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Time Warner Cable Testing Powerboost Technology
Upstate NY users begin to see the telltale signs...

Comcast's "Powerboost" technology gives cable broadband users an extra boost of bandwidth for the first part of a large download (or upload), more than doubling connection speed for a limited time. Since their initial deployment across the Comcast network, they've licensed the technology out to other companies such as Cox or Canadian cable provider Shaw.

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A company insider tells me that Time Warner Cable is now testing Powerboost technology in select upstate NY markets. User speed tests in excess of 16Mbps would seem to confirm this information. Initial test results seem to indicate the trials only involve downstream speeds for now.

Some of the areas in upstate New York being used to trial the technology are some of Time Warner Cable's least competitive, where limited 3Mbps deployment of Verizon DSL means the company can rest easy with standard 5Mbps speeds. In other words, it's a nice treat for users who haven't exactly been on the front lines of industry competition.

I've confirmed the tests with one Time Warner Cable employee, and am waiting for additional detail from an official company spokesperson I contacted earlier today. I'm curious if Time Warner Cable is licensing Comcast technology, or have developed some kind of "Powerboost-esque" solution of their own. While some criticize Powerboost as a marketing gimmick that allows carriers to game speed tests, users generally react favorably to the technology.
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insomniac84
join:2002-01-03
Schererville, IN

insomniac84

Member

Speedtests?

Can you run a valid speed test once this is implemented? Such as on an off port? Or does "powerboost" effect traffic on all ports equally?

PhoenixDown
FIOS is Awesome
Premium Member
join:2003-06-08
Fresh Meadows, NY

PhoenixDown

Premium Member

Re: Speedtests?

I am curious about this too

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

2 edits

FFH5 to insomniac84

Premium Member

to insomniac84
said by insomniac84:

Can you run a valid speed test once this is implemented? Such as on an off port? Or does "powerboost" effect traffic on all ports equally?
On the Comcast system, I've seen it on both HTTP & FTP ports. Is it on all ports? I don't know.

You can do valid speed tests when transferring large files - I FTP a 64MB file to test upload and download. The powerboost doesn't last thru the whole download, so if you have a tool like the free Netlimiter 2, you can see what speeds you get after the powerboost time period expires.

What I see is that with powerboost I get about 15000/1500 speed. When powerboost expires, I get about 6600/950.

For most downloads of MS fixes, freeware software, short videos downloaded from relatives, etc. the powerboost really makes the downloads go quickly. And if I am uploading a bunch of megapixel digital photos to an MS server, that also goes much faster with powerboost. So for me it is a nice bonus that I didn't have to pay extra for.

en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA

en102

Member

Re: Speedtests?

I think its actually a good form of network management, and advertising.

Eg. The average person does not require 15Mbps/1.5Mbps 24x7 (or need to make use of it at those rates that often)

By allowing these short bursts of speed, it satisfies most small downloads, and should take some congestion off the network. (i.e. multiple 6Mbps/1Mbps connections each fighting for bandwidth during a download, or a downloads running at 3x that speed, settling back down afterwards). Download time for the duration is almost 1/3, and during average use, there's no excess usage beyond 6Mbps.

I could see a filtered approach to this possible....
1. 6Mbps/1Mbps across the board
2. 15Mbps/1.5Mbps for Comcast (aka vendor preferred) sites/protocols.

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

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: Speedtests?

said by en102:

I could see a filtered approach to this possible....
1. 6Mbps/1Mbps across the board
2. 15Mbps/1.5Mbps for Comcast (aka vendor preferred) sites/protocols.

You are trying to open the whole net neutrality debate with that suggestion.

en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA

1 edit

en102

Member

Re: Speedtests?

Just a little...business is business.

For items like Windows service packs, Linux Distros and a few other 'chosen' items, they could 'boost' service.
By offering the optimistic approach, they'd skate past Net Neutrality. Eg. We're not delaying any packets. We sell a 6Mbps service. We will offer free higher end service to our business associates for a cut, and you will be able to access their service at a higher than contracted rate.
Glass half full vs. Glass half empty approach.

dadkins
Can you do Blu?
MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA

1 edit

1 recommendation

dadkins to FFH5

MVM

to FFH5
Comcast Blast(16m), here...
PowerBoost - 35mbps down and 3.6mbps up

After PowerBoost, 17.3mbps down and 2.2mbps up

Consistently.

