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Review by stanhope 
UPDATED: 38 days ago
member for 8.8 years, 79 visits, last login: 32 days ago
 Burlington,ON
 $45 per month
 about 5 days
 Bell Canada
 "Speed is spectacular, consistantly 6500 -9500 down and 650 - 1000 up"
 "None as yet"
 "Will never go back to dial-up !"
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All is good
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Review by leaky
Posted: 80 days ago
member for 5.7 years, 2006 visits, last login: 17 days ago
Fort Erie,ON
$133 per month
"very reliable,fast speeds"
"still waiting for full HD cable tv in Fort Erie"
"above average"
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They upgraded my street for full HD last may , still waiting for the switch to be turned on
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Review by waynecbaker
UPDATED: 83 days ago
member for 7.3 years, 1846 visits, last login: 2 days ago
Hamilton,ON
$46 per month
about 5 days
"A reliable connection with steady download speeds"
"A data transfer cap of 60 gigabytes per month"
"A reasonable choice if you don't need unlimited data transfer"
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I ordered the Cogeco High Speed Internet standard package and was contacted by a customer service representative concerning any questions I might have had about the service. About 5 days later, I had a service technician install the cable modem and connection to the cable system.
I have a reliable connection with a consistent download speed of 14 megabytes per second with few if any slowdowns. The e-mail service is also dependable with a storage allowance of 100 megabytes for the main e-mail account.
The only thing you may want to consider is the data transfer allowance, or cap, of 60 gigabytes per month for both downloaded and uploaded data combined. Most general purpose users probably wouldn't have difficulty staying within this allowance, but heavier users might. Such users may want to consider a digital subscriber line (DSL) service that has no data transfer caps.
With my digital cable television package, I get a $9 monthly discount off the usual price of $55 a month.
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 Review by digitalfutur
UPDATED: 111 days ago
member for 9.3 years, 4510 visits, last login: a few hours ago
BurlingtonON
$49 per month
about 14 days
"Reliable, 3 IPs @ no extra charge, fast"
"Free fSecure internet security package inferior to Norton 360 3.0"
"Best of the Cable ISPs"
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Update Aug 1,09 - D/L speed has increased to 14 MB/s in the past month, upload to just over 1MB/s fo the hi speed standard package. Recent price increase of $2/month so value is unchanged, as is my rating. 60GB cap meets my needs as I don't download movies and typically use less than 70% of the cap. The quality of a bluray DVD is far better than a d/l movie and the computer is not hooked up to the TV anyway.
Update Aug 23,07 - Gee, I got a system message asking me if I'd like to update. OK, here goes. Cogeco rocks even harder, 10 MB/s down, 900kb up, at CAD 42.95 /month bundled, with a 60GB monthly bitcap. No complaints here.
Update Oct 17,04 - another speed increase a few months ago to 500 kb/sec down. Yeah !
Update Jun 26,03 - Smooth sailing, and speed up to 300kb/sec down most evenings. Who needs DSL?
Update Nov 6, 02: Smooth sailing, no complaints. Stable and fast. The price increase to $45 /mth did not apply to me as I have a cable/internet package.
Update May 3, 02: D/L speed has increase to 2000 due to hardware upgrades on the Cogeco netwrok. Connection is rock solid, but tech support is wanting and the website still has limited info. This is not a problem for me as I work for an IT company (not Cogeco) but a newbie would be overwhelmed...
I used to live in Toronto and had Sympatico DSL because Rogers@home was not available. Then moved to Burlington where Sympatico DSL was not available at the time (it is now).
Comparing the two, both are very reliable but Cogeco is about 75% faster d/l on average than Bell (actual measured speed 1700/320 cable vs 900/130 Bell). So Cogeco is a better deal. I woudn't switch back to Bell unless Cogeco's speed and reliability turned into Rogers.
Followup comments:  metrotitan
join:2008-11-21 | There's a lot more out there than movies, these days. I don't download movies, yet the combined cap is too small for my household's needs. | |
| vega509
join:2005-11-12
Welland, ON | 3 ips? what do yuo mean by 3 ips? | |
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chdude3
join:2003-07-29
Oakville, ON | Re: 3 ips? He means 3 IP addresses. | |
| | | vega509
join:2005-11-12
Welland, ON | Re: 3 ips? that I know, how do you get 3 ip addresses? | |
| | | | thirteenmike
join:2009-07-31
Burlington, ON
| Re: 3 ips? you'd have to install a hub or a switch...so you would run:
Cable Modem ->>> Hub/Switch->>> Internet Device 1, Internet Device 2, Internet Device 3
If you have 3 devices hooked up to the hub/switch and then change one all you gotta do is power cycle the hub/switch and there you have it, a spare IP for you  | |
| | | | | vega509
join:2005-11-12
Welland, ON
 ·Cogeco Cable
| Re: 3 ips? the OP said he has 3 ips at no additional charge. I assume he mean 3 ips from Cogeco. You can have as many ips as you have ports on your home network.
