DIRECTV Broadband Shuts Down

Well... by craenor · 2002-12-13 10:32 · Score: 5, Funny

For those of us who do tech support and sometimes run into DirecTV broadband issues, can I just say, yippee!

Re:Well... by Phroggy · 2002-12-13 10:50 · Score: 5, Interesting

For those of us who do tech support and sometimes run into DirecTV broadband issues, can I just say, yippee!

What issues? In general, the service rocked - static IP, standard Ethernet with DHCP (with USB also available, bleh), easy setup (if you don't like the installer or don't run Windows, just point your browser to http://10.5.1.2/ and enter your phone number, and the gateway configures itself with all your settings).

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Re:Well... by Froze · 2002-12-13 11:05 · Score: 5, Funny

You work for them right? The Telocity modem/fake routers that we haev to use.. can you hitn me how to mod it so I cna use the routing capabilities? I am goign to assuem they will let me keep it. what is yoru input on this?

My take on this post is that you need to cut back on caffiene ;-) Either that or teach you left hand to keep up with your right hand.

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-- The morphemes of your disquisition are ascertainable, but they have eschewed an ambit of transpicuous exposition.

More Info by Phroggy · 2002-12-13 10:33 · Score: 5, Informative

I dunno why they posted this under "Ask Slashdot", but here's some more info:

DSLReports (forum)
DirecTV DSL (info for customers)
Press Release from Hughes (parent company of DirecTV)

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Horses Mouth by Apathy+costs+bills · 2002-12-13 10:33 · Score: 5, Informative

Well, here's their customer FAQ that explains a lot.

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Kill Trolls Dead. Here's

It was the name that did it! by wumarkus420 · 2002-12-13 10:35 · Score: 5, Interesting

Not too big of a surprise. You have no idea how many times people would ask me (sys admin) about internet connections and DirecTV-DSL came up. Of course the number one question - DOES IT WORK OVER THE SATELLITE!!!??? People could never get past the DirecTV name, and therefore seemed to shy away from the service because they were either confused or thought they had to subscribe to satellite service to get the service. The term "DSL" means nothing to anybody but people like us. To everyone else, they only look at the DirecTV part and make assumptions on that. I mean, their satellite service is named DIRECWAY - that's a hell of a lot more separation than DIRECTVDSL. Of course, they probably thought the name would be the selling point - but unfortunately, DSL and satellite service don't mix.

Re:It was the name that did it! by gregger · 2002-12-13 10:50 · Score: 5, Informative

Yeah, DirectWay or DirecPC (their other broadband services) are probably the only options I have (until Ricochet comes in).

I too thought "hmmm... DirecTVDSL, maybe it goes through the satellite... naaaah."

DirecPC is interesting because it does the download from a satellite (about 300 to 400 kbps) but the upload from a dial-up connection. So you have to use their software that splits your traffic for you. You get fairly good response since most users download a lot, but upload little. The drawback is that you still need a separate phone line.

DirecWay is actual TWO-way satellite broadband. It was supposed to get the same 300 - 400kbps download speed and a 128kbps upload speed.

Sounds great until you think of the actual time taken for clicks to be processed. Since your signal has to go from your roof to a satellite, to earth, do stuff, then take the same course back, response lag can range up to the .5 to 1 sec range! (So I've heard from users, but can't personally verify.)

This makes certain applications fail (including a Web application we make). Once you get a response it is very fast, but the lag... wow...

TTFN
Re:It was the name that did it! by drinkypoo · 2002-12-13 13:24 · Score: 5, Interesting

400kbps is not very fast anyway. You have to provide people at least 768k or they will be saying "man, my friends with DSL (and/or cable) can download more than TWICE as fast as I can." 300kbps is DEFINITELY not fast enough. 128kbps is enough upstream, almost everyone has to settle for that, except most attbi customers who (like me) get 256kbps up.
Incidentally I don't see why you would have to use their software which splits traffic. Basic routing should take care of that, as long as your ISP is not blocking traffic from random routable IP addresses which come from your IP address. Since you are speaking TCP/IP over PPP (in almost every case) on a modem link to an ISP, as long as the machine with the outbound connection is forwarding packets between interfaces (IE, it is a router) you ought to have no problems sending out that traffic.
However if they are blocking traffic from other IPs there is another solution, use a VPN to some asset of the satellite ISP who then relays your requests - this is slow and costs more, and I think doing bidirectional satellite is the only reasonable solution. Sure, you can't play games over it, but only a poorly designed web application will bitch about two seconds of seemingly random lag, which is a common occurence on every home internet link I've ever heard of. If your web app chokes because someone has a 2 second lag time on top of the usual lag one sees on the 'net, your web app is poorly designed.

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"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"

Doesn't look good for anyone by SteweyGriffin · 2002-12-13 10:36 · Score: 5, Insightful

I got to reading some other headlines about broadband companies. This got me to thinking -- is anyone doing well in this market right now?!

This is really upsetting because broadband is so important to so many people these days. Geeks, eBay'ers, etc. need to be connected, and ISPs, telcos, etc. don't seem to be able to provide fairly cheap, reliable service.

Hughes shutdown strands broadband users
CNET News.com - 8 minutes ago ... Satellites, digital subscriber lines and cable modems are the three
major ways Web providers deliver broadband to homes and offices. ...

Hughes to close terrestrial broadband operation
Bizjournals.com - 1 hour ago ... DirecTV Broadband, based in Cupertino, was acquired by Hughes in April ... it's working
toward transitioning existing customers to alternative service providers. ...
Hughes Shuttering a Fast ISP Unit - TheStreet.com

Broadband prices to rise in early 2003
ZDNet.co.uk, UK - 7 hours ago ... help ISPs stimulate the UK broadband market, which has already boomed over the last
12 months. "Recent advertising campaigns from BT and its service providers ...
BTw in new year ADSL promo - The Register

AOL's Iffy Broadband Deals
InternetNews.com - 12 Dec 2002
But the hefty carriage fees it faces from cable providers add up to iffy
prospects for making money off broadband, consumer advocates say. ...
The Layoffs That Stole Christmas - Washington Post
AOL's Iffy Broadband Deals - InternetNews.com
AOL's Parsons: "This Isn't Terminal" - BusinessWeek

Local cable TV, Internet choices debated
Hampton Union, NH - 7 hours ago ... necessary because he has heard residents complain about the lack of options from
AT&T Broadband and Comcast, the town's current Internet and cable providers. ...

BT fails to make the connection
CW360.com, UK - 14 hours ago ... why doesn't BT act as a branded reseller for third-party cable service providers? ... Instead
of waiting until the local level of demand for broadband justifies an ...

Re:Doesn't look good for anyone by dissy · 2002-12-13 11:06 · Score: 5, Insightful

I think your comment hits the problem on the head...

> Geeks, eBay'ers, etc. need to be connected, and
> ISPs, telcos, etc. don't seem to be able to provide
> fairly cheap, reliable service.

You cant have everything for nothing.
You want expensive services for cheap? No one can do it.

As long as T1's and T3's cost the price they do, _someone_ has to bear that. The customer complains it shouldnt be them it should be the ISP. But why is that exactly?

The only reason in the past for an ISP to do this is to get a T1 and share it with say a number of dialup ports.

Unless you want your DSL/Cable to be 64k or less each way, the numbers dont make finantual sence to the ISPs to not raise prices to charge accordingly.

You want a megabit down? That costs an ISP $1500/month. You people want that for $40/month and not have it shared with 40 or more other people, yet there is no other way to break even, let alone make money.

<rant>
I would love to have that too, but I would also love free art, obtainable medicines for those that need it, not charged to use the airwaves around me, to be able to travel into space, and to be able to modify my own DNA at my whim, and a large number of other things.
As of yet, none of this is happening even though it is all very possible and we are just as capable of doing right now.

<bigger rant>
As long as governments allow the raping of the people by providing one company with a monopoly, and outlawing all competition, all we can do is fight them to give us our USA back. But too many people dont care and are fine with it, so nothing will change except for the worse.
</rant></rant>

That is the problem that needs fixing.

Now on to phase two.. Ideas. Got any? I sure dont :(

Re:Sad, but necessary by Phroggy · 2002-12-13 10:42 · Score: 5, Interesting

Unfortunately, this was largely due to the large amounts of bandwidth unfairly utilized by the "power users" of the network, who used applications such as KazAA and Napster most likely to pirate music and other questionable activities.

This was not the problem. The main problem was having to do business with ILECs, which are monopolies that compete against us. A secondary problem was some not-so-bright management decisions, and not being able to offer value-added services (and collect additional revenue) because the main database system was designed by morons.

It is sad that we will no longer be able to get satellite TV here because a few people using DSL had to ruin it for everyone else by getting greedy.

Huh? DirecTV Broadband has nothing to do with DirecTV satelite.

Why can't people just take what they need, instead of running off with everything that isn't nailed down?

Because they're offered unlimited service.

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Speakeasy! by sterno · 2002-12-13 10:42 · Score: 5, Informative

I highly recommend speakeasy if you need another option. The provide good service and have the smoothest installation I've seen. I also got a free PS/2 out of them when I signed up :)

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Comment removed by account_deleted · 2002-12-13 10:44 · Score: 5, Funny

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Portland Jobs. by MAXOMENOS · 2002-12-13 10:46 · Score: 5, Informative

So, anybody gonna be hiring in the Portland area in a couple months?

Stream, XO, Powell's, Wal-Mart, Plaid Pantry, Fred Meyer ....

