Dallas Phone Service - SBC Versus Comcast?

Edwards Finance > Phones

Q. Looks like I can get either SBC phone service or Comcast in the house I'm buying -- I'll be getting Cable TV and Cable Modem from Comcast (I can't get DSL from SBC) -- is one any better than the other for residential phone service?

A. SBC is a horrible company that will screw you over without even thinking about it -- I was without service on my DSL and voice lines for two months and they offered me $5 worth of credits. I had to sic the Public Utilities Commission on them before they'd do the right thing (this was in Ohio.) My general impression is that while phone companies are run by malicious assholes, cable companies are just clueless. I suppose the lesser of the two evils would be the phone company, but heaven forbid you ever have a problem with the service ... I personally would suggest trying to find Comcast customers that have the phone servic. Find out what their experiences are. I have SBC-SNET, and have had them put ISDN, POTS and DSL into several offices I've worked in. They generally did a good, competent job. I had one problem with a DSL line, and they fixed it reasonably promptly. The linemen and technical crew I dealt with when I was with SBC (Ameritech) were professional, clued and a pleasure to deal with. The CSRs are, for the most part, OK, although clue-level varies. The problem is this. Someone created a bridge tap on my DSL line, generating so much static on the copper pair coming to my house that not only did I not have sync on my DSL, I couldn't get above a 9600-baud analog modem connection and I couldn't reliably make voice calls. Fortunately, there were no emergencies during which I would have had to call 911, or I'd have been in trouble. This lasted for two months, and then I was told I'd get a grand total of $5 in service credits because they don't give more than that unless you have dialtone. I was spending over $80 per month on voice and DSL. I *did* have dialtone. I just didn't have a usable phone line. But -- this isn't a problem with the techies or Customer Service. This is a problem created by SBC management. And although I've heard plenty of horror stories about Verizon too, they are the ILEC here in the High Desert and since moving here I haven't had any major issues with them. (I've only been here a few months, but so far -- knock on wood -- things have been OK.) I'm just very happy I *don't* live in a part of California serviced by SBC.

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