dg2
Premium
join:2004-01-22
Lowell, AR
 ·Cox HSI
| reply to cypher_q3ut
Re: Fast is UGLY here
With two immediate family members in the CATV business for about 40+ years each, I think I have a clue about what's involved. As a computer person myself since 1979, and a former network administrator, I believe I understand some of the difficulties involved.
The wiring work was all done between 1999 and 2001, with the entire system replaced with new coax and fiber. The fiber backbone connecting all Cox systems for 60 miles was completed about three years ago. No one is asking for "overnight." Cox representatives have stated that all that's left is pushing the new modem configurations. That's not our idea of what's required, it's Cox personnel's idea.
My tune remains the same, thank you.
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On August 9, 2004 Cox Communications upgraded 3000/256 areas to 4500/500. "Middle America Cox" is still running at 1024/128, for the same fee as the faster areas. Cox officials refuse to announce intentions to upgrade, saying only "we're working on it." |
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cypher_q3ut
join:2004-01-04
Ann Arbor, MI
| reply to dg2
Hey man, I work for a cable ISP. If you know what is involved in an infrastructure speed change you would be singing a different tune »electronics.howstuffworks.com/ca···odem.htm. It's not as simple and punching a few keys at a CMTS console and BOOM! instant speed upgrades. Just because other markets are running faster and you are not. Doesn't mean they aren't listening. Let me tell you from experience, they are. You are they're customer, they're source of revenue. There are other factors that deem a change in speed releases to markets. Physical limitations on the HFC wiring at the poles could be a major limiting factor. Have you seen alot of Cox or contractor wiring trucks hanging around the area during the day hours. They could be rebuilding the area for DOCSIS 2.0. Most cable ISP's have split nodes too much. Since they do that, that could be a major factor in why your speeds haven't increased. More nodes have to be installed on the HFC network to accommodate a faster speed increase on DOCSIS 1.0, 1.1, and especially 2.0. It's on the way. DOCSIS 2.0 is around the corner for alot of cable ISP's. They are just waiting for one of the major players to release it first. After that, LOOK OUT!!!! Speeds will be 3x's - 12x's faster, depending on the provider.  BTW DSL folks, HFC cable modems is where it's at. |
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dg2
Premium
join:2004-01-22
Lowell, AR
·Cox HSI
| reply to Anteater12
1. Paying premium prices for 1/4 the service when there is no good technical reason is what bothers me - kind of like you having to pay $2.50 for gasoline earlier this year. Moving won't help that.
2. Thank you, I'm well aware of how MAC is run, having spent a great deal of time with a lot of their people on the phone over the last 6 months.
3. My reference to "the article" was aimed at the TMCnet.com article, not the BBR article. My response to Karl was unfortunate, and due to my mistaking him for a Cox employee. The BBR folks are doing a very good job. The Cox people seem to be doing a very good job making excuses.
4. I guess if I lived in Alaska (AK), I might feel differently one way or the other. I live in Arkansas (AR).
And the whole "fast" campaign is still very unattractive right here, right now.
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On August 9, 2004 Cox Communications upgraded 3000/256 areas to 4500/500. "Middle America Cox" is still running at 1024/128, for the same fee as the faster areas. Cox officials refuse to announce intentions to upgrade, saying only "we're working on it." |
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Anteater12
join:2004-07-12
El Cajon, CA
| reply to dg2
Maybe you should move from the MAC area then and you wouldn't have to deal with such problems. The MAC area is a sub-affiliate of cox communications and independantly run. Take it up with them, not with the people who run dslreports. I guess if I lived in AK I would be upset all the time too. |
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dg2
Premium
join:2004-01-22
Lowell, AR
·Cox HSI
| reply to Karl Bode
Sorry, I misunderstood who "we" was. BBR has definitely made mention of the fact, much to your credit.
Cox, on the other hand, has not. The whole situation is shameful.
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Note to SBC: Please light up my RT! I want a new broadband provider! |
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Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02 | reply to dg2
Easy, soldier. I don't work for Cox, I work for this site. Just saying we've made reference to the "MAC Clique" being left behind twice in two days..... |
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dg2
Premium
join:2004-01-22
Lowell, AR
·Cox HSI
| reply to Karl Bode
quote:
Customers in Cox's Las Vegas, NV, Gainesville, FL and Middle America Cox markets will not experience the speed increases described above at this time. Additional information on the deployment of higher speeds in these markets will be made later this year.
Well, I'm sorry I missed in my first reading this paragraph saying you don't have any announcement to make about M.A.C.! Did you tell the press that we're running at 1/4 the speed for the same fee? Did you mention to the press that we'd already been running at 1/3 the speed for the same money for nearly 5 years? Did you mention to the press that one of your products here costs 40% more than on the rest of the network for now 1/2 the speed (128 vs. 256 symmetrical)?
Hang me out on a technicality here if you want, Karl, but the fact is Cox did not inform the press about our situation. Maybe our local papers here will be interested.
The fact remains, "Middle America" got screwed again, and you know it.
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Note to SBC: Please light up my RT! I want a new broadband provider! |
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