[semi-OT] Review: Comcast Workplace cable Internet

[Ben Scott]

On 9/12/07, Neil Joseph Schelly <neil at jenandneil.com> wrote:
> I'm sure that something like FiOS would be stable enough for us.  Cable
> seems a little unreliable ...

  To the best of my knowledge, all the Verizon FiOS and Comcast data
services are "consumer class".  They'll be pretty much similar in
terms of expectation of reliability -- i.e., none.  Note that I said
*expectation* of reliability.  Many of them end up being reasonably
reliable for long lengths of time.  But you cannot depend on it.

  The "Business" names they stick on some of them have more to do with
billing than anything else.  There are some AUP (Acceptable Usage
Policy) differences between the residential and business contracts,
but that's about it.

  In my experience, the reliability varies in practice, too.  I
suspect it may correlate with location.  I've never had a problem with
my Comcast feed at home, in 2+ years there.  My previous residence had
an Adelphia cable feed, and that was pretty shaky.  As a consultant,
I've had experience with customers with DSL or cable feeds, and I
likewise saw both good and bad, but consistent at a given location.  I
have no direct experience with FiOS, but I've read similar stories
(both good and bad) on the web.

  So, if DSL or FiOS would be "good enough" for your needs, but only
cable is available in your area, I would suggest evaluating the cable
service.  Call the sales office and tell them you want to give a try,
but will not touch it unless they do it without subscriber commitment.
 If it turns out to suck, cancel.  If it is good enough, you win.

  Disclaimer: I hate Comcast, but I hate Verizon more.  So I guess I'm
biased in favor of Comcast.  Sort of.

> I'd settle for cheap and fast (symmetric), but

  Comcast did offer to sell me a 1.5 Mbit/sec symmetric connection.
It was either $200 or $300 a month, I think.  Maybe they could do
channel bonding for you?  If so, $1200/month for 6 Mbit/sec isn't bad.

-- Ben