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Review by jkoko See Profile

  • Location: Ellicott City, Howard, MD, USA
  • Cost: $44 per month (month by month)
  • Install: about 14 days
Speed, steady connection, good service
Delay in getting new lines, price upped in meantime
Way better than dial-up, easy administration, nice tech people
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection Reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings above consensus)

I live in what I called the "Black Hole" of the tech sector in Maryland... Western Howard County. It is old farm country now dominated by high-priced housing and mostly tech employees. Between the time our small-time local cable company was bought out by Comcast and the lines were upgraded to fiber optic was around 2 years. A delay of several months from projected setup time to actual was encountered when @Home went bust, so I can understand the restructuring problems the company encountered. Unfortunately, in the meantime the rates went up a few dollars.

About 2-3 months before we got access, Comcast mailed info regarding the plan to lay new cables in my area. We watched the trucks progessively roll down the street through the farm territory. 2 weeks before the project was done, we got more mail. Then finally a phone call with special offers. From the time I placed my order to installation was 2 weeks. Everything installed (including running new lines through my house) on July 3rd, day before the holiday. Installed was a Motorola SB4100, separate coaxials for tv and cable, splitter as well as a digital cable hookup on another floor.

Had to call tech support later in the day when the modem flaked due to provisioning as I later discovered, but they've been very nice and helpful. Helped me figure out how to setup my Linksys Wireless router. Speeds average 1.6-1.2 d'load/128-100kbps u'load on all systems. Steady connection with no off-time since.

Bottomline, my phone company still had old crappy lines supporting no higher than 28.8 with no intention of upgrading. Lines were crossed, or just went down for no reason. Price for the extra phone line and a dialup account equaled one cablemodem account shared across the network. The cablemodem took a while to get due to upgrade problems of the company, but I am more than satisfied.

member for 21.7 years, 8 visits, last login: 21.6 years ago
lodged 21.7 years ago


Review by moviedepot89 See Profile

  • Location: Hockessin, New Castle, DE, USA
  • Cost: $39 per month (12 month contract)
Great Speeds (when Uncapped), over good
Tech Support (For Email) Sucks
Best Thing in DE! DSL here only gets 600/50
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection Reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings above consensus)

I ordered a 1500/200 Cable service from Comcast. Within 30 min of connecting the cable modem to my ethernet port and to the Cable outlet, I was connected. It was great. I had only one problem--the person who was supposed to activate my email didnt and I had to wait over 5 days for email. News, IRC, Usenet, KaZaA, Gnutella, and Chat Clients worked perfect (compared to what I heard here, everyone's cable I've used is working with the things above. I really recommed Comcast---DSL SUX!!!

Stats:
Modem: Linksys BEFCMU10 Ethernet/USB Cable Modem
DOCSIS Headend: Comcast
Connection: Ethernet
Router:Linksys 4-port Cable/DSL Router
Dynamic IP

member for 21.7 years, 1 visits, last login: 21.7 years ago
lodged 21.7 years ago


MoviePhreak9
.
join:2002-07-17
India

MoviePhreak9

Member

Recommendation taken back!!

I seriously don't recommend comcrap because after the first month i had sooooooo many problemz

Review by SDSL See Profile

  • Location: West Chester, Chester, PA, USA
  • Cost: $39 per month
  • Install: about 1 days
Good connection, not one outage yet
Mail sometimes a little slow, Pre-sales information
Give comcast a try if it's in your town
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection Reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)

I have the comcast standard connection which gives 1500/128. So far the connection has been great. I get around 80% of the advertised speed. Here's a test from dslreports:

2002-07-02 14:25:08 EST: 1228 / 121
Your download speed : 1228984 bps, or 1228 kbps.
A 150 KB/sec transfer rate.
Your upload speed : 121396 bps, or 121 kbps.
Seems like broadband .. above the 1mbit barrier!

Another thing I like about comcast is the quick install. The day I called them for cable they provisioned the modem and got it up and running. Some things comcast could give their customers to make it better would be:
-Static IP Address's
-Cheaper prive for Comcast Pro
-Support Routers (If you call tech support they won't help you get one online)
As of now I seem to be pretty happy with comcast and their network.

member for 23 years, 90 visits, last login: 15.2 years ago
lodged 21.7 years ago


PTYES$
Please Hold
Premium Member
join:2002-01-23
Riverside, CT

PTYES$

Premium Member

Routers

Setting up a router on a network is VERY easy. Just check what protocol they use PPPoE etc., and make sure you get a router that supports that (most routers work on most services). The router manual tells you everything you need to do. If you want to share your net connection, just say "screw it" and get a router anyway, worst case scenario you return the router.

