ssavoy
join:2007-08-16
Shavertown, PA
 ·FrontierNet Intern..
| I'll be a customer soon; what can I do to prepare?
We currently subscribe to Frontier "High Speed" internet with a whopping 1.2mbps download and 285kbps upload. Considering the speed is downright horrendous for $42/month now we're making the move to Comcast. We'll be subscribing to the 12mbps plan that's available but I just wanted some guidance as to 1) what to expect of Comcast, 2) What kind of DOCSIS 3 modem should I buy (I don't want to rent one) and 3) We already have cable service through them, can I just use an existing cable line to run into the modem or will I need something special?
I'm very knowledgeable with networking, routers, etc but just had some Comcast-specific questions. I'm well aware of the 250GB cap. So if there's anything majorly technical just say it.
Thanks for your help. |
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Cjaiceman
Premium,MVM
join:2004-10-12
Parker, CO
 ·Comcast Workplace
·Comcast
2 edits | As of right now, as far as I know, you can only purchase a Motorola SB6120 DOCSIS 3.0 modem, which is what I have. You should be able to just plug the modem into an active cable outlet and then have Comcast active it for you. If you cannot get to the Comcast "Walled Garden" or welcome page and your upload light will not go solid you may have a filter on your line, which Comcast will need to remove. (Please note: The SB6120 can take up to 5 minutes to lock on after being reset or when it has never been activated on your cable system)
Once your modem is connected you need to check out your signal levels by connecting a computer to the modem and going to »192.168.100.1, and your levels should be within spec specified here:
»Comcast High Speed Internet FAQ »What should my Signal Levels be?
If your power levels are good then your fine, if not, then you will need to rewire how your modem is hooked up to the cable line, try removing some splitters if you have any.
Next, I would read the FAQ about powerboost because it will throw off any speed test you do unless its a long sustained transfer (over 100MB)
»Comcast High Speed Internet FAQ »What should my Signal Levels be?
Edit - I would also read this as it has more useful info: »Comcast High Speed Internet FAQ »What are the actual Provisioned Speeds?
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Duct tape is like The Force – it has a light side and a dark side, and it binds the Universe together |
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ssavoy
join:2007-08-16
Shavertown, PA
·FrontierNet Intern..
| Wow that was fast. Thank you! Is the $42.95 pricetag actually $42.95 or are there other Comcast-related fees (not taxes) thrown on the bill, too?
Also, if they had to remove filters would that cost us the $99 installation fee or can we do that ourselves too? I don't really think we need anyone to come out and install anything but was just curious.
Again, thanks. It's 1:15am here and I didn't expect to get a response until the afternoon tomorrow. |
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Cjaiceman
Premium,MVM
join:2004-10-12
Parker, CO
·Comcast Workplace
·Comcast
2 edits | I'm not 100% sure about the taxes and add-on fees, I'll have to let someone with residential service answer that (I have business class, and I pay what the advertised price is).
You can't remove the filter yourself because its installed at the tap, which is a restricted area. Usually that's either in a connection box by or on your property, or it could be on the utility poll if you have an above ground system. If you have any digital cable box (SD or HD) with on-demand capabilities you shouldn't have a filter as those are also two way devices. If you have just analog service, it could be a 50/50 chance. I would get the modem and a self install kit and see if you can get to the welcome page. If you can, then you don't need to have a truck roll and just call Comcast to have them add the modem and service to your bill.
Edit - Truthfully you don't even need a self install kit, but it does have some cable and a splitter if you need it. Also, you don't need to install the junk software on your computer, the CSR can just activate your modem via phone.
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Duct tape is like The Force – it has a light side and a dark side, and it binds the Universe together |
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nthach
join:2009-02-11
·Comcast
| reply to ssavoy
Make sure all the coax running in your house is in good shape and the connectors are the preferred compression type. Just because you get analog TV just fine DOES NOT insure your line is fine for data. As for filters, if you can get at least limited basic TV you're fine.
I know Worst Buy and Wally-World do have self-install kits, but don't bother running the bloatware on it. |
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koshoka
join:2006-12-01
Pottsville, PA
| said by nthach  : As for filters, if you can get at least limited basic TV you're fine. Some systems use basic traps that block return.
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Disclaimer: I am a Comcast employee. Any statements are my own and should not be construed as official Comcast communications. |
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ssavoy
join:2007-08-16
Shavertown, PA
·FrontierNet Intern..
| reply to Cjaiceman
When I looked at what they gave you in the kit, I kinda figured there wasn't anything in there I couldn't buy on my own. As for the software, I figured you didn't need it anyway. I never usually install stuff like that to begin with.
As for cable, Comcast bought out Adelphia around here roughly 5 years ago. Other than them taking away a few channels from us we haven't changed our plan since we got it well before the buy-out. We get, I'd say, roughly 60-70 channels now. I see multiple Comcast trucks in town daily working on lines so I guess that's a good sign.
I was looking at the SurfBoard and was able to find it online for $85-$95 which is OK I guess. I read somewhere someone was getting 6/1. When they upgraded to the SurfBoard they were getting well over 30/5 with PowerBoost....but anything is an improvement over Frontier's 1/.300 at this point.
One last question: Will their online account system know whether or not our connection is capable of actually getting internet access for when we go to add it? Our home specifically is a few miles out...I know DSL has line length limitations and cable didn't necessarily have them. I just figured since we can get cable TV we could get internet access. Their online address checker hasn't worked for me lately.
Thanks for your help, guys! |
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nthach
join:2009-02-11 | Cable has no distance limitations. The only thing that can cripple service is bad coax runs or 1-way filters. |
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Cjaiceman
Premium,MVM
join:2004-10-12
Parker, CO
·Comcast Workplace
·Comcast
| reply to ssavoy
said by ssavoy :I was looking at the SurfBoard and was able to find it online for $85-$95 which is OK I guess. I read somewhere someone was getting 6/1. When they upgraded to the SurfBoard they were getting well over 30/5 with PowerBoost....but anything is an improvement over Frontier's 1/.300 at this point. One last question: Will their online account system know whether or not our connection is capable of actually getting internet access for when we go to add it? Our home specifically is a few miles out...I know DSL has line length limitations and cable didn't necessarily have them. I just figured since we can get cable TV we could get internet access. Their online address checker hasn't worked for me lately. If your in a DOCSIS 3.0 area and have the right modem you can easily get 90+mbps on powerboost. I just had the upgrade last night and I get 120-140mbps on powerboost.
The price of the modem is actually pretty good considering how new the technology is. A SB5101 DOCSIS 2.0 modem retails for $79.99, so a retail price of $99.99 is not bad at all, and last year they were over $150 if you could even find one.
If you can get TV services from them then you should be able to get internet, as long as your signal is within spec. While cable does have length limitation, they can overcome that with amplifiers. Their online checked only works, from what I have seen, about 80% of the time.
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Duct tape is like The Force – it has a light side and a dark side, and it binds the Universe together |
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ssavoy
join:2007-08-16
Shavertown, PA | reply to Cjaiceman
Re: I'll be a customer soon; what can I do to prepare?
That's pretty sweet. Well, I think that's all the questions I had. I don't see the 6/1 plan listed, the slowest (other than the economy plan) is 12/2 in this area, but I don't see the 22mbps or 50mbps plan yet. |
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Imitation
join:2009-02-10
Pittsburgh, PA | Then you're seeing "up to 12Mbps with PowerBoost" in the description.
You'll be on the 6/1 plan then. |
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NormanS
Premium,MVM
join:2001-02-14
San Jose, CA
·Pacific Bell - SBC
| reply to ssavoy
Re: I'll be a customer soon; what can I do to prepare?
said by ssavoy :I know DSL has line length limitations and cable didn't necessarily have them. I just figured since we can get cable TV we could get internet access. Cable is different from DSL. Indeed, since you get cable TV, you will be able to get cable Internet. That is a given.
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Norman
~Oh Lord, why have you come
~To Konnyu, with the Lion and the Drum |
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