Oh, you want a high-paying IT job? Better start thinking about your own business, and I don't mean consulting. It's death valley for IT in Oregon right now.

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Finding God in a Dog

Re:Portland Jobs. by Lucas+Membrane · 2002-12-13 11:27 · Score: 5, Funny

Try U-Haul, Ryder, or whoever rents out those trailers. One of my friends decided to move out of town and found that there was a shortage of trailers for rent, as they have all been rented 1-way outbound. You might get a job retrieving them or building more.

Re:How sudden? by Phroggy · 2002-12-13 10:53 · Score: 5, Interesting

I swear I saw advertisements for DirecTV DSL just the other day. Is this sudden or what?

Yes, it was VERY sudden. Rumors and speculation was sort of going around this week (directors disappearing for off-site meetings, hmmm...) but before this morning, nobody had any idea it would happen like this. The marketing department is gone now, of course, but wouldn't have pulled the ads before today (if they have yet).

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Re:this is no good by squiggleslash · 2002-12-13 11:02 · Score: 5, Informative

Check out Earthlink. They seem to be everywhere where other broadband providers are, and they also do static IP (it's a small additional cost, but it's available.) They also have quite a good support policy - you're allowed to do your own networking, use non-Windows/Mac, etc, but if you do then they will not provide telephone support - you're assumed to know what you're doing.

I will not say they're perfect, they're PPPoE, and the static IP I have seems to break every time I lose the connection (typically I can't get it back for 15 minutes), and then there's the Hubbardist connections, but there's nothing so bad about the service I'd not recommend them to others.

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You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.

Re:Recommended New ISP? by Phroggy · 2002-12-13 11:09 · Score: 5, Informative

I'm on DirecTV DSL right now...so I have 60-90 days to switch to new ISP?

If you stay with DirecTV DSL, we'll try to migrate you to a new ISP and make it as painless as possible (no guarantees about that, but we'll do our best). If you cancel, you have to wait for the LEC to release your line before you can sign up with another DSL provider, so you're looking at around a month of downtime if you choose to go that route. However, I have no idea what the new ISP will be, and they may not offer a static IP. Check the web site (don't call!); there may be more info on Tuesday.

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WHATEVER you do... avoid the FAP!!! by TheGreenGoogler · 2002-12-13 11:09 · Score: 5, Interesting

Stay away from Hughes "Directway" Sattelite Internet!!! They have a policy affectionately known as "FAP" (Fair access policy) that effectively turns your "high speed" connection into something closer to dialup... for more information, see this page.

Serves You Right! by Necron69 · 2002-12-13 11:10 · Score: 5, Informative

All I can say is about time, and it serves you right.

I got nothing but crap from DIRECTV Broadband in the wake of the Rhythms collapse last fall. Despite being guaranteed that my SDSL service would continue, it shut down mid-September. I tried for three months to get it repaired and got repeated promises that it would be fixed. Finally, I "cancelled" (how can you cancel non-existant service?) in frustration. Three months later, the bills starting rolling in. DIRECTV was trying to charge me for two months of service I never got, and they claimed that I cancelled my service!

Needless to say, I was furiously pissed. I spent six months trading letters and faxes, got sent to collections, appealed, and was denied. I finally deemed the issue not worth my time and paid the stupid bill.

So, F*ck You, DIRECTV. You got what you deserved. I've spent the last year at 26kbps dialup. Thank God that AT&T/Comcast will finally be completing their broadband upgrade in my city next month.

- Necron69

from the ashes by m_chan · 2002-12-13 11:25 · Score: 5, Funny

I guess it may be their last post, but this operation has always been kind of a "phoenix", rising from the ashes. (Or perhaps soiling themselves with said same.)

Here's why:
DirecTV DSL, a subsidiary of Hughes, which is in turn owned by General Motors, was formerly known as Telocity until Hughes purchased them in July 2001.

In my part of the country, the switch to the corporate entity Telocity occurred at about the same time as Northpoint bankruptcy forced a CLEC switch from Northpoint to Covad for some customers of Megapath. In October 2000, Megapath had purchased the assets and customer base of an ISP. Megapath kept the business customers of that ISP and spun off their residential customers to Chicago-based Telocity.

And the name of that ISP? Formerly-St. Louis-based Phoenix Networks, founded by a guy named Peter Roberts, who evolved a one-man network integration business into a rapid-growth internet service. Of course that Phoenix should not to be confused with Phoenix the BIOS that has the legal team that is making Phoenix the superlative web browser change it's name, none of which is happening in Phoenix.

Dizzy yet? I know I am. Hope I got at least the broad strokes right. Anyway, I'm glad I got off that Merry-Go-Round during what seemed to be a weekend-stay at MegaPath, though I supported a few friends throught the multiple changes that followed. Maybe the ride finally is coming to a stop.

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