[smax013]

waldojim, on 27 February 2011 - 10:43 PM, said:

The bright side here is that wireless (LTE) is improving to a point that the cable companies will soon have REAL competition in nearly every market. They will have to offer something of value to keep customers...

You are assuming that LTE comes to my area sometime before I die. AT&T still only has EDGE in my area...no 3G or their "fake" 4G. Sprint in theory has 3G here (not completely sure I buy it...my phone seems SSSSSLLLLOOOOWWWW while using Sprint when I am out and about...and their only 4G (WiMax) in my state is quite a ways away in Grand Rapids. Not really sure about Verizon.

Of course, there is also the fact that I will have to sell my house in order to be able to pay for a wireless data connection that I use as my "primary" data connection. My Sprint phone (with built in WiFi hotspot) is on an unlimited plan, but supposedly if I "abuse" it, then they "do something" (not quite completely sure what that is). Both Verizon and AT&T tend to only offer unlimited plans in very limited circumstances these days...and otherwise just attach a vacuum cleaner to your wallet.

[LiveBrianD]

Well, I might be getting Comcast cable internet sometime - likely 15mbps. That's sure fast compared to what I have now. At least that can stream HD video well, not just do 480p with struggles.

[waldojim]

smax013, on 28 February 2011 - 07:28 PM, said:

You are assuming that LTE comes to my area sometime before I die. AT&T still only has EDGE in my area...no 3G or their "fake" 4G. Sprint in theory has 3G here (not completely sure I buy it...my phone seems SSSSSLLLLOOOOWWWW while using Sprint when I am out and about...and their only 4G (WiMax) in my state is quite a ways away in Grand Rapids. Not really sure about Verizon.

Of course, there is also the fact that I will have to sell my house in order to be able to pay for a wireless data connection that I use as my "primary" data connection. My Sprint phone (with built in WiFi hotspot) is on an unlimited plan, but supposedly if I "abuse" it, then they "do something" (not quite completely sure what that is). Both Verizon and AT&T tend to only offer unlimited plans in very limited circumstances these days...and otherwise just attach a vacuum cleaner to your wallet.

I am going to be a little to honest here, I don't know much about how Sprint or ATT is handling things, as I don't work for them. Histrionically though, Sprints network is mostly made up of other peoples network. If you want to see how scary small Sprints really is, get a Virgin Mobile brochure - which doesn't roam, uses Sprint ONLY.

Verizon on the other hand, plans to convert 100% of the network, as they want to do to 2g what they did to analog - replace it, and remove it. Because there is some equipment showing reliability issues. LTE can handle Voice and Data traffic, while using less equipment, and improving reliability. It also is smarter about radio resource allocation, and uses less power. These things save Verizon money in the long run. Will you have LTE this year? Maybe, maybe not. I know by 2013 they plan to have it complete though. Not too reassuring, I understand, but with 35 markets already upgraded before they even released it to the public, it seems like they are serious about getting this done quickly.

edit: Also, I have been using between 10 and 15GB per month, and never had an issue. This is from using a rooted Android phone with wifi tethering.

This post has been edited by waldojim: 01 March 2011 - 02:38 PM

[smax013]

waldojim, on 01 March 2011 - 02:37 PM, said:

edit: Also, I have been using between 10 and 15GB per month, and never had an issue. This is from using a rooted Android phone with wifi tethering.

That is because (I believe) that Verizon, like Sprint, is still currently using all unlimited plans. Verizon has announced that they will be going to "tiered" plans by sometime in the summer. There are no details yet, so we don't know pricing or whether or not they will "grandfather" existing unlimited plans or not.

If they go to AT&T like pricing, then your 10 to 15 GB per month would be costing you $105 to $155 a month (assuming you were using their "DataPro with tethering" plan which is $45 for 4 GB plus $10 for each additional 1 GB).

There is certainly no guarantee that Verizon would use the same pricing structure, but I have to image that it would not be all that much different as their overall pricing structure is similar to AT&T's other wise.

