free DSL

[Win_98]

Just ordered mine today, not exactly free is it? http://www.dslreports.com/freedsl
I pick the most expensive plan out of 4 of them, the last one that is. http://www.winfire.com/products/serviceplans.asp
Anyone here subscribed to them, if so how good is it?

[RalphArch]

I've been signed up for months but they just recently announced I could get service (when??) so just like you I opted for a non-free service. But $20 a month still doesn't seem bad for a dsl connection even if I have to put up with loss of bandwidth for advertising. And I appear to have got in right before they changed from a free modem to a $100 off a $200 modem for the higher speed service.

In the meantime until I get the dsl modem it has been a godsend as my regular ISP is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy (Webcombo) and I currently can only use their mail server. So the Winfire free dial up access has saved the day for me.

What I don't like is that they only offer webmail; no pop 3. so I'll either have to stop using Outlook for mail or pay separately for a pop3 mail server. I also had to learn how to find newsservers that would allow me to connect since Webcombo's is down and FreeDSL apparently has no newsserver. So some of it appears to be a little of you don't get what you don't pay for. (Never figured out how Webcombo worked either - no ads and no payments - I guess they couldn't figure it out either)

[Win_98]

I guess either way you got to pay big for 1.5mbps bandwidth, why settle for 384Kbps eh when the fastest speed cost only twice as much? hehe. Im really confused because FREE isn't alway good and you can't live with 144kbps can you, and having to pay for 200 dollar for the modem hmm either way they get you. 144kbps is only 3 times faster then 56K so why settle for this? so something that take 9 hours is only reduced to 3 hours hmmm... going with bellsouth cost more like 200 dollar for modem, and 50 dollar a month. that my only option but then again, DSL is the way to go. furget cable modem they're just get worst the more people use it. DSL uses conventional analog line so it available anywhere. oh I been with 56K for too **** long it not funny, friend had cable modem 2 yrs ago and they tell me they getting 1000K/sec! I just could not believe it

[Win_98]

Hmm, you serious? you have not gotten it since you sign up a month, hmm. I think I'll give them 3 week to send me the modem, get everything going and if they don't deliver I guess it would be best to just cancel it. OH well it would be great to have it but I can live without it. I think. or go find a better provider? im going to keep an eye on them and hopefully everything work out as they say but then again I may made a mistake signing up for something I haven't a clue about. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[thekingofpain]

Read the fine print, I know when they first started out there was a 500$ disconnection fee IF you ever decided to bail out, but at that time they gave you a free modem, next time I looked you had to get 10 friends to sign up to get the "free" modem, not sure WHATS there deal now...

[RalphArch]

You really should read the fine print on this one. As kingofpain said I believe you are committing to go with the service or pay a $500 disconnect fee. You don't really need to use the service but as some have noted the free route requires you to buy a modem at $200- as soon as the service is available in your area. So a minimal entry is at least $200 and you will have 150K service - cancelling will cost you more if they choose to enforce the contract and you will get nothing. The no monthly fee sevice is not a bad deal for someone like me though - the principal advantage is that I may be able to disconnect my second phone line which is costing $25/month and I will own the modem after a year.

But I didn't choose that approach - I took the "free" USB modem (No longer available - it will now cost $100 unless you go with highest level service) - which may allow me to alternate a connection between computers if I can't network the connnection. For this you get extra speed and less banner ads - but you have to turn modem in after your obligation period (13 months).

Another downside of this service for me is the fact that the Winfire tool bar updates itself automatically and you have no control over what it's doing (other than not to run it).

Lastly, I have no complaints about the lengthy time to role out. They were clear they were starting in various cities and might not get around to MD/DC for a while. In the meantime they are providing a free dial up connection (with pop up ads). Bottom line is that I haven't paid a dime yet; but have committed to spending $20 a month for 13 months minimum for this "free" service.

[jacobnero8196]

Actually if you read the TOS the cancellation fee is $200. It was xdsl that had the $500 cancellation fee. The winfire deal isn't to bad. I'm signed up for the 19.95 a month deal with a free modem. I signed up two months ago and I'm at step 4. There customer service said it would be 0 to 60 days before I get my service. So basically it will be $19.95 for 13 months and then you can opt out if the service is bad.

I did talk to guy in florida who has the 1.5 megabit line and he said the speed is excellent but the service is fair. This is the same way I would rate my cable company who has outages about once a month. There going to launch cable internet in a couple months also but I'm not sure I could live with the loss of service once a month. I'm addicted to the web.

One more note to add is that the cable display at CompUSA is really fast, hitting 3.8 megabits but I wonder if I would ever see any speed like that in my own neighborhood.

[Win_98]

It already is available in my area, I think. So it shouldn't take longer then a month. hmm free kind of stink in a way, where they take all the time in the world before they actually start doing anything for you. Im feeling a little disappointed thought. I've been warned about their very slow process. so who know in a month or so, if they sit around doing nothing, I'll just go with bellsouth instead paying a hefty 200+ 40 per month at least they dont take more then a week?

[grunt]

It seems pretty cool except for the $200 disconnect fee. That is **** and a complete ripoff. The "free" service is too:

"We are giving away FREE CARS!! That's right FREE CARS!!
Cost of car -- FREE!!
Mileage -- UNLIMITED!!
Engine -- $22,000 (must be purchased from freecars.com)

You, the driver, agree to drive this car for thirteen (13) months or be charged a no-drive fee of $18,000.

This kind of **** should not happen. These people are total ripoff artists and should be shut down, or forced to deliver what they advertise: FREE SERVICE

Too many companies today are saying "Give us your credit card number so you can get something free."

[Win_98]

If you don't have cable around where you live, your chance of getting DSL is also slim. Here what I got today,

Dear Sam,

We appreciate your interest in Winfire's DSL service.

We have attempted to qualify your telephone line for our DSL service; however, this service is not available to you at this time. While working with your local telephone carrier they informed us that your distance to the telephone central office is currently too far to qualify for ADSL but projected in the near future.

Because our DSL service is not available to you at this time we will not charge the credit card that you provided in registration nor will we ship you the DSL activation kit. We will, however, continue to work with your local phone company. When we are able to offer service into your area, we will notify you immediately via e-mail and continue your order.

If you have any questions or comments, please call our toll-free support line at 877-993-7333 or e-mail us at: support@corp.winfire.com.

Sincerely,

The Winfire Team


It look like my only option is to go ISDN 128K which is expensive as hell. Oh well which mean I be better off sticking with 56K indefinitely. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/frown.gif I live in a country hick place anyway so that explains why it is so slow to get anything advanced. I've been waiting for 3 yrs already for cable modem to get here, it never came and never will same with DSL it only available where cable is already provided, to compete with cable? look like I have to move my **** out of this stinking kennesaw and into Atlanta, or stone mtn or where ever the hell cable is available. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif