Docsis cable modems

[rumpeltumskin]

What is the max speed of a Docsys 1 modem. I have been looking online but can find a solid answer for its download speed.

I had really slow internet so I called Suddenlink and they said there may be a problem with the signal in the building cable. When the tech got here he told me what was wrong, the modem I was using from Suddenlink was too old. I was paying for 15 Mbps and only getting 1.5 Mbps according to various speed test sites. He also told me when I call tech support, they can see what kind of modem I am using and he was confused as to why they kept trying to offer me faster internet on a modem that would not handle it.

I never tested my speed to see what I was getting, I just trusted the cable company to know what they were doing. So I have been paying for high speeds for years that I wasn't getting.

 

[MrWizzard]

This came up as my 1st link in the google. When I typed docsis.

Should be able to find your answer there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOCSIS

 

[rumpeltumskin]

Yeah, I read that before, I just wasn't sure what it meant, It said 48.88 Mbps throughput. So I was confused why my modem would only do 1.5 Mbps downloads

 

[ImDonly1]

What kind of modem do you have?

The modem is very old. Probably 10+ years old. Most cable companies phased out docsis 1.0 modems by now and no longer have any customers with docsis 1.0 (at least comcast did phase them out). I would definitely not expect to see the docsis 1.0 modem do 36mbps. I think on comcast, the most if would usually do is 10mbps. The modem is old so the cpu/ram probably limits the speed it can get.

Possibilities:
1. The modem is very old. So the WAN only supports 10mbps?
2. Are you hooking the modem up using usb or ethernet?
3. What are your signals?
4. Depending on the modem you can see what speed you are provisioned for, or in the log when you reboot the modem, you can see loaded modem config file xxx.cm. You can google the name of the config and see what speeds are allowed by the config.
5. Try speed test on speedtest.net
6. Is the speed the same during the day as at night?

I would get a new modem. You can always buy a used modem on ebay for $20-30. Such as a motorola sb5101 or sb5120, etc. They support docsis 2.0 and should be good for a while. Or if you want to spend some $$, there are deals sometimes for staples/amazon having the newest docsis 3.0 modem sb6120 or sb6121 on sale for $60-70. You should check with your provider to see which is supported.
Here is a modem list
http://help.suddenlink.com/Internet/Pages/DOCSIS2.0(orhigher)CompliantModemList.aspx
Looks like docsis 1.0 modems were phased out a while ago. Only customers who had their own modem weren't forced to upgrade.
http://help.suddenlink.com/Internet/Pages/DOCSIS1xModems.aspx

 

[rumpeltumskin]

I was just mad that Suddenlink knew what kind of modem I had and never told me why I wasn't getting the speed I paid for. The tech that came out yesterday got me a Docsis 3 that was used and Suddenlink gave me a $120 rebate, so no bill this month, lower bill next month and modem paid for.

 

[MrWizzard]

I was just mad that Suddenlink knew what kind of modem I had and never told me why I wasn't getting the speed I paid for. The tech that came out yesterday got me a Docsis 3 that was used and Suddenlink gave me a $120 rebate, so no bill this month, lower bill next month and modem paid for.

Yea being unhappy is understandable. Looks like you got it sorted out though.

 

[ImDonly1]

Are you sure you never got notice?

They always put them at the start or end of the paper bill somewhere. Like July xx we will be discontinuing DOCSIS 1.0 modems.

So your speeds are fine now with the new modem?

 

[spidey07]

I was just mad that Suddenlink knew what kind of modem I had and never told me why I wasn't getting the speed I paid for. The tech that came out yesterday got me a Docsis 3 that was used and Suddenlink gave me a $120 rebate, so no bill this month, lower bill next month and modem paid for.

Pretty good customer service right there.