UnBundling SBC keeping DSL

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Aug 04, 2006 Posts: 4

I'm way new @ this however so far so good!
I put in my cancel form for V to notify the new
ATT I'm unbundling my services and just keeping
DSL. My new 5.8 ghz phone plugged into Vonage
router & sounds crystal clear on the base and the
other 2 phones plugged into only an electrical
outlet. Amazes me that this works!
My only concern now is ATT turning off the phone
service and keeping only DSL coming into the house.

I do not recall them coming to the house to add a DSL
line, I think it just happened through the existing phone
line going into the house from years ago. Do you think
I will have to unwire something on the outside of the house
when they turn off the phone service??? This is the only
scary part of this process to me!

thx for sharing thoughts w/me!
Deonna
dpogo@aol.com

Posts: 72 · Full Forum Member Joined: Jun 15, 2006 Posts: 72

AT&T requires you to have their phone service to have DSL. Technically, this is not required, but they will tell you otherwise.

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Aug 04, 2006 Posts: 4

any clue how I can convince them that it's my right to cancel phone service and if they refuse then they are in breach of contract for provinding me with DSL for one year contract? they said I had to keep DSL for one year, but never informed me I had to keep phone service tohave DSL ! rrrrrrrrAts Twisted Evil

i wonder what others have done to make this work???

what's the best scenario for DSL and vonage to work?
comcast cable provides it in my area
and ATT provide it
and maybe Verizon wireless (tho i'm not certain)

thx for sharing thoughts w/me!

Posts: 4751 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4751

Are you sure that your terms of service with ATT don't include the requirement that you keep phone service with them? It may be buried in the fine print. While it isn't required in the technical sense, the legalities will be whatever is written in the contract.

If it turns out that you need to keep their phone service and have a 1 year requirement on the DSL, then get the minimum phone service they can come up with and use that and Vonage until the 1 year is up. Then re-examine your options. Cable service usually offers higher speed at similar cost, and it works fine with Vonage.

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Aug 04, 2006 Posts: 4

[B]

you guys have been most cool Smile

thx and I will keep ya posted!

hugs,
Deonna

Posts: 170 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Dec 05, 2004 Posts: 170

Actually, under the terms of the SBC & AT&T merger, they are required to offer DSL without phone service (naked DSL). However, I believe they were given some time to implement it and it's unclear how long they have.

My local phone company is Verizon, though, and already offers naked DSL which is what I use for Vonage. The DSL costs a little bit more than if it was bundled with phone service. I used to use Comcast but the reliability of their service is very poor in my area so I switched to DSL.

Maaz

Posts: 72 · Full Forum Member Joined: Jun 15, 2006 Posts: 72

Maaz wrote:

Actually, under the terms of the SBC & AT&T merger, they are required to offer DSL without phone service (naked DSL). However, I believe they were given some time to implement it and it's unclear how long they have.

As of today, they still claim that it is not technically possible. We all know that's a lie. I would guess the contract that the original poster has with them requires a year with both DSL and phone service. They probably don't have to make it retroactive.

Posts: 170 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Dec 05, 2004 Posts: 170

Maestro wrote:

As of today, they still claim that it is not technically possible. We all know that's a lie. I would guess the contract that the original poster has with them requires a year with both DSL and phone service. They probably don't have to make it retroactive.

Obviously it's technically possible. I have it with Verizon and I believe AT&T is offering it California. They are going to be required to (if they aren't already) offer it to both existing and new customers. However, it's unclear whether an existing 1-year contract for both voice and DSL would allow to be changed to just DSL.

Posts: 72 · Full Forum Member Joined: Jun 15, 2006 Posts: 72

Interesting. They tell me that I have to have an AT&T phone number to get DSL, but, when checking the web site under additional charges, it lists DSL with no voice. Of course, it is much more expensive: $44.99 for 6-month promotion vs. $12.99 for 12-month promotion, but you do get $10.00 a month off Cingular Wireless service. I just can't order it. I still have to buy the bundled DSL.

I have a neighbor that works for AT&T from SBC. He says that the billing systems are still keyed to phone numbers.

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Aug 04, 2006 Posts: 4

Well tonight @ the Fair, I spoke with a representative at one of the booths selling ATT DSL services ( i know hoe appropriate since this is my issue right now Very Happy

)

I questioned her whether she knew if I'd be able to drop voice and keep just the DSL and she said as far as she knows with the new ATT rules, I'd have to pay a $9.99 fee for one basic line into the home. But she said not to quote her on it ~ sounds to me like ATT doesn't want to give up any rights to billing & taxing me Sad

tomorrow I will call ATT to discuss it w/them further. Yesterday the DSL dept. told me to contact the phone line dept. for more info.

Keeping fingers & toes still crossed!

hope you're all having a great week Cool

hugs,
Deonna
visit my blogdom to learn more about me@

http://360.yahoo.com/terahangel