The Television Viewer Protection Act (TVPA) of 2019 finally makes it illegal for ISPs to charge equipment rental fees for equipment not needed.
I have AT&T carried Sonic Fusion IP Broadband (Residential FX3), and have never wanted nor used the Voice component of this bundle. Sonic flat out refuses to allow me to return the new and still in the box Voice ATA. Here is my bill breakdown:
Fusion IP Broadband Residential FX3, STI-XXXXXXX-5 - SIID XXXXXX-1 ------------ $90.00
Fusion IP Broadband Information - STI-XXXXXXX-5 - Data $80.00 Voice $10.00
Fusion IP Broadband Modem Rental - SIID XXXXXX-1, Device ID XXXXXXX -------- $9.50
ATA Rental - STI-XXXXXX-5, Order ID XXXXX ------------------------------------------------- $6.50
I have also removed the Arris BGW210 RG and am only using the ONT to terminate the fiber into a Ubiquiti ER-4 with the AT&T certificates loaded. Not only am I now in control of MY network and equipment, it also performs a LOT better. Especially on the upload speeds.
So I don't need/want the $10 voice service, but I'm fine if it's part of the "bundle". But since I am not using either the Modem (RG) or the ATA, I would like to return them and not be charged for "renting" something I am not using. I can understand Sonic wanting most customers to keep the AT&T controlled RG so they can troubleshoot, but I definitely have no use for the ATA.
The FCC deadline for this was June 20th of 2020, but they recently extended it for the poor cable companies. My question, is Sonic going to step up and do the right thing? Or are they going to keep on acting like "Big Cable"?
Dane, any comment here? I love Sonic and have recommended it over 15 years to many many people, and even if Sonic is just reselling AT&T in some areas, (like mine) I would 100% rather give them the business. However, I think this equipment rental is a total scam, and if I had an alternative provider that DIDN'T do this, I would definitely jump ship.
I have AT&T carried Sonic Fusion IP Broadband (Residential FX3), and have never wanted nor used the Voice component of this bundle. Sonic flat out refuses to allow me to return the new and still in the box Voice ATA. Here is my bill breakdown:
Fusion IP Broadband Residential FX3, STI-XXXXXXX-5 - SIID XXXXXX-1 ------------ $90.00
Fusion IP Broadband Information - STI-XXXXXXX-5 - Data $80.00 Voice $10.00
Fusion IP Broadband Modem Rental - SIID XXXXXX-1, Device ID XXXXXXX -------- $9.50
ATA Rental - STI-XXXXXX-5, Order ID XXXXX ------------------------------------------------- $6.50
I have also removed the Arris BGW210 RG and am only using the ONT to terminate the fiber into a Ubiquiti ER-4 with the AT&T certificates loaded. Not only am I now in control of MY network and equipment, it also performs a LOT better. Especially on the upload speeds.
So I don't need/want the $10 voice service, but I'm fine if it's part of the "bundle". But since I am not using either the Modem (RG) or the ATA, I would like to return them and not be charged for "renting" something I am not using. I can understand Sonic wanting most customers to keep the AT&T controlled RG so they can troubleshoot, but I definitely have no use for the ATA.
The FCC deadline for this was June 20th of 2020, but they recently extended it for the poor cable companies. My question, is Sonic going to step up and do the right thing? Or are they going to keep on acting like "Big Cable"?
Dane, any comment here? I love Sonic and have recommended it over 15 years to many many people, and even if Sonic is just reselling AT&T in some areas, (like mine) I would 100% rather give them the business. However, I think this equipment rental is a total scam, and if I had an alternative provider that DIDN'T do this, I would definitely jump ship.