my parents have never had the option of high-speed except through a tethered RAZR on alltel's EV-DO network (about 192kbps actual down, but that's better than the 6kbps actual down of dial-up)...they currently pay $25/month for their tethered service and it works well enough

they have a landline, however, and i randomly checked embarq's website and noticed that they can FINALLY get DSL...they don't use it but casually, so the 768/384 for $30/month seems like the best option (cost is more important than performance, but dial-up is unacceptable)

anyway, embarq quotes a $30 setup fee that includes a $15 CDA activation code and $15 shipping for the zyxel 660 modem...so my questions are these:

- is the CDA activation code a crap charge?
- anyone had new service from embarq and been able to just have them come out or you pick up the modem to avoid the $15 shipping?

they can get 768/384 and regular phone service for $50/month...they currently pay $27/month for phone and the $25/month for slower internet, so this offers a savings with better service...my question stems from ignorance, however: the phone service isn't voip, so will talking on the phone while using the internet result in decreased browsing performance?

5/19/2009 10:10:46 AM

i thought this was about service outages..

my grandparents phones and internet has been out for a few days now..both are with Embarq.

They tried to blame it on the wireless router I setup lol

Fuck those guys

5/19/2009 10:20:22 AM

You can probably get this stuff waived. Just call them and explain you want to self install your parents. Throw in the fact that when you signed up, these charges didn't exist, which is why you recommended the service.

Troll dslreports.com - usually there's a verified tech lead from every ISP that is active and willing to help out fellow techies.

I think Embarq finally offers naked dsl now too.

And no, the only time that would happen is if their line quality is absolutely horrible and Embarq can barely get DSL to their location.

5/19/2009 10:27:04 AM

embarq has always offered dsl, at least in my area (rocky mount), since they took it over from sprint.

they offer 4 speeds around here:
5.0m for 39.95
3.0m for 29.95
1.5m for 24.95
768k...i pay 14.99, but it's not listed on the website at all.

those prices you listed seem ridiculous.

i've never had a problem with outages in my phone or internet services in the 3 years i've had it. i have those plus dish bundled from them (and get a $5 discount on each service). their customer service is great. i called once w/ a question and they lowered my bill, told me to call back periodically just to ask if they can lower it, and 3 out of the 5 times i've called they could. they'll give me the current new customer promotion or whatever. didn't have to raise hell or anything.

[Edited on May 19, 2009 at 10:38 AM. Reason : ]

5/19/2009 10:36:12 AM

I am paying $39.95 for the 5MB plan in Scotland Neck. I don't have a long distance package with them, so I don't get that discount. I do have basic home phone, which runs fucking $18/month now! When I started with them it was less than $10 and that was only 4 years ago.

Service wise I can't complain. Don't remember paying those CDA and shipping charges though.

5/19/2009 10:46:52 AM

i might call and see what i can do, then...although, dslreports.com doesn't show embarq as an option when i put my parents' phone number into their system...i suppose i'll trust embarq's site over dslreports, though

5/19/2009 11:14:34 AM

is cable an option at all? when i was in raleigh, i got forced over to embarq from sprint, and i got out quick. i was getting a much higher speed package, but i was getting speeds closer to what you're talking about paying for with the low package.

time warner has stepped it up big time since i signed on with them, and i think for the next 6 months you can add the phone for like 19 bucks a month or something

5/19/2009 4:45:07 PM

no, cable's not an option

5/19/2009 5:03:00 PM

^I'm in the sticks, so cable ain't an option either. And BlueSky or other satellite based internet connections are almost twice as much as the basic DSL connection is.

5/19/2009 7:09:41 PM

Quote :

"i might call and see what i can do, then...although, dslreports.com doesn't show embarq as an option when i put my parents' phone number into their system...i suppose i'll trust embarq's site over dslreports, though"

This is what happened to me. Their website shows future places that they are installing the hardware. We had to bitch at them for almost a year to actually get them to install the infrastructure. They will give you the we don't have to machine/tools to install it, but we have the hardware. This is a load of crap, it basically means that some of the lazy Sprint workers don't want to get off of their fat ass to do anything. Once it is installed, they are a pretty good service provider. We have only had one outage for less than an hour in a little less than a year. My uncle has had them for ~3 years and switched from Charter. He likes them much better than "faster" Charter speeds.

[Edited on May 19, 2009 at 7:39 PM. Reason : :]

5/19/2009 7:38:58 PM