SDSL
join:2001-03-01
West Chester, PA

SDSL

Member

Re: Routers

Yeah i know, just they don't support it so you don't get support. I am on a router right now (Linksys BEFSR81). It would help though if comcast did give support for routers though.
gkline
join:2002-07-03
Lebanon, PA

gkline

Member

Re: Routers

I agree. I have a BEFSR41. The comcast tech I had also had one so all went smooth!
froggythingy
join:2002-04-02
Doylestown, PA

froggythingy to PTYES$

Member

to PTYES$
Thats odd if a tech helped you. Ususally when you have a router (like me) they don't help you!?
WinWord10
join:2002-02-10
East Brunswick, NJ

WinWord10

Member

I'm above my caps

I have always had a good experience with Comcast Online compared to the horror stories I read from people who have switched from @home and compared to Verizon Online DSL, which I had before. I have been constantly getting speeds as-advertised and to my surprise when I ran a speed test this morning it showed that I am now above @home's cap of 1.5MB/s .. I'm getting closer to 1.6MB/s

»www.henryhand.com/dsl/sp ··· eds.html
eaassoc
join:2001-11-24
Hazlet, NJ

eaassoc

Member

Re: I'm above my caps

WOW!! I was switched from @Home and have never seen the speeds that I had with them. I was getting down load speeds usually around 2400, with speeds as high as 4600. I'm lucky to see download speeds of 1200 now. Usually it hovers around the 1000 mark, with the highest being about 1280. In addition the email service is very slow. I'm in Hazlet.

Review by freemon27 See Profile

  • Location: Fort Wayne, Allen, IN, USA
  • Cost Contract price not specified.
  • Install: about 4 days
Better than dialup...
Should've gotten it sooner
I'm happy : )
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection Reliability:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)

Hi, Just wanted to say I've been on for a few months now with comcast .I haven't

had any problems . Happy with my connection. Haven't had to deal with there support.My friend lives on the other side of town,says his connection dies for a day or two about every three weeks . I haven't had any problems .(cross my fingers) So, for now comcast is alright by me ........updated...been bout 1 1/2 yrs.

been sweet ,very happy.

member for 21.9 years, 251 visits, last login: 18.1 years ago
lodged 21.7 years ago


Review by ragez See Profile

  • Location: Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
  • Cost: $45 per month
  • Install: about 4 days
good self install, stable service, good customer service.
Speed Cap, can be hassles if you use a router.
What can I say, It's better than Verizon, Mediacom wanker.
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection Reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings above consensus)

It's over a year ago I think. I phoned them to asked about the service and then ordered the self install kit. I received the kit later that week. Hook it up on my computer and called them to activated the service. I was impress at that time, since Verizon was a 2 months killer waiting time 'cause of the strike. Everything wen't smooth, with some outages. I left Philly when they start the transaction from @Home to Comcast.net...But I was back last week and continuing the service and so far without the interuption.

member for 22.1 years, 864 visits, last login: 15.2 years ago
lodged 21.7 years ago

kakac
join:2002-01-20
Tallahassee, FL

kakac

Member

good tech support?!?!

lucky lucky lucky, thats all i have to say. how did you get a smart tech, or have you called their tech support yet... but other than that i wish i was you, i have comcrap and right now i am looking for a new isp in this broadband desert. (either sprint or comcrap, i am still hoping that there is another out there)

ragez
join:2002-02-25
Philadelphia, PA

ragez

Member

Re: good tech support?!?!

depend where you live. I live in Philly and Comcast have a headquater office here so I guess they wouldn't want to piss us off.

