Metrocast Internet Connection Speeds

[sky_nh]

I am wondering if anyone else is having a problem with Metrocast connection speeds when they try video streaming (e.g. Netflix) or other services?

This problem has been going on for me for over a month where the connection does not take place at all or it is so slow the programming will not download.

I am paying for "up to" 6000 kbps but only get 800 or slower during prime time. I realize that during peak times it should slow down but not that much. When I do a speed test to another server, it shows around a slow 2700 kbps or about half of what it should be.

If you have had any problems could you post here so that I know -- it would help if I knew this was only happening in parts of Gilford or in other places where Metrocast serves.

BTW, you can check your connection speed at Speedtest.net (http://speedtest.net) I use the Portland, ME server to test my speeds. It takes about two minutes to do. If you can test around 8 - 9 pm that would help. The service peaks around then. Early in the day and late at night the connections are much faster.

Thanks for any help or feedback.

Sky

PS I have reported this to Metrocast and, of course, they deny that there are any problems at their end.

[DRH]

I tested our Metrocast speed here in West Alton a bit after 10pm this evening and got a download speed of 4,394 kb/s and an upload speed of 361 kb/s using the Portland, ME test site. Interestingly, when I changed to the Bangor, ME test site, the download speed increased to 5,659 kb/s while the upload speed is essentially the same at 360 kb/s.

[sky_nh]

Thank you for the info!

Just retested mine about 10 minutes ago (about 10:30) and it's up to 3,900 now. It should be over 5,000.

If you think of it and have a moment, try again around 8:30 pm. It would be interesting to see if you experience the same reduction in speed that I do around that time.

Thanks again.

-- Sky

[webmaster]

For anyone who wants to test their speed without leaving the forum here's a widget:

<center><script type="text/javascript" src="http://widgetserver.com/syndication/subscriber/InsertWidget.js?appId=38c3b435-8b19-4d65-89b1-b4eda5c307c9"></script></center>

[GWC...]

Here's the results from this evening's test at 10:40 pm:

http://www.speedtest.net/result/351668535.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

I'll try to test tpomorrow around 8:30 pm.

[sky_nh]

That's fantastic! Thank you so much.

At 11:30 pm it is showing my download speed at 5,300 kbps, which is awesome. It appears that we can select the server to test. Is Portland the default server?

-- Sky

[SteveA]

Don,

Thank You! That speed test is very cool. 5086 here in Gilford, (metrocast)

Some users might like to test security on their computers. I've gotten in the habit of using this site to attempt to break into my machine. It test all fire walls and ports. It's called ShieldsUP.

https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

[DRH]

Not sure why, but just a few minutes ago I tested Metrocast's speed through the widget Don provided above and got a download speed of 275 and an upload speed of 356. I then went directly to the Speedtest.net site and got the following results:

http://www.speedtest.net/result/351856757.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

I just ran the test through the widget again (using the Portland site again) and got a download speed of 297 and an upload speed of 351. Could the load on Don's server be affecting the test results I wonder?

Also, the Speedtest.net site indicates that my average upload speed through Metrocast over a dozen or so tests is 364 kb/s, versus a New Hampshire overall ISP average of 1,273 kb/s. Interestingly, GWC's upload speed was 1,969 kb/s through Comcast. Why is Metrocast's upload speed so dismal?

[sky_nh]

I feel like I am becoming addicting to these speed tests!

In any case, about five minutes ago I used both the widget here and the direct Speedtest site and come up with approx the same results of 2700 kbps -- which is about half of the speed I am paying for with Metrocast.

I can understand that during prime time periods that there would be a heavy load on their servers and the speeds slower, but at 9:30 in the morning? I hope a few more people here will try the speed tests during that prime time period of 8-9 to see what happens.

I have tried discussing this with their tech support people but they are not of any help at all -- actually, a little rude if you suggest they have a problem. Does anyone know how to get their attention there, or at least an explanation why they are only delivering half the speed we are paying for?

-- Sky

[wifi]

This site never seems to suffer congestion:

http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/

I have Time/Warner with speed boost, and I'm getting:

Last Result:
Download Speed: 25778 kbps (3222.3 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 977 kbps (122.1 KB/sec transfer rate)

I frequently get over 31M download on this test. Upload speeds are choked back so the ISP doesn't have to deal with customers with a virus or bots blasting others with slower connections out of the water. You can always go business class and pay A LOT MORE if you want higher upload speeds.

[webmaster]

Could the load on Don's server be affecting the test results I wonder?Hi Don, Once this page loads the widget runs on your computer and connects directly to the speedtest site, my server is not in the loop at that point.

[kjbathe]

Do you have anything else competing for bandwidth with Netflix -- other PC's on your home network, an old 10 MB hub trying to manage congestion, firewall or router settings with excess packet filtering, voice over IP (VoIP) / digital phone that is prioritizing voice traffic over data, Tivo or ReplayTV pulling down updates?

I don't know about Metrocast, but I know Comcast doesn't guarantee either a full time connection or the speed of the connection. Sometimes it flies, other times it can be a dog. The joy of consumer broadband... :(

[GWC...]

Here's the results from today's test at 11:51 am:

http://www.speedtest.net/result/351945387.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

[GWC...]

Here's the results from today's test at 12:23 pm:


http://www.speedtest.net/result/351962811.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

Also, tried using the Webmaster's link just prior to this direct test and the results were slower. It would have been nice if I copied the results; because I do not remember the results - old timers...

