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Is Comcast a good ISP?


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#1
axeman61

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I live in Michigan; northwest of Detroit.

A while back, I resolved to upgrade my internet. I was on an AT&T 3 Megabit connection, and wanted more. I was also having disconnect problems. I figured I would switch to U-Verse, and if that had problems, I'd switch to Comcast. Now I'm thinking of taking that final step and switching to Comcast as soon as I get a new job; I have frequent disconnects at night and these techs look like they'll never get things right. I have to call them yet again tomorrow.

Now, I call Comcast the final step for a reason. There's no turning back. To switch over, I'd have to pay around 600 bucks for equipment, installation, and the settling of an old Comcast Cable debt. Needless to say, this better be worth it. I would need a stable, unflinching connection at almost all times. Stability is the backbone of this decision. So, I need to know some things before I dive in. Does Comcast have any connectivity issues? Any of you have the modem disconnect when gaming online? Any online lag spikes? Does the customer service suck as much as I hear? Anything weird? I really need to know. The plan I'm looking at has 4x the speed of my connection right now, but that will be useless if the service is picking and choosing when it wants to work like it is now.

OS Version: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Service Pack 3, 32 bit
Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 CPU 3.00GHz, x86 Family 15 Model 4 Stepping 1
Processor Count: 2
RAM: 3062 Mb
Graphics Card: Intel® 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset Family, 128 Mb
Hard Drives: C: Total - 35055 MB, Free - 9899 MB; D: Total - 476937 MB, Free - 254822 MB;
Motherboard: Dell Inc. , 0M3918, , ..CN708214B5049M.
Antivirus: Avira Desktop, Updated: Yes, On-Demand Scanner: Enabled

Edited by axeman61, 22 September 2013 - 04:06 PM.

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#2
SpywareDr

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Comcast Small Business is more reliable.
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#3
axeman61

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Their regular service isn't that reliable? I don't need all that stuff outlined in the business plan, and the Performance package I was looking at has more download speed anyway (compared to Business Starter).

I just need to know from any of you with Comcast if you have problems with the modem dropping the connection due to the wiring outside or any other issue.
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#4
SpywareDr

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Our Comcast Small Business connection has never been down (that I know of). Our Residential account is down briefly once in a while, say every three weeks or so. It usually comes right back up, but, it is an interruption in service.
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#5
axeman61

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I could take every 3 weeks or so over the every day I have now with U-Verse. When you say down briefly, what do you mean? It blinks out, but comes back within 30 seconds?
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#6
SpywareDr

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Sometimes, but it's usually a couple minutes or so.
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#7
PhrantiQ

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Locally I don't have many selections, certainly no Fiber. So I have to choose between a DSL or Cable provider, in which my DSL provider I gave a shot was down more than up, or at least at 1/20th the speeds promised with their services.

After switching to Comcast at that location, I was still having a day or two a month of unusable, slow connection or having no connection at all. However after moving out of that area after the renovations to my house were completed, which is wired up to the gills with CAT6 based cabling... Let's just say my Comcast connection is 10 to 15 Mbps over the amount I pay for. For instance right now I'm able to push 128 down and 67 up while I pay for 100 down and 50 up.

On a side note, from a business stand point I can tell you that I practically force all my customers into Comcast and they all thank me for it. Not only do many save money, but they have practically no down time (accept last week when a garbage truck ran into a powerline pole and broke it in half... not Comcast's fault obviously). I've even gone as far as to become a Comcast Reseller for the businesses I work for.

Hope that helps a bit, however the best advise you can possibly get would be to ask your neighbors and those around the area you want to get it. Some areas, like the place I rented while my house was renovated, have a lot of issues with Comcast - Though from all I've seen it isn't that likely, but better safe than sorry.
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#8
axeman61

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Yeah, I kind of tried that before. My aunt a street over has it. I asked her and the people who live with her if the internet ever has any problems. They said no. However, they don't use the internet to the extent that I do, so that's still up for questioning. I got a bill of my Aunt's to look at, and figured they must be on the Performance package. I ran a speed test and it always tested at a little more than 25 Mbps (Performance speed). Things look like I should be switching over right now, but I'm afraid of having these problems yet again. Also, the package is more expensive than what I have right now.

When you say you force it on to businesses, do you mean the Business service SpywareDr recommended, or just regular comcast. Regular's all I can afford.

Edited by axeman61, 24 September 2013 - 11:35 AM.

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#9
PhrantiQ

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Yeah, I kind of tried that before. My aunt a street over has it. I asked her and the people who live with her if the internet ever has any problems. They said no. However, they don't use the internet to the extent that I do, so that's still up for questioning. I got a bill of my Aunt's to look at, and figured they must be on the Performance package. I ran a speed test and it always tested at a little more than 25 Mbps (Performance speed). Things look like I should be switching over right now, but I'm afraid of having these problems yet again. Also, the package is more expensive than what I have right now.

When you say you force it on to businesses, do you mean the Business service SpywareDr recommended, or just regular comcast. Regular's all I can afford.


For businesses you get business, for residential you get residential. Thats just a rule of thumb. I sell business grade packages to customers (as I primarily only deal with business to business items in my line of work). However I use residential at my house and get great results, so does around 20 other techs I work with and trust their opinions and statements to be factual. So I'd jump over if you can!
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#10
SpywareDr

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I'm afraid of having these problems yet again.


There is no perfect. The more money you throw at it however, the closer you'll get.
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#11
axeman61

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The AT&T guys came yesterday. Things seem to be up and running way better than before. We'll see in a week though.

I was wondering something:

Do you guys ever have BS surcharges pop up on your bill? I've spoken with 3 Comcast reps about switching, and they assure me that internet carries no extra monthly fees except for taxes. Modem rental fee too, but they said that should be cancelled if I get my own equipment. Have you seen otherwise?

Also, is there a good, cheap ($120 or less) wireless router that works well with this ARRIS Motorola Surfboard SB6141 Modem:

http://www.amazon.co...ard cable modem

I'm only going to be Gaming and streaming from my open PC on this little home network. I probably don't need the best of the best.

Alternatively, do you guys know of any good combination router/modems?
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#12
PhrantiQ

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My bills consistent. It doesn't change much if at all (would have to really check if it's exactly the same, however off memory I can say it doesn't vary more than a few cents if any - or I'd recall exactly). I'm about to run, or I'd offer up my opinions on the hardware - So if no one else beats me to it I'll be sure to come back and give some feedback on that when I get done with this job.
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