Serious question about internet speed, need advice here
 

I just did a speed test and here's my results:

Hard wired: down, 62.69Mbps - up, 3.14Mbps

Wireless: down, 10.68Mbps - up, 3.14Mbps


These are results with my cable company. I've been with them for a long time.
Bell can offer me a considerably cheaper service on their new FIBE network (http://fibe.bell.ca/index.php) but even that page says they top out at 25 Mbps.

Should I make the switch? As it is now, I'm connected most often wireless anyway. Would I even notice a difference?

My Verizon FiOS, wired:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/1720404662.png

Your wired download speed is a lot faster than mine, but my upload speed crushes yours. Personally, I'd prefer my balance out like it is, so I'll stick with my FiOS. Perhaps you should look into Verizon.

Bell barely delivers what is promised. Unless it is WAY less I wouldn't switch, if you do be ready for bad billing that requires you to call them and dns errors.

Tin Cans

I am indeed a little nervous about their support & billing at BELL. They are historically pathetic at this, while my cable company has always been good.

I'm in Canada, so I basically have a choice between Bell and Videotron (Quebec). I know I could have them unthrottle the upload speed for a small fee. I don't need it, though.

The 62.69Mbps download speed is really fast, but I'm starting to wonder if I even need it. I connect wireless at home 99% of the time anyway. I just don't want to make the big switch to Bell FIBE, and then find out I am unhappy with their service and/or speed.

We're on Bell FIBE, highest package - best d/l speed I've seen is 20Mbps. This is thru a wireless router.

As far as customer service goes, I think all the Canadian Telecoms are the same - shit.

http://www.speedtest.net/result/1720441802.png

Evil Chris, what are you looking at saving?

I'm paying approx $205.00 monthly for all services bundled. HDTV, home telephone, and internet through my cable company. Their service has always been great. Everything always works and customer service is never a problem.

Bell is offering about $115.00 monthly for generally the same packages but FIBE isn't anywhere near as fast as cable. Just wondering if I'm asking for a headache here by making the big switch.

Thanks, your speed test is very good to know.

Hi Chris,

Don't switch to Bell. I used to be with Bell and I added Videotron, and kept both service providers for almost 6 months on different machines.

Bell claims Fiber, but its Fiber only up to their network switch or POP (Point of Presence) . After that it is still unshielded telephone copper wire connection to your home. Since it is unshielded, It acts like an antenna and is susecptable to outside RF noise. The longer the cable, the weaker the signal to and from Bell, generating more errors and network latency or lag. The more errors and latency, the fewer checksummed "good" packets of data to your machine, and the slower the speed. When you ask for Bell service they check to see how far away you are in "wire feet" from their nearest POP.

From where I live, I had about 30 Mb/s download and 1mb/s up. It was ok, but Videotron was much faster at 60 MB/s download and 3Mb/s upload.

Videotron is faster and does not suffer the same limitations as Bell does because Videotron's connection delivery to your home is a shielded cable. This cable can be much longer than Bell's and experience no loss due to outside RF Noise.

About a month ago I noticed my speed wasn't as high as it should have been, so I called Videotron to ask if there was a problem. They had a technician out here in less than 2 hours and added a filter to my line boosting my speed back to where it should be.

In Quebec City, Videotron rolled out a whopping new 140 Megabit per second service which is supposed to be available in Montreal any day now. Woohoo!

What I would suggest is that you stick with Videotron. If you're unhappy with your speed give them a call and tell them. They seem hell-bent on providing amazing service.

http://www.speedtest.net/result/1720484091.png

Thanks Mark, the more I consider this the more I'm convinced that I'm ok where I am now.