Dareius
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood
Premium Member
join:2002-11-12
Elmhurst, NY

Dareius to insomniac84

Premium Member

to insomniac84
said by insomniac84:

Can you run a valid speed test once this is implemented? Such as on an off port? Or does "powerboost" effect traffic on all ports equally?
I too wonder what speed test would be valid once this is implemented.
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned) to insomniac84

Member

to insomniac84
said by insomniac84:

Can you run a valid speed test once this is implemented? Such as on an off port? Or does "powerboost" effect traffic on all ports equally?
No you can't. Not if your talking about a speedtest at speedtest.net or site like it. I always get a kick out of some Comcast customers posting his speed test resluts and bragging about his connection as if the 25 Mbps is something that is consistant. I hope Charter never this route. When they get 16 Mbps here I want to know that I'm actually getting 16 Mbps.
Mele20
Premium Member
join:2001-06-05
Hilo, HI

Mele20

Premium Member

Re: Speedtests?

said by 88615298:
said by insomniac84:

Can you run a valid speed test once this is implemented? Such as on an off port? Or does "powerboost" effect traffic on all ports equally?
No you can't. Not if your talking about a speedtest at speedtest.net or site like it. I always get a kick out of some Comcast customers posting his speed test resluts and bragging about his connection as if the 25 Mbps is something that is consistant. I hope Charter never this route. When they get 16 Mbps here I want to know that I'm actually getting 16 Mbps.
You can do speed tests. You can do the best, most accurate one.. My Speed. You can't do it from Visualware's website but if you download the free MySpeed Lite you can test at any of Visualware's servers vis socket to socket...not html so it will be accurate.

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

dvd536 to insomniac84

Premium Member

to insomniac84
said by insomniac84:

Can you run a valid speed test once this is implemented? Such as on an off port? Or does "powerboost" effect traffic on all ports equally?
Powerboost in effect poisons speedtest results

Phil
Rojo Sol
Premium Member
join:2001-06-11
Downers Grove, IL

Phil

Premium Member

Get Powerboost Technology Today...

...and hit your cap tomorrow!
ivan69
join:2004-01-30
99999

1 edit

1 recommendation

ivan69

Member

Re: Get Powerboost Technology Today...

We have had this speedboost thing here in SoCal where I live since last year. It helps when it's working. For the last I think...3 or 4 months, it hasn't been. You really do see a difference. It's almost as if you are actually getting the speeds TWC advertises, but only for a few seconds.

Phil
Rojo Sol
Premium Member
join:2001-06-11
Downers Grove, IL

Phil

Premium Member

Re: Get Powerboost Technology Today...

Although I signed up for 10/1 service I consistently get 17Mbps download and 2Mbps upload at my place so I guess I have permaboost!

tiger72
SexaT duorP
Premium Member
join:2001-03-28
Saint Louis, MO

tiger72 to ivan69

Premium Member

to ivan69
said by ivan69:

We have had this speedboost thing here in SoCal where I live since last year. It helps when it's working. For the last I think...3 or 4 months, it hasn't been. You really do see a difference. It's almost as if you are actually getting the speeds TWC advertises, but only for a few seconds.
consider yourself lucky - you're the only guy with TW anywhere outside of the NYC who's supposedly has powerboost...

I'm more inclined to believe that people in competitive markets are just seeing a speed upgrade - not powerboost.

Phil
Rojo Sol
Premium Member
join:2001-06-11
Downers Grove, IL

Phil

Premium Member

Re: Get Powerboost Technology Today...

That's exactly what it is and of course it's not documented anywhere. I see speeds of 17/2 and I am in a FiOS area.
ivan69
join:2004-01-30
99999

ivan69 to tiger72

Member

to tiger72
Easy tiger....

I most certainly do not consider myself lucky, nor was I bragging. TWC is the antichrist, and can go to hell. My speeds have been consistently around 1.5 mb for about 4 months and no higher than 5 mb since I signed up for their damn service 11 months ago.

