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Comment by 2bitencryption | Hacker News Reader

small anecdote on down/up speeds:

I recently signed with Comcast (it was that or DSL) for their 150Mbit/s down plan, and didn't even check the "up" speed, like a fool.

I just assumed around 50Mbit/s, maybe 25Mbit/s at the worst.

It's 5Mbit/s... so I'm downloading gigabytes of huge datasets in a minute, making a small change, then uploading... and uploading... and uploading... better get a coffee....

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Plus, your internet packets get de-prioritized behind phone and TV on the consumer internet plans. During peak usage hours, you won't even reach those high download speeds.

I recently got a 75/15 package with Comcast Business for $150 monthly. The guaranteed bandwidth seems to be worth it.

I don't think this is correct. From what I understand about DOCSIS, the video-related channels and Internet-related channels are completely separate frequency ranges on the coax line. The reason your bandwidth is reduced during peak usage hours is because you're sharing something like a 10gbps fiber line with hundreds of other people.

But doesn't their VOD service use a DOCSIS packet connection?

> ...the video-related channels and Internet-related channels are completely separate frequency ranges on the coax line...

Yes, that's why they can use band pass filters to enable and disable specific services and packages. i.e., specialty channels that are part of a premium package are grouped together in certain frequency ranges, and they use equipment to block or allow signals at varying frequencies on each consumer connection.

I thought that in an average residential setup, TCP traffic costs something like 1kB up for every 10kB down, just to manage the TCP connection and send requests from client etc . Maybe UDP/video streaming use less upload though.

FYI: A gigabit comcast connection is commonly only half that advertised speed. Upload speed included with their gigabit plan is 40mbit. 40mbit. And the upload is always 40mbit in my tests.

I'm just waiting for them to start advertising total speed. So your 50/5 connection would be advertised as 55Mbps!

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