to navigate. Our "Free" papers are MUCH better. Sadly, The Tn's print archives are in worse shape. Their prose can be found linked on FARK.com usually on a daily basis, it is of that 'ahem' quality...
....the paper USED to be good...
June 20, 2007 9:50 AM
Unable to find anything about the $10 dollar a month service on AT&T's web site and only passing mention of it on the BellSouth web page I decided to give AT&T a call. They are my local phone provider here in Pennsylvania and I also have their cell phone service (my wife got me stuck in some 2 year plan.) After being passed around and given multiple numbers to call I was finally given 1-800-967-5363. This will allow you to talk directly to the DSL department with any questions regarding this matter. I should note that all representatives I spoke with were obviously outsourced, probably Indian, so it made communications difficult and frustrating.
My first go resulted in the representative saying that the $10 offer was not available to me so I asked to speak with the manager. The manager said the "special offer" was only available in 22 states. I asked him to list them and he gave me the following: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. I asked him why it is only available in those states. He didn't know. I then told him that I had family in California who would be interested in this DSL price, how do I directly access the AT&T web page that details this "special offer." He directed me to att.net which uncovered nothing, then to att.com/localhelp which also uncovered nothing, finally he told me to go to newatt.com which redirects you to attfashion.net a site selling shoes. At this point he was getting frustrated and said he would connect me to one of his "DSL specialists" to resolve the matter.
Can you guess what happened? He redirected me back to the main menu of 1-800-967-5363. *sigh* I waited on hold again for another outsourced Indian representative. This lady was armed with a lot of information. She was obviously reading a printed statement and basically said that the $10 offer is only available where BellSouth owns the land lines. Because Verizon owns the land lines in Pennsylvania the service is not available. I asked when the offer would be available to Pennsylvania and she said she did not have that information.
She then tried to sell on the 19.99 DSL offer. No thanks. Much faster than the $10 offer! No thanks. How about AT&T dial up? No thanks. Its very fast with an accelerator! No thanks. Would you like AT&T wireless? I have it already, it sucks and is overpriced. How about adding another line? *CLICK*
That was my experience. I say to hell with AT&T.
June 20, 2007 12:21 PM
I found it on the att.com site under 'DSL at a Dial up Price' at http://www.att.com/gen/general?pid=6463. It is $10 and is limited to new users.
June 20, 2007 12:47 PM
To see the $10 offer on the bellsouth site you have to start the signup for DSL service process. I think it is on the next page in or the one after that. It probably is only available in certain states. I'm in GA, so didn't have to worry about that aspect.
The $10 version means you ONLY get the DSL - i.e. you don't keep your regular phone line in addition to the DSL. I opted to go with the $19.99 version (limited time offer! ends June 30) which lets you keep the phone line as well. For the $10 service I think you also have to have wireless service from them. Better to ask the customer rep about this.
The website also doesn't mention that the $75 modem rebate applies to the $10 option as well as the others, but the rep I spoke with said it did. You probably would want to verify that though....
And as I final note, the automated voice system when you try to dial up a rep to ask questions is EXTREMELY annoying. After looping through for the 3rd time I was almost ready to select the "Cancel my service" option......
June 20, 2007 12:53 PM
One more thing - the $10 service requires a 12 month commitment. Leave before 6 months and you owe them $75 for the modem. Leave after 6 months and it will cost you $37.50. Still seems like a pretty good deal if you don't need the phone line though.
June 20, 2007 1:25 PM
I am not a BellSouth customer, I have AT&T for local phone service and another company for DSL. I followed the links mentioned and eventually a Live Chat window appeared. I asked about the $10 month DSL and I was told "That plan is only available to existing BellSouth customers who do not currently have FastAccess DSL." Does anyone know if that is right? Can any ATT phone service customer get the plan?
June 21, 2007 10:24 AM
mr magoo is an idiot. He doesn't know that Verizon controls his State of Pennsylvania, not AT&T.
June 21, 2007 8:02 PM
Thanks again! Keep up the great wwork. I have dial up
and my AT&T/Bellsouth states that I cannot get DSL because I am out of the area.
My friend who lives one mile from me gets DSL. I call, and like you and make friends with some Indian. I tell them that I am not the Lone Ranger and my friend Tonto has left me for another masked man!
I sure would like to get DSL..so keep in touch. Woody
woodpkr@bellsouth.net * 706-245-1044 in Georgia
June 21, 2007 8:11 PM
I went to the $10 web page and then clicked on the link there to sign up. It consistently tells me that it doesn't recognize that phone number in the bell south system (so much for new customer!!)
I'm in southwest MO.
Blegh...
June 21, 2007 9:29 PM
The $10.00 DSL option shows up when you start to sign up for DSL service With BellSouth, sorry, Att...
If you have never had DSL with ATT on your phone line, and your phone line is owned by BellSouth, and it has been determined that DSL is available in your area, then you can get the saw-buck rate.
The only string is signing up for a year contract.
My question is, "What happens after the first year?"
Does the rate pop up to the 20 buck level?
Or, does it continue at ten?
No firm answers yet...
I'm going to try and leverage my cable provider to see if they will tweak their rates to compete with Ma Bell...
June 21, 2007 9:35 PM
mr magoo, & Spiffy Horowitz. thx for the sharing information
June 21, 2007 9:53 PM
the url has been removed....must have gotten too many orders ha, http://www.att.com/gen/general?pid=6463.
June 21, 2007 10:14 PM
What about us poor country folks that can't get any DSL? I mean NONE! Oh yeah, I can pay $150 install & $50/mo for satellite. Bah! Humbug!