As for my use, I don't have any where near a problem right now...for my mobile data use. I don't even come close to using 1 GB of data on my Sprint service (my currently monthly total is about 35 MB with about 3 days left on my cycle). But, then as I hinted to, that is NOT my primary Internet connection. For my Comcast connection, I likely typically use around 15 to 30 GB per month (depending on how many videos I rent and/or buy through my Apple TV). With data use like that on the typical "tiered" plans that mobile broadband providers offer would cost me a ton. All providers to my knowledge limit their "pure" data plans (i.e. those that you use with a laptop by way of MiFi type device or USB dongle) to 5 GB and then rape and pillage for extra data beyond the 5 GB. The "loophole" that appears to be out there for Verizon (until summer it appears) and Sprint but not AT&T is to get WiFi hotspot phones. My EVO still has unlimited data through the WiFi hotspot. So, in theory, I could use my EVO as my primary Internet connection. The problem with that theory is that even though it is 3G, it is still WAAAAAAAAY slower than my cable modem connection even on a bad cable modem connection day.

My original point was that when LTE becomes truly competitive (i.e. is widespread enough to actually compete with cable or DSL or FiOS), there is a good chance that they will have tiered plans that make it cost prohibitive as a "primary" Internet connection (unless you only do browsing and email). Of course, there is nothing to say the cable, DSL and/or FiOS will not have "successfully" moved to some sort of tiered plan by then as well...various cable companies have certainly started trying such experiments in various locations over that last year, albeit to not much success.

[SnyperTodd]

smax013, on 02 March 2011 - 01:17 PM, said:

...Of course, there is nothing to say the cable, DSL and/or FiOS will not have "successfully" moved to some sort of tiered plan by then as well...various cable companies have certainly started trying such experiments in various locations over that last year, albeit to not much success.

Comcast has me limited to 250GB/month now, which kind of irritates me, but I've never come real close to it since they'veimplimented it. I'm usually between 125 and 150GB/month.

[LiveBrianD]

SnyperTodd, on 02 March 2011 - 08:07 PM, said:

smax013, on 02 March 2011 - 01:17 PM, said:

...Of course, there is nothing to say the cable, DSL and/or FiOS will not have "successfully" moved to some sort of tiered plan by then as well...various cable companies have certainly started trying such experiments in various locations over that last year, albeit to not much success.

Comcast has me limited to 250GB/month now, which kind of irritates me, but I've never come real close to it since they'veimplimented it. I'm usually between 125 and 150GB/month.

What will they do if you go higher than that? Charge you at exorbitant rates/GB or cut off your service?

[smax013]

LiveBrianD, on 02 March 2011 - 09:44 PM, said:

What will they do if you go higher than that? Charge you at exorbitant rates/GB or cut off your service?

http://www.comcast.n...work/amendment/

[coastie65]

That's one of the upsides to Fiber Optics, No bandwidth limits as it isn't an issue with that service.

[smax013]

coastie65, on 03 March 2011 - 12:34 PM, said:

That's one of the upsides to Fiber Optics, No bandwidth limits as it isn't an issue with that service.

Some would claim that it is really not an issue with cable modem service either, but rahter that bandwidth limits/tiered service are just money grabs by cable companies (or pre-cursors to them making a money grab). I would certainly argue that about some of the cable companies that did "test areas" of limits of like 5 or 10 GB all under the name of "a few people hogging all the bandwidth".

So far Comcast has not done what I consider an unreasonable limit. But, one could argue that this is just their first "step". They might ratchet down the limit at some point in order to get you to pay more...or at some point, we will be doing so much over the Internet that 250 GB _WILL_ be limiting (i.e. the amount of data that SnyperTood uses will become more the norm rather than the exception).

I have a little more sympathy for mobile broadband folks as their systems do really have bandwidth issues. That does not mean that they still did not do a money grab as well (aka AT&T with their tiered plans).

[LiveBrianD]

smax013, on 03 March 2011 - 01:50 PM, said:

coastie65, on 03 March 2011 - 12:34 PM, said:

That's one of the upsides to Fiber Optics, No bandwidth limits as it isn't an issue with that service.

Some would claim that it is really not an issue with cable modem service either, but rahter that bandwidth limits/tiered service are just money grabs by cable companies (or pre-cursors to them making a money grab). I would certainly argue that about some of the cable companies that did "test areas" of limits of like 5 or 10 GB all under the name of "a few people hogging all the bandwidth".

