Comcast : All reviews | DSLReports.com, ISP Information

I was the twelfth person to get the original AT&T broadband package in LR, maintained a 56k Aristotle account. Then also added Comcast cable about two years later. At that time Cable was a bit of a mess, with upload streams crashing out the net at 118. Lag was also major factor.

Finally moved from both and was for the longest on SDSL 760/760 with a minor overhead lose through Aristotle. New Edge/EarthLink ate the Golden Goose, originally $85.00, then $65.00 so now I'm back on Comcast as Aristotle SDSL is dead.

Comcast has apparently changed considerably over the years, for the better, in terms of the internet @ least. Customer Service is in the toilet and apparently from the complaints I have seen the stock holders as yet have not held Comcast to the fire on the problem, so apparently until then there won't be an improvement. Walk in store front is an abysmal experience, three people in line, two paid bills and one returned equipment, after the rep managed to move herself into life and it was my turn 3/4 hr had passed (Any normal place that would be around a fifteen minute wait max.). All I was doing was returning an extra modem, the first was DOA. But, that was over time my fourth visit to the NLR Main Street location which had repeated the same complete air of indifference on each occasion.

The installers were (?)Nex *Shrug* -Didn't pay enough attention, seems contracted out, but both the fellas knew exactly what their job was and did it well; needed RG-6 installed, rather than the RG-59 that was present. Kudos.

My time line is slightly off because I was not in a hurry, had the first modem worked I would have been up in TWO DAYS. But, nothing related to networking and PC's run that smooth.

Overall the actual internet service is, at least for me, compared to what I had is a lot cheaper, I notice a significant download improvement, can't say the upload has shown any indication that from my prior service, has made any difference at all.

I'm not posting speeds, it's relative to what is used and where you go and what software is utilized. Suffice to say that as a rough gauge 10000/1800. 56msec. Having some wireless issues, but that's more than likely the *New* LinksysGL router, or me.

Overall I'm pretty content; I just hope Comcast is capable of supporting their service. From what I see in the field and this is a simple observation/opinion, Comcast might want to INVEST money in their people and EXPECT their people to deliver both quality and timeliness; Comcast could get a more profitable result. My Daughter at another location gave up because of the inept people working for Comcast, Comcast must lose many potential customers to idiots that show up to install service and state "I don't know anything about the internet". No hardware with them either, or at least that they are aware of, like a modem........

It's a smooth ride so far and as I don't do P2P or normally stream videos, I'm sure normal usage will keep me out of trouble. I expect fast internet and at least 10G a month usage per PC/Laptop =40G. No, I don't binge the trough for 250-300G like some expect on a residential line, nor do I expect Comcast to pay me to do so

FTTP won't use a *Sniff*.

Update 10/05/08

Been down longer on cable due to weather in 3 months than 7 years on SDSL, but I can accept that. What I'm having a very hard time swallowing is a bill for $103.24 when I'm on the 'Special' for internet @ $20.00. Basic cable is required and the price is gouging for a few watchable channels and spam. Considering AT&T and dropping a TV service entirely. I do watch movies; have no need for an overpriced, under developed basic TV experience for the consumer. I do MISS Satellite, but can't have it due to trees. I would rather do without than get gouged on an inferior service.

With the current trend in respect to the economy, Comcast might want to reconsider their position for future longevity and stock holders. Offering something works, offering something for your next born AND grandchild; does not. Either deliver worthwhile content and Or/cost, or meet your end. It's happened before, stock holders @ this moment in time reflect on possible service failures; this is one. You can't gouge and keep a compliant portfolio, what happens is you will be lumped in with the "Takers"~that’s not a viable option, once again for stock holders. Comcast, you are out pricing your product and in the end with tough times ahead, expensive services and BS charges, will be the very first thing to go in most households. I can guarantee Comcast pays around $23.00..Costs, for the exacerbated profit of $60+ per individual home service per month.

Comcast wake up, get out of bed.

Update, May, 2007.

Fixed a leased RCA modem, finally bit the dust. As always I pick up hardware from the 'Shop' -Never had anything work yet, first time. Problem a couple of weeks ago, the modem. Picked up one from the 'Shop' -Didn't work, the only way i know to get a working hardware item is a tech scheduled delivery.; happened, though he was as smart as a brick, regards IT. Anyway after getting my account acknowledged again I'm up and running.

