Are my Internet Speeds good? Do I need a better Modem?

[Max55gamerX]

I changed to Spectrum Internet (100Mbps)

Currently I use the supplied Ubee Modem Model: DDM3521.

My speeds weren't good after the TWC to Spectrum switch over.

So I replaced both my old Linksys Wired Router (BEFSX41) & Linksys W.A.P. (WAP54G) with a
Linksys MAX-Stream AC1900 MU-MIMO Gigbit Router Model# EA7500

The good news: My laptop & tablet connection issues are gone.

I just ran a few speed tests.

1/28/18
Speedtest.net 3:05AM
DL 71.22 Mbps
UL 11.77 Mbps

Xfinity Speedtest 3:06AM
DL 72.93 Mbps
UL 12.17 Mbps

AT&T Speedtest 3:07AM
DL 72.93 Mbps
UL 12.17 Mbps

Verizon Speedtest 3:08AM
DL 67.27 Mbps
UL 12.22 Mbps

Centurylink Speedtest 3:10AM
DL 68.0 Mbps
UL 11.9 Mbps

Spectrum Speedtest 3:16AM
DL 70.06 Mbps
UL 11.98 Mbps

How do my results look? Should I be getting better results than this?
Or am I getting good speeds for my plan?

Would a tech visit improve on this?

I did also pick a ARRIS SURFboard SB6190 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem.
Should I use this instead, or are me speeds fine?

 

[bill001g]

It is surprising to see a router used that does not have wifi. So all your issues pretty much have to be related to the old AP since that is your only wifi source.

I am not sure what the re-9000 would do for you, I think it is a repeater that can function as a router. I would go to a 802.11ac router even if your end equipment can not accept it yet. The costs have come way down so it tends to not save any money to buy 802.11n equipment.

You can get something like a asus rt-1200 for $50. You can find other brands for a couple dollars less if you want. It really doesn't pay to buy older equipment when the new stuff will drop back and support the old protocols if your really need it. The routers that claim 1200 speed are pretty much the new entry level models.


If you are looking to replace the cable modem thing to check is what modems the ISP supports in your area. The modems you list though are on most ISP supported. The ISP have been upgrading their equipment also. Spectrum offers 300mbps in some areas but you need a modem that can run that fast. They are said to be upgrading some of their networks to run gigabit which need the docsis 3.1.

I would not replace the modem if you can get the 100mbps you are paying for. If/when you decide to pay for more bandwidth then a upgrade would likely be needed.

 

[Max55gamerX]

It is surprising to see a router used that does not have wifi. So all your issues pretty much have to be related to the old AP since that is your only wifi source.

I am not sure what the re-9000 would do for you, I think it is a repeater that can function as a router. I would go to a 802.11ac router even if your end equipment can not accept it yet. The costs have come way down so it tends to not save any money to buy 802.11n equipment.

You can get something like a asus rt-1200 for $50. You can find other brands for a couple dollars less if you want. It really doesn't pay to buy older equipment when the new stuff will drop back and support the old protocols if your really need it. The routers that claim 1200 speed are pretty much the new entry level models.


If you are looking to replace the cable modem thing to check is what modems the ISP supports in your area. The modems you list though are on most ISP supported. The ISP have been upgrading their equipment also. Spectrum offers 300mbps in some areas but you need a modem that can run that fast. They are said to be upgrading some of their networks to run gigabit which need the docsis 3.1.

I would not replace the modem if you can get the 100mbps you are paying for. If/when you decide to pay for more bandwidth then a upgrade would likely be needed.

Please see updated post above.

 

[bill001g]

You should actually get 100mbps from them..maybe once in a while a bit slower but it should test 100mbps most the time. Many people who buy the spectrum 300mbps plan get in the 350mbps most times. The old device you have is 8x4 which in theory can run at 300mbps but when you consider they use a 24x4 modem which can run at 1gbit to deliver their 300mbps. Not sure why they only run these at a fraction of the maximum possible speed.

The modem you list is the one spectrum recommends for their 300mbps plan. It will work fine on their 100mbps.....BUT you need to make sure that it is on the list of supported modems for where you live. They have eaten so many other cable companies that there are difference. The vast majority have the same list of supported equipment but you need to check. They are very stubborn about only activating equipment on the list.

 

[Max55gamerX]

You should actually get 100mbps from them..maybe once in a while a bit slower but it should test 100mbps most the time. Many people who buy the spectrum 300mbps plan get in the 350mbps most times. The old device you have is 8x4 which in theory can run at 300mbps but when you consider they use a 24x4 modem which can run at 1gbit to deliver their 300mbps. Not sure why they only run these at a fraction of the maximum possible speed.

The modem you list is the one spectrum recommends for their 300mbps plan. It will work fine on their 100mbps.....BUT you need to make sure that it is on the list of supported modems for where you live. They have eaten so many other cable companies that there are difference. The vast majority have the same list of supported equipment but you need to check. They are very stubborn about only activating equipment on the list.

The ARRIS SURFboard SB6190 is on the Spectrum approved list.
https://www.timewarnercable.com/en/support/internet/topics/modems.html#/approved

So my speeds are slower than they should be. Should I have a tech check out my connections? It's been a few years since I had a tech visit. Or will the ARRIS SURFboard SB6190 improve my speeds on its own?

 

[bill001g]

That would be a question for the ISP but I suspect it is the modem limiting your speed. You should be able to get the full speed they sold you in the middle of the night.

 

[Max55gamerX]

That would be a question for the ISP but I suspect it is the modem limiting your speed. You should be able to get the full speed they sold you in the middle of the night.

There's one other piece of my puzzle. I cancelled my Cable tv service. My service originally was setup this way:

Cable Line Coax --> splitter
Coax 1 --> DVR Box
Coax 2 --> Cable Modem

Now my setup is:

Cable Line Coax --> splitter
Coax 1 --> {nothing connected]
Coax 2 --> Cable Modem

Do you think that may be part of the problem?

 

[bill001g]

I doubt it. If you had a poor connection you generally see things like the modem disconnecting from the network.

 

[Max55gamerX]

Ok, I swapped out the Ethernet cable I had connecting my modem & router. After a modem reset I ran some speed tests.

2:32 PM
Speedtest:
Ping 123
DL 104.02 Mbps
UL 3.07 Mbps

2:36 PM
Verizon:
DL 118.12 Mbps
UL 10.59 Mbps

2:37 PM
AT&T:
DL 119.1 Mbps
UL 7.65 Mbps

2:38 PM
CenturyLink:
DL 117.8 Mbps
UL 10.3 Mbps

2:40 PM
COX:
DL 111 Mbps
UL 9 Mbps

2:42 PM
Xfinity:
DL 159.55 Mbps
UL 15.64

2:42 PM
Spectrum:
DL 115.40 Mbps
UL 10.82 Mbps


Do those speeds look right now? Or is it the time of day?
Should I still have a tech check my lines?

 

[bill001g]

That is what you normally see, you are getting more than the 100mbits they promise so all is fine. It is strange that it was a ethernet cable but it runs much better so it must have been, unless the modem just wanted to be reset.

 

[Max55gamerX]

That is what you normally see, you are getting more than the 100mbits they promise so all is fine. It is strange that it was a ethernet cable but it runs much better so it must have been, unless the modem just wanted to be reset.

Well the ethernet cable I replaced was old (maybe 7yrs). Everything still looks good now. All speed tests are showing great results. I keep the Ubee modem connected a couple days to test it. Then I will decide if I want to switch to the SB6190.

Thx for all the help.