So far Comcast has not done what I consider an unreasonable limit. But, one could argue that this is just their first "step". They might ratchet down the limit at some point in order to get you to pay more...or at some point, we will be doing so much over the Internet that 250 GB _WILL_ be limiting (i.e. the amount of data that SnyperTood uses will become more the norm rather than the exception).

I have a little more sympathy for mobile broadband folks as their systems do really have bandwidth issues. That does not mean that they still did not do a money grab as well (aka AT&T with their tiered plans).

And how much data does SynperTodd use? In my case, it's probably not too much, since I only have the bandwidth for streaming 480p video, not 720p or 1080p. Also, don't you wish service providers would quit trying to gouge us? It's not their wallet!

[smax013]

LiveBrianD, on 03 March 2011 - 06:02 PM, said:

And how much data does SynperTodd use? In my case, it's probably not too much, since I only have the bandwidth for streaming 480p video, not 720p or 1080p. Also, don't you wish service providers would quit trying to gouge us? It's not their wallet!

http://forums.pcworl...post__p__458517

[LiveBrianD]

smax013, on 03 March 2011 - 06:50 PM, said:

LiveBrianD, on 03 March 2011 - 06:02 PM, said:

And how much data does SynperTodd use? In my case, it's probably not too much, since I only have the bandwidth for streaming 480p video, not 720p or 1080p. Also, don't you wish service providers would quit trying to gouge us? It's not their wallet!

http://forums.pcworl...post__p__458517

How does he use that much anyway? I bet I never come near that much!

[smax013]

LiveBrianD, on 04 March 2011 - 04:03 PM, said:

smax013, on 03 March 2011 - 06:50 PM, said:

LiveBrianD, on 03 March 2011 - 06:02 PM, said:

And how much data does SynperTodd use? In my case, it's probably not too much, since I only have the bandwidth for streaming 480p video, not 720p or 1080p. Also, don't you wish service providers would quit trying to gouge us? It's not their wallet!

http://forums.pcworl...post__p__458517

How does he use that much anyway? I bet I never come near that much!

You would have to ask him, but from what he has said in the past, he runs a "backup server" that some of his family members in other locations can use to remotely backup their computer(s). Basically, he is providing an "online backup" service for some of his family. I would imagine that is a rather significant chuck of his data usage.

[waldojim]

smax013, on 03 March 2011 - 01:50 PM, said:

I have a little more sympathy for mobile broadband folks as their systems do really have bandwidth issues. That does not mean that they still did not do a money grab as well (aka AT&T with their tiered plans).

I just want to point out, that this is not as much of an issue as people like to think. The real issue with mobile broadband, is that it is hard for companies like Verizon to control the cost of the backhaul. I have seen areas where a single T1 feeding a cell site can cost 3 or 4 times that of our DS3's. When Verizon is stuck paying $500/mo or more for a T1 (remember this is equivalent to basic ADSL!), then those costs have to be passed down some how. If this means they limit the site to 3 T1's total (2 for DO and 1 for voice) and tell people they cannot negatively impact other users, then that is what they must do.

This is also the number one reason they actually have those stipulations. Allocating spectrum for more bandwidth they can do (trust me, most markets have plenty of free spectrum available), but paying for the backhaul... well that is expensive indeed.

[waldojim]

smax013, on 04 March 2011 - 08:42 PM, said:

You would have to ask him, but from what he has said in the past, he runs a "backup server" that some of his family members in other locations can use to remotely backup their computer(s). Basically, he is providing an "online backup" service for some of his family. I would imagine that is a rather significant chuck of his data usage.

That would certainly do it. I am not sure how much I use, but I run the orb server allowing family to watch videos of mine, download pictures, even stream music from my server. Then when you add in the sheer volume of Netflix HD content we stream at home, well that usage adds up fast.

[cmccapquang]

Hello, everybody!
Though, I'm just a new one who took place in this web, but when I viewed this topic, I also want to share something with everyone about the topic what is your internet speed. Now, I'm using an internet service of an company in my country. In fact, In my contract, the internet service manager said that they will guarantee the internet download speed id 3MB. When I have used it, I found that it's not true by using the website speedtest.net, so thanks everyone for introducing me this web. Recently, I heard about the new service which is determined that we can get the highest speed. That is optical cable service. I don't know about it much. If someone knew it, please tell me about it on this topic. I hope that you, guys will help me check how reliable it is. Please tell me soon! Thanks for all.

