

jlivingood

Premium Member

join:2007-10-28

Philadelphia, PA 7 recommendations jlivingood Premium Member [Speed] Heads-Up: Time to Replace Your DOCSIS 3.0 4x4 Modem



At Comcast, we actively work to provide a great broadband experience to our Xfinity Internet customers. As part of that, we regularly increase the broadband speeds for our customers. As a result, customers using DOCSIS 3.0 4x4 devices will increasingly be unable to enjoy the fullest possible broadband speeds.

"4x4" means 4 downstream and 4 upstream channels.



We have been sending notifications to customers using DOCSIS 3.0 4x4 modems if they are on a tier where a the device cannot deliver on the advertised speeds with instructions on the upgrade process.



LEASED DEVICES:

Customers that lease a D3.0 4x4 device are asked to request a device upgrade at »



OWNED (RETAIL) DEVICES:

Customers that own a D3.0 4x4 device are urged to replace it with a more up-to-date D3.0 device, such as a 24x8 device (24 downstream channels and 8 upstream channels). A suggested list of retail devices is at »



A more updated D3.0 device will enable you to take advantage of channel bonding beyond 4 channels (better/higher speeds) and these devices are newer and so still supported by vendors (i.e. software updates and bug fixes).



Thanks!

Jason This is a follow-up from a similar post on DOCSIS 1.1 (» [Speed] Heads-Up: Time to Replace Your DOCSIS 1.1 Modem ) and DOCSIS 2.0 (» [Speed] Heads-Up: Time to Replace Your DOCSIS 2.0 Modem ).At Comcast, we actively work to provide a great broadband experience to our Xfinity Internet customers. As part of that, we regularly increase the broadband speeds for our customers. As a result, customers using DOCSIS 3.0 4x4 devices will increasingly be unable to enjoy the fullest possible broadband speeds."4x4" means 4 downstream and 4 upstream channels.We have been sending notifications to customers using DOCSIS 3.0 4x4 modems if they are on a tier where a the device cannot deliver on the advertised speeds with instructions on the upgrade process.LEASED DEVICES:Customers that lease a D3.0 4x4 device are asked to request a device upgrade at » deviceupgradeportal.g.co ··· ast.net/ -- feel free to do so now.OWNED (RETAIL) DEVICES:Customers that own a D3.0 4x4 device are urged to replace it with a more up-to-date D3.0 device, such as a 24x8 device (24 downstream channels and 8 upstream channels). A suggested list of retail devices is at » mynewmodem.comcast.net/ A more updated D3.0 device will enable you to take advantage of channel bonding beyond 4 channels (better/higher speeds) and these devices are newer and so still supported by vendors (i.e. software updates and bug fixes).Thanks!Jason



telcodad

MVM

join:2011-09-16

Lincroft, NJ 1 edit 4 recommendations telcodad MVM



From: » said by Chris 313: Also, I talked to the head of engineering and he says that while 1.0-2.0 modems are already supposed to be dead, they're fixing to step that up by wiping everything Docsis 3, 4x4 hardware or below (Docsis 1.0, 1.1, 2.0 and Docsis 3.0 modems that are only 4x4), off the system soon, leaving only Docsis 3 8x4-24x8 or newer as being compatible. Looks like the discussion about D3.0 4x4 devices being placed in EOL back in this thread has finally come true then:From: » [Equip] Replace D2 modem with D3? Any point?

clocks11

join:2002-05-06

00000 4 recommendations clocks11 to jlivingood

Member to jlivingood

I'm sure some people we be annoyed by this, but it is a good sign of progress, and continued faster speeds(hopefully cap-less) ahead.



train_wreck

slow this bird down

join:2013-10-04

Antioch, TN 2 recommendations train_wreck to jlivingood

Member to jlivingood

For those of us with business class SMCD3Gs, will the replacement require a tech visit? Or can we just drop off the SMC at a service center & pick up a replacement?

plat2on1

join:2002-08-21

Hopewell Junction, NY 10 recommendations plat2on1 to jlivingood

Member to jlivingood

yeah i'll get right on that, upgrade my modem for this blazing fast 25/5



ilikeme

Premium Member

join:2002-08-27

Stafford, TX 8 recommendations ilikeme to jlivingood

Premium Member to jlivingood

Ill be holding onto my 6141 for at least the next year or so. Will probably wait for the 3.1 stuff to come out and drop in price a little unless this one craps out earlier.



