Why did we change ISP's in January 2007?
The SEV had signed a three year contract with Buckeye in 2003. That contract is now expiring on December 31, 2006. The SEV Board has also been watching SEV membership shrink. Members have told us that the single Buckeye product, offered to SEV members at a 10% discount was too expensive and that there were better values with other companies. At the same time, American Broadband and Telecommunications approached our Board and submitted a proposal to offer a variety of DSL, Telephone and WiFi services to the SEV members. Buckeye's proposal was just 3 more years of the same 10% discount on one cable modem service. Both offered email services to our sev.org domain. American Broadband was also willing to install wireless hotspots in 5 locations in the Sylvania community. The board voted to accept the offer by American Broadband, effective January 1, 2007. We volunteers at the SEV have worked for a long time on this and didn’t take an ISP switch lightly. We think this is a great move for the future of the SEV.
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What services are available through the SEV ?
Both DSL and Telephone services are now offered by the SEV through American Broadband and Telecommunications. DSL speeds offered range from 1.0Mbps to 10Mbps are offered. American Broadband offers traditional telephone service, not VoIP. Traditional service is commonly referred to as POTS. This is the reliable service that won't go out when the power does as this receives it's power from the Verizon central office. It is also fully E911 capable. We would offer nothing less to residents and business in Sylvania.
A complete listing of DSL broadband, telephone, WiFi, and hosting services is listed on the Member Services page. You will find our special SEV pricing from AMBT there, as well. This special pricing is for new American Broadband and Telecommunications customers only. If you are an existing AMBT customer, we are unable to extend these additional discounts. Other SEV membership benefits are still applicable.
The service area, while not as large as our previous ISP, encompasses most of the Sylvania Community. Customer Service can tell you if we can offer service to your address. Click here to see an approximate map of our service area.
All SEV members are entitled to SEV email addresses using the sev.org and sylvania.sev.org domain. SEV members can keep their SEV email address no matter whose broadband service they have. But once you see the variety of services offered and the substantial savings, we're betting you'll want to switch to SEV broadband and telephone.
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What happens to my SEV
email accounts after the switch
to American Broadband ?
If you are like most of us members of the SEV, you have had your SEV email address for over ten years and don't want to lose it. SEV members WILL be able to keep their sev.org or sylvania.sev.org email addresses, for free, no matter whose broadband or dial-up service they have. Buckeye will continue to host the SEV email until February 1, 2007. This will give all members time to switch their sev.org and sylvania.sev.org email accounts to the new SEV server at American Broadband. We have a procedure on the SEV website, after January 1, to migrate you email accounts to the new server.
The next step is to migrate your SEV email addresses to the new mail server. Because Buckeye is unable to furnish this information to us, we ask that you furnish us with the email addresses that you would like to keep and make a small change to your email software. Complete instructions on completing this email migration procedure are available at www.sev.org/email . We have until February 1 to implement the changes, so please complete your email address migration at your earliest convenience. The changes are minor and take just a couple of minutes to complete. Please click here for the details.
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How do I join the SEV?
Membership in the Sylvania Electronic Village is available to everyone living or working within the area of the Sylvania School District, rather than just the City itself, because the area encompassed by the School District most accurately defines what we all consider to be the community of Sylvania. There are also no dues associated with SEV membership. A membership form is available here.
Join the Sylvania Electronic Village and enjoy these benefits:
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SEV email address e.g. member@sev.org
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Special pricing from our ISP, American Broadband on available DSL Internet and telephone services. This special pricing is for new American Broadband and Telecommunications customers only. If you are an existing AMBT customer, we are unable to extend these additional discounts. Other SEV membership benefits are still applicable.
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Free use of WiFi hotspots around town, as we build them. The first one will be the Sports and Exhibition Center at Tam O'Shanter by March 31.
Membership in the SEV and qualification for the SEV services is available to most Sylvania City and Township homes. Our service area map is available by clicking here.
How do the new Broadband and Phone services get to my home ?
These new services will get to your home through telephone cable facilities that are leased by American Broadband and Telecommunications from Verizon. As we install equipment in more Verizon central offices, our service area will grow. These services do not run through Buckeye's facilities.
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Can I access my Email from Anywhere?
Yes, to access your email from
anywhere, simply open your web browser and type in this address:
http://webmail.sev.org.
Login in with your email UserName@sev.org
and Password
and you have access to your email messages. Be sure to Log
Off when you are finished, especially when using a public
terminal such as at a kiosk.
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How do I contact the SEV and American Broadband
Customer Service
AMBT would like
us to use 1-866-765-2628 for Service, Email and Conversion Customer Support.
Please identify yourself as an SEV member and that you would
like assistance. I have found that an email to
SEV@ambt.net may work
even better.
The 419-824-5802 rings in to the Order Center and can be used for Sales Information. Having these two numbers will assist us in getting to the correct person sooner.
Hours for customer service are Monday thru Friday from 8 am to 8 pm. This is the 1-866-765-2628. For any telephone emergencies or technical support, they may call 1-866-770-2628. At this number, please to leave a very DETAILED message. AMBT techs will get back to you within a 2 hour period. Again, leave your number and an alternative number. This allows the techs time to research any problem the customer has and attempt to resolve it.
SEV President Mike Tansey - 419-885-8964 (Volunteer) m.tansey@sev.org or sevinfo@sev.org.
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How do I set up my Personal Web Space ?
Free personal web space is available on the SEV server. Please drop an email to Mike Tansey at sevinfo@sev.org and we can set you up with space and FTP access.
The webspace address will take the form of www.sev.org/members/YourUserName and can be used for non-business purposes.
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Why is the conversion taking so long?
Orders for broadband and telephone services from American Broadband and Telecommunications continue to be brisk. Conversions are now underway. We can convert only so many at a time, so that they can be done correctly, and then move on to the next group. These conversions are very technical and require coordination between AMBT and Verizon. Also, because AMBT leases cable facilities from Verizon, the lines must groom the lines so that the DSL signal from AMBT works at the fastest speed possible.
So, let's be patient. Remember, Buckeye has had years to build their network. AMBT has only a few weeks to convert hundreds of SEV users
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