[ale] Bellsouth again.

[Ken Alexander]

I find it hard to believe, but maybe it's true. BS told me I had to have an active POTS line when I went to them for DSL service. 

I usually try to avoid BS like a plague, but since moving here from FL in June, I chose them for my DSL and wireless. Basically I had to pay $20/mon for a basic phone line with no bells or whistles ($15 + $5/mon to be unlisted ), plus the cost of DSL. I was thoroughly disgusted soon after because my phone rang 5-10 times a day, and I hadn't given anyone the number. After 2 disappointing encounters with their customer service, I knew the relationship was over. I already had Directv and Broadvoice for my VOIP provider. I contacted Comcast to purchase their broadband for non-cable customers expecting to pay $50/month (almost the same cost as BS DSL plus the phone line I didn't need/use). The sales agent talked me into getting basic cable since the cost for non-cable subscribers broadband was about the same as the cost for broadband($33 intro price) with basic cable( $15).  I don't know if they made a mistake, but the cable I get for $15/mon is a lot more than I expected. So I've decided to drop Directv after November. For the months following, I will pay about $75/month for cable tv, broadband, and unlimited VOIP to 21 countries. After my introductory period, that will go up about $15/mon. The taxes/extra charges that come with a BS phone line alone are significant enough to make one look for other options. The tax on my first cable statement is $.90 and for VOIP is 3.50. I'd definitely be interested in knowing if BS sells you DSL without phone service....


-----Original Message-----
> From: ale-bounces at ale.org [mailto:ale-bounces at ale.org] On 
> Behalf Of Mark Wright
> Sent: Monday, October 09, 2006 10:23 PM
> To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts
> Subject: [ale] Bellsouth again.
> 
> I know that subject line qualifies as profanity for some here 
> but I have to ask again.  I need some one to stop me.
> 
> I am feeling the crush of communications on my budget.
> 
> Bellsouth has been cutting their prices and increasing there 
> services  
> to the point that I feel like I can't ignore them any more.   I am  
> paying Speedfactory $60 for DSL and I LOVE there support.  
> They are the best I have experienced or ever heard of and 
> they get bonus points for being located in Marietta.
> 
> Bell with give me the same (???!!!!) service for $38.  Bell also  
> claims I can get rid of my phone line and keep the DSL!  Naked DSL!   
> I asked the sales guy about 50 times and he said yes.  He 
> said I would get a static IP and I could cancel my phone line 
> and transfer my local number to a VOIP provider.  Was he 
> lying just to get a yes to the sale?
> 
> The total savings each month will be around $50 even after I get VOIP.
> 
> Is this too good to be true?
> 
> Mark
> 


>