Review by lilhurricane - Location: Purple Zone
- Cost: $57 per month
- Install: about 7 days
Our local office, techs & staff Can take months to resolve issues Happy customer 9 months out of 12
| Pre Sales information: Install Co-ordination: Connection Reliability: Tech Support: Services: Value for money: (ratings match consensus)
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I ordered thru a kiosk at a mall. Was told 6 months $19.99 and I could buy the modem for $50. Still can't get them to correct the e-mail account set up which will not modify a few things. Tech support phone is bad. All is fielded out of area. Everything is "power-cycle the modem", no real troubleshooting. They are growing too fast to handle the traffic in this neck o' the woods. Speeds vary from 1.9 down/123 up to 882 down/67 up. DrTCP works for short periods. Price is good compared to Sprint's DSL, but more aggravating to deal with. If you are technically inclined and like to play with your settings often, you can get it to all work (sometimes).
Where is the 256 upload they promised that had service extremely slow for 2
days?.
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ok....3/16/03...upload success!
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04-14-2003
Well, gotta say the graphs and the monitoring tools I use plus those here at BBR gave me a head start on the technical issues I was trying to explain to Comcast. They have been making a really big effort to resolve outside issues and leaving me to my own devices to clear up things inside. They issued me a partial credit for an outage they'd had and sent a technician on the 1st call. Consistent speeds and holding at the advertised price (I get credit back for owning my own modem). Hope it lasts a bit!!!
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10/17/03
Power-cycling modem resulted in 3000/? new speed caps. Sweet!
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12-27-03
Had some intermittent troubles with connectivity since the upgrade. Just watched and graphed it all..through a process of "rule out" they determined a GNA issue (main amp) and now all is basically smooth sailing. Tech support has improved on the call center level as well. They have it handled locally now which is a major improvement. All in all...Comcast is getting better and better. Would like to see more consistent upload.
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03-21-04
Still no issues. Comcast has made a local call center. This omits the middle man from resolving whatever issues may arise. So far...so good. I'm very pleased with my service.
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09/21/04
I have been extremely impressed with the customer service improvements at Comcast of late. The local offices handling local issues have expedited any repair or trouble issues to be corrected in a very timely manner.
Most impressive was after a HUGE weather disturbance..they worked around-the-clock with the electric company to restore service...for that I'll always be grateful.
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*01/30/05* - Update
New caps of 6600/768 for the area rolled out nicely. Paying the extra $10 tier. Traffic shaping is still enabled and the config file is holding this time around.
Customer service responses in the local offices are very reliable and overall extremely helpful.
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*09/21/05* - Update
After several months of troubles, node was segmented, exchanged SB4200 for a 5100 w/ newer firmware and can now achieve the new speeds of 8000/768, no problem. Kudos to the local office for their involvement during this time
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*05/30/07* - Update
Upload Powerboost (or Blast) was here..briefly.
Download is still amazing - averaging 22599 Kbps d/l & 721 Kbps up
It was kinda like a transparent dangling carrot when upload surged to 2701 Kbps, then they took it away
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*07/11/08* - Update
I have to say our local CC here, both techs & other support r-o-c-k.
2 issues - one locally addressed fairly quickly, upstream power was off causing disconnects.
The other is extreme lag, sluggish behavior that started 2 1/2 months ago. Appears routing throughout Florida is being affected. Jacksonville to here. High pings, major latency..This is a bigger job to pinpoint, though I know the efforts are being made.
Upload increase to 2MB achieved after QoS was disabled in the Linksys router.
Last Result:
Download Speed: 21316 kbps (2664.5 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 2759 kbps (344.9 KB/sec transfer rate)
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*09/25/08* - Update
CDV installed (separate RCA modem) - had to run a fish down a wall to get it going. Nightmare installation, involving a foot thru my ceiling (misstepped a beam) but service is so far so good.