This post has been edited by coastie65: 28 March 2011 - 12:13 PM

[coastie65]

cmccapquang, on 28 March 2011 - 07:04 AM, said:

Hello, everybody!
Though, I'm just a new one who took place in this web, but when I viewed this topic, I also want to share something with everyone about the topic what is your internet speed. Now, I'm using an internet service of a company in my country. In fact, In my contract, the internet service manager said that they will guarantee the internet download speed id 3MB. When I have used it, I found that it's not true by using the website speedtest.net, so thanks everyone for introducing me this web. Recently, I heard about the new service which is determined that we can get the highest speed. That is optical cable service. I don't know about it much. If someone knew it, please tell me about it on this topic. I hope that you, guys will help me check how reliable it is. Please tell me soon! Thanks for all.

Hi and welcome to the forums. I am using a Fiber Optics service. Yes the speeds are faster and consistant. I have had it since September 2006 and it has been reliable. My download is around 25.5 mbps and upload about 5 mbps. It is really good if you are an internet gamer as there is no lag to worry about. If you have Fiber Optics available to you, then I think you will like it.

[lilxkid24]

I went ahead and made the switch to upgrade from my 1.5mbps DSL connection to Roadrunner cable 7mbps yesterday. I called them 2 days ago to confirm my order and they were glady able to send a technician this morning from 10am-12 to set up the internet.

So yesterday morning the Roadrunner technician called me around 10:30 and told me the servers were having issues with the new modems so their service got delayed and I was 2nd in line. Then 30mins later I get a call from Time Warner and they tell me the server was having issues so I had to choice to wait til 1pm for the technician to setup my internet or reschedule another time. I was hesitant but decided to say wait until 1pm.

So the technicians finally came at 1pm after waiting for a couple hours. They told me the servers were still having problems so my cable internet won’t work until the server issues had been resolved at headquarters. I didn’t mind it so I told them to continue on. They started their work by going outside my house and opening ports on the electrical door. They flipped some switch down at the electrical door that was suppose to send the cable signal to my house. Then they opened the cable wall socket in my living room to test if the signal had gone through. The signal didn’t go through so he ended up opening up all the cable wall sockets in my entire house including the attic but a signal was still not found. Why? They said they have no damn clue. It was the 1st time this has happened to them. They said it was possibly the people that built my house got lazy and [censored]ed something up with the cable wire or it was something else. Either way they were not able to complete the job today. They told I gotta wait probably until next week for them to send a more “high tech technician to see if he can fix the problem”. They seemed optimistic about it since all my other neighbors have Roadrunner and he was just astonished why not a single signal was not going through my house. So he tells me the guy that is coming is going to fix it free of charge and if he is not able to do it, then we just won’t be able to offer you our service. I hope that is not the case because I really need the 7mbps speeds that my DSL just cannot provide. Apart from all this I had to call my DSL company so they wouldn’t cancel my internet just yet.


Guess I just have bad luck lol..... Hope they can still give me cable

This post has been edited by lilxkid24: 08 April 2011 - 10:27 AM

[coastie65]

Hey Lil, Sounds to me like something else wasn't opened up earlier on in the system. I don't know about Time-Warner, but with Comcast and Verizon, they can control things from the main office ( where the servers are ) on a house to house basis. If it isn't turned on for your address, then no signal, even if your neighbors do get service. My guess is that it is somewhere back down the line somewhere. Hopefully they'll get a handle on it.

[lilxkid24]

coastie65, on 08 April 2011 - 11:28 AM, said:

Hey Lil, Sounds to me like something else wasn't opened up earlier on in the system. I don't know about Time-Warner, but with Comcast and Verizon, they can control things from the main office ( where the servers are ) on a house to house basis. If it isn't turned on for your address, then no signal, even if your neighbors do get service. My guess is that it is somewhere back down the line somewhere. Hopefully they'll get a handle on it.

Idk who's end it was but they just weren't able to bring the signal from the electrical box outside my house to the cable socket inside my house. I called them today and they are sending another technician tomorrow.... Hope they are able to service me...