$49 per month
about 14 days
"Reliable, 3 IPs @ no extra charge, fast"
"Free fSecure internet security package inferior to Norton 360 3.0"
"Best of the Cable ISPs" | |
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 Review by jeisenberg
UPDATED: 119 days ago
member for 8.3 years, 2160 visits, last login: 4 days ago
Windsor,ON
$52 per month
about 3 days
"Excellent speed, continuous speed improvement"
"None for me, though some complain about caps"
"High Availability and Excellent speed - the only way to fly!"
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I've been a satisfied Cogeco customer for years. I was one of those who attended the Cogeco rollout in Windsor (still proudly wear my T-shirt) and have been a fan since the beginning. Cogeco started out slowly here, with frequent outages and lacklustre speed.
But as the kinks got worked out, speed and availability increased to the point where I can't think of a reason why *any* other carrier in this city has any clients.
As a standard package residential user, the Cogeco website currently promises up to 5000/640 performance, with no rise in price. I have been recently getting speeds in excess of 4500/600 on the Cogeco Speedtest. And that's without any tweaking or other attempts to optimize the connection.
When I moved to this residence, I prearranged to have Cogeco come on moving day to install the cable/internet service. They came when promised (at the beginning of the installation window timeframe) and had me up and running in under an hour (the wiring in this old house was quite complex, and they managed to crawl through the attic to do the wiring).
I have the full Digital Bundle with Internet, and wouldn't ever want to switch.
When I got a wireless router, I had problems setting up a network connection. Despite their policy of not providing support for networking, they still were able to suggest procedures that helped me work out the problems.
Update: Recently (June 2004), Cogeco began experimenting with 5500KBps download speeds. My Samsung Inforanger modem did not seem capable of supporting the higher speeds. Cogeco support suggested I trade in the modem for another, and Cogeco staff at the Windsor storefront offered me an RCA DCM315 modem without my asking. I am now getting the full speed available to Standard HiSpeed customers.
Update: (September 2005)
I'm still extremely satisfied with Cogeco's internet offering. The speed and service I get are phenomenal (this extends to Cogeco Digital Cable as well - and soon I'll be getting Cogeco VOIP). I specially enjoy being able to see the free credits I've earned for recommending Cogeco to family and friends. So far, no one has been unhappy with the Cogeco service.
Update: (March 2006)
Cogeco continues to be an awesome ISP. Since my last review in September, Cogeco has increased download speeds twice... it now sits at over 7Mbps. I've been a Cogeco VOIP customer since October or November and am very satisfied with that service, and now am using the HDTV channels upgrade to my digital cable service.
Update: (December 2006)
I just got a tickler from DSLR asking me to consider updating my review. And well I should, since the official supported download speed has increased to 10mbps, and I regularly get between 7800 - 9200 during speed tests. I'm pretty satisfied for the most part, and Cogeco service continues to be helpful (both the official and unofficial channels). Monthly fees have risen about $3/month since my last review, but it's the first increase in some time.
Update: (October 2007)
I understand Cogeco has recently begun enforcing the bit-caps and I couldn't be happier. As a customer who very rarely downloads anything and who doesn't use peer-to-peer file sharing networks, I've always been annoyed that a few bad apples can ruin the entire node's performance. Now that Cogeco is cracking down, I'm witnessing several acquaintances getting the warnings and service suspensions that I believe have been long overdue. This can only result in a network with perhaps fewer clients, but significantly less bandwidth stealing -- resulting in significant improvements in network performance. It's still the only game in town for serious speed.
Update: (March 2008)
My only real complaint about Cogeco has been the software fault in the PVR series record feature. I received assurances in a confidential communication back in January 2007 that the problem would be fixed by November 2007 - and then the deadline was pushed to February 2008. The problem persists, and my confidence in Cogeco's ability to either fix the problem or exert influence with those who can fix the problem is now completely eroded. My downgrades in the area of support, services, and value for money reflect my frustration with television service, not internet.
Update: (July 15, 2009)
I just ran a series of speed tests, and can confirm that my speed (both upload and download) have improved by about 10% since last week. Monthly cost for the service has increased fairly dramatically over the past 18 months, with the internet package now running at around $52 per month. Uptime, speed, and quick response to technical questions are still among Cogeco's best features, however, they are starting to take more grief from those clients who are running into trouble staying within the caps (not an issue for me).