Review by atrowe See Profile

  • Location: Richmond, Chesterfield, VA, USA
  • Cost: $39 per month
Quick install, fast, reliable service.
None yet. Upload cap is a bit restrictive, though.
I have had a very good experience overall.
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection Reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)

After reading all of the bad reviews on this site, I was a bit hesitant to choose Comcast. Unfortunately, it is my only option other than dial-up. I live too far out in the suburbs to get DSL, and I didn't want to deal with the limitations of satellite, so cable was my only route to broadband.The install:I bought my own modem, after verifying availability on Comcast's website, and called their 800 number expecting the worst. Surprisingly, a rep answered the phone after one ring, and the gentleman I spoke with was pleasant and knowledgable. I had everything set up when I called, and I just needed them to provision the modem and activate the service. Surprisingly, they didn't try to talk me into having a "professional installation" or even using their Self-Install kit. The rep took my information, and the mac address of my modem, and activated my account while I was still on the phone with him. Total time on the phone with Comcast was under 15 minutes. I haven't needed to call tech support yet, but my experience with their Activations Department was very pleasant.The Service:I've been connected for about two weeks now. Speed is around 1100 up, 100 down, which is close enough to their stated 1500/128 to make me happy. The speed is fairly consistent and I haven't noticed any slowdown during peak hours. My ping times are around 30-40 ms to a comcast server, increasing as the number of hops out increase. Ping times seem fairly consistent as well. I've had the service for two weeks or so, and I haven't had ANY dropped connections or periods of slow-down yet. I haven't used newsgroups or Comcast's e-mail, so I can't really comment on those. All in all, I've had a very positive experience with Comcast. I can't vouch for any other areas, but in Central VA, they seem to have most of their problems sorted out. And no, I am not a Comcast employee, or affiliated in any way with Comcast. I'm just a happy customer.UPDATE: 6/17/02Well, I don't know what happened, but it seems that my service has gotten even faster in the past week or so. When I first ordered, I was getting around 1100/100 in various speed tests, and now I'm up to at least 1500/128, occasionally even faster. Apparently Comcast got some additional bandwidth.

member for 21.8 years, 20 visits, last login: 13.5 years ago
updated 21.7 years ago

Cecil5
join:2002-05-07
Gaithersburg, MD

Cecil5

Member

I agree

I agree. myspeednever slows down at peektimes and ive only called their tech support for questiopns i have. The only problem ive had was trying to connect my cable modem through eathernet card and that turned out to be a motherboard issue, so i called my computer tech support and they replaced my motherboard and so on. Also my speed seems to stay around 1100-1300 down and 100-128 up...so i am happy and i think that anyone who is so unhappy with their net connection needs to find a better way to deal with it besides saying everyone that is happy with comcast internet works for em!
schenoweth
join:2001-07-19
Gainesville, VA

schenoweth

Member

Re: I agree

all i can say is that i agree with the both of you.
comcast has been rock steady here in manassas and i LOVE it.
ar0nic
join:2002-05-30
Goose Creek, SC

ar0nic

Member

capped at 128

comcast is rediculous. the service in charleston sc is all but helpful in any manner or form. and being capped at 128 upstream is not what i look for in a broadband service. if you live in charleston sc stay away from it its no good.

ihatecable
@jamisn01.pa.comcast.

ihatecable

Anon

Re: capped at 128

Dude, comcast sucks anywhere! I live in PA and the service is fast but the outages and ping losses are beyond ball sucking!

iknowbetter
@68.56.x.x

iknowbetter to ar0nic

Anon

to ar0nic
If you are not happy with the 128 uploads you might either
upgrade to comcastpro for over 300 or just turn your modem ]
in since you sound like a person who complains alot.
seg1
Bring It Down.
join:2002-06-30
Stafford, VA

seg1 to ar0nic

Member

to ar0nic
An upload cap of 30KBps is an industry standard for residential cable broadband. Some companies may push it a bit higher, or cut it down a bit, but either way get used to it.
Mobandwidth3
join:2002-06-08
Bristow, VA

Mobandwidth3

Member

agreeable....

All ping times in Bristow are quite surprisingly good.
It was worth the wait.

Review by mdbrotha03 See Profile

  • Location: Lanham, Prince Georges, MD, USA
  • Cost: $42 per month
Very fast. Speed will be increased to 4000k for basic package
None Haven't had to call tech support in over a year.
Good Deal
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)

It took about 3 months but i finally reached my advertived speed of 1500K. I have a upload of 126. Thats good enough for me.

10/7/03 update:
Download speeds increase to 1700k. Upload speeds bumped up to 256.