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*1/26/09* - Update - after addressing an automatic gain control in a Bridge amplifier - latency is gone, speeds are back and lil is happy
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*01/28/11* - Update - Docsis 3.0 is coming. Overnight upgrade to their fiber optics raised my upload and killed more than half my download :-[
Being looked into as I type..hopefully resolved quicker than in previous years
Stashing: DiffProbe beta release. October 2009. Build 1002.
Shaper Detection Module.
Connected to server 203.5.76.153.
Estimating capacity:
Upstream: 4340 Kbps.
Downstream: 24227 Kbps.
Checking for traffic shapers:
Upstream: Measurement aborted due to high packet loss rate.
Downstream: No shaper detected.
Median received rate: 23744 Kbps.
Special thanks to RS - he doesn't doubt and always believes..
*Update 4/17/11 -
*Update 8/23/11
Switched back from their test Arris D3 modem to my newly arrived SB6120
Same amazing speeds download - but here we go again, upload is cut in half.
Upstream power levels:
Frequency 34800000 Hz
Ranging Service ID 2932
Symbol Rate 5.120 Msym/sec
Power Level 44 dBmV
Upstream Modulation [3] QPSK
[3] 64QAM
Downstream SNR @ 36dB
Power level -2 dBmV -2 dBmV -3 dBmV -3 dBmV respectfully.
Appt. tomorrow
9/2/2011
*Update* 1219/2011
Reboot your modems...it's Happy Holidays from Comcast
*Update* 03/21/13
Nice!!!! I am so tickled
member for 21.1 years, 7173 visits, last login: 9.8 years ago
updated 11 years ago
DragasoniWe're All Mad Here Premium Member join:2001-12-14 Palm Bay, FL |
Question...Why would you want to buy your own modem? They cost 50 dollars or more, plus they break. When I had Road Runner in Tampa, I went through 3 modems in one year because of lightning.
You are better off renting a modem. That way, Comcast will replace it for free if it breaks. Since you are in the Ft Myers area, you should be aware of the storms and think more clearly.
Good Luck
-Dragasoni- | |
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Re: Question...well ive had my modem (Toshiba pcx1100) for over 3 years now and ive never had any problems with it, i bought it from my cable company (they broke up the price to 3 installments of like 39.99) wich was cox cable at the time, i recently moved from the cox area to attbi area and had no problems at all with the switch. | |
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| lilhurricaneCrunchin' For Cures Numquam oblita join:2003-01-11 Purple Zone 2 edits |
to Dragasoni
Buying is definitely less than renting. Besides, Motorola gave me $30 off rebate, and so did Circuit City where I bought it.I spent $139 on the Motorola SB4200, and ended up costing $79, it is DOCSIS compliant, and it's better than some beat up used one. And yes, there are surge protectors. I have double surge protectors. | |
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to Dragasoni
I got cable modem too.It's a RCA. I bought mine for $80.00 and got a rebate for it. $(80.00) also a $50 gift card from Radio Shack. The Comcast installer told me that when it rains, unplug it just in case of lightning so it doesn't get zapped. I've gotten in the habit of it. No big deal. You learn to do it. A matter of habit, like brushing your teeth. | |
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TheMetrixR.T.F.M. - P.E.B.K.A.C Premium Member join:2002-06-15 Utica, MI
1 recommendation |
ProtectionYou know that there is a thing on the market called a Surge Protector.
It works wanders against lightening zapping your expensive electrical equipment.
If you knowingly live in a lightening prone area, which you do and you do not protect your equipment in some form then you deserve what you get. Which happened to be "JUST" a fried modem.