No problem with Comcast internet connect, just everything else. Still, it's pretty cheap if you can trouble shoot your own problems. I like it.

Upgraded 01/05/2010. 22/6. Painless provision Cisco modem, I was not actually sure what the upgrade was and asked "22 or do you want 50" I said "What is the upstream "I don't know." Anyway long story short I decided I would find out at home. 32.87 / 7.09 and 26msec. Pretty awesome I think. I'm sure its a local problem but Comcast needs to hire people at least with sufficient interest that they know whats being sold!

Upgraded to Ultra, apparently. Since March 2010 and now August, 2010, no issues, comfortable with the price for internet and relative experience. 40.64mbs / 4.52mbs, this does equal the experience of a 1G/1G SDSL line. Comcast now has it right, with this area more stable and reduced downtimes. Have changed the ratios to reflect current service.

Update

[Oct 16th,2012]

Residential failed for six days, was up for one day and ordered business class 50/10 in order to avoid future issues. Slow to get off the ground as service was not available until Oct 16th, I think perhaps Comcast is getting bogged with size, as in anything too large that is encumbered with extended wait times. Comcast did come through though, I rely on a solid internet connection, and most of what I do is on line 98% of the time these days; VPN, research and all financial business. -Internet service is not a toy-unemployed torrent for me, and I'm willing to pay for the services I get.

Thanks

Update

[ Feb 18th, 2013. ]

Finally gave up after the original setup in Oct, would not stay up for more than a few days at a time and would finally crash out with no upstream bandwidth. I had hoped by converting from residential to business I would get any issues resolved.

After months and high fees, it became evident that the area will not support high speed DOC 3. Far too much noise on the line. The mainline from the pole back to the NOD simply won't handle high speed and it's become self-evident Comcast has no plans to upgrade the line. Tech's initially got the blame, indirectly from Comcast; I know at least two Techs that entered tickets for a line assessment. Calling every other day to once a week for four months only garnered "Yes, I see the problem" when calling tech support and that's pretty much where it died on the vine.

It was the single worst service experience of my life and I'm not done even yet as Comcast has made it almost impossible to return their router/modem and judging by my account, trying to squeeze the last month fee out of me on an account that I closed on Jan 30th and Comcast accepted on Feb 2nd and would have been billed on Feb 7th for the next month. Comcast is still looking for the future months use payment (Feb 18th). Of course Comcast was nice enough to waive the early termination fee for lack of service.

WARNING! Unless there is a specific need for a tax deduction, static IP or unlimited use (No caps) -DO NOT get business class service. Those three are the only real and tangible differences from residential to business; except you will pay four times as much for the paper change in service.

Be warned that those people looking for the magic speed upgrade that Comcast appears to have coming, may actually force a large number of customers into the "High speed" realm of NO SERVICE! --Just be aware that that is possible.

Have switched to U-Verse to get an internet service, with AT&T, I'm at maximum distance, but after the shaky start AT&T had with a software glish that interrupted many users, it's been CONSISTANTLY up, no downtime and I'm not noticing a lot of difference when browsing, there is an obvious delay with downloads from Comcast’s 22/6 (I won't even factor in the 50/10 business class from Comcast,) AT $40.00 a month it's a very cheap business class service.

It's really too early to start a review on AT&T as yet, reliability is the basic standard for doing a review, for me.

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Kiwi
Premium
join:2003-05-26
USA/MidWest
kudos:1

Reviews:

March 2011

Not much change -I find overall that Comcast Internet is now well established in this area and functional. No grips or complaints, the original comments hold true. Once past Comcast technical support on the local level, all is well. The few down times encountered, due to weather on the whole, were resolved within a a couple of hours; can't complain. The cost is still very reasonable, I'm an old Fooker, so I know the real history behind costs and deliverance! Broadband is still $20.00 cheaper than it could be. Don't get me started on the Mafia shakedown on TV service prices and content.

Cheers

permalink · 2012-03-27 20:32:55 · Print ·

Kiwi
Premium
join:2003-05-26
USA/MidWest
kudos:1

Reviews:

I'll change this if appropriate

Oct 4th, residential service down for 291 customers. Oct 9th one day after service return, changed to a business line. The tech arrived and called another to provide the business modem, another to redo drop loop. Service has been very erratic; tech returned and provided a new modem as the last used one was toast. Have had four further interruptions of service on the business line.

The idea of a four hour response was blown away as Comcast thinks the signed contract means seventy two hours and that's to 'Listen' to your service issue, not fix it.

I'm not a heavy user, nor the other game player in the house and average 56G for myself and the remainder by the other person to 270G. There is no advantage as I was falsely under the impression that a business account would use a separate node --Residential and business runs the same, the only difference for a $100.00 residential service and a $200.00 business service is what should have been a four hour response and fix. Three serious service interruptions just yesterday, this might be the first day of uninterrupted service(?) I do need a reliable line for VPN, not just three or four hours a day.

$200.00 a month is a signiicant chunk of money, service should be spotless for that.

permalink · 2012-10-14 13:49:06 · Print ·

Rob_ Premium join:2008-07-16 Mary Esther, FL	Re: I'll change this if appropriate Write a complaint. »www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ this DOES work - also report comcast to your local city. I would also fight to get out of the contract. Business class is just one way of getting more money. Same cable lines as residential.. -Rob
	permalink · 2012-10-14 18:05:46 · ·

Kiwi
Premium
join:2003-05-26
USA/MidWest
kudos:1

Reviews:

1 edit

Re: I'll change this if appropriate

Well, business class -I rebooted the modem no effect, had a refresh sent, no effect. 4:0PM -It's now 8:41 after calling tech support at 4:20PM, no call back, marginal connection.

Let me start from the beginning.
Way back in the beginning I started out with computer technology -1983. I have seen a lot of changes and the single constant that I have maintained is because I use the internet, more than 80% of what I do on a PC, I have always been very clear I"m happy to pay and have a history of doing so far more than the average consumer; until now.

It's an edit and will follow up in three months, seems to have been a problem in basic communication, the Tech should have brought a lot more than a modem, like some paperwork! -It seems most of the issue is resolved after actually registering, I was told to wait for paper work in the mail; not one sole felt it an important enough issue to mention. Oh, well.

3 months and we will see, finally up.

permalink · 2012-10-15 21:49:49 · Print ·

adampsyreal

join:2012-10-13

Reviews:

Cable quality requires maintenance (and common sense)

Tell me about it. I have worked for Kabletown (read between the lines there) for 5 years. The Signal-to-Noise Ratios (or SNR) are KEY. Over the years my DownStream SNR has usually been fine [I can connect to others hosting games]. DS SNR can be seen on most modems by going to 192.168.100.1. However UpStream SNR can only be seen from the back offices, and most folks that work there don't know to check it. This signal affects hosting, file uploads, etc. Experienced Technicians (level 4+ with many years experience) know to look for this but rarely think about it. I had to keep on top of my local mainline crew for a year-and-a-half before it was fixed well enough. I can finally host Xbox games & my file uploads don't fail as much anymore.

*If you think customers get treated badly =try working there. I just recently left the company because I couldn't take being constantly reactive and rarely proactive. I was an in-house tech for 3 years and then moved into "tech support for the techs" the Day Of Job department. It is amazing that Kabletown has so much technology and potential but lets their red-tape prevent them from making great strides. In the meantime; full departments are staffed with solving problems that could be prevented with proper software testing and better training. Spending dollars to save pennies never makes sense.

I tried (with some success) to improve the level of service a major part of the East Coast.
-But-
In the end management got tired of me holding them accountable from a subordinate position and we parted ways.

permalink · 2012-10-30 10:50:57 · Print ·

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Review by Mrwirez

member for 5.6 years, 2 visits, last login: 110 days ago
updated 112 days ago

Irwin,Westmoreland,PA
$214 per month
"Internet Speed, and Reliability"
"HD Digital Picture is horrible compared to OTA Broadcast"
"WAAAY Too Expensive. Did I say"

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FORMER Comcast Triple Play Customer! .....We cut the cord!
We went from $214/month to $59/mth

My wife and I had Comcast Triple Play with a 500 Gigabyte DVR, 3 HD STB's, and 2 digital adapters for years, and we were "OK" paying around $150 to 170/month. After the "introductory-price" would expire, we would call, and Comcast would roll back our prices for being a good customer, and we would take a "small" rate increase. However, on June 08, 2012 I received a bill for $214. This was 2 months after Comcast supposedly locked me into my old Triple Play price again... of $169 then ---> bumped to $183. I checked my bill online and sure enough they were creeping it back up monthly [about $5/month ]This was the second time they did that. We would agree on a price, then they would break the "Deal" and keep sneaking it to what ever they wanted...

