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Time Warner Cable Speed Upgrades


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Anyone else get the free speed upgrades they've been talking about this week? Here downtown I just got home to see my speed go from a sh*t "standard plan" 15/1mbps to 32/5 (noticed it being faster right away without even doing a speed test, then I did one to be sure), and as far as I know TWC didn't send us anything about the upgrades coming or changing out our modem (which I heard they're supposed to do when the upgrades come to your area). The upgrade is supposed to be to a 50/5, but I really don't know what's going on at this point, if it's just a test of the upgrades in the area or if it's for good and I should head over to TWC for a modem swap to get the full 50/5. I remember reading on another site that Lower Manhattan is supposed to be dead last for the upgrade, but obviously something's changing now.

 

Anyone else who's already got the upgrades notice similar slower than 50mb speeds or at least when the upgrade first came to your area, and did swapping out the modem fix it? I know most of western Queens has it already and it seems pretty fast over there where I've used it, never did an actual speed test though.

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Wait, free upgrade?

 

I need to hear it...

http://ir.timewarnercable.com/investor-relations/investor-news/financial-release-details/2014/Time-Warner-Cable-to-Transform-TV-and-Internet-Experience-in-New-York-City-and-Los-Angeles/default.aspx

 

I think Middle Village already got it but I'm not that sure on that one. AFAIK everything from LIC to Elmhurst has it.

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I have standard (15/1) , and only my upload speeds went up (15/5).

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See how competition benefits the customer? Verizon just upgraded FiOS speeds to symmetrical ones last month. That means if I had the 75mbps/35mbps package, I now have 75mbps/75mbps. Ditto for the rest of the tiers up to 500mbps. For Time Warner Cable, however, this is a futile move. They are technologically limited to asymmetrical speeds; in other words, they do not have the ability to provide the same speeds that Verizon can provide. Otherwise, they would've tried to one-up Verizon already by providing speeds that are faster at the same prices. The only thing left they can do is to lower their prices as Verizon's FiOS continues to lower the cost per megabit, eating further into their handsome profits.

 

 

I have standard (15/1) , and only my upload speeds went up (15/5).

F.Y.I.: 15mbps/5mbps used to be Verizon's entry-level tier for FiOS. Looks like Time Warner Cable has a hard time catching up.
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See how competition benefits the customer? Verizon just upgraded FiOS speeds to symmetrical ones last month. That means if I had the 75mbps/35mbps package, I now have 75mbps/75mbps. 

AFAIK those new plans are for new/upgrading customers only, no upgrades for free like TWC. My mom has FiOS and just got the 50/25 when she renewed the plan, didn't notice anything different with that lately but I'll try and do a speedtest next time I use it.

 

They are technologically limited to asymmetrical speeds; in other words, they do not have the ability to provide the same speeds that Verizon can provide. 

Cablevision offers 50/25 too, from what I heard they do get it pretty close to that but with the FiOS 50/25 I get 58/38, CV's 50/25 from what I understand is around that and usually less. CV sucks though especially as a company and I'm happy they're not in Manhattan, but obviously they can get 50/25 with the "cable" technology and maybe TWC (well, Comcast further down the line) will get there someday. I definitely think Comcast would be likely to do that, they seem to be able to offer competitive services MUCH better than TWC and Cablevision can. Not 1 person I know in Comcast turf has FiOS or AT&T Uverse (their much sh*ttier version of FiOS they have in Florida), meanwhile people are leaving TWC and CV around here left and right. Their speeds are way faster than what I get with TWC too, I don't know for sure but I'm thinking they do get something around 50/25 since I didn't notice any real difference in download/upload time between my mom's FiOS and Comcast in FL.

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AFAIK those new plans are for new/upgrading customers only, no upgrades for free like TWC. My mom has FiOS and just got the 50/25 when she renewed the plan, didn't notice anything different with that lately but I'll try and do a speedtest next time I use it.