I'm on a 10/1 package. Woohoo.

Speedboost is crap....I have it and you can definitely tell when every download starts out at nearly the speed of light and then it suddenly drops to the normal 1.5 to 2 mb. I have had 7 techs come out, 5 different modems and two line changes. Their techs are either super idiots or the head honchos don't like to send anyone out for a friggin line maintenance check. On the other hand, maybe the friggin NODE IS TO OVERLOADED YOU CHEAP PIECES OF ****.

I never met a tech I liked, so no pretend techs posting wannabe technical responses for me to post modem info and other stuff like that.

SpaethCo
Digital Plumber
MVM
join:2001-04-21
Minneapolis, MN

SpaethCo

MVM

Re: Get Powerboost Technology Today...

said by ivan69:

Speedboost is crap....I have it and you can definitely tell when every download starts out at nearly the speed of light and then it suddenly drops to the normal 1.5 to 2 mb..... On the other hand, maybe the friggin NODE IS TO OVERLOADED YOU CHEAP PIECES OF ****.
If the upstream/downstream channels were overloaded the bandwidth wouldn't be available for you to get the initial boost of speed. Overloaded channels present with universally crappy performance; you've got something else going on.
chrisbmoore
join:2003-08-28
Elkins Park, PA

1 edit

chrisbmoore

Member

Gimmicks, gimmicks and more gimmicks....

You know.....I wish the providers would stop coming up with all these gimmicks and just give us what we are paying for. A "powerboost" is useless. What we need is consistently increased upload speeds. They constantly pitch portals and speed boosters, when they should just be working on the long term stability and capacity of their network. If FIOS can provide a 20/20 connection then so can cable. It's all wrapped up in the politics and red tape. This is why other countries are so far ahead of us in broadband speeds and technology. They don't have politics controlling everything that happens like America.

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

1 edit

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: Gimmicks, gimmicks and more gimmicks....

said by chrisbmoore:

You know.....I wish the providers would stop coming up with all these gimmicks and just give us what we are paying for. A "powerboost" is useless to the average user.
No, it works great for the average user. Who it doesn't help are those who are constantly downloading huge movie files or hundreds of MP3s thru some P2P applications.

NetAdmin1
CCNA
join:2008-05-22

NetAdmin1

Member

Re: Gimmicks, gimmicks and more gimmicks....

said by FFH5:

No, it works great for the average user. Who it doesn't help are those who are constantly downloading huge movie files or hundreds of MP3s legitimately.
Tweaked it a bit for you...

»www.archive.org/details/movies
»www.archive.org/details/audio

fatmanskinny
Premium Member
join:2004-01-04
Wandering

fatmanskinny

Premium Member

Re: Gimmicks, gimmicks and more gimmicks....

Lol. I like your "tweaked" post better.

fireflier
Coffee. . .Need Coffee
Premium Member
join:2001-05-25
Limbo

fireflier to FFH5

Premium Member

to FFH5
Or LEGALLY, purchased games for PS3 (yes you really can purchase Gran Turismo 5 from the Playstation Store. The download is about 1.5GB), and Xbox, LEGALLY purchased MP3s from Amazon (from whom I've purchased many) and LEGAL DirecTV Video On Demand programs.

Constant implications that high bandwidth users are all doing something illegal only serves to help ISPs justify crappy speeds and stupidly low caps because "legal network use couldn't possibly consume that much bandwidth". Not all high bandwidth use is attributed to illegal activity. The fact that some activity is illegal does not invalidate the fact that a lot of activity isn't.

So back to the original argument, speed boost also won't help the above listed uses.
Corydon
Cultivant son jardin
Premium Member
join:2008-02-18
Denver, CO

1 recommendation

Corydon to chrisbmoore

Premium Member

to chrisbmoore
What kind of "average user" are you talking about?

The average user whose downloads and uploads consist of things like photos and the odd patch for Windows?

Or the average user who downloads lots of "Linux Distros" on BitTorrent?

And what, precisely, does politics have to do with Speed Boost?