andyross

MVM

join:2003-05-04

Aurora, IL 6 recommendations andyross to jlivingood

MVM to jlivingood

Seems overkill when I assume many users may only have Performance, and at 30/6, even a D1 modem is enough. Yes, I know it helps to spread, but I think this is ultimately Comcast's goal to eliminate all user-owned devices and FORCE everyone to use a rented Comcast gateway, with bridge mode no longer available.

kucharsk

join:2001-03-30

Louisville, CO 10 recommendations kucharsk Member How does supplying users with a list of suggested modems to purchase indicate a desire to force users to use rented equipment?



Given current rental costs, for most of the suggested modems payback for purchase is a mere ten months.



Jim721

join:2014-07-31

Belleville, MI 7 recommendations Jim721 to jlivingood

Member to jlivingood

said by jlivingood: As part of that, we regularly increase the broadband speeds for our customers. And from my last Bill i see they also regularly increase broadband prices as well. Got the huge insert detailing all the price hikes coming 1-1-16



JasonOD

@comcastbusiness.net JasonOD Anon said by Jim721: And from my last Bill i see they also regularly increase broadband prices as well. Comcast is not in the charity business. As long as TV sub revenue shrinks, broadband will continue to cost more.



Jim721

join:2014-07-31

Belleville, MI 11 recommendations Jim721 Member said by JasonOD : Comcast is not in the charity business. I certainly understand that, but i am also not rolling in cash like comcast is either. There will come a point were one has to draw the line and op'ed out.

medbuyer

join:2003-11-20

Memphis, TN 360.5 24.5

ARRIS SB8200

Asus RT-AC68

5 recommendations medbuyer to train_wreck

Member to train_wreck

said by train_wreck: For those of us with business class SMCD3Gs, will the replacement require a tech visit? Or can we just drop off the SMC at a service center & pick up a replacement?



I just replaced mine with an SB6141 and couldn't be more happier....



the speeds are way better...



I just dropped off mine to a service center. you still have that?I just replaced mine with an SB6141 and couldn't be more happier....the speeds are way better...I just dropped off mine to a service center.



NetFixer

From My Cold Dead Hands

Premium Member

join:2004-06-24

The Boro ·Comcast XFINITY

·AT&T DSL

Netgear CM500

Pace 5268AC

TRENDnet TEW-829DRU

3 recommendations NetFixer to andyross

Premium Member to andyross

said by andyross: I think this is ultimately Comcast's goal to eliminate all user-owned devices and FORCE everyone to use a rented Comcast gateway, with bridge mode no longer available.



Monkey see -- Monkey do! That business model works for AT&T's U-verse service (many customers complain about the crappy rental gateways, but they still give AT&T their money). It also forces some independent VoIP customers to migrate to the ISP's VoIP service if the required gateway also interferes with competitive SIP based VoIP (and that is often the case with both AT&T and Comcast gateways).Monkey see -- Monkey do!

kaila

join:2000-10-11

Lincolnshire, IL kaila to medbuyer

Member to medbuyer

I have a biz client on the SMCD3G. Is the SB6141 suitable for biz accounts with a static IP?



NetFixer

From My Cold Dead Hands

Premium Member

join:2004-06-24

The Boro ·Comcast XFINITY

·AT&T DSL

Netgear CM500

Pace 5268AC

TRENDnet TEW-829DRU

4 recommendations NetFixer to Jim721

Premium Member to Jim721

said by Jim721: said by JasonOD : Comcast is not in the charity business. I certainly understand that, but i am also not rolling in cash like comcast is either. There will come a point were one has to draw the line and op'ed out.



