KHC

Okay, here's another case in point. You remember I mentioned that my upload speeds suddenly became just 1.4- 1.6Mbps from either SpeedTest or TestMy? (Also same from Comcast's test site). This compares to a consistent 4.3Mbps at Speedtest and 3.2Mbps at TestMy previously. So my concern became why is the upload now just about half the speed it was before the modem upgrade? I got on the phone with Comcast Tech Support. They tried resetting the modem several times. I went through VERY CAREFUL and isolated direct computer-to-modem tests and boot-up sequences with and without my router... several times. Now I'm back to a consistent 4.4Mbps at SpeedTest and 3.4Mbps at TestMy. These scores are again uploads. So what does this tell you now? How does TestMy scores help better than SpeedTest scores in this case? Again I'm not knocking your test site here. You just seem to be jumping to the wrong conclusion. You seem to be too anxious in proclaiming that TestMy is better than SpeedTest. I'm not saying that it's not. Yes it might be true. But so far my test results and observations only show that ALL TEST SITES are helpful — NOT that TestMy scores are any MORE accurate! TestMy.net is indeed a VERY USEFUL tool. But my testing today is NOT proof that TestMy scores are more truthful. The truth is not that easy. You cannot claim that TestMy wins from what I reported. JUmping directly to that conclusion is not using scientific logic. There are other factors involved. There are other possibilities. And like I said, I will have to keep experiencing the Internet looking for definitive cases that make it feel a whopping FIVE TIMES quicker than before. For now I'm not experiencing any real world benefits from the SB6120. Subjectively it's just the same! For example, before (using SB5101 and TestMy @7Mbps download speed), I downloaded the iTunes 10.3 upgrade in just a few seconds. Now (using SB6120 and TestMy @30Mbps), I downloaded the iTunes 10.3.1 update also in just a few seconds! Both were, as I vaguely recall, around 70MB. Same blasting speeds! If anybody has suggestions to try — to clearly distinguish my speeds are now "better" I would love to hear it. The core question here *MIGHT* become, "is the user experience significantly better at 30Mbps SUSTAINED compared to 30Mbps momentarily boosted?" That's just one of the other possible factors. OR, the core question might be, "would MOST internet users notice the difference between 7Mbps and 30Mbps download speed?" You see where I'm getting at?

Well now it's especially weird that you read my report today as a testimonial for functionality and accuracy because as I had noted, my overall internet experience feels the same. I'm actually neither arguing for nor against the meaning of random numbers. My feedback from today's tests just show that ONE POSSIBLE or LIKELY cause of Speedtest's number not corresponding with here is the DOCSIS 2.0 versus DOCSIS 3.0 local equipment. That's all. I'm still exploring the Internet for the rest of the day and onwards, so I'm hoping to find a FIVE-FOLD speed increase somewhere, which should be the case and be so noticeable since I'm coming from a meager TestMy number of 6Mbps before the DOCSIS 3.0. So far, subjectively, IT'S THE SAME. Speedtest before was 30Mbps = very quick user experience. Speedtest now is 30Mbps = same very quick user experience. Only thing now is that TestMy is also 30Mbps. So the numbers now jive. Whoopeee. I should note that I *DO* appreciate your test site and these forums and this discussion. But please do not read my results backwards for your own agenda.

Okay. Weird and semi-happy results to report. I've just swapped out my old cable modem (Motorola SB5101) for a new Motorola SB6120, which is a DOCSIS 3.0 modem. It took Comcast a few minutes to get the new model number and ID to reset it (remotely) to get me reconnected. As soon as I was up again, I tested my connection speeds. After a couple of hours, I tested my speeds again. Just right now: I'm finally getting over 30Mbps download numbers here! How about that?! And it now matches the numbers I get at Speedtest! The weird thing is that my upload speed has dropped to around 1.4-1.6Mbps, whereas previously I had 4.2Mbps (Speedtest) and 3.3Mbps (TestMy). I plan to call Comcast after a full day of using the Internet. Subjectively, web browsing feels the same!

No. When I was on their 12Mbps tier, I got only ~15Mbps at Speedtest. So when I upgraded to their 20Mbps tier, I *FELT* the difference in terms of near-instantaneous web page loads, a subjective improvement. And Speedtest numbers went up to around ~30Mbps to reflect the change. TestMy went from around ~3Mbps in my old tier at Comcast (unfortunately I didn't testmy as much in that tier) to now around ~6Mbps and ~7Mbps. Actually, just now I tested here at TestMy and got just 3.8Mbps download. Maybe TestMy was always around 3Mbps regardless of improvement? Speedtest right now is 23Mbps (to match the same time of the 3.8Mbps at TestMy).

