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Review by cypherstream See Profile

  • Location: Reading, Berks, PA, USA
  • Cost: $72 per month (12 month contract)
Cutting edge cable isp ptd on SECV- first to use midsplit in the US
No public wifi hotspots in town
Solid service, no hidden fees, always innovating

Ptd.net is an ISP that operates over some cable companies in Central Pennsylvania. They are owned and operated by Pencor, who also owns Blue Ridge Cable and they own Ironton Telephone company in the Lehigh Valley. Service Electric Cablevision and Service Electric Lehigh Valley also partner with ptd.net to deliver internet capacity into their cable systems. Trace routes to google are very good under 18ms and only 5 hops. They also have Netflix caching servers and direct on-ramps to AWS, Azure and presence in multiple area data centers.

SECV (Service Electric Cablevision) is the HFC Cable network provider I subscribe to. The $72 price is internet only with a 20% discount if agreed to stay for 1 year. The ETF if you downgrade or cancel before a year is up is $340. You do not need a contract, just the price will be 20% more than what you see here. The internet is delivered over my Arris SB8200 D3.1 modem. This was one of the first cable companies in the nation established 1947. Now they are one of the first cable companies actively doing mid-split, 5-85 MHz return path, with 192 MHz OFDM in the 951 MHz range. There are 4 SC-QAM upstreams and 1 35.6 MHz wide OFDMA channel. The nodes are Arris OM6000 fiber deep nodes, about 58 customers per half of the node. They are not RPHY but they are using digital return.

I always get the speed I pay for. I could go as high as 2000/200 mbps if I wanted to, but it would be diminishing returns based on my usage patterns. I do not have any 2.5gb ethernet either. They are certainly the fastest cable operator around. Every few years they revise the speed tiers usually in Spring.

Speed options as of March 1st 2024 are:

150/20 $39.99 1yr or 49.95 no contract

300/30 $55.99 1yr or 69.95 no contract

600/60 $71.99 1yr or 89.95 no contract

1000/100 $83.99 1yr or 104.95 no contract

2000/200 $91.99 1yr or 114.95 no contract

New customers can get the lower rate, existing customers can ask for a 1 year contract for the lower rate. After the year the regular prices go into effect unless you sign another contract. Its a great way for the company to guarantee you stay as a customer for a year, and its good for the customer to enjoy a lower rate with no price surprises for a year. (WIN-WIN).

The 600mbps plan and higher come with a free modem rental. The 2000/200 package comes with an Arris CM9200 and currently is required. However unlike Comcast, all 3.1 modems lock onto the OFDMA channel and can subscribe up to the 1000/100 plan.

The support is local. You always get people in the area. Same day appointments are available. Breakfix / trouble calls can sometimes be scheduled near immediate. They are a smaller company so a third party call center handles the after hours. They are limited in what they can do after hours, like you cannot make changes to your services... but they do notate everything for the office to contact you the next day.

We also have Comcast as a choice in our area. However Comcast routes everything out west to Pittsburgh, then down to Ashburn VA, then back up to Ivyland (Philly area), then Newark, then NYC, and finally the Internet. The additional routing adds a lot of latency and more hops / complication for things to go wrong. I decided to stay local and have short 20ms pings and everything stateside is reachable in 10 hops or less.

SECV also can provide Plume whole home wifi service for $9.95 a month. Usually there are promos to get this for 2 months free. This includes Two 2.5gbe Plume pods. Additional pods can be rented for a smaller monthly fee. I currently use pfSense for my routing and Ubiquiti Unifi for switching and wireless. SECV does provision 2 public IPs on the cable modem. I have one public IP routed to my internal network, and another routed to my guest network. I do not think anyone else in the area provides more than 1 IP, so this is a definite plus.

member for 19.3 years, 8821 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 28 days ago


Review by zertmaster See Profile

  • Location: Ephrata, Lancaster, PA, USA
  • Cost: $100 per month
  • Install: about 6 days
Speeds up to 2Gb
Ping could be better. No steam cache servers?
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My Other Reviews

·Windstream
I have their 2Gb fiber package. Which starts at $99.50 for the first year. And than goes up to $130 after 2 years.

Everything is working well. However i do wish i had gone with the 1Gb option as the 2Gb plan is a bit overkill for my use case. The 2Gb plan would be perfect for a family of gamers with more than one person downloading a game at a time. Or someone that streams or uploads videos all the time. The 2Gb plan isn't really for a single user like myself. But downloading steam games did use all the bandwidth.

The install process was free. And took about 3 hours or so for my address. Because a fiber line had to be ran about 400 meters down the road or about 4 poles away. The tech was very friendly and seemed to enjoy his job. He removed the old coax cable they are no longer using. And installed the new fiber in the same area. And ran conduit into the house to protect the delicate fiber line. "which is something my old fiber provider didn't do." And hung a new fiber ONT next to my breaker panel. Which is next to my network rack. He then powered it on and tested it. And had me connect it to my custom network setup. And asked me a few questions to make sure it was working at full speed with my equipment. And after confirming it was working correctly. He had me sign some paperwork. The entire process went really well.

The only issues during the install process were caused by lack of equipment. They sent out a bucket truck without any ladders. And my address doesn't have bucket truck access. So a ladder truck had to be called in. And they didn't bring a 400 meter fiber cable with them. As they don't normally carry such a long fiber run. So they had to go get a longer fiber cable to do the install. However it wasn't a big deal my address was just a little more challenging than most.

member for 9.6 years, 1393 visits, last login: 1 day ago
updated 150 days ago


Review by aefstoggaflm See Profile

  • Location: Bethlehem, Northampton, PA, USA
  • Cost Contract price not specified.
realible services so far
doesn't support native IPV6, yet.
worth the money in my opinion
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They provide Cable Internet, Phone over TV cable and TV over TV cable.

Tired of Internet down to much with Verizon DSL.

member for 22 years, 5666 visits, last login: 1 day ago
updated 4.8 years ago







Review by Xerloq See Profile

  • Location: Nazareth, Northampton, PA, USA
  • Cost: $45 per month
  • Install: about 5 days
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Ordered the 25/5 internet from Service Electric (sectv.com) with a PTD backbone. I get nowhere near that speed. There's got to be some kind of traffic shaping going on because speeds increase on VPN to 5/1. This is so slow, 720p Youtube videos pixellate and drop out.

CS says it's my modem, or my router, or something else. I've used this modem on other ISPs (most recently a 25/10 connection on XFINITY) and could reach max speeds easily. Says they only support one device plugged directly into a modem, contrary to their site. I can't wait for FIOS or RCN to come to my neighborhood. I'll jump so quickly.

member for 18.5 years, 22 visits, last login: 7.4 years ago
updated 7.4 years ago


Anon23cac
@verizon.net

Anon23cac

Anon

DSL?

Verizon (or whoever your ILEC is) DSL should be available with the same or even better speeds if they're really that bad off cable (5/1). I believe PA has a universal DSL requirement.

If you are close enough to the CO and your ILEC is VZ they can offer up to 15/1 but that is rare, other ILECs using newer DSL tech offer higher speeds.
odhnera
join:2015-08-08
Riegelsville, PA

odhnera

Member

Re: DSL?

Verizon limits most DSL customers in PA to a max speed of 3 Mbps down / 0.75 Mbps up regardless of distance to CO.
Xerloq
join:2005-09-30
Provo, UT

Xerloq

Member

Re: DSL?

Yep. Verizon won't give me anything more than 3Mbps for $35/mo.

Anonc8782
@verizon.net

Anonc8782 to Anon23cac

Anon

to Anon23cac
Verizon snowed PA with the universal DSL scam. They now want to use Verizon wireless with the high fees and caps to say they met the deal. Many places do not have DSL OR cable. Even where they do offer DSL, not everyone can get it as the remote terminals only have some many cards for DSL and the will NOT add more to meet demand. So one house may have it, and both neighbors cannot get it.
odhnera
join:2015-08-08
Riegelsville, PA
Zoom 5341J
Linksys E4200

1 edit

odhnera

Member

VPN Throttling

Did you try testing the connection speed between you and the VPN server over other VPN protocols? I've never experienced any throttling of my VPN connections when connecting from my friend's house (he has Service Electric), but I've only tried OpenVPN.

Also, if you have the ability to host a web server off of the VPN server's connection, try installing Speedtest.net Mini on the web server and running a speed test to test your connection speed to the server which hosts your VPN.

This would help to determine if the problem is related to traffic shaping or if it is just due to bad peering.
Xerloq
join:2005-09-30
Provo, UT

Xerloq

Member

Re: VPN Throttling

I think you misread. My speeds *increased* when I connected to VPN. I think there's something going on when I'm not on VPN that's impacting the connection.
odhnera
join:2015-08-08
Riegelsville, PA
Zoom 5341J
Linksys E4200

odhnera

Member

Re: VPN Throttling

Oh, I did misread. That sounds to me like it is probably congestion. You might be able to get a better idea of what is going on by speedtesting to multiple servers in the early morning and then again at Netflix-o-clock (10 PM) and comparing all of the results. Also, I recommend checking the modem's status page to confirm that it is bonding all available channels. I once had issues with congestion that were caused by the modem losing all but 1 DS and US channel each. A reboot fixed the problem.
Xerloq
join:2005-09-30
Provo, UT

Xerloq

Member

Re: VPN Throttling

I think they've locked the status page. 192.168.100.1 doesn't get me there anymore. I tried the speedtests again, and the tools at »www.measurementlab.net/t ··· ols/ndt/ say there's no congestion. I'm now getting 6 Mbps down directly connected to the modem, and 19 Mbps down on VPN through my router. Go figure...
Xerloq

Xerloq

Member

Moving modem makes no difference.

I moved the modem to the line that enters the house to eliminate bad line connections in the house. Speeds are the same.

Review by NeuroPsyche See Profile

  • Location: Paxinos, Northumberland, PA, USA
  • Cost: $160 per month (36 month contract)
  • Install: about 5 days
At least I can get some sort of broadband in my area
paying over $150/month for commercial 50/5. Have yet to see speeds to 50mbps
They're the only company that has broadband in my area. If I had another source I'd tell PTD and SECV to go shove it
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I've had cable internet since I built this home in 2001. Docsis 2.x and 10/2 speeds were excellent. Paid around $60/month for those speeds.
I installed more servers and needed the upload speeds. I opted to sign a contract for 3 years for 50/5, to get a price of around $150/month.
Since they SECV and PTD installed the Docsis 3.x modem I've had nothing but problems. Glitching, sticking, slow speeds.
I'm lucky to see 40mpbs down. Upstream is usually around what I pay for, 4.5-5mbps up.

The proof is in the charts. I'm going to share the monthly speed utilization charts for Service Electric Cablevision and PenTeleData so others know and are informed.

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member for 21.6 years, 16 visits, last login: 8.3 years ago
updated 8.5 years ago

mist668
join:2011-02-15
Middleburg, PA

mist668

Member

Any response from PTD

Any solutions offered from PTD directly? I'm not defending them but it sounds like you are on a slow node/port.

Review by idean See Profile

  • Location: Phillipsburg, Warren, NJ, USA
  • Business customer Business customer
  • Cost: $65 per month (36 month contract)
  • Install: about 14 days
  • Caps of 250 gigabytes/month
Better than DSL
Not nearly as good as FiOS
Best available, but needs to step up their game

Paying for 35/5 business connection. Sometimes I get 33Mbps download, sometimes I get 10, sometimes I get 5. Upload seems to stay steady around 3-4Mbps.

Google considers PenTeleData (which is provided to me by Service Electric Cable TV) to be a Standard Definition network, so that would explain why videos sometimes work fine, and at other times stutter and stop.

»www.google.com/get/video ··· li82wTJc

member for 23 years, 41 visits, last login: 9 years ago
lodged 9 years ago


Review by jperrella See Profile

  • Location: Wilkes Barre, Luzerne, PA, USA
  • Cost: $55 per month
  • Install: about 5 days
Installer, new modem
Data limit, ISP monopolizes area, "big brother" policies, doesn't achieve rated speed
When it's all you have I guess it has to do.
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I pay for 15Mbps down/1Mbps up and have never been able to exceed 12Mbps down. Quite irritating especially when it's 2013 and I can't stream a 720p YouTube video on my computer.

Also, I have received two letters in the past. One was for copyright infringement (which I didn't commit) and another was for "spamming" (which I also didn't commit). Called tech support for both of them and the spamming letter was a mistake and the copyright infringement letter was because of an open WiFi connection (sort of my fault but I set my router up late at night and didn't put WEP key one it until the next morning). The point is why are they watching my activity so closely? Another thing was that apparently servers are "illegal" according to their contract terms, so does this mean that the HP Home Server that I bought completely legally from HP's website for holding all of my stuff is now against the law? Guess what guys, I'm not shutting it down.

Really I think it comes down to Pen Tele Data owning the complete monopoly here in Wilkes-Barre. There are literally NO other cable Internet providers, they aren't permitted to use the lines in the city. The only alternatives are Frontier DSL (who caps off at 3Mbps down) and dial-up. Honestly, lord help PTD if they ever lose that monopoly.

Technically, I buy Internet service through Service Electric Cable (a very good cable provider), but PTD supplies them and tech support for Internet is turn over to PTD as well.

The supplied Motorola modem was quite nice however and was surprisingly DOCSIS 3 compatible.

member for 10.4 years, driveby review (so far)
lodged 10.4 years ago


Review by textech See Profile

  • Location: Highland Lakes, Sussex, NJ, USA
  • Cost: $78 per month
  • Install: about 14 days
With the 30 Mbps, it is very fast and reliable
Cost
If you do not mind cost, very good Cable Internet Service
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I use the PTD Cable Internet service for our family use. We utilize most of our entertainment using Netfilx Instant Watch, HULU and Amazon On Demand. This Service can handle multiple Users acessing the High Def format of TV/Movie viewing online without a hitch. There was no DSL Service in my area capable of doing this. I tried them all and this Cable Service is the only one that allowed High Def streaming consistantly.

member for 15.2 years, 309 visits, last login: 5.8 years ago
updated 12.4 years ago


fifty nine
join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ

1 recommendation

fifty nine

Member

I agree... but!

The 30Mbps service has a 100GB cap. It is unclear whether this is 100GB total or 100GB down and 100GB up. I suspect it's 100GB total. So watch your usage and make sure you don't go over. They say $1/GB over but who knows.

I also hope I live to see the day when we can get more than 2M upload out here. (SE/PTD I hope you're listening... )
textech
join:2009-01-11
Glasgow, KY

1 recommendation

textech

Member

Re: I agree... but!

The 100 GB limit is 100 up and 100 down.

I do agree this is somewhat restricting. I say this because my familiy (5 of us) use this Internet Connaction for all of our Entertainment viewing of TV & Movies. Quite often we will be in the 95 to 100 GB range at the end of the month.

Now mind you this is a familiy of 5 all of which may be viewing a differrent Video in the evening during our entertainmant viewing time. And each one is getting a High Def download feed due to the great speeds we get from PenTeleData.

If you do not have a high demand for High Def Video streaming, the chances of getting close to the 100 GB down per month is unlikely from what I have experianced.

This month we have been watching a large amount of Live Olympic feeds in High Def and I am currently at 78 GB. This has been hours of continuous feed for several days in a row.

Review by efithian See Profile

  • Location: Orefield, Lehigh, PA, USA
  • Cost: $55 per month (month by month)
  • Install: about 7 days
  • Telco party Verizon
Fairly high down speed (10Mbps) Cable Modem
Fairly low up speed (0.75Mbps)
Fastest available at present - FIOS is 2 blocks away
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My connection with SECTV/Penteledata is supposed to deliver 10Mbps down ($55). At off hours it gets about 9.5, but a few hours either side of 9pm it drops to 1 to 3. SECTV does give credit for low speeds, but it is not easy to do this. If you call the nexst day to complain they will not give a credit, since it is no longer slow. You must call while the speed is down, which is usually at about 9 pm. The credit given on the $55 10Mbps speed is $25 per month, but you must call every month. I have been doing this for the past 8 months. The credit is based on the cost of a 3Mbps connection, which goes for $30 per month.

There is also a restriction on downloading too much (?) data during prime time, defined as 5pm to 1am. I believe they frown on downloading more than 80GB per month during prime time. This is usually not a problem since the speed is so slow at this time. Their usenet service also has severe restrictions.

They provide 1GB of space for a web page which can be accessed with an ftp program. There is a size limit restriction of 20mb per individual file, not noted on their web page. This pretty much eliminates putting a video on your web page. Otherwise the web hosting works and it is free unless you go over the 1GB limit, The second 1GB costs $50 additional per month.

Mail is now IMAP.

member for 13.5 years, 10 visits, last login: 12.5 years ago
updated 12.5 years ago


Review by sbhusted See Profile

  • Location: Bethlehem, Northampton, PA, USA
  • Cost: $59 per month (36 month contract)
  • Install: about 7 days
Stable, Good Speeds, No limitations due to commercial agreement
They depend on Service Electric
It has been extremely reliable and stable.
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UPDATE 3 August 2011

I'm now on 6.0 / 1.5 service for $59 a month with a 3yr contract. Ever since they moved me to a new node, by connection has been absolutely rock solid and reliable. I've been very pleased and really have no complaints about the service.

UPDATE 2 August 2009

Two weeks from reporting the initial problem of bandwidth. Earlier this week I got a message that they installed the new router for my area, etc. Today, I got a message stating that they expect to "turn it on WITHIN 30 DAYS". Wow, that's some FANTASTIC service there. I guess my business can just go on hiatus while they sit around deciding when it's time to "turn it on". Although this is more of a Service Electric Cable issue than PenTeleData - my contract is with PenTeleData. It's not my responsibility to deal with SEC.

UPDATE August 2009

Over the last couple months I've noticed my download speeds deteriorating. Nothing major, but I noticed during peak hours instead of the 4.0 I was getting when I first signed up that I was getting more like 3.0 on average. However, over the last several weeks it has gotten worse to the point when doing speed tests using their tool - I'm averaging between 400kbs - 600kbs down speed!! They've admitted that my node is over subscribed but they are waiting for service electric to move me to a new node - which they tell me I'm scheduled for in a 'few days'. However, it's been almost a week and I'm still only getting about 10% - 20% of the bandwidth I'm paying $80 a month for in a Commercial contract. I'm not happy at all with this situation first of all in regards to them allowing it to get to this point, but I'm also not happy with the fact that I'm not getting any concrete time frame for resolution to this problem. I realize they can't guarantee 4.0 at all times... but we're talking about 400-600kbs! That's about 33% of what I was getting with a 1.5 DLS line!

---------------------------------

I was with COVAD via DSL for years - I think close to 8. I always had good service with them, but then they moved tech support to India and it just became infuriating trying to solve the problem I was having with line noise. It was fine for 7+ years but recently began to have issues with upstream noise. I paid $79.99 for 3.0/768 service but I was only getting 384 or so up and would occasionally experience loss of sync when it was pushed. Tried two different modems as well.

I decided to try cable and got 4.0/768 service from PenTeleData for the same price - plus it is a commercial package so I don't have any limitations on it's usage (Within legal limits, etc. of course). I've only had it for a little over a month but it's been a rock and no issues at all. Speeds are almost always at or above advertised.

Installation was great. The installer was very professional and friendly. He answered all questions and did a very clean job on the inside wire running and a fantastic job running the wire outside our house to the pole. You hardly see it. I think they quoted me installation within 14 days but they were there the same week I ordered.

So far so good!

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member for 23.8 years, 805 visits, last login: 12.6 years ago
updated 12.6 years ago