Can't wait for my FIOS connection

[DjfunkmasterG]

I am a week away from getting FIOS installed at my house, and this is going to be the longest 7 days of my life. Since I bought my home in 2006 I have had nothing but problems with Comcast Internet. In the last 14 months I have had the technician at my house 9 times to repair bad connection, slow speeds, you name it, it happened.

Well just last week the technician was at my home to fix a broken underground circuit, I finally was starting to get some speed back... that last until last night when the internet just dropped out for 3 hours, then decided to come back on and stick with with 1kbps upload (yes 1k.. I do not lie) and12kps download. As normal I called tech support, remained as calm as I could until the lady on the other end insisted it was my computer... I said honey... I have been working in IT for 15 years, I own 3 custom built PC's in my house and they are all running this slow. So are you trying to tell me that all 3 of my PC's are screwed? She actually answered yes. So of course I flipped my lid and asked for a manager, to which I repeated everything discussed... the girl had to remain on the line and she even said to the manager... it is his computer, to which he replied... Ummm no, and please come to my office.

So Comcast sends out a local supervisor to drop by the house last night and he tests every single incoming line, the outside box, and the underground hub. When he gets to the hub and opens the steel gate he notices 5 ft of water sitting inside the hub and all the electronics buried underneath the water. He comes back inside, as it was raining, and makes a call, then informs me I will be without decent internet for at least a week before they can repair this hub. At that point I threw up my hands and said phuck it... I can wait the seven more days and after that no more BS with COMCA$H.

So...sorry but I had to rant. I hate paying $60 a month for speeds as slow as what I started using the internet on 15 years ago. Has anyone else any comca$h horror stories?

[MikePizzoff]

I can't tell you how many times we had to have Comcast come to our new apartment over the first 2-3 years of living here. There must have been a guy here about every 3 months, because our internet connection was so F'd up and our On Demand would freeze up.

Finally, after such a long time, they send over a guy with brains and he realizes "Oh, the line running into your house is being split into so many other apartments that you're not getting a strong enough signal," and replaces it.

After the addition of a line just for us, my computers internet started working faster but the computer downstairs remained slow and my XBOX 360 remained slow. Then I figure I might as well give buying a new router a shot, and not using the one Comcast recommends. And, of course, that solved the problem once-and-for-all.

They're idiots over there.

[Geophyrd]

And mostly its good. The internet is quick and it has yet to be down that I've been able to see. The phone service is quite good (IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have 2.4 MHz phones, you're going to need to replace them), the support is strong.

Where it falls down is in the Cable TV service. There's plenty there but the software on the system, including the DVR is so buggy and badly designed that sometimes its really hard to either find what you're looking for or tape just one episode. (I've had Torchwood taped 4 times this week...). They recently upgraded the software but if anything its worse. I can send you a link to a discussion group about it.

Make no mistake, I'm glad I did it but that software is REALLY bad. I wish they'd either mimic TIVO or ReplayTV

[Skippy911sc]

Well you folks should rejoice with the bad cable service you have. I am currently a satellite internet subscriber and it really...no really really sucks!!!

I have a decent speed down, unless there is some weather related problem at my house or the source. My DL is horrible 256 at the best which it never is. My Ping to yahoo averages 1200ms. Oh and I have a Fair Access Policy that limits my DL and UL. And this FAP rolls every thirty days...so what I used 30 days ago comes off today. All this for $80 a month. I just pray that something else comes along...although I have been praying for several years!

So when you complain just remember it can get worse.

[Mike70]

no horror stories. we have roadrunner (mostly because there is a discount for Miami U employees) and are happy with it. i usually get download speeds of about 750 kbs up to 1 mps (mostly in the 750-800 range). we have never had a problem or a major outage and because of the discount we get it is rather inexpensive (i think we pay like $30 or 35 a month for it).

[Kaos]

I am probably going with FIOS by the end of the year. Everything is working with Comcast now so I am in no hurry.

I am just waiting for more HD content to hit on the tv service.

Here is my speed on Comcast internet:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/198208035.png

[Legion2213]

Well you folks should rejoice with the bad cable service you have. I am currently a satellite internet subscriber and it really...no really really sucks!!!

I have a decent speed down, unless there is some weather related problem at my house or the source. My DL is horrible 256 at the best which it never is. My Ping to yahoo averages 1200ms. Oh and I have a Fair Access Policy that limits my DL and UL. And this FAP rolls every thirty days...so what I used 30 days ago comes off today. All this for $80 a month. I just pray that something else comes along...although I have been praying for several years!

So when you complain just remember it can get worse.


That is horrific! :(

I had a problem with my BT Broadband a few weeks ago (I'm in the UK), and I thought I was suffering with around 600kbps. All sorted now though, back up to around 5MB. :)

http://www.speedtest.net/result/244334169.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

Oh, and Kaos....your DL/UL speeds are ****ing obscene! :stunned:

[Kaos]

How's this for resurrection! I'll have to dole myself out a card:
http://www.homepageofthedead.com/necro2.jpg

Anyway, I switched over to FIOS on Monday for internet and tv. Been having issues with Comcrap when it rained like DJ's connection did, so it was time to leave. Internet is way better than my best days on comcrap. The tv wins hands down as well. 60 or so more HD channels.

In the short time we have had it my daughter has become addicted to the Funimation channel. It mostly shows anime.

[Publius]

How does the price compare?

[Kaos]

I am saving about $50 from what I was paying at Comcrap for the internet and full HD combo.

BTW - Here is the new speed test:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/493675696.png

Not too shabby, huh?

[MinionZombie]

I am saving about $50 from what I was paying at Comcrap for the internet and full HD combo.

BTW - Here is the new speed test:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/493675696.png

Not too shabby, huh?
*jealous* :eek:

[DjfunkmasterG]

My COntract is up next year and I am dumping the phone end of it, and most likely the TV service as I don't really watch much on the tube anymore unless it is a DVD or Blu-Gay.


Keeping the Internet though.... Ain't giving up nearly 20mbps speed.

[CoinReturn]

I've got Roadrunner, and I've been happy with their service. My upload bandwidth is pathetic, though:

http://www.speedtest.net/result/493709099.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

[DjfunkmasterG]

Here is my speed test from my job.

Notice how the upload is faster than the download, and I was using a NY server (See attachment)

Here is another test using Baltimore
http://www.speedtest.net/result/497688952.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

Ashburn, VA Server:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/497689920.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

[Geophyrd]

FiOS has been great for internet and phone. The IMG (Interactive Menu Guide, I think) which is the GUI for the software was horrible. Slow, didn't always work and the memory on the DVR was simply too small. I went out and got a big-arsed Tivo and now all is right with the world. TIVO's menuing is excellent and, combined with FIOS' service, I'm really happy with my TV these days. (Except for the Unit being cancelled, of course, but that's a whole other story).

UPDATE: So that was interesting...I caught up to this thread and found myself agreeing with myself. OK, so the TIVO is an update to a posting I put up a year and a half ago. Oy.


And mostly its good. The internet is quick and it has yet to be down that I've been able to see. The phone service is quite good (IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have 2.4 MHz phones, you're going to need to replace them), the support is strong.

Where it falls down is in the Cable TV service. There's plenty there but the software on the system, including the DVR is so buggy and badly designed that sometimes its really hard to either find what you're looking for or tape just one episode. (I've had Torchwood taped 4 times this week...). They recently upgraded the software but if anything its worse. I can send you a link to a discussion group about it.

Make no mistake, I'm glad I did it but that software is REALLY bad. I wish they'd either mimic TIVO or ReplayTV

[AcesandEights]

My new landlords have Fios and suggested we get it, as well, but when asked about what they do for certain services they made it sound unappealing. I think this is just because Fios is poorly represented and possibly/consequently poorly serviced in my area. They're literally the only people in the area that I know who have it and I've always been happy with Cablevision since I started using them 5 years back or so.

All that said, enjoy the upgrade to your services and the better connection and surfing speed!

[Kaos]

FiOS has been great for internet and phone. The IMG (Interactive Menu Guide, I think) which is the GUI for the software was horrible. Slow, didn't always work and the memory on the DVR was simply too small. I went out and got a big-arsed Tivo and now all is right with the world. TIVO's menuing is excellent and, combined with FIOS' service, I'm really happy with my TV these days. (Except for the Unit being cancelled, of course, but that's a whole other story).


As bad as the FIOS DVR is, it is light years ahead of the Scientific Atlanta that our Comcrap uses. The design is much more fast and usable. Not only that, I can watch shows recorded on my dvr on any tv in the house. One DVR, but every other tv accesses it through their non-dvr boxes. Comcrap has been talking about putting Tivo software on their boxes for years, but it has never come about.

[Geophyrd]

I love my TIVO. Does what I want it to do and I've NEVER run out of space, or, using TIVO suggestions which tape the suggestions without asking first, things to watch.

But the best thing is that whereever I can get to the internet, I can program my TIVO. Often at work I'll look around online, see something I want to watch and program it from here. Later, well, there it is, waiting for me.

The only negative thing is that the suggestions usually tape non-HD, I'm guessing as a way to conserve space. Wish there was an option to have it select HD whenever possible.

[Kaos]

Word is that folks on the 20/5 FIOS Internet service will be getting 25/15 within the next few weeks as a free upgrade. Keeping fingers crossed.