DOCSIS 3.0 w/ Comcast 3mbps connection?

[uRabbit]

We currently have Comcast's 20mbps internet, and have even gotten up to 24mbps with our rented Surfboard 5100 DOCSIS 2.0 modem.

The first tier of our promotional price has ended, and the monthly cost has gone from $37 to $56. It will go up again in another few months. I only really use the high speed for downloading movies once or twice a week, and download lossless audio.

Other than that, we use the internet for - of course - typical internet stuff, and for Guild Wars 2. We are thinking of downgrading to the 3mbps plan. I ran a bandwidth limiter and set the limit to 3mbps. I connected to Guild Wars 2, and it maintained connection pretty well, and I did not notice any lag at all. Ping was 3x as bad, however (10ms to 30ms), but that is still pretty good.

With downgrading, I may purchase a modem. The Surfboard 5101 is about $55 no matter where you shop. The next step up, a 3.0 modem, is around $85. If we spent the $85 and downgraded, it would be paid-off in about 5.5 months.

Would the 3.0 modem show much of a difference on a slower connection such as that of the Comcast 3mbps?

 

[eibgrad]

I’m still trying to get over the fact they aren't providing the modem for free! I thought the days of having to buy one, and certainly charging to rent one, were long over. Apparently the ripoff continues unabated.

At 3Mbps second, you're not gaining anything by upgrading to DOCSIS 3.0, at least in terms of performance. Even your DOCSIS 2.0 is good up to 38.0 Mbps.

 

[lehighace06]

I agree that you do not need a d3 modem for such a low internet speed, but i do recommend one at the 20mbps level even though the d2 should work just fine. i've found the speed boost (what gets you up to 24mbps) to work better on the newer equipment.

instead of downgrading, call and threaten to cancel altogether, and let them offer you a new promotional price; problem solved without service downgrade.

 

[uRabbit]

instead of downgrading, call and threaten to cancel altogether, and let them offer you a new promotional price; problem solved without service downgrade.

I have tried that twice now (via online chat w/ representative), but since I am still on a promotional price, they won't do anything for me. We signed up for the 20 mbps @ $30/mo (before modem lease). Now it is at $50/mo. Then it goes up to its normal rate.