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Charter Changing Speed Tiers
12/1 Becomes 15/3, 18/2 Becomes 30/4

Thanks to Metatron2008 See Profile and Kayrac who have written in to note that Charter Communications will soon be changing their speed tiers. The company's "Express" tier is moving from 12 Mbps down, 1 Mbps upstream to 15 Mbps down, 3 Mbps upstream. Their "Plus" tier is moving from 18 Mbps down, 2 Mbps upstream to 30 Mbps down and 4 Mbps upstream, and their "Ultra" tier is being bumped from 60 Mbps downstream, 5 Mbps upstream to 100 Mbps downstream and 5 Mbps upstream.

The company's Lite tier is also getting a boost to 3 Mbps, though their Max tier continues to sit at 25/3 Mbps but appears headed to the digital trash bin. Charter has yet to make this official, but a Charter rep confirmed the changes in our forums:
quote:
As some of you have speculated, Charter IS working on speed changes that will be released before the end of the year. As we continue to ready the network, according to your posts, you are already seeing some amazing speed results. We plan to streamline Charter Internet options to: Lite, Express, Plus, and Ultra. Current Max customers will absolutely be able to move to a different level of Internet Service. We’ll announce all of this soon, however, it you have specific questions or would like us to change your Charter Internet Service, please hit us on the Direct Forum, and we will be happy to take care of you.
User Kayrac notes that users currently on Charter's Max 25/3 Mbps tier can get out ahead of the changes to their benefit; downgrading to Charter's 18/2 Mbps right now will save you $15, and you'll ultimately get faster speeds than you have now by being bumped to 30/4 Mbps. There's some additional conversation on the changes in our forums for those interested.
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45612019 (banned)
join:2004-02-05
New York, NY

45612019 (banned)

Member

How exciting.

Have fun hitting your bandwidth cap sooner, Charter users! Aren't you excited? Now if you're on the Plus tier or higher you can run out of bandwidth for your entire monthly billing period in just one day! Whooo!

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

1 recommendation

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: How exciting.

said by 45612019:

Have fun hitting your bandwidth cap sooner, Charter users! Aren't you excited? Now if you're on the Plus tier or higher you can run out of bandwidth for your entire monthly billing period in just one day! Whooo!

It's faster, which is good for 99% of the users. This - I'll hit my cap in 33 secs, or 33 min, or 33 hrs is a useless argument. It is only brought out as a straw man argument for unlimited bandwidth.
Expand your moderator at work
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

1 recommendation

88615298 (banned) to 45612019

Member

to 45612019

Re: How exciting.

said by 45612019:

Have fun hitting your bandwidth cap sooner, Charter users! Aren't you excited? Now if you're on the Plus tier or higher you can run out of bandwidth for your entire monthly billing period in just one day! Whooo!

If I'm doing what I am doing now which isn't putting me over the cap how is me getting a faster connection going to make me hit the cap AT ALL, let alone faster?
45612019 (banned)
join:2004-02-05
New York, NY

45612019 (banned)

Member

Re: How exciting.

If you're not reaching your bandwidth cap with what you're doing now then you don't even need faster speeds.

It's a Ferrari and a Buick only being allowed to drive down to the end of the block. You don't need that Ferrari to get down the block. Soooo much wasted potential, the extra speed is pointless if it can be used so little.
jcremin
join:2009-12-22
Siren, WI

1 recommendation

jcremin

Member

Re: How exciting.

Quit bitching. I'm tired of reading the non-stop posts on here from people who constantly whine about how bad ISP's are, and then whine when they boost speeds. To echo the other people, only a very small % of people are affected by the caps, and more speed to do the small "bursty" things that most people do on the internet is a great thing. If you are one of the small % of people who need more than the caps allow, purchase a business line.
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

1 recommendation

88615298 (banned) to 45612019

Member

to 45612019
said by 45612019:

If you're not reaching your bandwidth cap with what you're doing now then you don't even need faster speeds.

