Comcast upgraded my internet speed, should I get a DOSCIS 3.1 modem?

Hans Gruber

Platinum Member
Dec 23, 2006
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A lot of you hate the cable company, me included. I have the full meal deal in services. Not just triple play but the 4 bagger as well with xfinity home security. I did a speed test on my ethernet connected computer not thinking there would be a change. Previously it was 240mbps down and 12-15mbps up. This time Around 460's to mid 480's mbps down and 6-7mbps up. So they cut the upload speed in half and at least doubled my download speed.

My question. I have a DOSCIS 3.0 cable modem. I think it's a tecnicolor model. I did not think the modem could push that much speed and I think there may be some speed leftover on the table. Should I have the xfinity van come out and install a DOSCIS 3.1 modem?

Does anybody have a DOSCIS 3.0 modem that pushes 480mbps down or more. I know the theoretical max speed of DOSCIS 3.0 is somewhere around 1200mbps but that is with something like a 24 channel or 32 channel modem. Even at theoretical maximum speeds you usually only get half of that in real world performance.

I downloaded a steam game with peak sustained speeds of 55MB.

Thoughts and anybody with DOSCIS 3.0 speeds faster than 500mbps.
 

razel

Platinum Member
May 14, 2002
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Check if DOCSIS 3.1 is even officially supported. Otherwise, it's all about getting a modem they approve that supports the maximum number of channels they support. Both I'm sure is on their list of approved modems available somewhere.
 

XavierMace

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Apr 20, 2013
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DOCSIS quoted maximum speeds are a joke. You've probably got better odds of winning the lottery than hitting near theoretical max speeds. I'd pick up a DOCSIS 3.1. I'm on Cox's gigabit service and I'm running a NETGEAR CM1000-100NAS (which is on the approved list for xfinity as well). I will state I had to send my first CM1000 back, but the second one has been great. I'd stop renting gear from them and buy one of these.
 
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Hans Gruber

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Dec 23, 2006
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DOCSIS quoted maximum speeds are a joke. You've probably got better odds of winning the lottery than hitting near theoretical max speeds. I'd pick up a DOCSIS 3.1. I'm on Cox's gigabit service and I'm running a NETGEAR CM1000-100NAS (which is on the approved list for xfinity as well). I will state I had to send my first CM1000 back, but the second one has been great. I'd stop renting gear from them and buy one of these.

As I see it rule of thumb with theoretical max modem speeds. Cut the theoretical max speed in half as a best case scenario. I only rent gear from Comcast because I have voice through the modem as well. If it was simply cable internet I would buy my own modem. They upgrade equipment for free. I have not heard of a DOSCIS 3.0 modem that can actually move 500mbps. I thought they maxed out at 300-350mbps.

This is the modem that I have. https://www.cnet.com/products/cisco...outer-cable-mdm-802-11b-g-n-ac-desktop/specs/

My research says that a 24 channel modem can push 38mbps for each of the 24 channels. This means 912mbps is the theoretical maximum. With my above theory of 50% of theoretical max. I am over that threshold right now.
 
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mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
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I have not heard of a DOSCIS 3.0 modem that can actually move 500mbps. I thought they maxed out at 300-350mbps.

Comcast says the Netgear CM700 (DOCSIS 3.0 32x8) maxes at 700mbps, though due to how they configure their DOCSIS profiles, it maxes out around 500mbps. If they really wanted to, they could very likely create a profile that would allow higher speeds, but it's easier for them to just push DOCSIS 3.1 modems with proper DOCSIS 3.1 profiles for true gigabit speeds. They recommend the Netgear CM1000
 
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Hans Gruber

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Comcast says the Netgear CM700 (DOCSIS 3.0 32x8) maxes at 700mbps, though due to how they configure their DOCSIS profiles, it maxes out around 500mbps. If they really wanted to, they could very likely create a profile that would allow higher speeds, but it's easier for them to just push DOCSIS 3.1 modems with proper DOCSIS 3.1 profiles for true gigabit speeds. They recommend the Netgear CM1000

This is my speedtest just run during prime time hours of internet usage afternoon. Before the speed upgrade my download over ethernet was 230mbps down and around 12-13mbps up. They halved the upload steam which is not good but more than doubled the download stream. My thoughts are there is more speed to be had and a DOSCIS 3.1 mode is what would confirm my thinking

33379781.png
 

XavierMace

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Apr 20, 2013
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As I see it rule of thumb with theoretical max modem speeds. Cut the theoretical max speed in half as a best case scenario. I only rent gear from Comcast because I have voice through the modem as well. If it was simply cable internet I would buy my own modem. They upgrade equipment for free. I have not heard of a DOSCIS 3.0 modem that can actually move 500mbps. I thought they maxed out at 300-350mbps.