Update: (July 24, 2009)
I started a thread about seeing improved speeds with Cogeco. The thread has been running for nine days at this point. When I started the thread, my speeds were about 9400/600. Nine days ago, they improved by about 10%. Today, my speeds are 14500/1050. That's a 50% increase (upload and download) from two weeks ago. I am quite happy!
Followup comments: 
aardvvark
@cgocable.net
|  Selfish
Wow. So you're happy that others are getting shat on. Nice. You don't care about anyone other than yourself, I see. A very poor attitude to take in life. YOU may not "download" anything, but many thousands of other people enjoy (LEGALLY, read through that giant thread on the Cogeco forum) keeping up with the times. Why do you even bother with 10Mb? Go on the lite package.
Fail to stand up for others and you fail to stand up for yourself. Enjoy your draconian ISP. Sad. | |
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jeisenberg
New Year's Eve
join:2001-07-06
Windsor, ON
·Cogeco Cable
 ·Cogeco Voip
| Re: Selfish Anyone who breaks posted rules shouldn't be surprised or upset when they're called to task.
I drive over the speed limit on a pretty regular basis, but I do it in moderation. That means I am aware that I could be pulled over at any time even though it's not likely; and I don't have any excuse when it actually happens.
I don't see any difference in these scenarios, and I certainly have no grounds to call others "selfish" if they are happy I get an occasional speeding ticket.
And if zero-tolerance ever became the enforcement standard, I'd just slow down. | |
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aardvvark
@cgocable.net
| Re: Selfish The speed limit analogy was thoroughly shot down in the above mentioned thread. I could post it all here if you'd like.
When Cogeco pulls shit or neglects things that directly affect you, why do you bother lodging your complaints or looking for people to understand? Just take it like a good apologist. You say you suspect Cogeco is BSing you about the PVR issues. You know what? I care about that. I care because it's yet another example of trouble with this provider. I care because it could affect me one day if I chose to go the same route as you. I may not now and see no need for a PVR, but life is flud, things change. You, too, could hit the wall with caps one day if you ever got heavily into internet video and online media distribution.
Once more, in 2007, there are plenty of LEGAL sources of downloadable content that can easily push one up and above the (low) hard caps. If you don't know what I'm referring to, see the above mentioned giant bitcap thread --> »[Niagara] Cogeco Bitcaps
I stand by what I said. You did not need to gloat (you "couldn't be happier") over many, many people having their service disconnected (do you fail to understand how vital an internet connection (VOIP, for one?) is in people's lives these days), there are plenty of alternatives to cutting people off.
I have never had a problem with latency or "slowness" in my area and if I did, that's Cogeco's fault for not having the proper infrastructure in place, not my neighbors for using the service they pay for. I am not God, I cannot see into their modems and cannot just start accusing them of "bandwidth stealing", whatever that means. I stand by my opinion of your review. | |
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swatter
@cgocable.net
| Re: Selfish I also read that you sometimes get tv shows off friends ftp's.
Where do you think those tv shows come from thin air?
I mean its nice to enjoy Cogeco's service but don't show yourself as holier than thou.
And for me at least this is not the only Problem I've had with Cogeco(bitcaps), It's not throwing ten years of great service out the window.
Its been a steady declince in Cogeco's services over the years. The bitcap is the straw that broke the camels back. | |
| vega509
join:2005-11-12
Welland, ON
·Cogeco Cable
| this has done it ! got the letter today, Slogeco / Nogeco (service @ 3mb on a good day, paying for 10mb) is increasing the slow service rate to $52.95. this and rate caps have done it. Acanac at $18.95 tax included, no caps, and advertised speed of 5mb, will get my money!
I'm tired of the Nogeco merry-go-round of making a service call to find slow service, no problems at this end, and no action to remedy the situation, call back and be told there is nothing they can do without another service call. | |
| frank236
join:2008-01-02
Barnegat, NJ | YOO unless you play games online ..WHY do you care... you can't type that fast | |
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Review by cuechick
Posted: 230 days ago
member for 4.4 years, 29 visits, last login: 196 days ago
Parry Sound,ON
$60 per month
"minimal connection issues, good service"
"bit expensive"
"i am very happy with it, for my needs its worth the money!"