As for renting a modem compared to buying one. If you weigh the options of buying a modem compared to renting, buying one is less expensive over the longer period. | |
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cabled
Anon
2003-Feb-3 8:00 pm
Re: Protection1. in response to the guy with a the surge protector comment...a lightning hit can also travel via your cable lines..and you cannot run the cable thru the surge protector b/c if blocks the return freqs of the modem. 2. cable modems are junk especially RCA's they go bad for no reason what so ever, plus if comcast fucks around with there routers it can throw certain brands off line...and the svc techs will have no idea how to fix it w/o swapping the modem. Comcast's biggest problem is communication..the the router staff doesn't communicate with the field staff the field staff doesn't communicate with the phone support...and the phone support people have never been out in the field to trouble shoot with a field tech..... | |
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| | lilhurricaneCrunchin' For Cures Numquam oblita join:2003-01-11 Purple Zone |
Re: ProtectionIsn't there a way besides a surge protector to protect cable modems? And you are right on with the COMCAST communication issue. | |
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| | CG3 @taylor01.mi.comcast. |
CG3 to cabled
Anon
2003-Mar-18 10:14 pm
to cabled
Wrong!!!
Cable drops at the house are almost always grounded. If it isn't, shame on the tech for failing to check and/or install and shame on you for not noticing. | |
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to cabled
APC sells a surge protector for coax cable modems. They used to sell standalone units (as one that I use that goes between the wall coax and your cable modem).
Many of their newer UPS units have built-in protection for cable internet as well as phone line and CAT 5/ethernet.
You may be correct that standard 'bought at WalMart' surge protectors do not work for cable internet coax protection. | |
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to TheMetrix
Man made Surge Protectors and Mother Nature lighting. Who will win? | |
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to TheMetrix
My Cable Company (StarVision) will give you the modem free of charge when you sign a two year contract. There are also no upload or download caps and if you modem ever fucks up while you have service with them they will replace it free of charge. Also they make sure before you install the modem that there is the proper amount of signal in the lines. My friend next door signed up and the cable line signal was like on the verge of being weak and they ran a new drop just for the cable modem free of charge. StarVision is the BEST!!! | |
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rody_40 join:2002-04-14 Quakertown, PA |
rental modemim wondering what the diff. is in a rental modem and a puchase modem, maybe the color lol. | |
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RandomX22
Anon
2003-Mar-17 1:36 am
Well well wellFunny thing is, I've never had a modem go bad, regardless of lightning or just plain dying. My linksys version 1 modem however no longer works on Comcast's network. Stupid jerks. You have to get the version 2's that just came out. While that I do not mind as much, I really like my Motorola SurfBoard 4200. Linksys makes good networking and router equipment. Just not that great in the modem arena. Too new I guess. | |
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Was the way to go in my case......CircuitCity had rebates totaling $165.00 when the modem cost $99.00. There was a catch, it had to be a new install.
I give Comcast a 8 out of 10 in my area (North Port, FL). | |
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stop complainingIf you're getting 1.9 Down you needa stop complaining that's higher than they rate you....1.5 (even though you are in the sys at 1.8) so bad happy for what you got. | |
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John0528
Anon
2003-Apr-28 7:27 pm
Comcast College Park MDOrdered on Tuesday and told the guy would be there on Wednesday between 5 and 7 pm. He arrived at 515pm and was gone by 545pm. Perfect. No complaints. Perfect. Never down in the last 6 weeks. | |
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washbaybob
Anon
2003-Apr-29 10:00 pm
COMCAST BLOWS!!!!i am sick and tired of using comcast aint cant wait till i get another ISP in my area!!!!i will drop then like micheal jackson droping his son off a balcony!ive been with these screwballs for 2 months and finnally got the compatiable motem (motorola 4500)dl 9753!but my upload still blows (UL125)time warner in Kansas city has a upload of 4300kbs!!!!!no joke!!!Well i need to stop bitchin and find a new provider.PLEASE ALL YOU OTHER ISP COME TO LA PORTE IN ...IM BEGGIN YOU ...ALL I WANT IS TO PLAY MY XBOX WITH NO LAG!!!WashbayBob out!! | |
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wozz007 join:2008-09-09 Greensburg, PA |
email correctionIf you havent already, you can correct the email address by logging in to the my account section on the .net website and selecting, change my username/email. If your email is the primary of course. | |
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| lilhurricaneCrunchin' For Cures Numquam oblita join:2003-01-11 Purple Zone |
Re: email correctionGood info..thanks! It was corrected years ago (2003?) - just took them awhile | |
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