AT&T's Secret $10 DSL

As part of a concession made to the FCC in order to get its mitts on BellSouth, AT&T is required to offer basic DSL for $10 a month to its entire 22 state coverage area for a period of 2 years.

The plan provides download speeds of up to 768 kilobits per second and upload speeds of up to 128 kbps, matching AT&T’s basic plan.

If you can’t find the plan listed on the website, don’t worry. AT&T wants it that way. They’ve hidden it, according to the AP.

A page describing DSL options doesn’t mention it, but clicking a link for “Term contract plans” reveals it. It’s also presented to customers who go into the application process.

Consumerist took a quick look around att.com and couldn’t find it. (Send us a link if you’ve got one.) Good job AT&T!

UPDATE: Here it is. Thanks, Anne!

To take advantage of the plan, you’ll need to sign a 1 year contract and you need to be a new customer to AT&T broadband. This sounds like a good opportunity for anyone you know who still has dial-up, or for people who don’t need cable internet and want something slower and cheaper. The modem is free.

Keep an eye out for the next concession, so-called “naked DSL.” Within 6 months, AT&T will be required to offer DSL with no local phone service. The treasure hunt to find that one on their site should be equally fun. —MEGHANN MARCO

AT&T quietly offers $10 DSL plan [Yahoo!]


In case the info disappears somehow, here’s the text from the site:

FastAccess DSL Term Agreement Plans Available

* FastAccess DSL Lite with term agreement. Monthly price is $10 per month and requires a 12-month commitment. Except for free dsl modem with term agreement, this plan is not eligible for any other promotions. Plan is available to new FastAccess DSL customers who have not previously subscribed to AT&T or BellSouth’s high-speed Internet and who order online. To order FastAccess DSL Lite with term agreement, visit http://www.bellsouth.com and enter your telephone number to order the service.

* Free DSL Modem with term agreement for BellSouth or AT&T Dial Subscribers Upgrading to FastAccess DSL. Requires a 12-month commitment. To obtain the free modem, visit http://www.bellsouth.com and enter your telephone number to order FastAccess DSL, and indicate that you have Dial service with AT&T or BellSouth.

Terms and Conditions
FastAccess DSL Lite with term agreement: Requires subscription to FastAccess DSL Lite (Downstream speeds up to 768Kbps/Upstream speeds up to 128Kbps) for twelve (12) months from the date of activation. Eligibility: customers who order online and who have not previously subscribed to FastAccess DSL service from BellSouth or high-speed Internet service from AT&T. FastAccess DSL is subject to the terms and conditions of the BellSouth Internet Service Agreement (“Service Agreement”). Termination of FastAccess service, or if service is terminated for violation of the Service Agreement, prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months from the activation date, will incur a $50 termination fee that represents a portion of the network activation and setup costs foregone as a result of such termination.

Free DSL Modem with term agreement: Offer available to active subscribers of AT&T or BellSouth Dial service who purchase and receive FastAccess DSL. In exchange for a free DSL modem customers must maintain FastAccess DSL service for at least twelve (12) months from the date the modem was shipped or installed by BellSouth, and pay all applicable charges in connection with FastAccess service in a timely manner. If FastAccess service is terminated or in the event service is terminated for a violation of the BellSouth Internet Service Agreement, including but not limited to failure to pay the monthly FastAccess service charge, an early termination charge of $75.00 (representing the full price of the modem) if service is terminated between 0 and 6 months from the date the modem was shipped or installed by BellSouth or $37.50 (representing one half of the price of the modem) if service is terminated more than 6 months but less than 12 months from the date the modem was shipped or installed by BellSouth will be incurred.

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