AT&T: Too Big to Care

Kludge first, tidy up later.

We're not power Internet users, i.e., we don't need to stream high-definition video for hours on end. We've been contented subscribers to AT&T's ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) service, which since 2005 has been fairly reliable (except for an episode last month).

Two years ago AT&T's 2WIRE modem finally gave out, and we replaced it with a $150 Netgear DGND300 (pictured standing, right), which broadcasts Wi-Fi signals throughout the house under the 802.11g and the faster 802.11n standards. All was copacetic.

Last month AT&T announced that:

1) All ADSL users in the area would be switched to VDSL (very high-data-rate digital subscriber line), which can't be read by the Netgear modem;

2) ADSL service would be discontinued by the end of September or when the subscriber switched to VDSL, whichever was earlier;

3) VDSL users would receive a "free" AT&T modem.

Rather than try your patience, dear reader, with a long(er) whiny post I'll just say:

AT&T turned off the ADSL connection without warning, so we had to convert to VDSL immediately to continue Internet service.

The new 2WIRE 3600HGV modem broadcasts in slow 802.11g and slower 802.11b only;

The 2WIRE signal is so weak that a wireless device has to be within 10 feet of the modem/router.

Fortunately, it was a simple matter to connect the modems via an Ethernet cable and use the Netgear's stronger signal. All is copacetic again, but the shabby treatment by a too-big-to-care company will make us look harder at alternatives to AT&T. © 2012 Stephen Yuen