This is the modem that I have. https://www.cnet.com/products/cisco...outer-cable-mdm-802-11b-g-n-ac-desktop/specs/

My research says that a 24 channel modem can push 38mbps for each of the 24 channels. This means 912mbps is the theoretical maximum. With my above theory of 50% of theoretical max. I am over that threshold right now.

I'll get about 880Mbps on a "good" day with Cox currently in an aging and probably overloaded neighborhood. Generally, mid-day I'm looking at closer to 550Mbps. 35Mbps up. I was maxing out around 300Mbps with my CM700 on their ultimate plan.
 

Thebobo

Lifer
Jun 19, 2006
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This is my speedtest just run during prime time hours of internet usage afternoon. Before the speed upgrade my download over ethernet was 230mbps down and around 12-13mbps up. They halved the upload steam which is not good but more than doubled the download stream. My thoughts are there is more speed to be had and a DOSCIS 3.1 mode is what would confirm my thinking

33379781.png

Woa what horrible UL speed, is that what they offer?
 
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XavierMace

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33383242.png


That's what I'm getting right now (2:45p local time) on Cox's Gigabit service. Full disclosure, my EdgeRouter is a limiting factor right now, but I've gotten more than that out of it before.
 
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Hans Gruber

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Woa what horrible UL speed, is that what they offer?
I do not have a gigabit plan or a half gigabit plan. Like I said they upgraded my internet speed. My old upload speed was 12-15mbps. I will probably give customer care a call and ask them to adjust my upload speed.

More importantly, I have a DOSCIS 3.0 modem 24x7 with a standard xfinity internet plan.
 
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Hans Gruber

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33383242.png


That's what I'm getting right now (2:45p local time) on Cox's Gigabit service. Full disclosure, my EdgeRouter is a limiting factor right now, but I've gotten more than that out of it before.

What does that plan cost you per month? What speed are you paying for? Is your modem Doscis 3.0 or 3.1?
 

Thebobo

Lifer
Jun 19, 2006
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I do not have a gigabit plan or a half gigabit plan. Like I said they upgraded my internet speed. My old upload speed was 12-15mbps. I will probably give customer care a call and ask them to adjust my upload speed.

More importantly, I have a DOSCIS 3.0 modem 24x7 with a standard xfinity internet plan.

My bad went straight for the graphics ~
 

XavierMace

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Apr 20, 2013
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What does that plan cost you per month? What speed are you paying for? Is your modem Doscis 3.0 or 3.1?

$120/mo for "gigabit" (1Gbps Down, 35Mbps Up). That's running off the CM1000 modem, which is a DOCSIS 3.1. If I wasn't in the process of moving to a new neighborhood, I'd call them up and throw a fit. But not worth it at this point. It's also still cheaper than the slower "Ultimate" plan.
 

mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
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?? EdgeRouter X here.

2zs1zj6.jpg

Pretty sure the edgerouter maxes at around 600-800mbps, so if he has gigabit, he'll never see those speeds.

The Edgerouter lite however can do gigabit assuming you use the hardware accelerated settings.
 

XavierMace

Diamond Member
Apr 20, 2013
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?? EdgeRouter X here.

2zs1zj6.jpg

I'm not sure what you're trying to show with that picture.

Pretty sure the edgerouter maxes at around 600-800mbps, so if he has gigabit, he'll never see those speeds.

The Edgerouter lite however can do gigabit assuming you use the hardware accelerated settings.

Correct. I've gotten like 850-880Mbps if there's literally nothing else on the network.
 

Hans Gruber

Platinum Member
Dec 23, 2006
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The question is what is the fastest download speeds anybody with a doscis 3.0 modem has. My download speeds are listed above 487mbps. Comcast upgrades speeds regularly and my internet plan was never anything close to 480mbps down speeds. That is why I am asking the question about doscis 3.0 With regards to the upload speed, it seems as if they halved the up stream from 12-15mbps. My download stream is why I am considering a Doscis 3.1 modem. I am tied to a EMTA modem telephone/modem. Not sure if xfinity service has a Doscis 3.1 modem with EMTA capability built in.
 

boomerang

Lifer
Jun 19, 2000
18,883
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The question is what is the fastest download speeds anybody with a doscis 3.0 modem has. My download speeds are listed above 487mbps. Comcast upgrades speeds regularly and my internet plan was never anything close to 480mbps down speeds. That is why I am asking the question about doscis 3.0 With regards to the upload speed, it seems as if they halved the up stream from 12-15mbps. My download stream is why I am considering a Doscis 3.1 modem. I am tied to a EMTA modem telephone/modem. Not sure if xfinity service has a Doscis 3.1 modem with EMTA capability built in.
My take is that you are having an issue with your upload that you need to contact Comcast about. That download/upload rate does not sync with any of their published tiers of service.