It's a tool. It helps with some things (like photos). Not so much with others (like videos). Complaining because it doesn't do task B well is like complaining that you can't use a screwdriver to cut a 2x4.
chrisbmoore
join:2003-08-28
Elkins Park, PA

chrisbmoore

Member

Re: Gimmicks, gimmicks and more gimmicks....

I'm not saying politics has anything to do with powerboost.....I'm saying the reason we are held back from real solutions to a problem instead of a short term fix is because the ceos are lining their pockets with the research and development money.

Dogfather
Premium Member
join:2007-12-26
Laguna Hills, CA

1 recommendation

Dogfather

Premium Member

Re: Gimmicks, gimmicks and more gimmicks....

What problem? What is this mythical problem everyone is speaking of? These cable providers are supplying multi-megabit speeds for a decent price and those speeds are increasing.

Comcast and other major cable operators are spending hundreds and hundreds of millions in upgrade improvements including switched digital video and DOCSIS 3 for channel bonding. Telcos are also spending hundreds of millions to billions on fresh deployments.

It's also a matter of demand. Looking at FiOS speed distribution records here, people are gobbling up the cheaper tiers although higher end tiers are available. Thus just because you build it, doesn't many anyone will come.

SpaethCo
Digital Plumber
MVM
join:2001-04-21
Minneapolis, MN

SpaethCo to chrisbmoore

MVM

to chrisbmoore
said by chrisbmoore:

If FIOS can provide a 20/20 connection then so can cable. It's all wrapped up in the politics and red tape.
Yeah, those politics of needing to save frequency space to deliver TV channels on your CableTV infrastructure are just unnecessary red tape.
chrisbmoore
join:2003-08-28
Elkins Park, PA

chrisbmoore

Member

Re: Gimmicks, gimmicks and more gimmicks....

Well guys it's a forum for opinions....I'm offering mine.....just like an asshole everyone has one. Seems every time I offer an opinion anywhere here...I get attacked for it.

SpaethCo
Digital Plumber
MVM
join:2001-04-21
Minneapolis, MN

1 edit

SpaethCo

MVM

Re: Gimmicks, gimmicks and more gimmicks....

I'm just saying, the technology divide between cable and FiOS is vast. Cable was designed around the delivery of video content, and the ability to layer on data services only came about later after the infrastructure was already deployed. FiOS was designed as a platform for data *and* video delivery; the ability to deliver high data rates was factored into the solution up front.

Simply restated: for cable, data delivery is a bonus. For FiOS, data delivery is at the core of the service.

Dogfather
Premium Member
join:2007-12-26
Laguna Hills, CA

Dogfather to chrisbmoore

Premium Member

to chrisbmoore
Powerboost is hardly useless. It's good for EVERYTHING except large downloads. Not everyone is engaged in pirate seeding or hammering usenet 24/7.

And no, just because Verizon can doesn't mean cable can. Their network topologies are fundamentally different.
fxt107
join:2003-01-18
Mechanicsburg, PA

fxt107

Member

PowerBoost and Roadrunner Extreme

Any idea on how this affects Roadrunner Extreme?
45612019 (banned)
join:2004-02-05
New York, NY

45612019 (banned)

Member

Garbage.

This is a stupid gimmick to inflate speed test results and allow them to trick consumers into paying for a connection that is not running at its rated speed without them noticing.

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

dvd536

Premium Member

Re: Garbage.

said by 45612019:

This is a stupid gimmick to inflate speed test results and allow them to trick consumers into paying for a connection that is not running at its rated speed without them noticing.
Couldn't have said it better myself

Dogfather
Premium Member
join:2007-12-26
Laguna Hills, CA

1 recommendation

Dogfather

Premium Member

Even 5Mbps won't do it

With Verizon deploying 7.1Mb DSL to more areas where they don't yet have FiOS.

But for most people Powerboost is great. It speeds up everything except extended downloads. It really great for grabbing those smaller downloads like 20MB updates and programs.

viperpa33s
Why Me?
Premium Member
join:2002-12-20
Bradenton, FL

viperpa33s

Premium Member

No sense

Honestly I don't understand what's the sense. With the caps they are testing, makes powerboost just about worthless. Powerboost would be good for speeding up a download of a large movie file but not something the size of a picture file. If you need powerboost just to download a picture file, then there is issues.

