Paying for 768/128 getting 350/120

[AmigaMan]

Ok, I've had my Verizon DSL for the past couple weeks now, and I like it better than my modem. But I feel a little jipped in that the max I've been able to download at is 351Kbps according to DSLReports and C|Net. I've tried all the registry tweaks and it didn't help. So I called Verizon and they sent someone out to check things out on the line.
He said that since I'm almost 18,000 feet from the CO, and I have 9,000 feet of older wire, there is nothing they can do. They will guarranty that I get 256/92 but other than that, I'm out of options. I feel that paying $49.95 a month for 350/120 is a little pricey. What can I do? Should I move to cable and risk even worse performance?

 

[spidey07]

Well, if your paying for that service but said service cannont be delivered I'd say your due a refund.

You can try cable or ask around about performance. Personally all my friends have DSL and are pissed that didn't get cable like I told them to.

I consistently get 3000-5000 Kbs. results may very of course.

 

[AmigaMan]

they said they would refund me, but since I haven't paid anything yet I was going to weigh my options before I cancelled the service. I went to TimeWarner Cable's website and they have three isp's I can choose from: RoadRunner, AOL High Speed, and Earthlink. Earthlink was running a promo for $41.95 a month which would be cheaper than my current DSL.
The thing is, I'm scared from what I've heard about cable access being spotty and that your download speeds drop as more people get on, especially in the evenings. I wouldn't want to spend $45 for dialup access speeds which is possible with a cable modem.

 

[LuNoTiCK]

If I was you, I would go with roadrunner. It would be a far better option than verizon dsl.

 

[JackMDS]

>>>The thing is, I'm scared from what I've heard about cable access being spotty and that your download speeds drop as more people get on.<<<

Yeah, that especially would happen when the ?Unicorn comes from Atlantis.?

Following Spidy07 post. Most RR cable services average 2 to 3 Mb/sec.

Your 351Kb/sec probably provide you with 30MB/sec download. A Good cable service will provide you with 250MB/sec download that 10 time the speed of your current DSL. So let say that during rush hour you will get only 150MB/sec. it is still 5 time more then DSL.

The above is a general statement Your Mileage may vary.

 

[AmigaMan]

<< A Good cable service... >>


So what determines this? I've seen people post here on AT about all sorts of problems they're having with cable, along with people like me who've had problems with their DSL.

arrrgghhh...I guess I'll just have to risk it and get cable. Any problems I should be on the lookout for? The network behind my router should just transfer over to the new cable modem right? Do I just swap out the DSL modem for the cable modem or is there more configuration to be done?

 

[AmigaMan]

oh and you said,
Your 351Kb/sec probably provide you with 30MB/sec download
you mean I should get 30KB/sec right (actually it should be around 44KB)? Last I checked 351 kilobits != 30 Megabytes. I'm sure it was a typo

 

[JackMDS]

Find someone in your neighborhood that uses Cable Internet service, and ask.

Getting here answers from people that are in different geographical locations does not worth a free dime.

============================================
Here is an example of the diversity in the services:

Posted by: Hobbzilla

My connections (DL/UL speeds):

DSL=1536Kbps/384Kbps ==> usually get around 100+ KBps

Cable=1024Kbps/128Kbps ==> usually get around 70KBps

My cable is more than half less $$ than the DSL connection. So, it is worth it to me.

Posted By: JackMDS

My connections (DL/UL speeds):

DSL=768Kbps/128Kbps ==> usually get around 60 KBps Cost $35

Cable=3000Kbps/128Kbps ==> usually get around 270KBps Cost $45

I actually have both services.

My Cable cost $10 more, providing me 4 time the speed of DSL.

=============================================
As for installation.

Cable connection is simpler then DSL (no PPPOE). The Cable ISP will give you instructions concerning their specific settings.

 

[AmigaMan]

Well I just signed up for Earthlink cable. We'll see how it goes from there....