Review by alanmoss - Location: King George, King George, VA, USA
- Cost: $52 per month
The only highspeed internet I can get where I live in King George Cyclic speeds and pings because of user growth The only highspeed internet I can get where I live in King George
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About 2 years ago they were leasing a T3 line (45Mbit/s) from Verizon for their backend connection to the internet backbone for about 1000 6Mbit customers. At peak times in the evening it was about as slow as dialup. Since then they have switched over to Cox as their backbone provider. Things have been quite a bit better. Unfortunately to start 2009 they upgraded our service to 7Mbit/s download and introduced some new issues. They are currently depriortizing UDP traffic per their tech support. This causes ping times to be quite erratic in the evening making gaming in first person shooters tough at peak times. Their tech support seems to think this is a proper thing to do and has no intent of changing their traffic prioritization scheme. Oh well, this is what I get for living in the boonies! member for 16.6 years, 22 visits, last login: 14.8 years ago updated 15 years ago
tenpin784I Went To The Dark Side? join:2001-03-30 Brierfield, AL |
depriortizing UDPThat is not true. I do not know where tech support gets these ideas, but we do not de-prioritize UDP traffic. King George doesn't even have saturation, the link does not flatline or peak out. If you want to hop to the forums, » Metrocast Communications we can try to help you. One thing you can do so I can start looking is have you PM me your HFC MAC address so I can see if you are in the area we were having issues, and chasing down into the weekend last weekend. | |
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Review by fauzt0 - Location: Groton, New London, CT, USA
- Cost: $52 per month
- Install: about 1 days
Great Speed, Low Ping, Farely good support. Connection drops atleast 3 times a month. Good speeds...Sometimes a neusance...But overall, good service.
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It's Comcast so its going to be fast but it has its issues at times. If you live in Groton get Comcast and not Groton utilities! member for 22.9 years, 2165 visits, last login: 1.3 years ago updated 15 years ago
tenpin784I Went To The Dark Side? join:2001-03-30 Brierfield, AL |
Metrocast?Um, you commented under Metrocast, but said its Comcast. Which one is it?? | |
| | Fluke Premium Member join:2008-06-24 Groton, CT |
Fluke
Premium Member
2008-Jul-21 4:29 pm
Re: Metrocast?Looks Like they are in Groton and we don't service Groton. I think they wrote in the wrong spot! | |
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Review by rkpetros - Location: Plainfield, Windham, CT, USA
- Cost Contract price not specified.
Can't think of any Customer Service Practically non-existent I don't recommend
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Here's what I've experienced with Metrocast. Some of these issues already existed before they bought MyEastern, but nonetheless, these are big customer service problems. 1.) I've been trying to reach customer service for a week now. Every time that I've called, I've waited at least 10 min., most of the time even longer and could NOT reach anyone. I finally gave up each time. I don't have that kind of time to waste on hold. I finally got someone to answer the phone and it was the answering service. Their answer to all of my questions was "I don't know", and "Call back Monday". I called back again several times, and when I finally reached a person who I thought could assist me, she told me that if I wasn't at home, she couldn't help me.***Update 2/23/09****Have been having internet issues for quite some time now. Everytime that I try to call customer service, the wait is at least 20 min. This aspect of Metrocast has gotten even worse. 2.) I'm paying for new HD channels which supposedly came online on 11/1. Everyone else seems to have them; however, I STILL cannot receive them. That's the reason why I've been trying to reach Customer Service. Update 2/23/09***HD channels that did come in were at times 'jumpy'. Finally ended up getting rid of cable TV w/Metrocast and now have Dish Network. I couldn't be happier. I have many more HD channels at a lower cost. 3.) When I've needed someone to come to the house in the past due to Internet issues, the wait was 3 weeks or more. Ridiculous.**Update 2/23/09***Now I can't even get a hold of anyone on the phone without a 20 min. or more wait so I can even try to get service at my home! 4.) Channel reception is bad on many channels. Some you can barely see at times. I never had that problem with satellite TV.