US Cable Support > Charter Internet/TV > [HSI] Need DOCSIS 3.0 modem now?

[HSI] Need DOCSIS 3.0 modem now?

Those are both good modems. I would go with the 6121

reply to ChuckChurch
I think something definately changed. Been having connection issues for the last 5 to 7 days here with a motorola surfboard 5120. I'm typing this on my phone since now it won't connect at all. The send and receive lights just blink and nothing else. It was just connecting to the network and then resetting over and over every couple of minutes. Since I'm using my own modem and not a rental, I guess I will try to get past the outsourced service reps and talk to a technician. Not simple to do anymore!

reply to ChuckChurch
You may want to get more future proof, by getting a 8 channel capable modem instead of a 4 channel model. At this time, Charter is using 4 channels.

Like this one. »www.amazon.com/Zoom-5341-00-00J-···063K4NN6

Version "J" is the 8 channel model, version "G" or "H" is the 4 channel one, like the SB6120

reply to ChuckChurch
*UPDATE*

I went to Charter HQ in Town & Country and picked up a Cisco DPC3010 modem rental and after talking to 2 reps on the phone, after I got home, finally got it activated. For some reason the first one couldn't seem to do it, and just wanted to setup a tech to come out?! They wanted to sell me the modem for $99.99, however it seems that CDGW sells it for $88.77 and perhaps elsewhere is even cheaper? This modem can utilize 8 downstream channels and 4 upstream channels. At the 100/5 Charter connection it uses 4 downstream and 1 upstream channel. Anyhow, everything seems to be working again.

reply to ChuckChurch
Thanks all. I ended up getting the SB6121. Throughput seems pretty good now. Odd thing however is the indicator lights on the front. I've got the 30/4 'Plus' package. To support that speed, should I have multiple channels bonded? The lights for upload and download are green. Blue is what they should be if bonding is present. Does that sound right?

Thanks,

Chuck

Double-check in your modem's diagnostics: »192.168.100.1

reply to ChuckChurch

reply to ChuckChurch
I forgot to mention, even after I installed the new modem, the speed was pretty bad doing a speedtest. Upon digging around in my router (Cisco E3000, running Tomato), I discovered a very low upload speed in the QOS section. No idea how it got there, as I don't recall ever enabling QOS. Or if I had, I wouldn't have put in such a random number as 238! Anyway, problem solved. So I think them telling me I needed a newer modem was just a crap response. I guess I'm future proofed now...

reply to quatrix
Docsis 2 is supported, but Docsis 3 equipment is recommended/necessary on Plus tier and up.

reply to ChuckChurch
I was told that my old Linksys modem was "blacklisted" by Charter. There's a huge list on the Charter website of blacklisted cable modems and mine cable modem was on it. Charter insisted that I upgrade to a docsis 3.0.

I had been having VoIP problems (i.e. dropped calls, half-duplex, etc) and connectivity issues with the modem, but otherwise worked for websurfing. I felt that a new docsis 3.0 would not fix the problem, but Charter refused to help troubleshoot until I did. I eventually gave in and bought an SB6121. It worked like a champ! I still have jitter issues with my VoIP, but the calls don't drop anymore, which is a huge improvement.

I wish I had gotten my SB6121 months earlier. A new 3.0 modem really does improve things. I also noticed that my "downstream" connection is bonded (i.e. amber), which to my knowledge wasn't available in my area (i.e. Suffolk, va).

reply to quatrix

reply to Mattie

reply to ChuckChurch
Hah, I've been having the same problem. Started about 2 1/2 months ago. After techs coming out and combing the whole neighborhood they announced that my house was knocking everybody else off. Ripped a cable out of my roof -which now leaks as a result - and the problem went away for about 4 hours.

After 2 weeks of this extremely abhorrent and random behavior I'm told I need a DOCSIS 3.0 modem (which the on-site techs should have been able to tell me). I was told this would solve the problem.

It is now 2 1/2 months later and the problem has not been resolved. I've talked to tech after tech and they claim "there" is nothing wrong. They claim the signals are fine.

However my upload/download speed ranges from a max of 8MB (despite I used to always get 10mb and burst to 16 long before they gave me now (20?)). My upload bursts to 3MB when the internet works - But when it's not i'm at .01 or worse.

The internet is at the "not" working almost 25% of the time now. It's a constant daily occurrence, and sadly it's not limited to what I would consider "peak" hours.

All day today I've had 1.5MB download with virtually no upload.

reply to ChuckChurch
I was experiencing the same issues with the same modem. Had a tech come out and he hooked up a DOCSIS 3.0 modem and everything works perfectly.

That is definitely the issue.

reply to ChuckChurch
I bought the SB6120 in July 2011 and have had no issues with it on Charter. It works great with my Charter Internet Plus 30 Mbps down / 4 Mbps up connection.

I was having VOIP problems as well until I updated my Cable Modem to Router cable to CAT 6 Ethernet. It cut my jitter from over 100 down to 5 - 10 range. I do have a few problems every once and awhile, but has greatly improved my quality and usually only lasts a few seconds.

I would recommend good cables between the modem and the router for everyone. We usually just use what is lying around (I did) and cables make a big difference. I used the shortest length I could. I switched all mine out for CAT 6 now. CAT 6 is gigabit capable and the SB6120 has a gigabit connection to my Cisco-Linksys E4200.

I got good prices at Cables and Kits (.com), but you can get them anywhere.

Good Luck

Good point, I didn't think about that. Gigabit definitely required Cat 5E or above. Cat 5 will cause frame errors (seen as dropped packets) when pushed.

I tested my connection at this site and that is where I found all the jitter issues. It is free and I originally was made aware of it from Sprint because I have a Sprint Airave Access Point (femtocell) and was having connection issues.

»voiptest.8x8.com/

reply to BF69
Nope and nope. Hard wired and Windows 7. It's a line issue.

I actually got techs to come out. They replaced the line going from box to house. Took a look - Some values had actually deteriorated further while the Upstream value got better. Went from 30-32 to 37-39dBmV.

They have scheduled somebody to do work on the main line. Said there was lots of signal interference further down the line.

Work is supposed to be done by Tuesday. Got usage of my cable back at least. I'll see for how long it actually lasts. Let's hope it's permanent.