23 replies to this topic

[JustRuck]

I've had Qwest in Colorado and now have Comcast. Comcast is definitely faster.

I dropped my land line and now just use my cell phone so I don't bundle phone service with my internet.

I used to have qwest in colorado since it was bundled with my satellite service. I agree, comcast was faster.

[uwfan]

Okay I checked out the Skype and Vonage links...thanks Simon! I "think" I understand how Skype works...but I'm not sure either my mom or me helping my mom is ready to take that leap. I sort of like the idea of Vonage...but when it's all said and done it really wouldn't help me save any $$ (I really have worked the "cheap" way over and over)...

So, for now, a question particularly for my Colorado friends... what speed can you get with Comcast? I understand some of the speed issue may really be a connectivity issue when comparing it to DSL/Qwest... but knowing what speeds you are able to get would help me ....

[shadragon]

what speed can you get with Comcast? I understand some of the speed issue may really be a connectivity issue when comparing it to DSL/Qwest... but knowing what speeds you are able to get would help me ....

With DSL you usually get asynchronous data rates (called ADSL). This means the upload speed if different from the download. Where I am you can get a 6MB download, but only 1MB upload on DSL. Upload speed is usually the limiting factor.

DSL providers often advertise speed of their service using a combination of two bandwidth numbers; for example, "3 Mbps / 1 Mbps:"

The first number, 3.0 Mbps in this case, refers to the maximum bandwidth available for downloads. Examples of network download activities include browsing Web sites, receiving files from P2P networks, and receiving emails.

The second number, 1 Mbps in this case, corresponds to the bandwidth available for uploads. Examples of network upload activities include publishing photos to Web sites, sending files over a P2P network, and sending emails.

Synchronous DSL connections have the same upload and download speeds. My current cable connection is 4Mbps synchronous and is much peppier than the 6/1 ADSL available on-island here. Now I am an IT guy and use every bit of bandwidth both ways. Most people can get away with 3/1 and be quite happy. From what I can see Qwest is asynchronous with the same upload speed regardless of package. What does this mean? On slow asynchronous connections, if you are uploading something your download speeds will drop way off.

Remember the numbers they give you are theoretical and you will only see 60-80% of that speed in real life. The farther you are from a site the slower it will be. That darned speed of light thing. Also, if you download a file, the server you d/l from may limit your bandwidth restricting download speeds from that particular site. Caveat emptor.

For the truly geeky, ADSL stats are here.

Last, if you get DSL, invest a few bucks in a router with a firewall. You can get to the Internet much faster with DSL, but the Internet can also get at you faster. Don't depend on a software firewall like the one built in WinXP or Vista. Even Microsoft recommends you not rely on those products exclusively. If you get a router firewall with wireless capabilities use encryption on the link.

When you get your connection test it here to see what your actual performance is.

[rkymtwy]

Okay I checked out the Skype and Vonage links...thanks Simon! I "think" I understand how Skype works...but I'm not sure either my mom or me helping my mom is ready to take that leap. I sort of like the idea of Vonage...but when it's all said and done it really wouldn't help me save any $$ (I really have worked the "cheap" way over and over)...

So, for now, a question particularly for my Colorado friends... what speed can you get with Comcast? I understand some of the speed issue may really be a connectivity issue when comparing it to DSL/Qwest... but knowing what speeds you are able to get would help me ....

I just did a speed check. With Comcast I'm getting a download speed of 15.6 Mb/s and upload of 8.53 Mb/s. I'm sure it will meet your needs. The one thing with Comcast that you will need is a wireless router if you are using a wifi at your house. If not you will be good to go with the cable modem they provide. If you have any questions about my service here PM me.

[Landlocked Dive Nut]

I just did a speed check. With Comcast I'm getting a download speed of 15.6 Mb/s and upload of 8.53 Mb/s. I'm sure it will meet your needs.

That's pretty good speed, Carla! Heidi, be aware that your speed will vary depending upon time of day, or weekdays vs. weekends. Between 5pm and 8pm weekdays, my speed slows down because the entire neighborhood is checking their Facebook or something!

[peterbj7]

If you're running a business that depends on fast and dependable data transfer, such as when running PoS systems at retail shops (I've also done that - I had just under 500 shops all linked into a central computer) then you need the fastest and most costly facilities available. They're still cheap when considered as a business tool. But if you're accustomed to dial-up at home and you want something better, the jump to even the slowest "always on" connection will be dramatic. Once you have it you'll start using it more and more, till you will possibly decide that you want to pay for a higher speed, but you don't need to start out that way.

I was introduced to VoIP by someone on this board who appears to have fallen by the wayside, and for years it was absolutely marvellous. Right up until Belize started blocking it. I used Vonage because although the wiring is different it operates just like a normal phone, and you don't need a computer even present, let alone switched on. Although I can't use it in Belize I still have a Vonage account, because that is what I use whenever I'm out of Belize. Hopefully it will become usable here again before long. My Vonage monthly charge plus my internet monthly charge in England was slightly more than my telephone line rental had been, but thereafter all my calls were free. My total monthly bill was 10%-20% of what it used to be. That's why so many people are dropping fixed lines and going VoIP. Another significant benefit is that wherever I connect to my Vonage account, anywhere in the world, I have my same constant phone number, with all the messaging service services that that implies. It's like having a cell phone that is virtually free to use and works everywhere, in any country.

[Fordan]

I'm in Denver and a former telecom professional for years. I switched to a Comcast bundle years ago and I definitely recommend it and no I don't work for them. I had lots of issues with my DSL and with Comcast you will have cable modem with good speeds and of course TV. I also am using the VoIP service and have no problems with it. If you are a new customer to Comcast you should get a good price. If not negotiate with them, it works every time. Also the phone service includes unlimited long distance.

I have Comcast and like it. However, I do work for them so may be biased. Especially since I don't have to pay for it.

Most of the large providers give fairly decent discounts for purchasing more than one service, with the biggest discount for the so-called "Triple Play" of HDTV service, Internet, and telephone service. Just be aware of what is promotional pricing and what the pricing after the promotion will be.

I obviously don't know anything about specific ISPs in the US, but overall I would be surprised if broadband were more expensive than dial-up, given more than minimal usage.

US ISPs don't generally bill based on usage, they bill on access speed (and then use caps to keep the insane bandwidth hogs within reason). Generally, for speed (and thus cost), it usually goes DSL<Cable<Fiber, although I've seen Cable offer discount low speed plans, and with DOCSIS 3.0, can offer fiber speeds as well (at fiber cost, of course).

[peterbj7]

US ISPs don't generally bill based on usage

I realise that. The same everywhere I know. But the comparison is with dial-up, which IS charged by the minute. My point was that with much more than minimal usage I would expect dial-up to be more expensive than the cheapest "always on" connection.

[uwfan]

US ISPs don't generally bill based on usage

I realise that. The same everywhere I know. But the comparison is with dial-up, which IS charged by the minute. My point was that with much more than minimal usage I would expect dial-up to be more expensive than the cheapest "always on" connection.

Actually Peter, my dial up is a monthly charge here for unlimited minutes, just as DSL and Cable are monthly charges (at least the two options I'm looking at...). And no matter how I slice the pie, it's a bigger piece of the pie budget going for DSL or Cable... and I will have to make some budget considerations to switch to either. And while fiber optic is definitely appealing, it currently isn't an option where I live in the 'burbs of Denver.