[lug] Off topic-Flashcom DSL??

[Ian S. Nelson]

Neal McBurnett wrote:

> On Dec 28, 10:31, Moore, Kevin L <klmoore at ball.com> wrote:
> >       Just found out that Flashcom can give me sdsl at a reasonable price
> > after US West couldn't do it at all, and Covad wanted an arm and a leg for
> > it. Does anybody have any experience with these guys? If so, care to
> > enlighten me? Thanks.....Kevin
>
> Thanks for the heads-up.
>
> First - a great resource is
>         http://DSLReports.com/
> They consolidate availability information from many services, estimate
> distances, provide user feedback on the various servers, etc.
>
> I just called Flashcom and they say they can service me also.  But I have
> reasons to be very cautious about that claim.
>
> Note that it looks like Flashcom uses Covad at least in my area (Table
> Mesa CO), thru USWest lines.  And it seems that Covad only provides
> DSL service, not ISP service.
>
> Other providers in Colorado are more highly rated by DSLreports than
> Flashcom (Speakyeasy.net, iNYC.com, Concentric, etc).
>
> Speakeasy has the highest rating, and is now offering (for a one-year
> contract) free installation, free modem and free first month.  They
> take no money up front (don't even ask for a credit card number) until
> the service is working!!  After that, $59.95/month for 384/128
> service.
>
> I've asked USwest in the past, and they at first said I could
> get service, then backed off of that.  I just called them again
> and they just said the test still returns "no" for an answer.
> But they couldn't say why (probably too far)....
>
> The person I talked to at Flashcom (Trey) gave me answers that
> conflict with what is on their web page.  E.g. I asked if I could
> do my own NAT or run my own servers.  He asked someone else, then
> said sure, no problem.  But their Terms and Conditions PDF document
> says:
>
>  Restrictions: SoloSurfer and SoloSurfer Express Customers agree not
>  to use any servers in conjunction with the Services, including but
>  not limited to, electronic mail, NAT, DHCP and DNS servers. In the
>  event any SoloSurfer or SoloSurfer Express Customer attempts to
>  utilize a server on the network, Flashcom may, at its sole
>  discretion, increase the fees associated with the Services, or
>  terminate the Services.
>
> Huh - some clueless lawyer wrote that!  But I assume they mean
> you can't "run" any servers, since an Internet connection that
> didn't let you "use" any servers would be a bit pointless....
>
> Speakeasy has no such restrictions and provides up to 4 static IPs
> at the same price:
>         http://www.speakeasy.net/dsl/
>
> Their main web site is http://www.Flashcom.com/
>
> DSLReports assessment of Flashcom is lower than US West:
> http://www.dslreports.com/r3/dsl/zagat#285
>  Some horror stories: "I never had so many problems getting
>  connected". Technical support is "horrible", "they say they'll call
>  back, and they dont", Flashcom sales reps are "variable" in quality
>  of information they have. "Reliability seems good" as "long as you
>  don't need tech support". Holding times can be long, "unless you call
>  at night". "The price is still very good" though. In getting
>  connected, some people "must be lucky", others "would rather chew on
>  tinfoil.."  Cheers,
>
> And there is a string of "I waited forever, haven't gotten service,
> and now they want to charge me $250 to cancel" stories at
>
>         http://www.dslreports.com/r3/dsl/comments/285
>
> Be careful out there!
>
> I think I'm going to go with Speakeasy - hard to beat their story
> and their price is lower than most.

I've got DSL from covad and speakeasy.  It has been the best experience I have
had with a phone company or provider.

Wonderful performance and service.

Ian Nelson