So for the past two months, my internet connection has sucked big time. Which is particularly problematic given that I work in California and terminal in every day.
Over those two months, there have been a total of three days when my connection speed has been up to snuff. In fact, when it's been lightning fast.
The first time, I'd had enough and asked them to send a tech out to take a look at it. That was the first day. I got up that morning and the interwebs were frictionless. So when they called to confirm the appointment, I told them not to bother. The next day, my speed was back to slogging through mud.
After a week or so of that, I called them again and had them send out a tech. He was supposed to be here between 10 and 1. At 12:40, they called to tell me it was going to be a while yet, and could we reschedule. But since I'd gotten up that morning and slid through the tubes of the internet with nary a problem, and since I really didn't have time later that day, I said to forget it.
(Yes, I'm an idiot).
So when my speed went back to shuffling pathetically through shag carpet, I called them again. That was Monday. They were supposed to come out Tuesday morning. I woke up Tuesday morning expecting my connection to be fast again, and was surprised to find it as horrible as ever.
When the tech hadn't shown up by 1, I called to see what the problem was. Turns out they hadn't assigned a tech. The appointment was just sitting in a general pool. Someone messed up. So they rescheduled for today.
So let's guess. This morning, fast or slow? That's right, blistering fast. So I knew he'd show up. And when he walked in, I said, "Can I ask you a question? Once could be a coincidence. Twice is already fishy. But three times? They must be juicing the connection artificially." He told me they couldn't do that if they wanted to. And honestly, I don't see what they'd get out of doing it, other than tormenting customers. Maybe a rogue dispatcher who likes BOFH?
So he ran diagnostics, and all was well with the world. Even speedtest.comcast.net is giving me 16 Mbps upload speeds to San Jose (for the past week, it's been between 1.5 and 2.5).
He gave me his supervisor's direct number and hours, and said that maybe if it recurs (like it's going to tomorrow), I can call, and maybe they can get someone out that same day.
posted
They could definitely be throttling me. My guess is that I'm probably one of the heaviest users in the area, if not the heaviest. But they claim not.
Posts: 12266 | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
I had the same problem with my cable company here in Las Vegas. I was using Cox cable for a couple of years. I was having the same issue off and on, and then all of the sudden it was slow almost all of the time.
I called Cox and they said it must be my router or my modem. I knew it wasn't, but I tried it anyways. I bought a brand new Modem and router and plugged them in. Same thing. I called Cox back and they said that I must have bought a faulty modem or router then, it couldn't possibly be them. Tried a third router and modem, and still the same thing.
When I ran speedtests, my upload speed was extremely fast. My download speeds however hovered at about 200kb/s.
I too requested a tech but they said that everything looked good on their end so they would have to "monitor my situation" for at least 5 days before taking any further action. So I told them that I was taking further action now, and I cancelled my service. I called Century Link, signed up for their DSL service, and had it installed the next day. Now I am getting a 10 MBPS connection with no slowdowns ever for $30 a month. I was paying $70 a month for a 12 MBPS connection with Cox.
Posts: 1937 | Registered: Nov 2006
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posted
I am very happy with Broadstripe. They used to actually advertise that they don't throttle.
I am also fortunate to be in one of those rare areas without a cable monopoly. Fios, Comcast, and Broadstripe are constantly banging on my door with great offers. Comcast even offered me $79 a month for their triple play for 12 months. I still said no thanks.
Posts: 3134 | Registered: Mar 2005
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I wouldn't use VoIP for anything. I actually switched from RCN to AT&T because they were trying to force VoIP on me.
Now we've gotten rid of our landline, and we're using this great gadget that lets us connect our cellphones (both of them) to it and then use the cellphones with all of our house phones. Calling in and calling out. We're saving the cost of the landline, and we can always have our cellphones in a single place without having to look for them, and we can answer them wherever we are. It's ideal.
Posts: 12266 | Registered: Jul 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Lisa: I wouldn't use VoIP for anything. I actually switched from RCN to AT&T because they were trying to force VoIP on me.
Now we've gotten rid of our landline, and we're using this great gadget that lets us connect our cellphones (both of them) to it and then use the cellphones with all of our house phones. Calling in and calling out. We're saving the cost of the landline, and we can always have our cellphones in a single place without having to look for them, and we can answer them wherever we are. It's ideal.
Thats what we use. They are great.
Posts: 3134 | Registered: Mar 2005
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- Antivirus software that's running live might be causing this problem. Turn the protection completely off and see if this solves the problem.
- If you're using a router, try plugging your cable modem directly into the computer. If it clears up, get a new router.
- If you're running with a wireless router (or your router has wireless capabilities, change your security (WEP, MAC control, etc) and see if the problem clears up. Someone may be leaching your bandwidth.
- Borrow an cable modem from a friend. If it works better, replace your cable modem.
- You may have some other processes that are bogging you down. Turn off your primary computer and try another (borrow a friend's laptop?) If the problem goes away, re-install Windows and be careful what programs you install.
If none of these work, keep slogging it out with Comcast.
Posts: 1204 | Registered: Mar 2003
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