How's YOUR Phone Service?

[Jim Miller]

If you're looking for a good deal on phone service, try Choice One. Call
Client Services at 1-888-832-5801, or my local rep, Mark Butterfield,
614-586-0966. Right now they have a special deal for companies using at
least 3 lines, which includes up to 7 calling features and high-speed
internet service at no extra charge. I think the deal is good for another
week or so.

In our suburban bedroom community, DSL is not yet available. The rep said,
"no problem, we'll just run a T-1 line in for you, no charge." It's a
5-year contract with no price increases.

For a cost that totals about $40 per month more than our previous
bare-bones, 3-line service, we get a T-1 internet connection (256 kbps
upload & download), and my choices of caller-ID, call waiting, call
forwarding, and teleconferencing. Their local and long distance rates are
very competitive, to boot. What a deal!

Besides offering everything I wanted and more, at a very competitive price,
this is a great company to deal with. The set up and change-over happened
right on time, and everything went smoothly. About two weeks after we were
switched over, the new-generation controller (that big box of electronics &
flashing lights on the back wall) failed due to a defect. Within a day the
service tech was here & got everything working temporarily, and came back
with a new controller in just a few days. Our phone service was fixed
within a day, and maintained until the specialized hardware could be
replaced. I was impressed with that kind of service... Never thought I'd say
THAT about a phone company.

Jim Miller
Suburban central Ohio

 

[wpfay]

Jim,
AT&T just announced a new long distance/local service that will be internet driven. Unlimited use for about $40.00/mo. Think that this might have to do with the other carriers making real good offers?
There's a discussion about it on NPR's "Talk of the Nation" as I type.
Not sure how this will affect regular service, but I hope it causes some relief in the cost of DSL service.

 

[Mike Labbe]

I had the opposite experience with them unfortunately, for some larger clients, and pulled the plug last year when their stocks went down to almost nothing. It's back up to 0.81/share now, so hopefully they'll recover. I lost a client because of the problems.

The problem I had was because of their relationship with Verizon, which is the company that services their lines. While they have their own local central office/switch (I've toured it, very impressive), they still use Verizon from their building to the customers phone. (copper, t1's, dsl, etc) Anytime something broke down it would take 3x longer to fix, and the union employees would just say "well if you went with Verizon, you wouldnt have these problems". I swear they used to make half the problems out of spite.

Functionally, their network and prices were always great. (except when lines were cut/down)

The only real alternative in this area that isn't reselling Verizon facilities/techs is Cox Cable. We're pretty pleased with their service and use that at the shop and home.

Mike