SBC to Offer High-Speed Internet for $15

angelize56 · 01-Jun-2005, 04:34 PM #1

This is the first afforable good deal I've seen! Could anyone using SBC let me know if you're happy with it...pros and cons. I currently have MSN dial-up at $15.95/mo...so this sounds like a great deal for me! I hate dial-up...so slow!!!

SBC to Offer High-Speed Internet for $15

By BRUCE MEYERSON, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK - SBC Communications Inc. is cutting the price for high-speed Internet access to $15 per month for new subscribers who sign up online, marking another aggressive move to add and retain customers in advance of the big telephone company's push into cable TV service later this year.

The promotional rate for SBC Yahoo DSL Express, which requires a one-year contract and lasts for 12 months, is priced well below what many dial-up Internet services as well as rival broadband providers charge.

America Online, the biggest dial-up provider with more than 21 million subscribers, charges nearly $24 a month for a far-slower connection. Rival providers of DSL and cable-based broadband generally charge from $30 to $45 a month.

The DSL price cut comes two months after San Antonio-based SBC reduced the month fee for unlimited local and long distance calling from $49 per month to $40.

That's well below what rivals such as Verizon Communications Inc. and BellSouth Corp. charge for the same bundle, and competitive with what many cable companies are charging for phone service using voice-over-Internet technology.

Both moves can be seen as a campaign by SBC to hold off cable TV rivals who sell phone and Internet service long enough for SBC to launch new technologies and services starting later this year.

SBC, which owns Cingular Wireless in partnership with BellSouth, is spending billions to rewire large portions of its copper-based phone network with fiber-optic cables so it can introduce cable television and speedier Internet connections.

The company hopes to lure subscribers with next-generation services, particularly interactive video using IPTV technology, which melds the Internet with TV programming.

"We believe the company intends to drive further subscriber growth ahead of its video rollout and fend off cable competition," John Hodulik, telecom analyst for UBS, said in a note to investors. "While we do not expect this pricing strategy to be implemented across the industry, SBC's move may force the cable (companies) to get more aggressive."

The $15 rate for DSL brings entry-level download speeds of between 384 kilobytes per second to 1.5 megabytes per second. The price will revert after one year to the regular fee, currently about $30.

As part of the promotion, SBC also is offering a speedier connection of up to 3 Mbps for $25 a month, also for a one-year term. The regular rate for that service is currently $40.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050601/...RqBHNlYwN0Yw--

i hate ram · 01-Jun-2005, 04:48 PM #2

i currently have SBC yahoo! DSL and i love it.

i started out with AOL way back, but about 3 years ago we switched up to DSL.. 384k. just this year, we upgraded to the 1.5mpbs service and it is very fast. i love how it works because you dont need to install any of their software, like AOL. plus, they give you a free modem, unlike cable where you either buy or lease a modem.

another great secret is that you can re-subscribe to these promotions (after the 15$ a year deal is up, call them back, and you can get their current (yr. 2006) promotion.

another secret: the 384k service and the 1.5mbps service cost the same..

Super-D-38 · 01-Jun-2005, 04:49 PM #3

Don't know about SBC, but I have 3MBs through charter cable. At $40 a month. Free modem and such... If they can deliver those speeds, then $25 a month for a year isn't bad.

angelize56 · 01-Jun-2005, 05:00 PM #4

Quote:

Originally Posted by i hate ram

another great secret is that you can re-subscribe to these promotions (after the 15$ a year deal is up, call them back, and you can get their current (yr. 2006) promotion.

Thanks for the tip!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super-D-38

If they can deliver those speeds, then $25 a month for a year isn't bad.

You mean $15/mo if you're talking about the deal I posted!

angelize56 · 01-Jun-2005, 05:42 PM #5

What's this mumbo-jumbo about? How much will it actually cost to get the hook-up?

Offers not valid with any other SBC Yahoo! DSL promotion. SBC local service and one year term required. $200 early termination fee. At end of term, then-current rate applies. $150-$200 additional charge if technician install is required or desired. The equipment charge will appear on the first bill along with any corresponding and offsetting instant credits. Laptop users and some desktop users may need to purchase an Ethernet card. Billing begins on service activation date. Service not available in all areas. Subject to change without notice. Acceptance of Terms of Service required. Taxes and additional fees extra. Other restrictions apply.

i hate ram · 01-Jun-2005, 06:26 PM #6

translated into english:

you can't pile up promotions (like you can't use more than one). you are comitted to 1 year, and if you cancel before the year is up, you have to pay $200 for an early termination. when the year is up, without subscribing to a new promotion, you gotta pay the standard (non-promotion) rate which is $40. if you are too stupid to install the modem yourself, you have to spend 200 bucks to have some guy install it for you. the cost of line filters and shipping will show up on the first monthly bill. if you have a laptop, you need to buy a PC card, and if your computer doesnt have a 10/100 ethernet port, you need to buy one (they'll sell you one). you start paying when you activate the line. you cant get the service everywhere (go to the sbc website, type your phone number and they'll tell you). service may change and they wont tell you (all companies do that). you gotta agree to the terms (ykno, the "I Agree" button). you may have to pay state/fed. tax.

angelize56 · 01-Jun-2005, 06:37 PM #7

Ram: I'm not an idiot

...but I wouldn't be able to install it myself!

How do I tell if I have the proper ethernet port on my pc?

i hate ram · 01-Jun-2005, 07:02 PM #8

i wasnt calling you an idiot

its VERY easy to install.

umm, do you know what a networking jack looks like? sort of a fatter looking than a phone line. if you have one, you're all set.. if not or you're not sure, PM me and i can help you out..

if you want, i can draw you a diagram of what your home setup would look like... save ya 200 bucks.

angelize56 · 01-Jun-2005, 07:09 PM #9

PM on the way Ram and thanks!

I know you meant the stupid rhetorically!

i hate ram · 01-Jun-2005, 07:38 PM **#10**

hehh

Super-D-38 · 01-Jun-2005, 09:49 PM **#11**

Quote:

Originally Posted by angelize56

Thanks for the tip!

You mean $15/mo if you're talking about the deal I posted!

Yeh the $15 is good too, but I meant the 3MB like I have.

... boy, sounds like allot of terms.. $200 for install!!! OMG!. I got a free install, network card, and free modem rental when I signed up for a cable promo.
Even had my modem swapped out free 2 months ago.. (The old one would randomly "drop" connection.)

Phone is on the left.. the other 2 are ethernet/ modem jacks.