SpaethCo
Digital Plumber
MVM
join:2001-04-21
Minneapolis, MN

SpaethCo

MVM

Re: No sense

said by viperpa33s:

Honestly I don't understand what's the sense. With the caps they are testing, makes powerboost just about worthless. Powerboost would be good for speeding up a download of a large movie file but not something the size of a picture file.
Powerboost speeds up the delivery of flash content, short video clips, and large picture files. (4+ megapixel)

If you're going to be streaming video, Powerboost allows you to get a good amount of video buffered in a hurry to start the playback.

disconnected
@sbcglobal.net

disconnected

Anon

Extreme Asymmetry

I just have to laugh at the extreme asymmetry of the down vs upstream speeds... the upstream is equivalent to 4 year old DSL. How about symmetry in speeds? Then maybe more people would switch.

•••
ivan69
join:2004-01-30
99999

ivan69

Member

Stupid Powerboost

Stupid stupid and more stupid....If TWC can offer HIGH SPEEDS and CONSISTENTLY at that in some out of the way hick areas, then why not in a place like SOCAL. We are supposed to be the center of the universe over here and yet they continue to experiment with slow speeds, inconsistency, lack of tech support (the little to no difference they make) and numerous other negative low standards that they consistently meet or exceed.

Bring it. I have since signing on with TWC....consistently.

•••
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned)

Member

YEAH!

Burn through your 40 GB cap even faster!

hayabusa3303
Over 200 mph
Premium Member
join:2005-06-29
Florence, SC

hayabusa3303

Premium Member

Re: YEAH!

said by 88615298:

Burn through your 40 GB cap even faster!
Yep in only half the time.

Anonymous_
Anonymous
Premium Member
join:2004-06-21
127.0.0.1

2 edits

Anonymous_

Premium Member

Re: YEAH!

twc will burn in areas with ATT u-suck or Verizon
fastest internet optimized speed

with such an cap
maximumm
join:2006-08-14
Mechanicville, NY

maximumm

Member

which area's

Which part's of upstate ny is going to have this speed upgrade and how when will they upgrade their customers?
ivan69
join:2004-01-30
99999

ivan69

Member

Re: which area's

said by maximumm:

Which part's of upstate ny is going to have this speed upgrade and how when will they upgrade their customers?
You will know if you've been ugraded when they install a new modem for you. The modem will have a special button on it that says "Press here for advertised speeds."
older dog
Premium Member
join:2005-06-09

older dog to maximumm

Premium Member

to maximumm
STNY Time Warner
Seated in the heart of New York's Southern Tier, Time Warner Cable's Binghamton Division serves nearly 200,000 subscribers from Oneonta in the East to Jamestown in the West. Just one hour south of Syracuse, two hours southwest of Albany and three hours northwest of New York City, Binghamton has given birth to a number of respected corporations.

From
»www.timewarnercable.com/ ··· ton.html
patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY

patcat88

Member

not powerboost

I doubt this is powerboost on TWC. I'm in NYC and I have 20/1 tier.
»/r0/do ··· 9476.JPG

So this is my speed test on 20/1, egh 1 mbit less than the speedtest in the article, but close enough.
maximumm
join:2006-08-14
Mechanicville, NY

maximumm

Member

how about turbo customers

Is this speed increase going to happen to people who have roadrunner turbo also and how much is this going to cost?

manhattannow
@202.40.137.x

manhattannow

Anon

nyc

bring this to manhattan please!

••••
morisato
join:2008-03-16
Oshawa, ON

morisato

Member

easy to exploit?

I could see Someone writing an application to take advantage of powerboost technology by starting a large download then stopping when the boost is off and restarting heck would prolly be very effectively easy to write
netbob
join:2001-03-08
Huntington Beach, CA

netbob

Member

Powerboost in Socal

Looks like Powerboost has reared it's ugly head in the (Not) center of the universe here in the SoCal. I have 15/2 last that I heard and this am my speedtests are consistently: