NetZero DSL Expands into Covad areas. Time to switch?
As you may know NetZero launched it’s DSL service back in November, 2006. Early in March of this year the service was extended into areas serviced by Covad. This makes NetZero’s footprint cover 49 major metropolitan areas. Sounds great, and yet NetZero DSL still isn’t available in my area (a large metro area). The point being, I know several NetZero users who are ready to defect over to AT&T or Verizon for DSL because the price point to step up to DSL has dropped significantly AND because they can’t get NetZero DSL yet.
So the big question is: jump now or wait an indeterminate time until NetZero gets their act together? If you jump now, you’ll lose your NetZero email address and you’ll have to let everyone know your new address. You’ll also miss out on some of the benefits that NetZero dial service provides (like spam filtering and virus protection). But, AT&T, Verizon, and virtually everyone else offer similar types of service.
So does it boil down to customer loyalty and belief in your service provider’s vision and values? Maybe…but I doubt it.
I have a hard time believing that many customers would stick around just as a matter of principle - not now-a-days anyway. There is so much competition out there among the telcom companies that you can really step up in speed and features without an appreciable increase in price (if you’re currently a dial-up internet service user).
Bottom line, I believe NetZero better hurry up and extend their DSL service globally or they’re going to lose their core customer base to the new bigger and better plans out there.