DOCSIS 3.0 vs 2.0

[DarkenedOne17]

So at the moment I have Blast Internet from Comcast and I only get 12mbps down, where I should be getting 50mbps, is this because my modem is DOCSIS 2.0? Even so, shouldn't I at least get closer to 30mbps as DOCSIS 2.0 does support that speed? My modem is the Motorola SB5101

 

[dingo07]

call and ask Comcast tech support, they will tell you exactly what hardware you have, what it's capabilities are, and whether your location can achieve a given data rate

 

[Stickem]

Depends on Comcasts limits that they have set for that particular modem. Just because you have Docsis 2.0 modem doesn't mean the cable company is going to allow full bandwidth to be utilized over that protocol with that particular modem. They can regulate your bandwidth. My suggestion is if you are paying for 50mb download speeds and you are not receiving what you are paying for, then you need to have Comcast swap your modem out with a Docsis 3.0 compliant modem or you need to reduce the speeds you are paying for and keep the Docsis 2.0 (I think Docsis 2.0 speeds are maxed at 30-40meg but are generally throttled much lower to around 10-15meg max. Some cable companies won't say a thing to you about your modem being Docsis 2.0 because if you're not using all the bandwidth you're paying for, it frees up that much more bandwidth for them to sell essentially. Cable bandwidth isn't guaranteed fyi, it's all shared and bandwidth peaks are sold based on average percent usage through out the day and at different peak hours. For example: on a 50x5 cable connection you might get 45meg down speeds and 4.8meg up speeds in the morning and 35meg down and 4meg up speeds during the evening. Why you ask? Because more users are online at night sharing that bandwidth pipe running to your neighborhood. On the flip side though, Docsis 2.0 is old and fading fast and most good providers will and are proactively trying to replace those older protocol modems). Also, if you own your own modem and you need to replace it instead of renting one from Comcast, then you will need call Comcast or visit their website to get a list of Docsis 3.0 modems that you can purchase that are compliant with their network. Good luck!