***update 2/23/09***I now have Dish Network and the reception is unsurpassed. 5.) One good thing is that the Internet Service is quite reliable, and fast. ***Update 2/23/09**** This "one good thing" is now gone. They have raised the rates and ever since then, my speed is generally below 2000/400 and I'm paying for 7000/400. When I do have the very rare occasion to get a hold of customer service, they have me do meaningless tests and tell me there is no problem. I'm very disenchanted with them and regret giving up DirecTV and switching. I am seriously thinking of going back to satellite TV and getting DSL for my Internet provider. I had DirecTV for 7 years and never once had a problem getting a hold of Customer Service.***Update 2/23/09****I ended up cancelled Metrocasts cable TV service and got Dish Network. I'm now extremely happy with that. I'm looking into cancelling my Internet service with Metrocastand going to AT&T DSL due to the very poor customer service and rude personnel that is employed there. member for 20.8 years, 341 visits, last login: 11.5 years ago updated 15 years ago
tito24 Premium Member join:2006-07-03 Chapel Hill, NC 2 edits |
tito24
Premium Member
2006-Nov-8 7:35 am
I agree, DirecTV is betterSure, Metrocast is somewhat better than Eastern as far as channels go, but still lacks several channels that everyone else gets: E!, AMC, Headline News, NECN just to name a few.
I know that I currently have no plans of dumping Direct & switching back to cable! | |
| | odogMinister of internet doohickies Premium Member join:2001-08-05 Atlanta, GA |
odog
Premium Member
2007-Jan-3 11:03 am
the futureTito
We will be adding all those channels and more in the next year. Our internet service will also be upgraded to 6Mbps/384Kbps over the summer. With Waterford being one of the first areas to get the upgrade. | |
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We are all human :)With all of the channel lineup changes that have happened, the call center here has been hammered with calls, which unfortunately has translated into busy signals, and long hold times. Rest assured that we are trying as best as we can to get to everyone who needs help, but there is only so much that we can do.
I have sent you two emails in regards to your situation, and I still have yet to receive a reply. I look forward to getting your issues resolved. | |
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Re: We are all human :)I've not received the emails.....I finally did get a hold of customer service.....they sent someone out today and now my internet connection is unstable and they've messed up my whole entertainment system. I'm now even MORE unhappy. | |
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ultatryon1
Anon
2006-Nov-8 11:55 pm
Re: We are all human :)Whats the problem with your internet access?
I just checked your modem, and your signal (as of right now, about midnight) couldn't be better.. They are, what I would call, "Textbook".
As for the entertainment system, the tech should not have touched it, what is it doing (or not doing as the case may be) | |
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Re: We are all human :)It was dropping the connection a lot and I had to reboot my modem a few times during the evening. It was o.k. this a.m. when I left for work so I guess we can wait and see what happens.
As far as the entertainment system issue, the technician wired the cable directly to the DVR/Converter. I previously had it split to go to the DVD Recorder also, and that's the problem. He bypassed it so now my DVD Recorder is worthless. He told my wife that the reason that I could not get the new channels was because I had too many splitters. I have 4 TV's in my house, and there are connections for even more. When I downgraded my cable service a couple of years ago, they messed it up by making the signal so weak that my internet wasn't working. Over the phone, someone at MyEastern told me exactly how to setup the splitters where they enter the house, but the tech yesterday apparently disagreed. Anyhow, the new channels are now coming in, and the old channels that were very fuzzy now come in great. But I'm worried that if I split the signal in back of the TV and hook up the DVD recorder, the signal will weaken and I'll be back to square one. My wife said that the tech said that sometimes a signal amplifier is needed. (I wasn't home, my wife was and she doesn't understand any of this technical stuff.) I don't understand why he didn't just do that instead of disconnecting my equipment. I've had signal issues in the past with my internet (per your phone support when they tested it), but at the time it was hard to have someone come out to my house during the day when we were both working, so I just let it go.
