# AT&T crooks

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-t-crooks/519972>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 4, 2009, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-t-crooks/519972 "2009-12-04T10:48:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![chgo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e7dd6/32.png) [@chgo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chgo)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2009, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-t-crooks/519972/1 "2009-12-04T10:48:34Z")

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Not surprised to read that getting basic/naked DSL is hard (or impossible) to get. What can be done about it besides switching to Comcast?

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**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2009, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-t-crooks/519972/2 "2009-12-04T13:28:42Z")

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Welcome to the Straight Dope Message Boards, **chgo** , glad to have you with us.

Your post seems to be in response to Cecil’s current Straight Dope - Chicago column: [http://chicago.straightdope.com/sdc20091203.php](http://chicago.straightdope.com/sdc20091203.php) … I 'm therefore moving it to the appropriate forum, where you’ll get better responses. Putting it in “Comments on Cecil’s Column” was certainly reasonable, but that forum is seen globally, so I’m thinking you’ll have a better discussion from the Chicago Only forum.

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**Author:** ![Thirsty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dbc845/32.png) [@Thirsty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thirsty)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2009, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-t-crooks/519972/3 "2009-12-04T15:24:22Z")

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Would be interested in any updates to this story.

I don’t think I would have kept my composure.

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**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2009, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-t-crooks/519972/4 "2009-12-04T15:29:37Z")

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Try picking up the phone and calling AT&T. You should get better results.

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**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2009, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-t-crooks/519972/5 "2009-12-04T17:21:59Z")

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This sort of business practice is rewarded by customers rushing to your competitors.

Communications services are at an all-time-high in terms of competition these days. If AT&T doesn’t want to play ball, screw 'em, and check out your other options (Cable, wireless, cellular internet, etc.)…TRM

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**Author:** ![Aimew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@Aimew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aimew)\
**Post date:** [December 4, 2009, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-t-crooks/519972/6 "2009-12-04T20:13:36Z")

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AT&T in Chicago seems to have a unique Chicago attitude.  
Out here in the wilds of NH (Dublin) I have a ‘dry-loop’ DSL service with 3M down by 768K up without an active land-line for $34.99/month. It started with Verizon, however, who was later bought out by Fairpoint (much to everybody’s chargrin).  
You might look to see what other DSL providers there are in your area and, presumably, they can provide you with service through the AT&T wires, much to their chargrin.  
Good luck!