Comcast vs. Vonage

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 3

Ok, you got me. I am one of the agents. And I am coming to get you. Mwaaahaaahaaa.

I can't disagree with the price decrease. In fact, the entire line of products would be much more appealing at a cheaper rate.

I personally don't mind paying a little more for a better quality service, and I think that's what all this really comes down to. If you're willing to deal with a little service interruption or occasional lack of voice quality, saving money is well worth it. That's of course not to say that the broadband providers don't have problems.

Posts: 44 · Full Forum Member Joined: Feb 21, 2006 Posts: 44

JBtech01 wrote:

That was the intention of my post - to provide some information to those who wish it, and add some opinions of my own, not to step on the toes of the high and mighty.

I think the issue (and I say so with some hestiation because this thread shouldn't be about you), is that it is not clear to what extent you have read and analyzed the information presented here. I can tell you with certainty that a daytime-only packet loss that is isolated to Vonage access is not a problem with the wiring in my premises.

While it is true that a large majority of problems can be traced to customer wiring, the relevance of that general statement to the problems described in this thread is not at all obvious.

I hope you can forgive the tendency to react poorly to your first post here adding less-than-helpful information.

Posts: 1123 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: May 26, 2005 Posts: 1123

For the record, I have no ego. But I do enjoy Eggo's. Very Happy

Posts: 11 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 11

BigDaveB wrote:

I can tell you with certainty that a daytime-only packet loss that is isolated to Vonage access is not a problem with the wiring in my premises.

I agree... It points to congestion in a business service ISP, say like one that Vonage uses. Broadband busy hours are at night....

Posts: 2135 · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 5:39 pm Post subject:

dconnor wrote:

Often certain threads on our forum make the major press, here is a link to this one:
Some Vonage users are frustrated about Comcast connection quality

Many eyes are watching this thread...

and again... Slashdot: Comcast Accused of Blocking VoIP

...and once again: Vonage vs. Comcast row continues on Slashdot

and let's not forget about Ted: Y.A.C.C. (Yet Another Comcast Conspiracy?)

Posts: 199 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Mar 26, 2005 Posts: 199

dconnor

What's your opinion on this? Or are you not able to offer one?

Posts: 2135 · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 6:57 pm Post subject:

SBMongoos wrote:

dconnor

What's your opinion on this? Or are you not able to offer one?

I am not really in a position to share.

Posts: 476 · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 7:19 pm Post subject:

JBtech01 wrote:

At a glance, the price looks higher, and that's where most people quit looking. Obviously, if you purchast Vonage, you still need an ISP. Adding the price of high speed internet suddenly makes the two products comparable in price.

I'd like to revisit this point because it makes no sense. Everything on Comcast's website about "VOIP" points to Digital Voice. DV packages start at $39.95/mo. This is on top of the existing Comcast High Speed Internet fees. How can it be said that this is at all comparable to Vonage pricing?

Posts: 2135 · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 8:14 pm Post subject:

dconnor wrote:

Often certain threads on our forum make the major press, here is a link to this one:
Some Vonage users are frustrated about Comcast connection quality

Many eyes are watching this thread...

and again... Slashdot: Comcast Accused of Blocking VoIP

...and once again: Vonage vs. Comcast row continues on Slashdot

and let's not forget about Ted: Y.A.C.C. (Yet Another Comcast Conspiracy?)

and our friends over at BBR

Posts: 81 · Vonage Forum Senior Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 81

Quote:

When I test the connection with a variety of online bandwidth testers I get an upload seed that averages about 350 Kbs and a download of about 6 Mbs. When I use the speed test on the vonage site https://www.vonage.com/help.php?article=497&category=102&nav=102 I show a latency of over 4500 ms. I do the same test at work and I get a latency of about 140 ms over a metrocast cable connection. I spoke to a techie at vonage who suggested it may be due to the splitter I use for cable TV & High Speed internet which has an upper frequency limit of about 1Ghz, He told me that such a splitter cannot pass efficiently pass a signal as high of mine and even though I thought that was BS, I have ordered a 2Ghz splitter from Monster Cable.

If the problem was the splitter, don't you think it would impact you regardless of what speed test site you used? After all, you're passing through the splitter regardless of site. A better test is to remove the splitter and run a single unbroken cable to your modem and then check your test results.