Finally the wife and I had had enough... We agreed to go another route, and cancelled Comcast Phone and Cable service. The first thing I did was, I boosted our Internet speed package to 50/10 Mb/s [we actually get 75/12 Mb/s]... for $59/month, including basic cable.

I built an [MClapp] M4 OTA HDTV antenna and mounted it on my roof.

I then bought and installed the following:

-ASUS RT-N66U dual band wireless N router - $175 [No-More $7/month rental]
-Three Roku 2 XS's on sale for - $240 [Also have a PS3 and an X-Box 360]
-PlayOn Lifetime Membership - $40
-PLEX Media Server - $Free and awesome

I tied it all together and we stream what the antenna can't get. I'm in the process of build a Home Theater PC with DVR functionality for our Family room. We haven't looked back at cable or satellite and really don't miss it!!

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Review by wildjim

member for 121 days, 1 visits, last login: 119 days ago
updated 119 days ago

Dundalk,Baltimore,MD
$50 per month
"Intermet Service is 50/10 and working"
"No TV since installation technicians are poorly skilled and need to replace outside wiring."
"Give them one more week and the third service call then I call it quits."

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Initial installation was poor. I told the technician of the 20 year old existing damaged open ended RG59 cable from the pole to the house but he continued trimming back the corroded cable until he got a marginal signal.

The internet works but no tv do to the low signal and he scheduled another appointment.

During may waiting I replaced all indoor cables and connections with top of the line RG6 cable and tested on two TVs still no constant picture due to low signal. I wrote to the chat session of my troubleshooting progress and results indicating faulty cable outside and they said they would relay to the scheduled technician but when he arrived he had no clue and no ideas. I then directed him to the 20 year old faulty cable outside.

The second technician was even worse and had to be directed but refused to complete the task of replacing the outside cable when it began lightly snowing and accumulated to a dusting. Its my opinion that the second technician came unprepared and intent on not do the job. He could have at least swapped out the cable box as a test but even lacked basic troubleshooting skill in my opinion.

I complained to several managers and it seems to me that they simply DO NOT CARE

So now I wait for the third technician and hopefully a solution rather than excuses.

Not a good first experience with Comcast Cable so far and I am thinking bye bye comcast as soon as FIOS is available.

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Review by emhankinson

member for 10.2 years, 1918 visits, last login: a few hours ago
lodged 119 days ago

Friedens,Somerset,PA
$220 per month
"Super fast Internet"
"No OnDemand, no myDVR, no caller id on TV"
"Ok for the area. My only choice."

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Really wish the cable system was update to support the advanced features they offer in other areas. Kind of expensive, but overall I am pleased.

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Review by mikeyg5

member for 11.1 years, 186 visits, last login: 125 days ago
updated 125 days ago

Central City,Muhlenberg,KY
$43 per month
about 1 days
"fast only in early mornings"
"speed drops to crawl (near dial up) 7 days a week"
"can no longer recommend them as isp in my area"

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My Other Reviews

·AT&T Southeast

EDIT: 01-20-2013

As of today, jan 20-2013 i can no longer say anything positive about comcast internet. When i first got their service it was awesome, then apparantly more and more people came on board including voice customers now its so slow its almost comparable to dial up. I keep getting told its a capacity issue but no one knows if and when it will be fixed. Has been confirmed by their own techs the issue is not with my equipment, line, signals etc. Early morning its fast, about 3pm every day till around 3 in the morning its anywhere from 2mb to 1 mb down OR LESS!! with ping times of 150ms and above. Ive ran shaper probes, network diagnostics etc and sent them all to we_can_help at comcast, as well as comcastcares on twitter as well as 12 separate phone calls and the amazing thing is, the last time i called in the said they had NO record of anything being wrong they even said the tech appt was cancelled, that is not true, their tech was at my house around 7pm on the day they say it was cancelled.

Im done. Terminating my service today and as soon as i can get a new isp at my business and get new service installed, im cancelling my comcast biz account as well, BECAUSE my home and biz are connected to the same node!

if you're in my area, I can not recommend comcast as a internet provider. Go with someone else.