June 21, 2007 10:44 PM
Spiffy is a little confused DSL comes over an existing line so you keep your phone line and pay whatever you are paying and add $10 for the DSL which is the same or less than most people are paying for dial up anyway. It definately is for real I just signed up my sister here in Florida. She'll have DSL in a couple of days for the same price as she is paying for Netscape. I have been searching monthly for some neighbor to "Borrow" wireless access from but for $10/month she can afford the DSL. Thank you all for the info - Just wanted to post so other people know it is for real and here is the link
http://www.bellsouth.com/consumer/inetsrvcs/inetsrvcs_agreement_plans_pop.html
Enjoy
June 22, 2007 5:54 AM
No one has mentioned the installation fee. When I first looked up the dsl service, it stated the installation fee was $200.00 if ATT installed. Any change on this?
June 22, 2007 11:36 AM
I found this link on the ATT website. Tried to see how far I could get in the sign up process, but it just didn't seem
to work.
http://www.att.com/gen/general?pid=6431
June 22, 2007 12:22 PM
re:
| http://www.att.com/gen/general?pid=6431
It worked for California (AT&T, formerly SBC here).
A new phone line was about $10/month no installation fee (I currently have Surewest, which is not "cable" and also not "DSL", rather it is fiberoptic to the house with some special equipment), and the $10 DSL option was available ($49.99 modem "rebate") once you start the process to place an order. I had to input my home address, current home phone number, driver license#, place of employment, and work phone to get to the point where I could see the $10 DSL offer. (I was able to avoid entering my SSN.)
The reason I cancelled the order was that I have a home security system that would require a special $200 installation (by an AT&T technician).
I've done DSL "self-installs" before, and always had problems with the home security system.
June 22, 2007 9:04 PM
Called number at bottom page of $10 DSL plan and spoke with a gentleman that stated the following to me without even asking for my phone number:
1. "You don't want the ten dollar dsl mam. You will end up paying more for it." -Quoted
2. "You will have to pay for the modem." To which I stated that the terms and conditions page state -Free DSL Modem with term agreement-
He advised against this $10 package and then when I asked him for his name he hung up on me. Love your service new AT&T! I can't wait to share the good news on this great deal they are forced to offer!
Does anyone have a new link they can post for the $10 service..that would be most helpful as they seem to change. Good luck! I live in CA
June 25, 2007 1:30 AM
Yeah, its pretty obvious AT&T has NO INTENTIONS of honoring this offer. I think it is time we all start calling our individual states Attorney General's for them to investigate. Since the merger HAS NOT YET BEEN APPROVED in these states, perhaps our elected offenders will wake up and prevent the AT&T re-monopoly afterall...
...who am I kidding, ATT is the anti-christ. we have no hope.
June 28, 2007 2:42 PM
Trying to signup for this deal in Louisiana is also not going to happen because they go out of their way to talk you out of it or simply provide incorrect or misleading information. The first thing you will notice is that the DSLlite option is listed as 19.95 even though buried in the terms and conditions is the link that is posted in the article that describes the $10 plan. Next, call customer service and ask how to sign up for this $10 plan and get ready for a ride. The first thing they tell you is that you don't want the $10 plan and that it will cost you more than the $19.95 plan because of the modem rebate - the $10 plan is also suppose to have the rebate but customer rep denies this. The next thing they tell you is that you must already be a dial up customer to qualify which according to the terms and conditions in their link is not correct. After numerous attempts to order this $10 plan you will finally get tired and hang up. I agree with the others who have stated that AT&T does not plan on honoring this plan and will do everything to discourage you from signing up. Everyone should band together to fight AT&T on this since they are breaking the law and not abiding by this agreement and should be fined or not allowed to proceed with the merger but what can we do??????
July 12, 2007 4:17 PM
I recently {07/06/07) ordered the $10.00 deal. Received modem package on 07/09/07. Installed modem and was up on DSL by 4:30 pm. Term agreement (12 month) states that modem is free.
July 19, 2007 11:01 PM
I just read the entry by Mike Smith. It was great that he gave the link to AT&T's $10 DSL deal. But, GUESS WHAT??? They moved it again! 'Link not available' is the message. Just so you don't waste your time, here the BAD link: http://www.att.com/gen/general?pid=6463.
If you find the good one, let me know! Anna
July 25, 2007 3:40 PM
Did I hear this correctly.
Does this $10.00 monthly service require a land telephone line? I understood this was required to be available even if you have no land line service.
August 27, 2007 2:40 PM
After speaking with 4 different bellsouth reps...the modem is not free for the 10 dollar dsl.
October 8, 2007 7:43 PM
I have 10 dsl it took a little work and a few calls but got it price is good until 2009 it is far better than dial up 75 dollar modem is rebated in 1 or 2 billings cycles everything seems on the up and up shame you cant do a little phone work to get it done its well worth the effort
November 2, 2007 8:04 PM
I just ordered the 10.00 at&t dsl. The 49.95 modem comes with a rebate you send in after 60 days. I did everything over there site. I got on the site as follows. I have at&t dialup. On the left of the browser it say internet products i clicked on it. Look for 14.99 dsl then under it says see if you qualify for cheaper. Takes to another two question. Then another screen then enter telephone number and then it list the 10.00 plan plus the other plans. I clicked on order. So we will see what happens.
November 11, 2007 8:00 AM
have been trying to get this product for a relative. Hope it does not create a problem for them. They are not that computer literate & on a fixed income. So the price is great if it really works.