Thanks for your reply back and for trying to assist me. | |
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ultatryon1
Anon
2006-Nov-9 11:47 am
Re: We are all human :)(sorry for the tech support here, but I am not sure why you arent getting my emails)
Signal Amplifiers are not free, and the technicians do not carry them in their trucks. If you want one, you can either pick it up in our office, or schedule what is called a "special request order" to have one installed. I do not recall the price off the top of my head for the amp.
You said that you had connections for more televisions, are they all active? If you have say, 8 outlets connected to an 8 way splitter, but you are using only 4 of them, then I would replace that 8 way, with a 4 way, and effectively gain 3db of signal.
As for the modem, what you were probably told is to connect your modem off the first two way splitter, and according to the readings I see here, that is still how it is connected. If simply restarting the modem is fixing your issue (even if you have to do it multiple times) then I would say its the modem itself, being that its an older Best Data modem, I would not be surprised.
If you do pick up the amplifier from our office, you would leave the modem connected to the 2 way splitter, and connect the amplifier to the other side (the side that feeds the splitters for your televisions), as the amplifier will make your signal worse for the modem.
If you want you can bring that modem into the Plainfield Office and exchange it, we will give you a much newer Motorola modem. | |
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Re: We are all human :)Thanks for your reply. I can't remember how I have the splitters set up, and I'm not home to check them right now. However, I do know that I don't have any unsed connections. As far as that modem, I did not get it from you; I purchased it from my old cable company about 5 years ago. Would I be able to exchange that one or do I need to buy my own modem elsewhere?
As far as the TV setup goes, I'm going to try to hook up the DVD recorder again and see if my signal through the converter is downgraded. Then I'll decide about the amplifier, but I'll call first to see the cost. I won't spend a lot...then I may as well go to DirecTV because they have a very enticing deal right now. Thanks again. | |
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Re: We are all human :)Yes, we will exchange the modem, regardless of where it came from.
Also, if you have a bunch of cascasded 2-way splitters, the one at the end of the chain will have the smallest signal. If you had, say a 2 way for the modem, fed to a 4 way, the 4 outlets will have the same level of signal, as opposed to a 2-way to a 3-way to a 2-way. | |
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to rkpetros
Did you get your problem fixed? Its been a few days,and I wanted to make sure that everything was ok. | |
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Re: We are all human :)Thank you for asking. Right now the TV/HD issues seem resolved, and my picture is great on all channels. I moved some splitters around and was about to get a signal amp., but everythings working good now. I'll get an amp if the signal seems weak in the future. I still need to get in and exchange my cable modem. I'll try to do that next week; I've been quite busy. Thanks again for your concern. | |
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Fluke Premium Member join:2008-06-24 Groton, CT |
Fluke
Premium Member
2009-Feb-25 9:48 am
Good LuckSorry to see you go. My only comment is the techs here on the forum tried to help and I even offered to come out there myself. Good luck | |
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Re: Good LuckActually TenPin has been very helpful and is getting someone to contact me today. I have given Metrocast more chances than the average person would do. I am still hoping that I can keep Metrocast if possible to avoid the hassle of switching email addresses, etc. I'll see what happens today. I didn't reply back to you on your offer because TenPin was assisting. I supervise a large team of Technical people who deal with customer service issues constantly and if any of them gave people the runaround that I've received, they'd no longer be working for me. | |
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Re: Good LuckIt took me 58 days to get a DVD replace in my brand new Dell laptop so I know what the run around is. But if you supervise a large team of Technical people I would think you would be savvy enough to have your own domain or at a minimum use Gmail so that you can always have the same email.
