Switching from Bellsouth(AT&T) voice & DSL& keep

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Nov 15, 2008 Posts: 2

After many years of thinking about it, I decided to finally go with Vonage instead of Bellsouth (AT&T)
I have a landline and dsl with Bellsouth and was told by Vonage I could have my number ported from Bellsouth, no problem
Once I ordered Vonage, I got an email from them saying I had to call BellSouth and “request DSL internet service that is separate from your phone service, it's called "stand-alone, dry-loop or naked/bare DSL".
No problem I thought, I call them and get it all set up.
I was on the phone with Bellsouth for over two hours, being transferred from person to person, occasionally being hung up on when transferred. The last man I spoke to was very rude and said if I really wanted to separate my dsl from my phone service (he inferred I would have to be an idiot to do so), I would have to pay for a separate phone line (with connection fee) and then get my whole house re-wired in order to accommodate the 2 lines.
I hung up on him and emailed Vonage begging them to help me. They wrote back saying I should order and second phone line from BS and have my DSL moved to that line.

This seems like an awful lot of hassle and expense for something that was supposed to save me money. I feel pretty confused and duped by both Vonage and BS. Is there any more simple way to do this? Am I the only person on Earth to have both Bellsouth voice and DSL service and want to move my number to Vonage in order to save money?
Please help, I am kind of at the end of my rope.
Thanks for your time.
Rob

Posts: 656 · Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 7:38 pm Post subject:

Vonage is not wrong and either is Bell South (AT&T)in this case.

1) First thing you need to do is find out if Bell South(AT&T) offers Dry Loop DSL in your area. The Dry Loop means it runs over the telephone lines without having an actual phone line attached to it. While it is available in many areas, it is not available in everywhere. This is needed to provide you your internet connection that Vonage Voip service will use as well as your normal internet functions.

2) You cannot port a phone number to Vonage if the number your attempting to port has DSL on it. So this is why they are telling you that you need a second line with DSL and then you will be able to port your main number. A flag is raised when someone tries to port a number with DSL on it. This is to prevent the customer from having their internet shut off when the DSL is removed with the line that ported away. In the past too many people have done this and blamed Vonage and their provider for allowing this to happen.

3) Your phone line must be active with current provider in order to port and you obviously need internet to run Vonage.

So, what this means is that you will either need to get a Dry Loop connection set up first. Once this is setup you can transfer your number to Vonage. When the LNP is complete, your phone line with Bell South (AT&T) will be shut off but you will still have the Dry Loop for internet and Vonage for phone.

Or

You would need a second line from Bell South(AT&T) installed with a stripped down rate plan that will host your DSL. Once that is setup, you can port your number to Vonage

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Nov 15, 2008 Posts: 2

Naked DSL, dry loop is available in my area.
Does this mean I do not have to order another line?
Is there a Bellsouth phone number that I can call that might give me a better chance of getting it done?
Thanks again,
Rob

Posts: 656 · Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 7:50 pm Post subject:

If Dry Loop is available in your area, you will just need to order it. There is no need for a secondary line to host the DSL when you can get Dry Loop.

How you go about getting the Dry Loop setup is between you and Bell South. You will also need them to explain how to go about getting the Dry Loop and removing the DSL that is on your phone line without losing your internet during the switch.

Do not mention anything about porting your number away from them. Just state that you currently have DSL on your primary phone number but would like to switch to a Dry Loop connection instead. Take it from there.

I assume you can just call the local business office or the regular customer service tech support line and someone should be able to direct you to the correct channel that can assist..

Posts: 10 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Feb 11, 2006 Posts: 10

Just a thought... Assuming you have a cable provider in your area, and have cable tv you could add high speed internet or you could just get high speed internet without TV. I have found the value package offered by the cable companies for a lower speed is generally most adequate for Vonage. Most cable companies also have arrangements with Best Buy and Circuit City for deals for new subscribers on cable modems where the cost is $0.00 or close to it.. I suspect you will find going this way to be less expensive.

Posts: 350 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Dec 04, 2005 Posts: 350

I found this info on another website which may be useful to you:

Step 1: Call 1-800-264-0002.

Step 2: Ignore the automated messages. Do not do anything until it asks what state you are in.

Step 3: Say what state you're in.

You should be transfered to a person who can help you make the switch.

I have also found information suggesting that you need to call up and specificlly as for "bundle 97" which is the inside-lingo for the basic dry loop DSL (upon which you can add faster speeds).