Going to the site below, I see no EMTA device on their list that is approved for your rate of service. Only three come up and they are all DOCSIS 3.0. I must enter my zip and download speed because I am not a customer though. That coupled with different tiers offered in different markets means that more than likely I may not see the same information you see.

https://mydeviceinfo.xfinity.com/
 

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
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Several things: Comcast has recently bumped people with a Triple-play, up an internet tier.

So, it sound like you were on an "Extreme" internet tier. Well, Comcast also halved the upload speed on their newest "Extreme 400" tier. So 400/10. Rather than 200/20, or whatever you're on.

That being said, 5-6Mbit/sec upload is low. You should be getting at least 10. If it isn't performance losses within your network, or an overloaded node, then possibly you should look into a newer modem.

The gigabit DOCSIS 3.1 tier has, I think, 35Mbit/sec upload.
 

JackMDS

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 25, 1999
29,513
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I have in one location Spectrum that Testing shows 240 Down and 12 Up.

In an other location I have FIOS that provides 50 Down and 50 Up.

When doing just Download of File or ISO etc. the Spectrum does it faster,

But... for general use FIOS provides much more Agile system.

While objective Technology is what it is, the Selling and informing us about Technology has very little to do with Technology.

It is like I buy GIECO insurance because I like the Caricature Gecko more then the Box Caricature of Progressive therefore GIEGO is a better insurance.

That said the OP has a valid concern and the only real solution is to buy a fancy DOCSIS from a merchant that provide4s liberal return and try it on your system

Good Luck

:cool:
 

cmdrdredd

Lifer
Dec 12, 2001
27,052
357
126
I've been thinking of jumping to Gigabit via Comcast and upgrading my modem to do it. I only have the internet and do not pay for other services. I own my modem and I stream 100% of my media. There are a few things holding me back. First I'm paying for 150/20 and getting an average of 180/25(sometimes download up to 200) now according to speedtests and I'm not entirely unhappy, I just want the faster downloads. Second, streaming TV and movies never gets close to the max speed I have now. In fact I think they top out way below 30Mbps for 4k HDR streams with Dolby Atmos Audio. Third, the upload speed would only be 35Mbps which might not seem too slow but for jumping to 1Gbps download you would think they would give a bigger upload speed bump. Lastly I see AT&T Fiber rolling out in the area. It's not in my neighborhood yet but in a couple of the next neighborhoods over (about a mile or so away) they have access to it. They are offering 1Gbps up and down for less than I'm paying now. I've no idea if my neighborhood is on the list to get this rolled out or not but it's always in the back of my mind. I don't want to commit to new hardware and service if in a few months I can get fiber.

Anyway I think it's all in evaluating what you have, what you want, and what you will do with it. Me? I really want faster downloads for my games. Games are now 60GB or even larger in some cases. The quicker they download the better to me, but my other usages even with every device streaming at the same time, isn't saturating what I have now. So I'm hesitant.
 

mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
14,539
428
136
Streaming bitrates are simply not going to push you to upgrade unless you've got 3-5 people on the network at once. If it's just you, then streaming alone simply isn't worth upgrading for.

However, if you're looking to increase the speeds of your larger downloads, gigabit is certainly great for that. I have 1gbps fiber and most steam downloads hit 500-800mbps depending on the time of day. The highest i've seen on steam is 890mbps. The highest i've seen for StarCitizen updates is ~915mbps. Even massive 60-70GB games take 15-20 minutes.

Fiber is preferred to DOCSIS cable obviously, but since the majority of your traffic will be download, 35mbps upload isn't too bad. Sadly ISPs are loath to discuss fiber rollout to specific locations before they're actually ready to install there, so you'll likely not hear anything from AT&T until they decide to they're ready to install.
 

cmdrdredd

Lifer
Dec 12, 2001
27,052
357
126
Streaming bitrates are simply not going to push you to upgrade unless you've got 3-5 people on the network at once. If it's just you, then streaming alone simply isn't worth upgrading for.

However, if you're looking to increase the speeds of your larger downloads, gigabit is certainly great for that. I have 1gbps fiber and most steam downloads hit 500-800mbps depending on the time of day. The highest i've seen on steam is 890mbps. The highest i've seen for StarCitizen updates is ~915mbps. Even massive 60-70GB games take 15-20 minutes.

Fiber is preferred to DOCSIS cable obviously, but since the majority of your traffic will be download, 35mbps upload isn't too bad. Sadly ISPs are loath to discuss fiber rollout to specific locations before they're actually ready to install there, so you'll likely not hear anything from AT&T until they decide to they're ready to install.

Yeah I'm aware. I've got lots of streaming going at once but even when streaming HDR on 3 TVs, plus downloading something I'm not seeing any problems with the video so that's obviously not the best reason to upgrade. The file transfer speeds is what I'm after though. I'm just not sure if I want to be committed to comcast for it.