I have only had two email address in the last 14 years one with NECA when I had dial up and then got my own domain when I got my cable modem. And who is to say you can even keep your metrocast address anyway. I have had the same cable ISP since 2000 and would have had to change my address three times! Started with @home.com then earthlink then myeastern now metrocast.
You think your speeds are slow in December of 2001 mine went from 1.5 megs down to 53k down and did not come back to 1.5 megs until Feb 28th 2002! | |
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Re: Good Lucksaid by billh491:You think your speeds are slow in December of 2001 mine went from 1.5 megs down to 53k down and did not come back to 1.5 megs until Feb 28th 2002! Those were a really tough 59 days... | |
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Re: Good LuckBeen 7 years and I am still scared by it!
But like they say if it does not kill you it will make you better and you guys built a great network. | |
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Review by ptrowski - Location: Putnam, Windham, CT, USA
- Cost: $70 per month
Good selection for small company, techs in the forum are great. A bit pricey but worth it. Fastest around, the techs really busted their asses to help the customers..
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2/21/09 Things seem to have finally settled down and the speeds on average are where they should be. 2/2/09 Well, things were ok for awhile, but I am still getting wildly varying speeds at night. A test a few minutes ago had me at under 2mb download on a 10 mb line. There was a delay in splitting the downstream in my area so hopefully it will be done soon. 1/23/09 Looks like the guys got everything fixed. Speeds are back up to where they should be. They are going to split the downstream in my area, so that should help a bit also. 1/12/09- Speeds are still tanking it at night as they are having a major issue on the CT system. Speeds go below 2 MB often and sometimes are below 1 MB. It is not scheduled to be fixed for at least another week. Granted the guys in the Metrocast forum are working hard to get it done, but it has been 9 days so far, and it will be more than a week from today until it is fixed. Not good.... 1/6/09- I bumped up the tech support rating. Tech came out today, was early in the 8-5 window given. Immediately he saw the signal issues and called to have a line tech come out. 1/3/09- Speeds at night are around 1/5 of my 10 mb connection. My call to tech support last night was "I guess I could have someone come out but they most likely won't find anything". Not very supportive for $70/month just for the internet connection. You can see some of the issues here. » Issues tonight?1/2/09- Well the speeds are good while they last. I have noticed at night my speeds are tanking it down to about 1/3 what they should be, of course after I called to disconnect my DSL service. I hope they can get things working better.... 12/31/08- Speed bumps came a bit early, I am getting 10/1 now! I have used them previously, and wanted more speed than AT&T can provide. I used the same modem as before, and the install was pretty easy. I got their Gamer 6/1 speed. Not bad, low pings. The good thing is that January 1 the speeds will be bumped to 10/1. member for 19 years, 6370 visits, last login: 1.1 years ago updated 15.1 years ago
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AF333
Anon
2009-Jan-16 7:51 am
Metrocast Is PAINFULLY Slow LatelyI am a New Hampshire customer at my residence who has also been experiencing a major shortage in bandwidth. I talked to tech support and we did many a trace route and it appears that the problem is beyond Metrocast's immediate control. The top suspects are Road Runner and Verizion. A few of their routers appear to be overloaded and not reporting. I am getting 200-800kbps downstream from 6pm to midnight which is really disappointing for $70 a month. (par 10m/1m) | |
| | tenpin784I Went To The Dark Side? join:2001-03-30 Brierfield, AL |
Re: Metrocast Is PAINFULLY Slow LatelyHey guys, if you register, you can post over in the MetroCast forum and we can try and help you out! » Metrocast Communications | |
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Barrio
Anon
2009-Jan-19 2:06 pm
MetrocastStill slow for you ? I am a metrocast user also and it has been very slow lately, i cant view any streaming videos online | |
| | ptrowskiGot Helix? Premium Member join:2005-03-14 Woodstock, CT |
ptrowski
Premium Member
2009-Jan-20 10:27 am
Re: MetrocastDuring the day it has been good, but at night is when the issues appear. It looks like they are starting to work on it so hopefully it will be back to normal soon. | |
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barrio84
Anon
2009-Jan-20 9:47 pm
Re: MetrocastWhere are you from ? is this effecting everyone? | |
| | | | ptrowskiGot Helix? Premium Member join:2005-03-14 Woodstock, CT |
ptrowski
Premium Member
2009-Jan-29 1:14 pm
Re: MetrocastI am in NE Connecticut. | |
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lesiena
Anon
2009-Jan-31 8:23 am
digital/HDi upgraded from digital to High Definition at extra cost. my choice was to not include "DVR" receiver(the one you can record) with just the regular HD receiver i was saving $5 month. that unit lasted 1 week. went to metrocast to replace unit, 2nd unit lasted 3 days; a company tech came to my home to check my cable/wiring/box. he replaced the box with a "DVR" unit. this one lasted 3 weeks. the tech and the receptionist both told me that the company had "system" problems and that this was causing the units to ZAP out. so today i am driving once more to the company to replace the unit AGAIN. All at a cost of 120.00 month(including ISP) as for their internet service, i download at 6800 kbps and upload at 484 kbps. i have no complaint there at all!!!. let's see how they do with this cable box issue! METROCAST is the provider | |
| veloctGo Pats Premium Member join:2003-01-21 Moosup, CT 1 edit |
veloct
Premium Member
2009-Feb-9 10:27 am
Waiting to seeI'm in the same area as ptrowski , still with AT&T but would like to enjoy the higher speeds that cable would provide. Being very hesitant to switch specially with all the issues the last month or so. Luckily, I have the luxury to watch from the outside and make sure everything is corrected before I make the switch. I hope things get all straighten out soon. | |
| | ptrowskiGot Helix? Premium Member join:2005-03-14 Woodstock, CT |
ptrowski
Premium Member
2009-Feb-9 10:34 am
Re: Waiting to seeHi veloct, So far so good. The work they did Thursday night really seemed to correct the problems. I will post some more tests this evening. | |
| | | veloctGo Pats Premium Member join:2003-01-21 Moosup, CT |
veloct
Premium Member
2009-Feb-15 7:38 am
Re: Waiting to seeHow has it been going lately ptrowski? Does it look like the issues are resolved? | |
| | | | ptrowskiGot Helix? Premium Member join:2005-03-14 Woodstock, CT |
ptrowski
Premium Member
2009-Feb-15 12:14 pm
Re: Waiting to seeThe past few nights things have been good, no issues. For now I am satisfied. | |
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Morty552
Anon
2009-Feb-15 11:40 am
Metrocast....I've been having trouble with Metrocast since I switched to them. If I had any other option I would switch providers, tho I must admit DIAL-UP is starting to look good speed wise compared with them. 70 bucks a month for garbage unreliable internet service with download speeds in the 200kbps area when it should be 10mb. Real top-notch ISP and all customer support does is insist you need to restart your modem, like that ever helps. I wouldn't recommend this company to anyone EVER. | |
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Review by madeyeb9 - Location: Laconia, Belknap, NH, USA
- Cost Contract price not specified.