It's a Ferrari and a Buick only being allowed to drive down to the end of the block. You don't need that Ferrari to get down the block. Soooo much wasted potential, the extra speed is pointless if it can be used so little.

you're right. I'm at 18/2 Plus tier which is going to 30/4. Since I don't need more than that and now that 12/1 Express is going up to 15/3. I can now downgrade to Express and save $10 a month so basically the same speeds I'm using now.
ConstantineM
join:2011-09-02
San Jose, CA

ConstantineM to 45612019

Member

to 45612019
said by 45612019:

If you're not reaching your bandwidth cap with what you're doing now then you don't even need faster speeds.

It's a Ferrari and a Buick only being allowed to drive down to the end of the block. You don't need that Ferrari to get down the block. Soooo much wasted potential, the extra speed is pointless if it can be used so little.

What a bs argument. I need 20GB right here, right now, once in a while. If the connection is slow, I'd be wasting the whole day to download the stuff; otherwise, I can just be done in a jiffy, and get on with other stuff.

Caps can be a nuisance (and unlimited overage fees is a horrible concept that should be illegal), but faster speeds are always welcome.
Wilsdom
join:2009-08-06

Wilsdom

Member

Re: How exciting.

You are still paying hundreds of dollars extra per year for bandwidth you don't need (and can't use for that matter). Maybe your time is extremely valuable, but I think a lot of people would rather plan their downloads rather than waste money.
ConstantineM
join:2011-09-02
San Jose, CA

ConstantineM

Member

Re: How exciting.

I think a lot of people would rather have their providers plan their network. I don't pay my ISP for internet, such that I still have to "plan my downloads". :-p
fiberguy2
My views are my own.
Premium Member
join:2005-05-20

fiberguy2 to ConstantineM

Premium Member

to ConstantineM
If you need THAT much bandwidth, then a residential connection certainly isn't for you.

I read further down that you're waiting "hours" to upload your photos.. those must be some massively large photos there... and you must really be in a rush to get them out to the net for some reason too.

Never realized that photos were mission critical.

... a little bit heavy on the dramatics perhaps?
ConstantineM
join:2011-09-02
San Jose, CA

ConstantineM

Member

Re: How exciting.

said by fiberguy2:

If you need THAT much bandwidth, then a residential connection certainly isn't for you.

I read further down that you're waiting "hours" to upload your photos.. those must be some massively large photos there... and you must really be in a rush to get them out to the net for some reason too.

Never realized that photos were mission critical.

... a little bit heavy on the dramatics perhaps?

20GB a few times a year is very little amount of bandwidth, mind you. Every residential connection in the US certainly supports such amount of bandwidth. The other question is, is that unless you have an FTTH through a good ILEC, a CLEC , or a municipal ISP, then the time to get that bandwidth would be unnecessarily long.

I don't think that uploading 100 photos is something beyond an average user. "100 * 2MB / 1.5Mbps" is 18 minutes. So, with the fastest AT&T U-verse FTTH connection, it takes at least 18 minutes to upload merely 100 photos. One minute would be something that would be much more reasonable, and in line with the advertisements.
fiberguy2
My views are my own.
Premium Member
join:2005-05-20

fiberguy2

Premium Member

Re: How exciting.

They're photos.. uploading photos is not mission critical and I don't see how 18 minutes, in your example, is unreasonable. Nor does your example of uploading photos would be something that I'd be outraged or in a hurry to see ISPs make a mass cash drop to upgrade their system so that the time to upload 100 photos at 2MB a piece would go faster.

Like most people, start your upload, and take advantage of the multi-tasking that your computer can do. Remember the 6 P's.. Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

It has nothing to do with "average user".. it have everything to do with what's reasonable. You don't have a reasonable need to have those photos go by lighting quick if all you're doing is an occasional 100 photo upload. If someone is constantly uploading photos, then yes, it's not "average".. it would be more indicative of someone most likely in a trade or specific profession in which my point remains.

djrobx
Premium Member
join:2000-05-31
Reno, NV

1 recommendation

djrobx to 45612019

Premium Member

to 45612019
said by 45612019:

If you're not reaching your bandwidth cap with what you're doing now then you don't even need faster speeds.

