Comcast keeps doing speed upgrades despite the fact that they’re not entirely necessary. As of right now, we’re paying $52.95 for 768kbps upstream and 8000kbps (8Mbps) downstream. We started out with 256kbps/1.5mbps, then 256/3.0, then 384/4.0, then 768/6.0, and finally 768/8.0. All in all not much to complain about. I just ran a speed test on speakeasy.net and came up with the following:
Download Speed: 8035 kbps (1004.4 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 635 kbps (79.4 KB/sec transfer rate)
Not too shabby, eh? Hopefully Comcast will find it in their hearts to upgrade us to 1mbps upstream. THAT would seriously make me a happy man. In comparison, Bellsouth only offers up to 384/3.0 as their highest package ($42.95) and 256/1.5 as their “default” package ($32.95). Technically speaking, Bellsouth is cheaper since they offer the 256/1.5 package, but that’s basically 1/4 the speed of Comcast’s default package (384/6.0) for only $10 less. Comparing apples to apples, Bellsouth’s $42.95 package is half of the download speed of Comcast’s package but offers the same upload. Also take into account that you must subscribe to local phone service through Bellsouth as well, thus adding to the total cost. Too bad we don’t have Verizon for our local carrier. They offer FIOS in some areas. $40 a month gets you 2mbps upstream and 5mbps downstream. $50 gets you 2mbps upstream and 15Mbps downstream. For those of you with a REAL need for speed, they offer an insane 30Mbps downstream and 5mbps upstream for $200/mo. I’m not sure I’d pay that much but jesus christ that’s some mad speed. Too bad most websites would never be able to allow you to download at such insane speeds. I’d be happy with the $50 package, though. Perhaps we’ll see some speeds like that out of Comcast within the next year or so.