1/24/05

I live in one of the test areas. My speed has been upped serveral times but I haven't updated. Its now 4000k down 384 up.

member for 22 years, 162 visits, last login: 8.6 years ago
lodged 21.7 years ago







Review by btdude See Profile

  • Location: Manassas, Prince William, VA, USA
  • Cost: $40 per month
  • Install: about 30 days
Connectivity has always been good for me. The speed of the connection is sometimes less than desirable.
Not being able to access the comcast.net page and check my e-mail.
This is the only option for Cable HSI in my area. The only other alternative is Verizon DSL. Use Comcast, it really is fine.
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection Reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)

Comcast has been fine for the most part. Getting the initial setup was a nightmare for me. Provisioning took 4 weeks. The account floated from the US to Canada, then back to Northern VA. So, I followed all sorts of advice listed here at DSLR. Although, I am sure that the confusion came due to the switch from the @Home service. I was a new subscriber that got tangled in the mess. Anyway, I did my own installation, and never bothered with any of the Comcast software. It was not needed for anything at all. I use a Motorola SB4100 without any problems at all. The IP is static, but seems to change every 2 months or so. Comcast Techs are so-so knowledgeable about HSI, but i prefer to come here and see what other readers have to say first.

member for 22.1 years, 213 visits, last login: 13.2 years ago
lodged 21.8 years ago

Oldcomcasttech

Anon

static IP?

If your ip address changes every 2 months, then it is not static...

Review by Mobandwidth3 See Profile

  • Location: Bristow, Prince William, VA, USA
  • Cost: $55 per month (month by month)
  • Install: about 3 days
works great...
the website needs to tell you where to point your ftp program to upload your home based webpages...their java ftp is inop.
works wonderfully...for what it is designed to do.
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection Reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings above consensus)

Originally had a problem with an install...computer glitch in their working node database.
This time was almost flawless...I will discount a few missteps.
Installer was a sub. who had no MAJOR clue about networking.
Got the account working with their tech. support online to provision my modem and account.
Once it was up it was an ADVENTURE to setup all aspects of my account.
I can only do updates to my account from their website with IE because of the certificate handling from their system. Netscape will not run their java applet to configure your user addresses etc. (minor) even when logged into their site.
I love it so far and I have never looked back.
I am an easy customer.
Speed tested at app. 1005 Kbs. Download
125 Kbs upload...during heavy traffic time of day
Tweaked with Dr.FTP.

:)

member for 21.8 years, 16 visits, last login: 21.2 years ago
lodged 21.8 years ago


Teriwyn
Neko Girl
Premium Member
join:2002-06-06
Germantown, MD

Teriwyn

Premium Member

FTP location

Just in case you never found out the address to use your favorite FTP client, it's mywebpages.comcast.net

You weren't clear as to if you ever managed to worm that information out of tech support or not.
Mobandwidth3
join:2002-06-08
Bristow, VA

Mobandwidth3

Member

Re: FTP location

I pretty much relied upon experience and went to my site and used the url to get my ftp working. Seems their system will only talk to 32 bit ftp's.
The setting up of e-mail accounts is not clear but had to do some experimenting until I got all the right values plugged in.
I did not use their software and realized their system is setup for a novice person to come in and get operating quite quickly.
But using their software is how to achieve this semi nirvana.
I only like Netscape and they want to have outlook and IE as your major players...I guess I have to use IE for business purposes(changing e-mail names etc). But I use Netscape news and mail for Comcast and it works quite well.
P.S.
If you upgrade to IE6 it won't ever complete until you actually use the Comcast software from their website...it needs to change a few values and looks before doing a completion of the upgrade.

Review by ComcastRules$ See Profile

  • Location: Canton, Wayne, MI, USA
  • Cost: $44 per month
  • Install: about 5 days
Great Speeds Finally! Almost reaching caps!!!!
Terrable switchover from MediaOne to Comcast, Webmail still not working
Comcast finally got their act together!!!
Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection Reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings above consensus)

---------------------Update---------------------

Comcast has finally gotten their act together! After the switchover i had about 6 months of slow service, but now I am getting about 1470/148 and the caps are 1500/128 (how I am getting the fast upload, I don't know). Comcast is the best! Thank you so much Comcast!!! Also, now the longest I wait on hold (at 1.800.comcast) is about 1 minnute! GREAT IMPROVEMENT COMCAST!!!