Well, I certainly got it for free. I've been a customer for over a year already. Here's an article that says it: http://arstechnica.com/business/2014/07/verizon-fios-finally-symmetrical-upload-speeds-boosted-to-match-download/

 

 

Cablevision offers 50/25 too, from what I heard they do get it pretty close to that but with the FiOS 50/25 I get 58/38, CV's 50/25 from what I understand is around that and usually less. CV sucks though especially as a company and I'm happy they're not in Manhattan, but obviously they can get 50/25 with the "cable" technology and maybe TWC (well, Comcast further down the line) will get there someday. I definitely think Comcast would be likely to do that, they seem to be able to offer competitive services MUCH better than TWC and Cablevision can. Not 1 person I know in Comcast turf has FiOS or AT&T Uverse (their much sh*ttier version of FiOS they have in Florida), meanwhile people are leaving TWC and CV around here left and right. Their speeds are way faster than what I get with TWC too, I don't know for sure but I'm thinking they do get something around 50/25 since I didn't notice any real difference in download/upload time between my mom's FiOS and Comcast in FL.

Verizon is probably capable of providing multi-gigabit service already. It simply has no worthy challengers to push it in that direction. From what you describe, cable is indeed struggling to catch up. My connection regularly exceeds 85mbps in both directions even though I pay for 75mbps.
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I pay for 50/25 on FiOs and this is what I actually get

 

3688189850.png

 

It's all in the technology. Fiber optic cables can transmit data at a much faster rate than any coaxial cable can.

Supposedly Verizon is almost done wiring for FiOS here in Riverdale...  I had FiOS on Staten Island only to find out that many areas of Riverdale ddin't have it, so I had to go back to DSL with Verizon and DirecTV. <_< I would like to switch back provided that they can provide the service.  Lost my bundle package too because of this nonsense, as I had my internet, cable and cell phone under a bundle with them.

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Supposedly Verizon is almost done wiring for FiOS here in Riverdale...  I had FiOS on Staten Island only to find out that many areas of Riverdale ddin't have it, so I had to go back to DSL with Verizon and DirecTV. <_< I would like to switch back provided that they can provide the service.  Lost my bundle package too because of this nonsense, as I had my internet, cable and cell phone under a bundle with them.

I would personally pick Cablevision, that's pretty much the only time I'd ever buy anything from them but if it's between them and DSL/DirecTV then I'd go with CV all the way. DSL is a joke.

 

I feel bad for the Bronx being stuck with the CV monopoly though, and it is a monopoly in those parts without FiOS. DSL is not realistic, maybe for you your usage is light enough that it's OK but for most of the population today with streaming video and all that it's not a real option. Try using Netflix with your DSL.

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I would personally pick Cablevision, that's pretty much the only time I'd ever buy anything from them but if it's between them and DSL/DirecTV then I'd go with CV all the way. DSL is a joke.

 

I feel bad for Riverdale being stuck with the CV monopoly though, and it is a monopoly in those parts without FiOS. DSL is not realistic, maybe for you your usage is light enough that it's OK but for most of the population today with streaming video and all that it's not a real option. Try using Netflix with your DSL.

You mean for the Bronx I suppose... Riverdale will be taken care of with FiOS, as they're almost done here.  Verizon will then work on the Bronx. I don't know when those folks will get it, but Riverdale will have it soon.

 

 

Congratulations! Verizon Fios is available in Riverdale, NY 10471. This means that you can experience the fastest, most reliable high speed fiber optic internet, hi-definition tv, and crystal clear Fios phone service.

http://www.fiosfinder.com/availability/riverdale-new-york.php

 

The problem has been that it has only been available to just parts of Riverdale here and there.

 

Riverdale was supposed to be the last to get it because of the location of the Central Office, but that has been changed and service implementation has been rapidly increased.

 

Riverdale was hit hard by Sandy and because there are so many trees here, areas like Fieldston were hit esp. hard, hence the delay.

