DSL Modems

[phrozen_dreamz]

My friend is going to get DSL Locally here in a month or so. The problem is with the modems. There is the regular ADSL modem ($100) and there is somehting called a "Reach Modem"($200). What is the difference?

~Thanks!

[Optimus Prime]

From a quick look on google.com it looks like it is a brand of modem. I'd read some reviews on it before thinking about buying it, for twice the price, are you getting twice the performance? I'd think not, especially with a modem, even ADSL.

[implexant]

I'd def. go with the $100 one.

BTW, ADSL needs a CPE, not a modem That's the technical name of course

-Chris

[phrozen_dreamz]

Thanks. Yeah I thought that maybe that it would improve bandwidth or something. I googled it before I posted and I couldn't tell what the difference is.

Another question. Can the ISP use any kind of DSL modem? Can my friend go on e-bay and buy a cheaper modem?

[whitebeard21]

Before you buy anything check with the isp. With high speed service some isp's will only do tech support if you have their filters and modems or routers. SBC/Ameritech is an example that only supports equiptment they provide.

[pickel]

Bellsouth supplies a Westel modem. Been running over a year w/ no problemo. $120.00

[jedgxe]

when I signed up with SBC/ameritech Feb.2001 they sent me a kit including a Kingston nic and a Westell Wirespeed modem never had any probs. However when I upgraded os from win98se to win XP , I called ameritech for help setting up connection in XP.
I asked the techie about equipment. He told me it was not necessary to use the ameritech supplied equipment.

[nochay]

got my $199+ dsl modem for free. How did I do it?

Sign up with sprint dsl

wait for the setup and all that junk (probably just clicks a activate button, that is what takes 2-3 weeks )

Fight with them to get the service going

Wait a week

Fight some more with a dumbass at the local office who has to be retrained everytime she takes a coffee break (read: blonde) Hides behind, let me ask my manager.

Leave the building, defeated, and notice a sprint contractors truck next to my truck.

Resist the urge to steal a stack of the exact modem I need (door was unlocked!) and go home pissed off.

The modem arrives 2 days later, ups second day air.

Have to wait another 3 days for the stupid lines to be "cleaned and polished" or whatever they do.

Finally get the modem, and get trapped into a one year contract.

4 months into the contract, earthlink is nice enough to cancel my account for "spamming" (still figuring this one out)

It gets canceled, and sprint is drowning a sea of paperwork, closing my account.

Get 56K for about 6-8 months, then signed back up again with sprint. Went much smoother this time, although still had to fight with them some.

Still using this service today, the second time around.

Notice the key point here? Never once did they send me a bill, for my "canceled account" I got to keep a 200 - 300 dollar modem, because of me being a number in their system. I fell through the cracks, and emerged with a free modem

I loved the women when we signed up again. "have your own modem?" "Yes, yes we do!!!! " I kept a straight face, knowing they "gave me" a free modem, through a big time screwup for them.

Dane

[whitebeard21]

You do not have to use SBC/Ameritech equiptment they just wont give you tech for other equiptment. You are guarenteed 1 connection unless you have a router supplied by SBC I don't know about the charges for that since it is another dept that covers billing.
I have Road Runner through TWC. They now provide a wireless router and you pay 4.95 for each addl. pc. My modem crapped out saturday night about 8:00 pm and they delivered a new one at 11:00 am yesterday, less than 24 hours for a trouble call and fix. How is that for service.

[shawshank62]

That is weird that all you had to pay for you modems...verizon just sends a westell for free along with 4 filters.....:shurgs: