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iansltx
join:2007-02-19
Golden, CO
kudos:2 Reviews:
 ·Comcast
| Wonder where they're getting their data InStat's numbers are suspiciously close to those noted by Speedtest.net, which lists the US as ~7.5 Mbps down and ~1.7 Mbps up. The thing with Speedtest.net is there's a significant upward bias to the results:
1) PowerBoost (downloads mostly, uploads some)
2) People with hihger-than-average connection tiers are the ones most likely to be using Speedtest.net
For even more fun check out the results for Fredericksburg, TX. The RR business results have got to be somewhat padded by the city's own 20M symmetric fiber connection, since TWC doesn't offer PowerBoost on uploads and RR business tops out at a little under 2 Mbps. Also, either someone has three or four bonded Qwest-port T1s or the local WISP is using speedtest.net to test their backhauls or uncapped equipment, whether to inflate their score or not I'm unsure.
Anyway, I agree that the data could mean any number of things; if they have a decent sample size of non-tech-savvy users then I'd give credibility to the report more than if they set up some speedtest site that nobody really goes to. Also, as others said averages are easily biased by a relative handful of super high speed connections (40-60M DOCSIS or fiber, or even 100M fiber). Quartile distribution would be much more useful. As the saying goes, there are lies, damn lies and statistics.
As for the DOCSIS speed increases by 100% versus less on fiber, as others have said cable was lower to begin with, and fiber higher. Verizon went from 10/2 this time last year to 15/5 as their base FiOS tier, and from 20/20 to 25/25 for their midrange to higher end tier. In the same time, Comcast went from 6/1 and 8/2 to 12/2 and 16/2, and added 22/5 and 50/10 tiers. What's really interesting is that now Comcast's standalone price on 12/2, including modem rental, is around $60 per month, $5 more expensive than FiOS 15/5. Comcast's 16/2 tier costs the same with modem rental as FiOS 25/25, and it's a valid price comparison; Verizon gives you all the equipment you need to connect.
Another thing to note: other than Comcast no cable provider has drastically increased speeds in the wake of DOCSIS 3, though if Instat is getting PowerBoosted numbers TWC may well have kicked things up a notch due to inclusion of PowerBoost on their Standard package in many areas, versus a year ago.
I'm betting that the 50th percentile on speeds is in the standard cable/DSL range, between 3 and 7 Mbps. But I'm not going to pay two grand for the report to find out. | |
 NerdtalkerWorking Hard, Or Hardly Working?Premium,MVM
join:2003-02-18
Tucson, AZ | Exactly, couldn't have said it better myself.
There's a definite statistically advantage approach to using PowerBoost, both in user perception and benchmark speed. I've noticed that they've almost perfectly tweaked the boost to coencide almost exactly with Speedtest.net over the course of the whole roll-outs.
I mean, does this:
Really mean anything anymore?
--
"Some people never see the light till it shines thru bullet holes." -Bruce Cockburn
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