Switching from DSL to Comcast - questions

[antyler]

I currently have the low tier DSL service through ATNT at my apt, which is 768/384 kbps.

My DSL service is always down, and I have jumped through all the hoops with the tech support, as well as the techs they send to my house. Basically they always just tell me there are quite a number of reasons my service can be down.

The service problems are definitely on their end, and not mine, and I am beginning to think I am just in a bad location for the service.

I am thinking of switching to Comcast internet, as I already have their cable television.

My question is concerning the tiers. I was looking at the economy tier, which seems to be the closest equivalent to my basic DSL, at 1mb/384 kbps.

The extent of my internet use is facebook, email, forums, ebay, online gaming, xbox live, and limited music / video download.

Would the economy from Comcast suffice for my needs, or would it be better to go with one of the more expensive packages.

Is anyone sure if the economy tier from comcast is actually pretty equivalent to basic atnt dsl?

As i said, I am really not an extensive internet user, other than your average every day tasks, and price is more of a worry than anything.

Thoughts/Suggestions?

thanks,

Tyler

 

[imagoon]

The best is to choose what you want. If you are used to 784/384 and that met all of your needs, then do that.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Those speeds would be plenty fast....and more then likely more reliable..maybe cheaper too, since you already have TV?

 

[vailr]

Cable upstream speeds may experience more variability than with DSL, from what I've read.
Would only be noticeable with online gaming, mostly. YMMV.

 

[kevnich2]

What are the other tiers along with the price differences? With a 1mb connection - video streaming would be pretty nill but if you've been using a 768k dsl connection and it's speed has been fine then go with that. You could always upgrade to a higher tier later on - trust me they'd be happy to take your money for faster speeds haha. Vide streaming as in netflix and the like usually requires atleast a 3mb downstream speed.

 

[Ka0t1x]

Honestly the only downside I have with Comcast is the 250Gb/mo bandwidth allowance and the unexplainable ARP storm. I eventually had to upgrade my router because it couldn't take the ARP packets.

I'm not sure if your speed is dedicated or an "Up To" speed as most DSL is switching to that form factor. If its dedicated you may notice that with cable on peak hours your speed will dip.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Honestly the only downside I have with Comcast is the 250Gb/mo bandwidth allowance and the unexplainable ARP storm. I eventually had to upgrade my router because it couldn't take the ARP packets.

I'm not sure if your speed is dedicated or an "Up To" speed as most DSL is switching to that form factor. If its dedicated you may notice that with cable on peak hours your speed will dip.

I pushed/pulled 754GB last month, and more then that for the past few months ... i've never gotten a call/letter, so I am not sure how they are enforcing that 250GB cap.

 

[Ka0t1x]

I've never decided to actually pull that, I usually try to stay around ~220.

Any rate back to OP, with the 1mbps cable you'll probably get the same speeds as your max DSL speed around peak hours, if you're not in contract with AT&T I'd say go for it.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Hope you don't like to use BitTorrent - due to a recent court decision, Comcast is free to continue blocking BitTorrent again. Also third-party VOIP providers.

 

[antyler]

Thanks for all the advice folks, It is appreciated. The DSL has honestly been fine for me so far, I never really am limited for what I want to do. That is, until the dsl line goes down for five days at a time, and then randomly comes back.

Im not in a contract with DSL so I am seriously considering going with the economy comcast for 24.99 a month.

I think the next tier up is 42 a month for 15/3mb. The price increase is not too high if i ever needed more performance, although it is still more expensive than DSL

 

[ViviTheMage]

Hope you don't like to use BitTorrent - due to a recent court decision, Comcast is free to continue blocking BitTorrent again. Also third-party VOIP providers.

I've never had any troubles with torrents on comcast.

 

[SunnyD]

Make sure you get your free hooker when you sign up.

 

[antyler]

Well I just got offline with a chat representative, I ended up getting their Performance Tier (15/3 mb) for 19.99 a month for six months. After the six month promotion, the price goes to 42.95.

No contract.

I am going to now call and cancel with ATNT.

Here's hoping to no more downtime!

 

[antyler]

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c248/butofcourse02/speedtest.jpg

Well im clocking in decently faster than the 15/2 that they signed me up for. No complaints yet!!

 

[Emulex]

i use comcast business - they charge $99 for 16/2 (docsis 2) or 22/5 (power boost to 50/10) with 5 business ip's (not banned) and no port blocking. no cap either. blast out 24/7 on bittorrent or ftp or whatever. works pretty good. i wouldn't rely on it their response time sucks (24-48 hours) versus t-1 (1-8 hours).