It's a Ferrari and a Buick only being allowed to drive down to the end of the block. You don't need that Ferrari to get down the block. Soooo much wasted potential, the extra speed is pointless if it can be used so little.

I couldn't disagree more.

If I want to download a DVD sized ISO, I'd like to do so in minutes not hours. But just because I need an occasional 4GB file doesn't mean I'm doing it every day of the month.

Using your car analogy, I rarely ever go past 80mph, but I like to have a big engine because getting up to speed quickly makes the driving experience that much more enjoyable. I also need to pass people going up hills sometimes. They clock "0-60" times for a reason!

- Rob
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DaMaGeINC
The Lan Man
Premium Member
join:2002-06-08
Greenville, SC

DaMaGeINC to 88615298

Premium Member

to 88615298
Woohoo, cant wait to get my warez and free tv even faster now!!!
JTY
join:2004-05-29
Ellensburg, WA

JTY to 45612019

Member

to 45612019
Wrong! Even though the bandwidth capacity has gone up, the usage won't really change. Just means I can download and upload my files more quickly, thus saving me time, cause the amount of data I need to move doesn't change often.
45612019 (banned)
join:2004-02-05
New York, NY

45612019 (banned)

Member

Re: How exciting.

Oh so you're still using the same amount of bandwidth you were using ten years ago on dial-up? Hmm...
JTY
join:2004-05-29
Ellensburg, WA

JTY

Member

Re: How exciting.

Over the last 4 years, where I've gone from 1.5Mb DSL to now 15Mb cable, I'm still averaging about 120GB/mo. I could use more, if I had an actual need.

As for 10 years ago, I had 1M DSL. And, then I was only averaging about 20GB/mo, but then again I was working for a different company, and thus my needs were different.
Expand your moderator at work
Big Dawg 23
join:2002-03-27
Northfield, MN

Big Dawg 23 to 45612019

Member

to 45612019
I surf and download a lot and have never received a warning about caps. 99.99% of users never hit the cap. Only people hitting caps are large families and people using Torrent.
Bengie25
join:2010-04-22
Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Bengie25

Member

Re: How exciting.

Or someone purchasing games over Steam and watching Netflix

swintec
Premium Member
join:2003-12-19
Alfred, ME

swintec

Premium Member

Oh Yea???

My Roadrunner Turbo is 15/1!!!!!!!1..... I never thought I would see the day where Charter would eclipse RR service wise. Although, I must admit TW does not have caps so that is worth something.
45612019 (banned)
join:2004-02-05
New York, NY

45612019 (banned)

Member

Re: Oh Yea???

Don't worry. You don't want Charter and their bandwidth caps and poor HD lineup anyway.
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned)

Member

Re: Oh Yea???

said by 45612019:

Don't worry. You don't want Charter and their bandwidth caps and poor HD lineup anyway.

Their internet and TV offerings have nothing to do with each other. One can have Charter internet and have DirecTv or Dishnetwork for TV or even just OTA or no TV at all.
jcremin
join:2009-12-22
Siren, WI

jcremin

Member

Re: Oh Yea???

said by 88615298:

said by 45612019:

Don't worry. You don't want Charter and their bandwidth caps and poor HD lineup anyway.

Their internet and TV offerings have nothing to do with each other. One can have Charter internet and have DirecTv or Dishnetwork for TV or even just OTA or no TV at all.

I say don't worry about Xizer... he obviously just wants to complain about anything and everything he can whether it really has any merit or not.
45612019 (banned)
join:2004-02-05
New York, NY

45612019 (banned) to 88615298

Member

to 88615298
said by 88615298:

said by 45612019:

Don't worry. You don't want Charter and their bandwidth caps and poor HD lineup anyway.

Their internet and TV offerings have nothing to do with each other. One can have Charter internet and have DirecTv or Dishnetwork for TV or even just OTA or no TV at all.