none Latency, bandwidth, customer service Avoid when possible
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Initial install went well and at first service worked well. Over the last month our performance has cratered. Things are worst in the evenings getting between 300-500k on a 1.5 meg line coupled with horrid latency. Now it seems performance is bad whenever we are home. At first customer service took laughable positions like “someone must be stealing your internet” WPA would seem to preclude that was our response. They’ve blamed Microsoft, other vendors, the weather everyone but themselves. The CSR was actually really rude on the most recent call when we wouldn’t accept that service would remain like this. Their line of questioning seems intentionally designed to confuse non-technical customers. I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck I know something of IT. When a tech was sent out he tested the line said it was fine and that “yeah they had reports of problems in the area… sorry” and basically shrugged his shoulders. I don’t know if they just overloaded the gear on our street or if they have a bigger problem. The point is I shouldn’t have to find out. At some point this behavior stops being corporate shenanigans and starts being a fraud. Given the limited options in our area if Metrocast doesn’t make things right I guess our recourse is pursuing this issue with our local city hall and the state public utilities commission. To say we feel mistreated and misled would be a massive understatement. Update 1/29/09: So after three weeks of being told we were crazy and twelve hours after we post this review the connection improves dramatically. I guess we'll see what happens over the next week. As someone noted below there does seem to be a big difference between the CSRs you get on the phone and the field staff you meet. The field staff seem pretty nice. It’s a shame I can only imagine how much harder it makes things for them. I’ll mod the ratings accordingly if things remain improved. member for 18.1 years, 5 visits, last login: 15.1 years ago updated 15.1 years ago
tenpin784I Went To The Dark Side? join:2001-03-30 Brierfield, AL |
we're working on it | |
| ptrowskiGot Helix? Premium Member join:2005-03-14 Woodstock, CT |
ptrowski
Premium Member
2009-Jan-28 10:02 pm
They really are working on it.I give the techs here an A+, but the tech support agents when you call a D-. | |
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Review by paxcrabber5 - Location: Mechanicsville, Saint Marys, MD, USA
- Cost: $50 per month
- Install: about 6 days
have responded well to any issue brought to their attention no speed options to equate w/ comcast boosting for short bursts not bad not great, but you need to work at it to get the value from the service
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we have very few options, no dsl, wooded so sat is challenging and metrocast is the only cable game in town. FIOS is closer to "town". But, for a vanilla cable broadband system they are reliable, and responsive to issues that arise (like my cable router that I own containing a different mac address than what was on the label). They advertise a speed of 6M down, and 300K+ up and if the network is calm, the modem's recently rebooted and my teenager isn't gaming up my wireless network you can get the speed. Seem to be using the same motorola equipment, etc. that comcast is using. Order/install went smoothly once we straightened out the exact location id/address. member for 19.4 years, 194 visits, last login: 11.5 years ago lodged 15.3 years ago
tenpin784I Went To The Dark Side? join:2001-03-30 Brierfield, AL |
If you run into any problemsJust stop by the forum!! » Metrocast CommunicationsGlad it's working out great! | |
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Re: If you run into any problemswill do... the site and forums are very useful | |
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Review by ricbnh - Location: Rochester, Strafford, NH, USA
- Cost: $100 per month
Fairly consistant speeds and service continuity Uploads speeds are a bit anemic Good value
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My selected speed and overall cable package accomodates my requirements. The supplied motorola cable modem (though a bit quirky at first) is adequate. Have only had to call tech support a very few times.Issues resolved promptly. member for 21.5 years, 230 visits, last login: 3.1 years ago lodged 15.5 years ago
Review by dbartenstein - Location: Tilton, Belknap, NH, USA
- Cost: $148 per month
- Install: about 14 days
All-in-one Cable/Phone/Internet beat my old a-la-carte prices Only real option in my neighborhood (Northfield, NH) Could be better, but it beats the alternatives around here.
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Had Metrocast cable modem for several years and just recently upgraded to the VIP package. Speeds seem to be on par with what others have reported though I find the 40kBs upload limitation frustrating when you are trying to maintain share ratio with concert trading sites. My wife claims that the digital phone drops out on her once in a while Though I have never personally experienced that, I have a pal in Franklin who go so sick of it that he dropped his digital phone service and went back to using cell; that's saying a bit considering how spotty cell service is up here. Service seems to have improved a bit since I upgraded from a Motorola Surfboard to the Arris Touchstone. I used to get regular service drops that would require modem/router reboots, but those are now few and far between. Though the installers I've met are outsourced, they are friendly, reliable, and willing to go the extra mile. Attachments: member for 15.5 years, 37 visits, last login: 11.8 years ago updated 15.5 years ago
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