---------------------Previous Review---------------------

I have had MediaOne for two years, and got fast, steady internet connections. Then, a few months ago, all mediaone.net customers had to be switched over to Comcast.net. That's when the trouble started. We had no internet access for a week! We did not think it was Comcast becuase we could still use AIM and MSN Messenger and access some websites. We were ready to buy all of the anti-virus software we could when it just stopped. Then, we could access most websites, but the connection was so slow. We had total outages about every 6 hours and waited 30 mins on hold to hear "Yep, there's an outage in yer area, jus wait till 2 green light come on yer cable modem". I think I know that. Now, the speed has gone up, but it is still slow. My works DSL is 10 times faster than Comcast, but it would be too expensive. I can't wait untill WOW comes to Michigan. When it does, I am dropping Comcast "High-Speed" Internet and cable. I hate you Comcast!

member for 22.2 years, 181 visits, last login: 21.6 years ago
updated 21.8 years ago


ScopeyFresh
join:2000-12-02
Lompoc, CA

ScopeyFresh

Member

Honestly

How old are you?Curious, because you don't know how to spell the word "troube" most 3rd graders can...

LiLTizz
Back with comcast
Premium Member
join:2001-11-11
Ypsilanti, MI

LiLTizz

Premium Member

Re: Honestly

uhhh ScopeyFresh how old are you just curious because "trouble" is the correct spelling but I got the dudes point.
don't throw stones when you live in glass houses
[text was edited by author 2002-03-24 12:39:30]
LiLTizz

LiLTizz to ScopeyFresh

Premium Member

to ScopeyFresh
uhhh ScopeyFresh how old are you just curious because "trouble" is the correct spelling but I got the dudes point.
don't throw stones when you live in glass houses

ScopeyFresh
join:2000-12-02
Lompoc, CA

ScopeyFresh

Member

He said, "trubble" not trouuble....I can't believe you didn't understand what I meant. READ!
C4Xplosive
join:2002-02-21
Vancouver, WA

C4Xplosive to ScopeyFresh

Member

to ScopeyFresh
OMG you guys are idiots quit making such a big deal out of this you retarded F's.

ScopeyFresh
join:2000-12-02
Lompoc, CA

ScopeyFresh

Member

Uhh.

BTW that was a typo...just as you did in your first post.
ComcastRules$
Concrap.. The Monopoly Of Choice
join:2002-01-13
Canton, MI

ComcastRules$

Member

Comcast Rules

And has improved greatly!

livininarizona
Premium Member
join:2001-08-05
Merced, CA

livininarizona

Premium Member

Comcast

Sucks, my friend has it...gets 300/100
mikeb1144
join:2001-11-19
Mount Morris, MI

mikeb1144

Member

Re: Comcast

I used to have Comcast@Home. When @Home went bankrupt, I was converted to an all-Comcast network. Before the switchover I had a static IP, my cap was 3072/128 and I got 2800-2900/140 (I don't know how my upload got a little over the cap, but its not big difference). After the switchover, my cap was moved to 1536/128, which is BS in itself. My actually speed ranges from 1200-1400 down and around 128 up. I ALSO lost my static IP, and I have to deal with a dynamic IP address. However, the tech support is ok. Well, since my price stayed the same, I think its a rip-off. On top of all this BS, the guy that came out and installed my cable, told me I could have them put in a splitter so I could watch free basic cable, and that its legal. He said I could do that for $20, or go buy my own and install it all myself. I installed one myself. About 3-4 months later, Comcast cuts my cable and audits my line (checks the power drain from the line to see what is hooked up). They were building a case and were going to arrest the owner of the main account (my father). My dad called the local office from work, which is the County Sheriff's Dept. (before we knew the problem). He asked for the person in charge, and seconds later, the person in charged answered, and said "Is this the sheriff's department" (hahahaha, they thought they were in trouble). Once everything was explained, they said I was getting illegal basic cable. We didn't even bother telling them that the guy that installed my cable said it was free, because we just wanted to get it all back to normal. What idiots.
caveman017
join:2001-12-11
Grand Rapids, MI

caveman017

Member

free cable

ahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaa.. Um you want to buy a bridge?

now thats funny!!!!!

imnotadruggiey
@nanarb01.mi.comcast.

imnotadruggiey

Anon

you guys are smoking pot

I can't believe you think comcast is anywhere near decent, much less love it. It's the worst ISP I've ever had.
thepostman
join:2002-07-11
Southgate, MI

thepostman

Member

Do these people work at Comcast?

All you comcast supporters must be crazy to think its the best because comcast sucks. I know because I have it now. With providers such as Wide Open West(WOW),which I'm changing to in a few days, in your city it makes no sense to pay MORE for POOR service and with WOW you get speeds averaging 2Megs download as compared to comcast of 1Meg. You also get three IP addresses instead of one IP provided by comcast without extra charge...WOW also cost less with more BANG FOR YOUR BUCK you fools