Because the satellite providers have such amazing channel lineups in comparison to Time Warner as well...

compuguybna
join:2009-06-17
Nashville, TN

compuguybna to swintec

Member

to swintec

CORRECTION on LITE 1mpbs.

LITE 1mbps is going to 3mbps. That was stated in the thread.
jc10098
join:2002-04-10

jc10098 to swintec

Member

to swintec

Re: Oh Yea???

I'd take my uncapped Timewarner over a 100/5 line any day. What good do the speeds do you if you have say a low usage and a high per byte cost. If I felt like spending the cash, Docsis 3.0 is available and I can get 50/5 in my area from TWC, too. However, 15/1 suffices my needs.

Uncapped wins at any speed versus capped. Period.

Metatron2008
You're it
Premium Member
join:2008-09-02
united state

Metatron2008

Premium Member

Re: Oh Yea???

Charter has a soft cap of 500 gigs for 100/5. Ive never been called even if I go over.

JigglyWiggly
join:2009-07-12
Pleasanton, CA

JigglyWiggly

Member

Re: Oh Yea???

100/5 wtf, atleast 100/10, better wud be 100/20 but i mean srsly 100/5?

•••••••••

heat84
DSLR Influencer
join:2004-03-11
Delray Beach, FL

heat84 to Metatron2008

Member

to Metatron2008

Is 5 Mbps even enough for overhead?

I bet even the best router in the world would crash with that connection if you used Bit Torrent. 5 up is probably barely enough for overhead for 100 down(when you max the connection). Then again, I don't know the ratio of amount of overhead per Mbps.
iansltx
join:2007-02-19
Austin, TX

iansltx

Member

Re: Is 5 Mbps even enough for overhead?

False. You only get a few dozen Kbit/s of overhead at that speed, not 5 Mbps. Especially using uTP. 100/5 isn't ideal (btw people sell 20/1 connections) but it's not horrible.
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned) to jc10098

Member

to jc10098
said by jc10098:

I'd take my uncapped Timewarner over a 100/5 line any day. What good do the speeds do you if you have say a low usage and a high per byte cost. If I felt like spending the cash, Docsis 3.0 is available and I can get 50/5 in my area from TWC, too. However, 15/1 suffices my needs.

Uncapped wins at any speed versus capped. Period.

Well you've convinced me. I'll switch from Charter to Time Warner. Oh wait that's not an option since most areas don't have two cable providers. Does your post have an actual point?

fonzbear2000
Premium Member
join:2005-08-09
Saint Paul, MN
·Verizon Wireless

fonzbear2000 to swintec

Premium Member

to swintec
said by swintec:

My Roadrunner Turbo is 15/1!!!!!!!1..... I never thought I would see the day where Charter would eclipse RR service wise. Although, I must admit TW does not have caps so that is worth something.

They're also going to beat Comcast's current 12/2 tier. I too never thought I'd see the day that Charter would pass the other big cable ISP's in speed like this.

IowaMan
Premium Member
join:2008-08-21
Grinnell, IA

IowaMan

Premium Member

12/1 = slow?

I have a DSL connection that is 12Mb/1Mb and I don't find it slow at all. (Although I wish DSL could do more then 1Mb up)

cork1958
Cork
Premium Member
join:2000-02-26

cork1958

Premium Member

Re: 12/1 = slow?

said by IowaMan:

I have a DSL connection that is 12Mb/1Mb and I don't find it slow at all. (Although I wish DSL could do more then 1Mb up)

Nope, 12/1 isn't slow at all, if it fits your needs. Just like when I had Frontier DSL a while back. I had 7.1/768 and didn't think it was slow, for my purposes.

Most people that "must have" the max connection speeds, no matter what, are just the kind of people that do that simply because it's there and they can. They don't use common sense in rationalizing the costs vs. use, or they have to much money, or they have parents/others paying the bill!
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned)

Member

Only took 4 days

to make the front page after this had been discussed on the Charter board.

