I am interested in purchasing a DSL Modem for use on ATT's system. Can the group give me some direction on available brands and recommendations?

Your first step should be to verify the AT&T position regarding you furnishing the modem. Remember they might take the stance that it's not theirs and you are on the hook for any support issues if your service stops working. If they do go along with you furnishing it then check with them as to what Brand/Model they suggest.

I have Comcast and have always paid them for the 'rental' because if it fails it's on them to fix it.

I rent my modem from Comcast also. Over the years they have provided a new modem 4 or 5 times because of failure. I'm ahead of the game dollarwise.The modems seem to die after about 2 years on average. And I always have recent-vintage hardware that should work with their system.

I too rent from Comcast. When I call with a problem I don't want the first thing they say to be is it's my equipment. I have had several modems over the years also due to failures and one due to an upgrade of their system.

George,

I also have DSL with ATT. I currently have an older modem (Speedstream) that they supplied when I signed up for their service. They may have stipulations regarding purchasing your own (again, from a service/support standpoint, as Brian mentioned).

If you want to have wireless access (and avoid a separate router), you can check with ATT. They have a combination modem/router called a 2Wire. My daughter has one of those and it seems to be working fine for over a year now.

This is a no-brainer with AT&T Internet service. Rent a 2Wire from AT&T. Make AT&T set it up to your satisfaction.

2Wire's combination modem and router (if you need a router) is the better idea. I know this is a really novel idea, but when the same manufacturer makes both and puts them in the same box, they may actually be able to talk to one another. Plus, you have one less company to deal with in servicing problems. Integrated hardware - integrated software - what a concept! A lot of modem and router firmware is "made" in the Orient (along with the hardware) - that is simply asking for trouble with firmware (if past experience is any indicator). Your first concern should be using a modem/router that tech support is familiar with. Cost should be WAAAYYYY down on your list. Why would you pay for a low-cost, dysfunctional modem / router pair (aka, D-Link, Linksys, SMC, Buffalo, Zoom, NetGear, Belkin, etc. etc.) that nobody can configure or diagnose???

2Wire products are the best on the consumer market - bar none. In the US, it appears AT&T is their captive customer. There are some used 2Wire parts on the Internet, and somebody is selling a used 2Wire through Amazon. I'd be careful buying used 2Wire equipment - it might still belong to AT&T.

Other things may be broken at AT&T (like their billing department), but some things work well. Make sure you're not too close to the 2 mile limit with DSL. AT&T doesn't oversubscribe DSL nodes like some companies.

If I remember correctly, my daughter and her husband aren't "renting" the 2wire. As they were a new subscriber, they received it as part of the self-install package, with a one-time charge. No rental fees.

WOW internet and phone also uses the 2Wire brand of Modems and Routers. They are not an AT&T exclusive.

Brian: Know the history of a Company before you speak.

Replace "AT&T" with "the AT&T family of Companies." WOW! and Qwest are former AT&T companies. WOW! was primarily formed out of an AT&T Company, and brings that keiretsu heritage forward in its equipment selection (as do all Bell Companies). They use 2Wire equipment, as do Canadian and Mexican Companies with Bell/AT&T business links.

from Wikipedia:

quote:

WideOpenWest: In May 2001, a midwestern network owned by SBC telecommunications branded with the name Americast, was purchased by WOW! for an undisclosed amount per user-connection, estimated to have been at a cost of $1000 per user. This purchase opened WOW! to over 310,000 new users. The Americast cable brand was initially under control of Ameritech and served the markets surrounding the cities of Chicago; Detroit; Denver; Cleveland; and Columbus.

I'm just observing that it is probably impossible right now to obtain 2Wire equipment outside of using a former AT&T Company for Internet service.

Thank You people- You've once again saved my bacon (to be used when Calvin opens his shop) and I will stick with the ATT modem rental approach. I am using Time Capsule so a router is not needed. I've made the decision to dump Brighthouse and go with ATT. Brighthouse offers high speed internet if you want to use RoadRunner but not if you use Earthlink. These days speed is an issue if you have a large file or want streaming so I think the DSL offered by ATT should be fine.

Anyone out there see a problem with that?

I am now at typical DSL speed. I cut my Comcast bill down considerably by lowering the speed and, for what I do, it is not that much different. I don't do illegal file-sharing downloads or stream HD movies. I am now supposed to get 768 down, but I usually show in the 900's on speedtest.Right now I am getting 932 down and 363 up.

Just checked my speeds with BrightHouse Earthlink connection: 6.16 MBPS Down and 487 KBPS UP.

The ATT DSL (Elite) is 6.0 MBPS down and 786 KBPS ± up. ATT is $25.00 cheaper per month too.

What does it cost you?

ATT DSL Elite is $35.00

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Gawet:
If I remember correctly, my daughter and her husband aren't "renting" the 2wire. As they were a new subscriber, they received it as part of the self-install package, with a one-time charge. No rental fees.

We were given our 2Wire free for signing up for DSL at an ATT store a year or so ago. No rebate, no charges. Self-install instructions were clear & easy. Why don't you go to a store & talk to them if you tried a phone call with no satisfactory answers.

PS. You designate the download speed/service you want & pay their monthly rate. However no monthly charges for the 2Wire.

By the way, the 2Wire is also a wireless switch. It's wonderful. For example, we can access any of our printers wirelessly through the desktop Mac to which the 2Wire is connected. There was virtually no setup involved. Macs being Macs, I just tried printing from a laptop, and was given the choice of our printers wirelessly via the desktop Mac. The desktop machine has to be turned on, but someday I'll work out connecting at least one printer directly to the 2Wire. It has 4 ethernet ports, as I recall. It's the ONLY wireless router we have, and serves our purposes extremely well.

quote:

Originally posted by George Little:
ATT DSL Elite is $35.00

George, this sounds like the price of the service, not the modem. If you haven't signed up yet, see my previous comments. - Go to a store to sign up & see what they'll do for you.

Note that $35/month is the price, but not the cost. ATT adds taxes and such of about $7 (per ATT).

I tend to take different stance than everyone here. I own both my Modem and Router. To me it's just not cost effective to rent a modem when purchasing it gives you full control, you can do whatever you like with it, and one isn't forever making "payments" on it. I've used a Motorola Surfboard since day 1 (Spring 2003?) and I've yet to have any trouble with it. Granted - I have Comcast, not ATT.

Paul: With AT&T broadband, you get the 2Wire modem for "free." However, it remains the property of AT&T. I called. So, if that's a "rental," so be it. It's rather fuzzily defined.

With AT&T broadband (i.e., SBCGlobal or Uverse), the DIY method (of buying your own equipment) would cost you more money, and you'd have a less reliable result. So ... you be the judge.

Brian: I stand corrected. From the 2Wire website, there are two ISP companies that may not have an AT&T business lineage: Juno and NetZero. I'm not sure how to verify that statement. NetZero and Juno are owned by the same holding Company. They're very likely tied into AT&T, technically speaking.

Note: the 2Wire website says it's products are only provided through broadband ISP's. You can't buy them on the open market. So the guy selling his 2Wire modem/router on Amazon is probably selling "hot" merchandise.