Need Immediate DSL or Landline Assistance?

I've had no phone service for almost two weeks!!!

I've spoken with a nice robot several times (who pretends to type and put notes on my ticket).

And chatted with Steve (who may or may not be a robot).

Nothing comparable ever happened with Brighthouse/Spectrum cable.  1) they let you speak with an actual human being 2) they fixed what ever problem I had in 2-3 days.  They do charge more - maybe it's true "you get what you pay for (or not)".

It's a pain, but I'm going to investigate switching my phone to Brighthouse/Spectrum next week. I kind of need a phone.

With the new changes made to AT&T website the personal section is missing. I am not a business but now I can't access my personal home phone account. Why was this done?

I currently have Combined Billing of my AT&T POTS landline bill and my AT&T Wireless Services bill. In 2018 I will move to a state where AT&T is not authorized to provide POTS landline service but is allowed to provide AT&T Wireless Services so I will be cancelling my landline service when I move. Since I don't want to have a problem with my AT&T Wireless Services bill, I plan on ending my combined billing and returning to separate bills for each service. How far in advance should I do this so as to make sure AT&T provides the correct separate bills? I was thinking 6 months but should I do it sooner?

ATT is not available in my area.  Will I receive concession if I get a landline from the cable company in my zip code?

Here's a reason why ...

AT&T: Hello! Thanks for being a valued AT&T customer! How can I help you?
Jinkee 😧 Hello, Tom. My name is Jinkee D. I’ll be happy to help you today. How may I help you?
Tom: Hi JD, I'd like to consider a less expense landline phone plan.
Jinkee 😧 I can help you with getting a lower phone plan.
Jinkee 😧 In order to help you, make you aware of all of your options, and ensure you get the best available value, I will be asking you a few questions.
Tom: Is there a pay-per-use plan with no long distance?
Jinkee 😧 We do have Phone 200 includes unlimited calling to AT&T digital home phone customers plus 200 minutes of outgoing calling to everyone else within the U.S .and U.S. Territories. After using all 200 minutes it would be a low $0.07 per minute. This plan includes Voice mail/Voice mail to text and 25+ features for $20 per month, plus taxes and fees.
Jinkee 😧 Will this work for you?
Tom: no
Tom: what is the absolute cheapest plan you have?
Jinkee 😧 Yes, Tom. That is actually the cheapest plan that we have.
Tom: please look here ... https://www.shop.att.com/plancomparison.jsp
Tom: Can I get the AT&T One Rate® 10¢ Nationwide Direct Plan ?
Jinkee 😧 Oh! Thank you for sharing that with me. Let me check the availability of the Direct Plan.
Jinkee 😧 I am still checking, I will be right with you.
Tom: thank you
Jinkee 😧 Tom, just to clarify, are you looking to get this phone plan with your wireless service?
Tom: no. this is for my landline 314.832.xxxx
Jinkee 😧 Thank you so much for confirming that.
Jinkee 😧 Tom, to ensure your request is handled properly, I may need to connect you to an Specialist for our regular land line service.
Tom: ok
Jinkee 😧 Let me check the our Chat Specialist.
Jinkee 😧 Please keep this conversation window open as I transfer you via chat.
You are being transferred, please hold...
Jinkee D has left the chat
AT&T: We are currently experiencing very high chat volumes which may cause long delays. An agent will be with you as soon as possible.
Agent Aileen enters chat
Aileen: Hi, thank you for your patience. My name is Aileen and I'll be happy to assist you today. Give me a moment to review your request.
Tom: thanks
Aileen: You are welcome, Tom.
Aileen: Thank you for waiting, I truly appreciate your patience.
Aileen: Tom, I can help you with that.
Aileen: May I get a Mobile telephone number that we may use to reach you via phone or text with information about your AT&T services?
Tom: 314.406.xxxx
Aileen: Thank you.
Aileen: Please give me 2 minutes, let me check with the resources and update the any lower plan available for you.
Aileen: I am still working on it.
Aileen: Please stay connected.
Tom: ok
Aileen: Thank you.
Aileen: Thank you for waiting, I truly appreciate your patience.
Aileen: Tom, I see that the downgrade option is available for your home phone service.
Tom: good
Aileen: Thank you.
Aileen: I have limited access only, in this case I will go ahead and connect the chat with the sales team to downgrade the phone service.
Tom: you guys really make it difficult to switch to this plan 😞
Aileen: I am really sorry to know that.
Aileen: I have added detailed notes on your account.
Aileen: They will help you to downgrade the plan and down the bill.
Tom: thank you
Aileen: You are welcome.
Aileen: Please stay connected.
Aileen has left the chat
You are being transferred, please hold...
Agent Duke enters chat
Duke: Hello, my name is Duke. I'll be happy to help you. May I have your name, please?
Tom: Tom S
Duke: Thank you for the name confirmation.
Duke has left the chat
You are being transferred, please hold...
AT&T: Thank you for your patience. Please continue to wait.
Tom: Seriously? A fourth transfer just to make a plan change??
Tom: This is getting ridiculous.
AT&T: Thank you for your patience. Please continue to wait.
AT&T: Our agents are currently assisting other customers. Your approximate wait time is 8 minutes. Please wait and the next available agent will assist you.
Tom: Now it is ridiculous. Change my plan for 314.832.xxxx to AT&T One Rate® 10¢ Nationwide Direct Plan and then call me at 314.406.xxxx to confirm it is done. Thanks.
AT&T: Your approximate wait time is 0 minutes.
Agent Shauna enters chat
Shauna: Hello! Tom, thank you for contacting DIRECTV NOW. My name is Shauna. 🙂
Shauna: Nice to meet you. 🙂
Shauna: Are you with me Tom?
Shauna: I haven't heard from you, just to confirm are you receiving my response
Shauna: Since we have not received any response we will now be closing this session, please contact DIRECTVNOW Chat support in the future if you need additional assistance further support be required, check out our Help Center at https://help.directvnow.com/hc/en-us
Thank you for chatting with us today. The agent has left this conversation. Please continue to browse our website and use our self-service options.

I would really like to know why my fees and other charges are more than my monthly plan amount. This is about as ridiculous as can be.