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I am satisfied with cogeco, for me the value and price are good
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 Review by Kesky
Posted: 252 days ago
member for 252 days, 9 visits, last login: 161 days ago
St Catharines,ON
$160 per month (12 month contract)
about 5 days
"Friendly installer, quick install, great speeds during non-peak time"
"can get lower than optimum speeds during peak hours, usage cap has me worried about monsters under my bed"
"Good service, package as offered - I'm happy"
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I went ahead and ordered the Pro package as well as digital phone and analog cable even though I didn't "need" it all. Coming from a wireless internet provider using cell phone signal this is a 1000% improvement.
I ran the speedtest during Fri afternoon and was getting max speeds of ~7700Kbps which had me feeling unsatisfied. I just ran it again early Sat. morning and peaked over 15000Kbps which is what I expect to peak around.
I do not THINK I would go near the 100GB monthly cap but I still do imagine being warned about it some day because I spent too long surfing the Tubes.
The installer was quick, friendly and made the installation painless. There was a moment of worry when the digital phone wasn't working. He called into support right away. The modem just took a few minutes to register the VOIP.
My advice to people considering Cogeco for internet is to go ahead and try it. Just as in any serious purchase, research the products/services offered. There are footnotes to almost every contract. Cogeco has made theirs easy to understand but they still should be read and understood.
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Review by gwfraser
UPDATED: 259 days ago
member for 3.1 years, 4 visits, last login: 259 days ago
Cornwall,ON
Contract price not specified. (12 month contract)
about 4 days
"Happy with Cogeco's response to customer service"
"Phone cut out while talking, took 5 visits to find problem"
"Quite happy with service and provider, value for dollar is there."
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First ordered when it became available and have not regretted this. I have been very satisfied with price quality and service. Problem with phone cutting out, signal was half of what the system should be. Took five visits to fing problem with aging underground wires. gwfraser
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Review by Airdog
Posted: 268 days ago
member for 1.1 years, 112 visits, last login: 2 days ago
Windsor,ON
$44 per month (12 month contract)
about 10 days
"Consistently high speed, 99.9% uptime, very fast newsgroup account included"
"60GB cap (although it's almost never an issue),"
"Great speed and service over-ride the 60GB cap for this higher-than-average downloader"
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When shopping for broadband access, I was almost already set on Cogeco due to my family using their services for years and never having a problem, but I figured I'd shop around.
I considered TekSavvy and other DSL providers, but chose speed over a higher cap, because I figured that I wouldn't be over the cap on a consistent basis anyhow.
High speed standard ($44.99/month) suits my needs as I do a decent amount of streaming and media downloading, coupled with a moderate amount of online gaming (over XBox Live). I have not had a problem or complaint regarding the speed of the service thus far, nor the reliability of it.
One negative I could mention is that when I tried to book an appointment, the online ordering system was broken for over two days, and I did not have phone service yet to call to sign up for the service (phone service is VOiP). That was a bit inconvenient, but the install did go quick and painless with the tech being friendly and efficient.
I would not hesitate to recommend Cogeco to my family and friends, which I've successfully done a few times already.
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Review by markma
UPDATED: 300 days ago
member for 3.3 years, 187 visits, last login: 87 days ago
Windsor,ON
$53 per month
about 12 days
"speed"
"inconsistent tech support quailty, lack of tiered packages"
"best available in my area for a cable ISP - had my share of issues with speed and phone/install technicians"
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This is a good ISP overall if you don't have much else to choose from. The speeds for me have been as advertised, but I ran into my share of connection and speed problems over the 8 years I have used this ISP.
I'm on a business package and while the price isn't bad for what I get speed/cap wise, I could use more bandwidth.
I just want to get right out the shoot - and say thanks to the first tech who installed my internet back in 2001. He was so professional that he just put a new splitter on my living room cable tv line and ran a cable to my cable modem. That worked for about 5 hours before another tech was sent out to do it properly.
The current downside for me is the inconsistent tech support - I usually have to get 2nd and 3rd phone tech opinions when I have a problem before I get around to a straight answer. Some tech's are more willing to work with you than others, considering my attitude was positive throughout - this was disappointing.
In the end, I would like to see Cogeco start offering tiered business packages where you can purchase blocks of extra bandwidth. This appeals to me specifically, but perhaps others have similar needs in this area.
The next best package is $89.99/month for 200gb bandwidth. A bit pricey for me, so I just more carefully monitor my bandwidth.
Bottom line, I have no real reason to switch unless another cable ISP becomes available in my area, with services that are in my favor. Current DSL alternatives are not in my best interests as I wasn't able to get Bell Sympatico working due to possible phone line issues where I live. This though is speculation, as Bell was not able to tell me why the internet wouldn't work.
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I don't need UNLIMITED data transfer...