Okay, in real world experience, I am only enjoying a huge boost coming from their lower-tiered service (Comcast's 6 to 12Mbps) to what they call the 20Mbps tier, which tests out to be a consistent ~30Mbps at Speedtest, same at Comcast's own "bogus" test site, 7Mbps at Comcast's "super bogus" test site (delete your cookies after several runs), and here. All numbers are downloads. I'm getting near-instantaneous web page loads. This is regardless of website location and time of day, whereas previously I had some lag at peak hours. So I'm *FEELING* like I'm now FAST. But also, as CA3LE pointed out here and in the other discussions, what do I know? Maybe I don't know what I'm missing! But then again, am I really missing anything in real world user experience? The web pages, multiple videos, music downloads, etc are already coming in blazing fast. Could it be just the occasional SUSTAINED UNCOMPRESSED HUGE RAW FTP-TYPE file downloads that would show a difference? Is that what I would be missing? What kind of file transfers would I possibly need as a "normal" internet user? I upload my website to FTP with Transmit only once a year or so. The videos I regularly vist, by the way, are streaming such as Ustream, Youtube, ESPN, Hulu, Apple's App Store, etc. They could be categorically different as videos. Maybe not even videos. I don't download full-length HD movies. Maybe I should. So if I were to ask "why?" — I might wonder about Comcast's technology called PowerBoost. I'm still using a DOCSIS 2.0 modem (and although I'm subscribed to Comcast's DOCSIS 2.0 tier, I suspect they may have switched me to some kind of "filtered" DOCSIS 3.0 program — more on this later). I'm starting to think their PowerBoost makes up for the single pipeline. My Internet use include the usual/ common/ normal and just a little more. Maybe PowerBoost is effectively designed for this such that 30Mbps *FEELS* like 30Mbps even though it's not a sustained 30Mbps? So that's my guesstimate-answer to the question of why. Later I might post more info after upgrading to DOCSIS 3.0.

Here's what I did to get SpeedTest scores consistent with TestMy scores. I simply picked a test server WAY ACROSS THE OTHER SIDE OF THE UNITED STATES. I'm in the San Francisco bay area. I simply go to SpeedTest, zoom out, pick Boston or Miami. And my scores will be roughly inline with TestMy scores when averaged for both download and upload. The DOWNLOAD score is dependent on distant of test server. So to match, you simply TEST THE ENTIRE INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK across the country. Scores vary by time of day and day of week. Mine at SpeedTest nearest server (default ping) ~30Mbps. TestMy ~7Mbps. SpeedTest distant server ~7Mbps! Time and time again! The UPLOAD score seems consistent regardless. It seems to be due to the "ceiling" being much lower than what the entire infrastructure can handle. In other words, if most test servers can easily handle super high speeds, then the bottleneck at either my local network, my ISP equipment, or my nearby infrastructure will always be the limitation. Anything beyond is easily gobbled up and won't make a difference. My upload average at SpeedTest nearest server (default ping) ~4Mbps. TestMy ~ 3.3Mbps. SpeedTest distant server ~4Mbps. Also consistent with Comcast's test servers.

This Ubee DDM3513 is apparently a DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem. I have not unpacked it. I did not request it. But it came in a nice box from Comcast. They know I own my own Motorola SB5101, which I understand is not DOCSIS 3.0. This follows an upgrade in service to their 20Mbps tier (from many years of same service at around 12 and 6Mbps). So I'm wondering, is this modem as good as the Motorola SB6120? I also have that here sitting unpacked! The reason I haven't unpacked them (and installed them to test) is because I was told by many technicians (both in Comcast and elsewhere) that a DOCSIS 3.0 modem would bump my 20Mbps tier to around 30Mbps, but my connection is already testing at near 30Mbps speeds! Previously I had their 20Mbps tier for a short period and it rarely went above 22Mbps. The difference between 20 and 30Mbps is not so noticeable to me. The next higher tier at Comcast right now is 50Mbps, which absolutely needs the DOCSIS 3.0 modem. But I don't have that tier. I'm probably not going to upgrade to it at any time in the near future. So I'm sure Comcast wants me to be prepared with the proper equipment hoping that I would upgrade. They also mention a much higher and more expensive 105Mbps tier service, which they boast can actually provide over 250Mbps with the right equipment! Okay, so much for salesmanship on their part. Anyway, my immediate question at hand is, which is better, the Motorola SB6120 or this Ubee DDM3513? I could not find any info online. Other comments are welcomed.

Here's something ridiculous I found while browsing Comcast's offers. It's a test site that actually gives you a MUCH LOWER score, but it also has a link redirecting you to another test site of theirs assuming that existing customers don't see any difference. I've been a Comcast customer subscriber for many years. It's a love-hate relationship. http://business.comcast.com/internet/speed-comparison.aspx#speedTest My results: 4.23Mbps Download 2.45 Mbps Upload Compare to their "existing subscriber" test site: 28.80 Mbps Download 4.11 Mbps Upload Which is very similar to SpeedTest... basically around 30Mbps/ 4Mbps My numbers here (testmy) are: 4.38 Mbps Download 3.30 Mbps Upload All performed just now, within minutes apart of each other.