 

 

"Verizon is blaming Hurricanes Sandy and Irene for delays to the first phase of the FiOS roll-out — “passing” every home and apartment building in the city with fiber optic cables in public streets. The franchise agreement between the city and the telecom company says Verizon would not be in default if a “Force Majeure” like those storms caused delays."

Source: https://riverdalepress.com/stories/Verizon-is-weaving-a-faster-web,54591?page=4&

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You mean for the Bronx I suppose... Riverdale will be taken care of with FiOS, as they're almost done here.  Verizon will then work on the Bronx. I don't know when those folks will get it, but Riverdale will have it soon.

Riverdale won't get any kind of special treatment over any other part of the Bronx, and other parts of it do have FiOS already. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it takes them even longer there. Affluent families from what I've seen tend to choose Cablevision, in fact where my mom lives in NJ the FiOS guy says in a development of over 90 homes they only have 5 or so customers. FiOS probably wants to prioritize the lower income areas, this is where I've noticed FiOS having more of a stronghold. 

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Riverdale won't get any kind of special treatment over any other part of the Bronx, and other parts of it do have FiOS already. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it takes them even longer there. Affluent families from what I've seen tend to choose Cablevision, in fact where my mom lives in NJ the FiOS guy says in a development of over 90 homes they only have 5 or so customers. FiOS probably wants to prioritize the lower income areas, this is where I've noticed FiOS having more of a stronghold. 

It is getting special treatment or attention or whatever you want to call it because people want FiOS in Riverdale and Verizon is actually finishing here with installation far earlier than they stated they would for that reason.  In fact local politicians are getting involved.  Riverdale has a lot of condos and co-ops, unlike the Bronx, and so Verizon has a lot of work for that reason alone in this area, in addition to Riverdale getting slammed by the hurricane, especially Fieldston.

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Affluent families from what I've seen tend to choose Cablevision, in fact where my mom lives in NJ the FiOS guy says in a development of over 90 homes they only have 5 or so customers. FiOS probably wants to prioritize the lower income areas, this is where I've noticed FiOS having more of a stronghold.

That's a surprise given that cable companies top the charts in customer discontent, not to mention the fact (again) that they are operating on inferior technology. What about cable attracts the affluent?
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That's a surprise given that cable companies top the charts in customer discontent, not to mention the fact (again) that they are operating on inferior technology. What about cable attracts the affluent?

That's what I want to know? I had Time Warner for a while but that was only because it was free.  You can't be picky when you aren't paying.  Once I got my own cable, I set up with FiOS for internet and cable.  I have to say though, the box that they install is hideous.  At least it was tucked away in a electric closet where the other utilities were.  I would not want to see that in my walk in closet though, which is where it would have to be.  

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@VG8: Yeah, I understand what you mean. The one huge downside to fiber optic technology is that it takes a significantly more amount of time to install. I remember a few years ago, the building across the street was wired with FiOs while my building was not wired yet, leaving us only with Time Warner Cable. Once Verizon finished wiring our side, they offered every tenant a discount bundle rate and everyone hopped onto the Verizon bandwagon.

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@VG8: Yeah, I understand what you mean. The one huge downside to fiber optic technology is that it takes a significantly more amount of time to install. I remember a few years ago, the building across the street was wired with FiOs while my building was not wired yet, leaving us only with Time Warner Cable. Once Verizon finished wiring our side, they offered every tenant a discount bundle rate and everyone hopped onto the Verizon bandwagon.

Yeah and on Staten Island, there was a station very near to where I was living, and they rolled it out there first.  It probably helped that a lot of Staten Island is mainly houses too... Time Warner, I just can't imagine who would use them unless they have no other options.  I hit the roof when they would start interrupting hockey games in the 3rd people and going to commercials.  That's when I said I don't care if it's free or not.  I called up Verizon and set up a installation date.

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There are businesses in Chinatown that depend on Time Warner Cable because it's the only available option. Time and time again, there's always a Time Warner Cable van parked in the area and parts of the neighborhood lose internet access for hours at a time. That means stores that accept credit cards can only accept cash while the credit card processor cannot be reach over the internet. The ATM machines that depend on an internet connection don't work either. People who live around the area hate how there are service outages all the time because they lose internet service too when the cable van strikes.