MooJohn
join:2005-12-18
Milledgeville, GA

MooJohn

Member

Business tiers?

Just wondering if the business plans will follow suit. I currently have Max but would take any faster speed my location can support.
nocannothave
join:2006-10-14
Kennewick, WA

nocannothave

Member

Re: Business tiers?

said by MooJohn:

Just wondering if the business plans will follow suit. I currently have Max but would take any faster speed my location can support.

I hope so! I actually called just yesterday to see if prices had come down. Here's what's available in my area:

16/1 - 79.99
25/3 - 149.99
50/5 - 209.99
100/5 - 359.99

I'll ask again in a few weeks. Luckily, actual speeds are closer to 20/2 for some reason. NOT COMPLAINING!

ITALIAN926
join:2003-08-16

ITALIAN926

Member

Re: Business tiers?

Wow, my 42/33 FiOS connection breaks down to about $50 a month included in my triple, What a steal, huh?

dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium Member
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ

dvd536

Premium Member

No soup for you!

On the upload for the two top tiers. how weak!

Complainers
@charter.com

Complainers

Anon

So many complaints!

Really? I have never seen so many complaints about upgrades. What's the big deal? What in god's name do you need all that upload speed for anyway. I've been running on Charter's service for years, the only thing I've notices is the download speed changes. Obviously the upload has gone up but I really don't care either way. It doesn't affect my surfing, doesn't affect my gaming, doesn't seem to really affect anything. Then again, looking through the forums - most people here can find something wrong with anything the companies do.

Correct me if I'm wrong but what I get from reading this and most of the posts in the company specific forums is that the only way the people here will be happy is if there's an uncapped, unlimited, "use as much as you want all the time" fiber line running to every house in the entire country.....good luck with that!
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

1 recommendation

88615298 (banned)

Member

Re: So many complaints!

said by Complainers :

Really? I have never seen so many complaints about upgrades. What's the big deal? What in god's name do you need all that upload speed for anyway. I've been running on Charter's service for years, the only thing I've notices is the download speed changes. Obviously the upload has gone up but I really don't care either way. It doesn't affect my surfing, doesn't affect my gaming, doesn't seem to really affect anything. Then again, looking through the forums - most people here can find something wrong with anything the companies do.

Correct me if I'm wrong but what I get from reading this and most of the posts in the company specific forums is that the only way the people here will be happy is if there's an uncapped, unlimited, "use as much as you want all the time" fiber line running to every house in the entire country.....good luck with that!

Devil's advocate here.

3 years ago Charter didn't have a cap. Now they do. That is hardly an upgrade. And while extra speed is nice and I'll take it I don't need. it. 18 meg was fine. In fact it was 16 meg before this February and I was fine with that. Well now that the Express tier is now 15 Meg I'd consider dropping to that tier, but oh wait I can't. It only has a 100 GB cap vs the 250GB I get with the Plus tier. Sure I'm getting 30 meg but as I said I don't need it. If you're getting something extra you don't need is it an upgrade?

Also the cap they've had in place since February 2009 is the same. All the pro-cap people have said over and over "don't worry they'll raise caps over time". Really? 3 years and no raise and they've stated they don't plan on raising it anytime soon. 100 GB is about 2% of what one could theoretically download on the new 15 meg tier. Now I'm not insisting that Charter allow one to download 100%, but hell how about fucking 5%?
rradina
join:2000-08-08
Chesterfield, MO

rradina

Member

DOCSIS 3 vs. DOCSIS 2

Does anyone know if the new speeds will require me to upgrade my DOCSIS 2 modem? Neighbors across the interstate from me have said Charter told them they need to purchase a DOCSIS 3.0 modem but they have not told me anything.

I didn't know if the DOCSIS 3 requirement was to preparing for this speed change or because the plant in that area was stressed.

With speedboost, I already hit 30+mbps on downloads with my current modem so I should be good there. I'm concerned about the 3Mbps up speeds. What's the maximum upload on a DOCSIS 2 modem?

