by Marin » Tue Jun 18, 2019 5:18 am
waksomboon wrote:While I agree that most of the advantages listed aren't the best reasons to switch in of themselves, here's a legit reason to switch: AT&T SUCKS.
waksomboon wrote:A quick browse through the negative reviews for Sonic.net on Yelp reveals a lot of the dissatisfaction actually has to do with AT&T. Either it's overpriced because it's DSL running over AT&T phone lines (because they're all AT&T phone lines) or flaky AT&T installers that do a shit job.
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However, it's important to keep in mind that no matter how great Sonic is, if AT&T is responsible for the last mile, installations and repairs will be a nightmare.
I hear what you are saying, but think of it this way; as a customer, I should not have to care who comes to install or deliver my internet. In fact, most people won't really understand how the infrastructure is managed and who handles what. I am doing business with Sonic. So Sonic needs to get a handle on better managing the installation process and resolution of any issues during and after installation. If they can't, perhaps they shouldn't resell AT&T. Bottom line, Sonic is putting their brand on the service, so they need to take responsibility for it.
Case in point, the reviews on Yelp.
waksomboon wrote:Forced phone line? Do you mean the free phone line included with the Fiber service or the required phone line for DSL?
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Free phone service is also a perk nonetheless. Sure, I may not use it, but it's there. Why would I complain about free shit that just sweetens the pot?
It is forced in that I don't have a choice and it is not really free, because it comes with a whole lot of taxes and fees that increase the cost every month.
waksomboon wrote:I have had to deal with AT&T extensively with residential, small business, and enterprise installs--all horrible experiences. Late appointments, missed appointments, shoddy work--you name it. Had an AT&T tech to come out and tag a circuit in the DMARC. Then had to wait another day for another tech to come out and test the circuit. Then another day for another tech to come out and fix it because not all of the required pairs were working (EoC). These were not consecutive days either. No communication informing us ahead of time when they would arrive--just a call from the tech that they were there and waiting. We usually plan 90 days ahead for a new install--this took over 4 months despite that fact that EoC usually get's up and running within 30 days for a building that is on-net. Don't even get me started on Fiber installs.
I totally get that everyone's mileage varies. I can tell you that my experiences with the installation and service delivery for internet service has been great, and I have been on AT&T Fiber since Day 1, the moment it became available here in Mill Valley. My issues have mostly stemmed from calls into their Contact Center, which is typically when one really starts to feel the pain of dealing with that huge bureaucratic and siloed heavyweight of a company.
waksomboon wrote:The fact of the matter is, AT&T has a ton of infrastructure and you don't really have much choice other than to deal with it if they are the LEC. Whenever AT&T is involved in a project--anticipate delays. Plan for them. Budget for them. It will happen.
When Sonic has to work over AT&T infrastructure, they have to deal with them as well. However, I'd much prefer to call Sonic and speak with someone who will empathize with my situation and work to get AT&T to do their damn job instead of having to deal with AT&T directly.
Again, that should rather be Sonic's concern, not the (end-)customer's concern, as most people won't understand where Sonic's service ends or starts, and where AT&T's starts or ends. Customers shouldn't have to worry about any of that, only whether or not the experience end-to-end has been great or not.
In closing, let me also say that I was a Sonic customer and that my experience during that time was great as well. And there is a great chance that I would at least try Sonic's own Fiber service, if it wasn't for the two key issues that Sonic still has to deal with, the forced phone line (taxes & fees) and the limited availability.
waksomboon wrote:I thought this was a thread about AT&T Fiber vs Sonic Fiber--while DSL is the stark reality for many people, I'm hoping no one here has to suffer through it.
Oh well, you know how that goes in public forums...