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That's a surprise given that cable companies top the charts in customer discontent, not to mention the fact (again) that they are operating on inferior technology. What about cable attracts the affluent?

I don't get it myself. Maybe they don't like change, I have family in Brooklyn that switched and thought it was terrible, went right back to CV in less than a month. They definitely don't mind paying their crazy prices, which go up every month too.

 

People in the suburbs complain about CV too and never switch, even if FiOS is available. It's weird, but so is a lot of sh*t in the suburbs.

 

@VG8: Yeah, I understand what you mean. The one huge downside to fiber optic technology is that it takes a significantly more amount of time to install. I remember a few years ago, the building across the street was wired with FiOs while my building was not wired yet, leaving us only with Time Warner Cable. Once Verizon finished wiring our side, they offered every tenant a discount bundle rate and everyone hopped onto the Verizon bandwagon.

That happened in my building, they oversold it (I'm thinking because there's a lot of gullible senior citizens that switched not knowing what they were getting when the fliers started showing up) and now IMHO the network is overloaded, so I'm happy we have TWC. I've used some neighbor's connections and the speeds were nothing like what I get on my mom's FiOS (yes they had the 50/25 too), hell now that we're upgraded I don't even know if it's any faster than what I have aside from the upload. People seem to switching back to TWC though, I've been noticing a few of those FiOS routers (with the name being a few random letters/numbers) starting to disappear from my network list.

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That happened in my building, they oversold it (I'm thinking because there's a lot of gullible senior citizens that switched not knowing what they were getting when the fliers started showing up) and now IMHO the network is overloaded, so I'm happy we have TWC. I've used some neighbor's connections and the speeds were nothing like what I get on my mom's FiOS (yes they had the 50/25 too), hell now that we're upgraded I don't even know if it's any faster than what I have aside from the upload. People seem to switching back to TWC though, I've been noticing a few of those FiOS routers (with the name being a few random letters/numbers) starting to disappear from my network list.

First thing I always do is to kill off the ISP-provided router by shutting off its wireless functions. Buying one from NETGEAR or Asus and attaching it to the modem/router tends to produce better results. Other times, the router names get changed (which I also do). I don't know if that explains any of the disappearances from the wireless networks list. Were the network names replaced by other network names?
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First thing I always do is to kill off the ISP-provided router by shutting off its wireless functions. Buying one from NETGEAR or Asus and attaching it to the modem/router tends to produce better results. Other times, the router names get changed (which I also do). I don't know if that explains any of the disappearances from the wireless networks list. Were the network names replaced by other network names?

Yeah there's new networks and some of them have TWC modem model numbers (like TG862G for the Arris TG862).

 

I know Verizon really doesn't like people hooking up outside routers. The tech tried to throw our second router away when he installed at my mom's (sorta big house so I have 2 routers set up-the FiOS router on 1 end and a Linksys on the other), saying it wouldn't work and there's no way to make it to and there's no reason to keep it. Right when he left I gave the Linksys a Static IP to hook up to the Verizon router with and it worked just fine. I heard most routers though aren't so easy to hook up to the Verizon modem and I don't think most people bother, let alone know how to.

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Has the speeds been consistent for you? I have this shitty Ubee modem/router combination box and have been itching either to buy my own modem or get this one exchanged.

Yup, very fast and consistent since the upgrade and that's the modem I had before too. Done quite a few speed tests and it's around 53/5 every time. I would definitely go in and upgrade it, they'll probably give you the same Arris I got at the QCM store at least. The built in wifi on the Arris is great too, it sends out 2 signals (a regular one and a "5G" one) and I guess the 5G means it's faster cause it definitely is unless that's just the upgraded speed I'm noticing. It works all over my apartment too and at full signal everywhere even on my iPhone.

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