••••
Fishie
join:2003-01-14
Riverside, CA

Fishie

Member

Price Bump As Well?

I am wondering if the speed bump will correspond to a price increase as well? And, as others have stated, I wonder if there will be a change to the caps too? Before, the 12mbps tier was capped at 100GB/month while the 18mbps tiers, and above, were capped at 250GB/month. We'll see.
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned)

Member

Re: Price Bump As Well?

said by Fishie:

I am wondering if the speed bump will correspond to a price increase as well? And, as others have stated, I wonder if there will be a change to the caps too? Before, the 12mbps tier was capped at 100GB/month while the 18mbps tiers, and above, were capped at 250GB/month. We'll see.

100 meg is getting a $15 price reduction.
JTY
join:2004-05-29
Ellensburg, WA

JTY to Fishie

Member

to Fishie
FWIW, on the 12/1 I've gone over 100GB almost every month, and not a word from Charter. From those I've talked to, the caps are rarely enforced.

heels_fan
1.20.09 The start of Socialism
Premium Member
join:2003-02-07
Columbia, TN

heels_fan

Premium Member

My Cable Co



here is the pricing schedule from my local cableCo.

PowerNet Basic*** $24.95
Up to 1.0 Mbps download/128 kbps upload
PowerNet 2.0 $29.95
Up to 2.0 Mbps download/256 kbps upload
PowerNet 6.0 $34.95
Up to 6.0 Mbps download/640 kbps upload
PowerNet 10.0 $42.50
Up to 10.0 mbps download/1.0 Mbps upload
PowerNet 14.0 $52.95
Up to 14.0 Mbps download/1.4 Mbps upload
PowerNet 25.0**** $64.95
Up to 25.0 Mbps download/2.5 Mbps upload
PowerNet 50.0**** $76.95
Up to 50.0 Mbps download/5.0 Mbps upload

Anything over the 14 down gets a D3 modem
XXXXXXXXXXX1
Premium Member
join:2006-01-11
Beverly Hills, CA

XXXXXXXXXXX1

Premium Member

Questionable...

Not sure if this is a veiled attempt to begin the switch to a metered billing system or not. I have Charter, and for the most part have been pretty happy with them. If they start monkeying around with their billing, my only other option is a DirecTV/ATT bundle for services, which I used to have at my apartment. It was very reliable, but speeds were slow compared to Charter's offerings.

I'm keeping a close eye on this one...
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned)

Member

Re: Questionable...

said by XXXXXXXXXXX1:

Not sure if this is a veiled attempt to begin the switch to a metered billing system or not. I have Charter, and for the most part have been pretty happy with them. If they start monkeying around with their billing, my only other option is a DirecTV/ATT bundle for services, which I used to have at my apartment. It was very reliable, but speeds were slow compared to Charter's offerings.

I'm keeping a close eye on this one...

All they are doing is increasing speeds. How is that moving towards metered biling?
XXXXXXXXXXX1
Premium Member
join:2006-01-11
Beverly Hills, CA

XXXXXXXXXXX1

Premium Member

Re: Questionable...

said by 88615298:

said by XXXXXXXXXXX1:

Not sure if this is a veiled attempt to begin the switch to a metered billing system or not. I have Charter, and for the most part have been pretty happy with them. If they start monkeying around with their billing, my only other option is a DirecTV/ATT bundle for services, which I used to have at my apartment. It was very reliable, but speeds were slow compared to Charter's offerings.

I'm keeping a close eye on this one...

All they are doing is increasing speeds. How is that moving towards metered biling?

I'm hearing that speeds will increase, but bandwidth caps will go down and overage charges will be levied. I currently have the plus plan... I can downgrade to the express and be close to what I have now, but my bandwidth cap also goes down. I'm hoping this isn't going down the road of metered billing like what the mobile companies are doing with overages.

charterrep50
@charter.com

charterrep50

Anon

prices will go down

prices are not going up. and the ultra100 will in fact be less than what the ultra60 was.