Just tried the Webmaster's twice and the results are:

Download: test #1: 4420 kbps and test #2: 4283 kbps
Upload: test #1: 993 kbps and test #2: 1232 kbps

Interestingly, the second test yielded a higher upload result.

[rander7823]

I think there should be a speed limit here so none of you get WEB-Lash:)

Get it .....whiplash...web-lash

Okay my wife doesn't think I am funny either

[gtxrider]

Ok first we get speed limits on the LAKE now we are worried about Internet Speed!

[Resident 2B]

Ok first we get speed limits on the LAKE now we are worried about Internet Speed!

My guess is, high internet speeds is something we all can support. :)

If so, here's to ya! :cheers:

R2B

[DRH]

This is mysterious. Using the widget, I just got a download speed of 274 kb/s and an upload speed of 358 kb/s.

Going directly to the speedtest.net sites and running the tests there, I get the following results:

From the Portland test site:

http://www.speedtest.net/result/352194689.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

And from the Bangor test site:

http://www.speedtest.net/result/352195189.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

For me, the Bangor test site consistently returns far better download speed results than the Portland site. Also, I wonder why there is such a discrepancy in download speeds between using the widget and going directly to the test sites? No other programs or downloads were running on my PC during any of the above tests.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.speedtest.net%22%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.speedtest.net/result/190293454.png%22%3E%3C/a%3E

[sky_nh]

I've found a difference, too, between the two tests. The test using the gadget runs from 500 to 1,000 kbps higher.

[sky_nh]

Do you have anything else competing for bandwidth with Netflix -- other PC's on your home network, an old 10 MB hub trying to manage congestion, firewall or router settings with excess packet filtering, voice over IP (VoIP) / digital phone that is prioritizing voice traffic over data, Tivo or ReplayTV pulling down updates?

I don't know about Metrocast, but I know Comcast doesn't guarantee either a full time connection or the speed of the connection. Sometimes it flies, other times it can be a dog. The joy of consumer broadband... :(

Yes, I do run Skype and have a router and firewall but don't know enough about "packet filtering" to answer that question. When I have a chance tomorrow I will connect the cable directly to the PC and bypass the router and make sure Skype is off. I hope it makes a difference!

Thanks for your ideas about possible reasons for the slowdown.

-- Sky

PS I realize they do not guarantee a certain speed, but they certainly hype the heck out of the advantages of broadband in their advertising.

[GWC...]

Here are the results from today's test at 8:45 pm (Portland, Me.):

http://www.speedtest.net/result/352200897.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

Here are the results from today's test at 8:48 pm (Bangor, Me.):

http://www.speedtest.net/result/352202093.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

[SteveA]

Looks like I'm having problems with Metrocast again.

<script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.widgetserver.com/syndication/subscriber/InsertWidget.js"></script><script>if (WIDGETBOX) WIDGETBOX.renderWidget('0a4a7b2b-2b1c-4bac-b948-93bc07fec159');</script><noscript>Get the <a href="http://www.widgetbox.com/widget/speed-test">Speed Test</a> widget and many other <a href="http://www.widgetbox.com/">great free widgets</a> at <a href="http://www.widgetbox.com">Widgetbox</a>!</noscript>

Wonder if it's just me. :confused:

[EricP]

I have been noticing a drop in performance lately. We can't see you numbers in the post above but mine were ~5mB down and 480k up when I ran the speedtest Friday. I was too busy to deal with calling them this weekend but I plan to at some point when I am bored and in the mood to argue ;)

[SteveA]

I did a "livechat" with metrocast and they seem to think there is no problem. :confused:

2485

[EricP]

of course not! Does the cable to your modem run straight to it from a single splitter after it entgers the house? Multiple splitters will degrade the signal. I've seen that before. But if it was running well before then there has to be something wrong.

[SteveA]

of course not! Does the cable to your modem run straight to it from a single splitter after it entgers the house? Multiple splitters will degrade the signal. I've seen that before. But if it was running well before then there has to be something wrong.

but... I tested it direct from the Metrocast modem and thru the router. Same results. I also shut down my firewall (ZoneAlarm) and tested it. Same results. No other processes running.

Total mystery, I"m sick of screwing around with it. I'll look at it again in the AM.

[EricP]

but... I tested it direct from the Metrocast modem and thru the router. Same results. I also shut down my firewall (ZoneAlarm) and tested it. Same results. No other processes running.

Total mystery, I"m sick of screwing around with it. I'll look at it again in the AM.

The cable coming in from the street should only split once before it goes to the modem to decrease potential issues. I don't expect there should be any difference plugging straight to the modem or throuigh the router, but good test to confirm the router is not the problem. You're right it can be frustrating.

[upthesaukee]

Here is my results this evening:

http://www.speedtest.net/result/446614491.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

[DRH]

Here are the results I got at 5:10 PM today (almost the same as upthesaukee got last night):

http://www.speedtest.net/result/447246072.png (http://www.speedtest.net)

[EricP]

These are numbers we should expect to see. I can check mine on Thursday night when I get home. Both of you are in Alton and SteveA is in Gilford so his section may have an issue. I am in Meredith so we'll see what I get Thursday. If my numbers look good then maybe SteveA should have them send a tech out to examine his situation.