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Review by Madturnip

member for 228 days, 13 visits, last login: 32 days ago
updated 126 days ago

Paducah,Mccracken,KY
$50 per month
about 2 days
"When it works it works well."
"Most of the time it doesn't work. HIGH PACKET LOSS their end."
"Ifrastructure is either overloaded or they have equipment failures."

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I have had Comcast HSI for almost 2 1/2 years, but since the middle of 2012 when they started upgrading to DOCSIS 3.0 I have had nothing but disconnects and terrible packet loss. The technicians, as they call themselves online and on the phone, have nothing better to do than to patronize me and ask me to do the same basic things over and over.

1. Cable to home replaced.

2. Ethernet cables replaced.

3. Modem replaced.

4. Router replaced and bypassed.

5. Computer replaced.

All these steps were taken to eliminate the problems in the home. I even took a brand new laptop, an exchanged modem (new), to the main line bypassing all splitters outside with the modem. The packet loss still remains and makes using anything that broadcasts UDP unusable. However, I don't think they are getting many calls about this issue because packet loss for just browsing the net wouldn't be noticeable. However, try to VOIP or play a game and you have another story on your hands. Constant rubber banding or stutter, garbled voice communications, and ping time outs off the charts.

I have called, had techs out the home, and still no resolution. The techs the visit the home have even said the signals on the MAIN LINE seem out of spec, but they would have to send a bucket truck to take a look. However, no bucket truck ever arrives and the problem remains.

I have been escalated to higher tech support, but they can't return phone calls or chat with me. I get a reply once a week that we are working on it at the local office. Why can't someone get on the phone and tell me what's up? From what I gather they have and amplifier or another piece of equipment going out in my area and they aren't telling me.

The drawback is there really isn't another alternative to highspeed internet in my area. So the monopoly doesn't really have to take care of their customers. Also, don't try to bring up their customer satisfaction guarantee's. They do not honor them or do anything that their website, tv commercials, etc claim they do. In-fact they wont admit it's on their end and try to charge you more money for coming out and fixing an issue that should be their responsibility.

I honestly have never had this much trouble from an ISP before. I even tried hooking up the old DOCSIS 2.0 modem, but it resulted in the same packet loss. The signals seem great on the cable modem, but I fear it's an upstream issue which I can't see.

If you plan on getting Comcast in the Paducah area for gaming, Voice over IP, or using it for Skype you might want to reconsider. DSL is slower, but I might have to bite the bullet and switch.

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Review by alyczander

member for 132 days, 1 visits, last login: 104 days ago
lodged 132 days ago

Novato,Marin,CA
$78 per month
about 3 days
"Cheap plan (initially), connection, tech support"
"High cost, deceptive cable add-on, poor value"
"Is this the only game in town?"

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After a protracted issue with Verizon DSL, we switched. After six delightful months of a cheap intro plan ($25 per month) for Comcast cable internet only, we were switched to a regular plan at $70 per month. We were offered a internet plus basic cable package for only a bit more. We liked this plan and enjoyed it for a few months. One day, some of the channels we had been getting disappeared. After some rigmarole, the CSR said we had been accidentally getting these channels. My wife was pissed as she had been getting hooked to HGTV and I was getting used to ESPN after a long hiatus. For these channels, not included in the basic economy limited cable package, we would need to fork over another $25 a month. No thanks.. Yes, I am overly frugal and the service was fine, but I am likely to switch to someone else or go back to internet only and fire up with antenna once again.

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Review by pfsmith

member for 6.5 years, 726 visits, last login: 81 days ago
updated 140 days ago

Lafayette,Tippecanoe,IN
$110 per month
(12 month contract)
"Speeds good."
"Lot's of stream buffering. Video stutters. Clogged node, maybe."
"Wish they had some _real_ competition"

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I have Phone and Internet service. It's worked pretty well for about 15 months.

Comcast just raised my price significantly - from $50/mo to $110/mo for the exact same services.

Unfortunately Frontier is the only competition in my area and they are a joke.

Due to this Comcast refused to re-up me for any package or "deal" pricing.

So, I'm paying full price for each service.

I will switch if I can find a way...

Oh yeah... I've been a long time, quality, customer - over 12 years going back to the Insight days.

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