Verizon - are they a monopoly?

[Titan]

I have one option for phone service in my area (Rowlett, TX) - Verizon. My DSL service is currently not working and no one at tech support can tell me why, or really cares whether it's fixed or not. I want to switch phone & DSL providers, as well as drop Verizon Wireless...but can't find another company that offers service here. The CS rep at SBC told me that because of Verizon's service in my area that no one else would be able to provide phone service.

Is this the same with all phone companies? Comcast highspeed is a little more expensive, but it might be worth it just to be rid of Verizon.

 

[campwillben]

Go here: The link
Download the Central Region file (Excel Spreadsheet files). This file should list all of the area code and prefixes in Texas. You can see which telco is assigned to a particular NPA-NXX.

Be mindful of the fact that numbers are passed around in all kinds of ways these days because of 'local competition', number portability, and that new fangled innernet, so it may be that the particular NPA-NXX that is listed in the file may only represent the original holder of that number.

Hope this helps.

 

[kevwun]

I deal with Verizon alot at work. Some very good people work for the company. The way they are organized makes dealing with them a clusterfuck. Ordering additional lines or changing line locations is a giant pain in the ***. Work is regularly not completed until a week or two after the due date. Orders are often screwed up by the time they get from the account rep to the tech. A line that has been scheduled to be moved for a month will be disconnected 3 days before it was supposed to be.

 

[Nuclear Bear]

Verizon is the best company in the world. They are the most respected trusted name in the business world.

They do so much for the community and for consumers all over the world it makes me proud to think that I have Verizon cell phone coverage.

 

[Teasip63]

Wow, I have two DSL lines coming to the house (work and home use), they are my primary phone and long distance service and two phones on the wireless service. I could not be more pleased. I think they are great and I rarely have any problem. I live in the Dallas area.

 

[zork]

why not check out the cable modem with VOIP phone route?

 

[next2naus]

I wish I could tell you all about the cool new **** Verizon is about to offer, in some TX Metro areas they offer Fiber to the house. DSL sucks, and their peeps know it (please don't ask how I know, I can't tell you) , heck I know Verizon peeps who use Cable and they bad boy IT peeps.

deal w/ it. and get cable over DSL, DSL still sux.

 

[zork]

what about DSL for $19.99/mo? Is cable modem worth 20$ a month more? (SBC has a 19.99$ special going now on a 1 year contract)

 

[southbound35]

I am a big fan of Verizon.....never experienced any problems and I am happy with their customer service.