Earthling

I would switch back to EarthLink if they offered that in Atlanta.

I'm in Dallas and would love to get rid of SBC. They just add charges to my bill without my consent.

But this doesn't even compete on price with my current charges.

Tracy: Me too!

Rick: Thanks for your comment and thanks for reading.

Even before I worked at EarthLink, I had heard about it (it's sometimes called LPV or Line-Powered Voice in the industry) and have been anxiously awaiting it as a new option instead of cable and regular DSL. I'm researching a more in-depth entry on how the technology works as compared to standard DSL.

Where I live, I end up paying about $90 for home phone service(landline) and broadband access(cable). I use VOIP(Voice Over IP) over my broadband connection, so that adds another $25.

If I had the new type of DSL technology EarthLink is offering in my area, that would cover all of those bases for $69.95, with a bunch of added conveniences. Like with my current Voice Over IP phone system, I have to have an adapter connected to my router, and my phone doesn't work if the power goes out.

EarthLink's new package lets you just connect your phones to your regular jacks, and they work even if your home loses power. On top of that, the connection speeds are supposed to be up to 8 megabit, which is a lot faster than standard DSL.

To Rick:

I'll second Dave's remarks by emphasizing that:

1) This new service offers you two things for $70/month:
A) unlimited Phone service
B) CrazyFast Internet connectivity. 8 Megabits is *fast*. Most broadband offerings out there max out at 3Mbps. I've heard that SBC offers 8Mbps in certain areas.

2) for the phone service, you don't need to do anything. You just call earthlink and say "hey gimme unlimited local AND long distance calls", earthlink flips a switch, and blam, suddenly you're all set. I don't know how many days it takes, but that's the basic jist of it. It's just like switching long distance carriers. You don't even need a computer to use your phone service. It's just ... "there", everything works as it previously did.

3) for the highspeed internet connectivity aspect of things, you'll likely get a new DSL modem from earthlink, that'll replace the existing DSL modem you might have from another DSL provider (like SBC)

4) and then you've got "the works". on the phone service side of things, stuff like caller id, 3-way calling, call-waiting, voicemail is included. You'll seldom ever get that with any phone company. That's a major conflict of interest for them.

5) on the computing side, the EarthLink Protection Control Center is included in your service. That totally rocks because it protects all aspects of your computing experience, from firewall, to viruses, spyware, internet/email fraud (phishing emails) etc. And of course, 8 email addresses (with spam protection etc.), corresponding web accounts, free online calling, my.earthlink.net, etc. etc.

It's been a while since i've looked at the SBC offerings though, have they caught-up yet?

I need this thing to come to the L.A. area.

When is LVP (Earthlink DSL and Home Phone service) coming to the Orlando area?

Completely bogus. Covad is working on the in between and they have been trying to do this with copper and not digital and leaving 100'2 in Dallas without phone and internet services. as a member of the media, i will broadcast this and further inform the Attorney gneral's office that this is Deceptive Trade Practices of the worst kind. DO NOT TRY THIS SERVICE.

Barbara - Orlando isn't in our list of expanded cities, but we'll keep it in mind for future expansion.

Tom - I'm not exactly sure what your complaint is based on your comment, but I know you're in touch with the right folks now to help resolve your concerns.

What they don't tell you is that you have to spend 10-12 days on dialup while they change your DSL. It isn't just "flipping a switch." It is a major inconvenience.

Has anybody heard more from media member "Tom Brock" ? I'd like to know if he really has a story here, or WAS HE JUST SHOUTING?
Same for pjcamp, although his complaint sounds less troubling, just inconvenient/misunderstanding about the schedule...

I wish I could be enthusiastic about this.

I ordered this service in December and it's still not installed. Addin insult to injury, Earthlink had my old ATT service disconnected three weeks ago, leaving me with no dial tone for the past three weeks! No amount of time spent on hold, chat, or email support has made Earthlink appear to care even remotely that they have left me with no dial tone. This is the thanks I get for beinga loyal overpaying customer for 5 years.

I am now forced to have a whole new phone number installed by a new company. I have no way to alert people of the phone number change etc.

It's been a nightmare and I am considering a lawsuit. I have been promptly billed by Earthlink however for the new equipment they sold me and the new service which is still not connected. In addition i have run way over on cell phone minutes (approx $200 worth) because I have no phone!

I can't recommend this nightmare to anyone.

Yours truly.

I have been a satisfied Earthlink/Mindspring customer for 7 years. Several weeks ago I was contacted by Earthlink marketing to sign up for the new DSL & Home Phone service. What she told me about the program sounded very good. I talked to two other marketing people and they confirmed the program (one I have an audit of the chat I had).

They all told me that:

1. I would get 500 outgoing call minutes (not counting Earthlink "800" customer service or tech support numbers). NOT TRUE! I am being charged for Earthlink support. Even the website is wrong, quote “You won't be charged minutes for dialing 611 from your EarthLink Voice phone”.

2. That my DSL line would be upgraded from 1.2 to 3.o Mbits. NOT TRUE! My line remains 1.2.

3. I have spent over 3 hours with customer service and technical personnel trying to resolve the problems and not one was familiar enough with the program to give me straight answers; not one could correct the problems I raised, and ALL tried to sell me another service for more money!

When I call Cingular or AT&T with a problem, I always get a person who understands my problem and who can do something to resolve it.

When I call Earthlink, I get shuffled from person to person, all unfamiliar with the DSL & Home Phone program and all powerless to resolve the difficulties. In the past few days I have talked to RON, ANDY, MIKE, SAM, SEAN, JEAN, CINDY, JIMMY, TROY, NEAL, and lastly STEVEN. All are very, very nice. All apologize profusely for not having documentation on the program. All try to sell me a more expensive program. All refer me to someone who is “sure” to help me.

What a despicable way to run a business. Give the customer the runaround until s/he tires and gives up. Is there anyone in Earthlink who cares about the business and customers and who can do anything about this situation? I cannot believe that Earthlink has changed that much in the last few years