Now that AT&T can actually supply me with IRAD based U-verse, they are back into the possibility of being an ISP again. And for that matter, with that kind of monthly fee for Comcast's service, even dumping land-line supplied Internet service altogether and using LTE becomes more feasible. If/when Comcast tells me that my 16/3 $60/month Starter BCI plan has been EOL'd like my current SB6121 modems, and I will have to migrate to their 100/20 or 150/20 $200-250/month plan because the Deluxe 100 or 150 is the new Starter plan (and on top of that either purchase a new $100+ modem, or pay $15/month rental); it will be bye-bye Comcast.Now that AT&T can actually supply me with IRAD based U-verse, they are back into the possibility of being an ISP again. And for that matter, with that kind of monthly fee for Comcast's service, even dumping land-line supplied Internet service altogether and using LTE becomes more feasible.

NetFixer 1 recommendation NetFixer to kaila

Premium Member to kaila

said by kaila: I have a biz client on the SMCD3G. Is the SB6141 suitable for biz accounts with a static IP? No, a BCI static IP plan requires a rental gateway. And despite jlivingood's assertion of how easy it is to get a replacement "modem", it is not always that easy for a BCI customer to get an older gateway replaced -- there are still DOCSIS2 SMC-8014s in service, and the local franchise simply will not swap out that old dinosaur unless the customer signs a new contract and upgrades to a faster speed tier that requires a DOCSIS3 modem. But every franchise is different, so perhaps in your area the local management is not so myopic.

videomatic3

join:2003-12-12

Pleasanton, CA 5 recommendations videomatic3 to jlivingood

Member to jlivingood

seeing in the post how you recommend a 24x8 device, maybe you can hint us in on when comcast plans to improve the upstream spectrum and when we might see more upstream channels?

XIII

Premium Member

join:2010-06-16

Scottsdale, AZ XIII to andyross

Premium Member to andyross

It's so they can cut down on the theft of Internet. D3 modems make it a lot harder to steal Internet.



Jim721

join:2014-07-31

Belleville, MI 3 recommendations Jim721 Member said by XIII: It's so they can cut down on the theft of Internet. No this is not the reason.

darkcrucible

join:2007-06-07 4 recommendations darkcrucible to jlivingood

Member to jlivingood

I'm hoping I don't have to actually upgrade my 4x4 modem until there's a DOCSIS 3.1 modem that I can upgrade to. On the other hand, would I really want to get a 1st generation DOCSIS 3.1 modem? heh

jliechty

join:2013-10-07

Indiana, US ARRIS SB6183

2 recommendations jliechty to jlivingood

Member to jlivingood

My BCI account with static IPs has the SMC D3G, which has broken IPv6 functionality, besides being a very outdated 4x4 device. Given the limitations of using delegated IPv6 prefixes with the currently provided Netgear and Cisco gateways, and the fact that I haven't heard yet what will be happening with regard to getting static IPv6 delegations (and which gateways will be compatible with that), I'd appreciate further guidance on how to proceed.



train_wreck

slow this bird down

join:2013-10-04

Antioch, TN Cisco ASA 5506

Cisco DPC3939

1 recommendation train_wreck to medbuyer

Member to medbuyer

said by medbuyer: you still have that? said by medbuyer: I just replaced mine with an SB6141 and couldn't be more happier....



I just dropped off mine to a service center. Not personally, but many of the clients of the company I work for do still have this unit. It's old, but for many it is still working.The problem arises for businesses with static IPs (or that otherwise have a desire to rent a cable company-owned modem).

Taito

join:2012-07-22 3 recommendations Taito to jlivingood

Member to jlivingood

My 4x4 SB6121 seems to be fine for my 75 down speed tier (speed tests 90).



Is Comcast realistically going to offer another free speed upgrade before DOCSIS 3.1 modems are available? If so, even if this modem cannot handle the new speeds, will you disable my modem? Buying another DOCSIS 3.0 modem right now seems like a huge waste of money. I would prefer my next purchase to be DOCSIS 3.1 even if that means temporarily missing out on some connection speed while I wait.

kaila

join:2000-10-11

Lincolnshire, IL kaila Member Same thoughts here Taito, and also on the 75 Blast plan with a SB6121. I would consider upgrading early (but not anytime soon) to a DOCSIS 3.1 modem if Comcast can confirm future support and reviews are decent. But I'm less inclined to buy another DOCSIS 3.0 modem unless we're looking at a late 2017~2018 time frame for 3.1 rollouts.



If there is another DOCSIS 3.0 speed bump, I upgrade tiers, breakage, or some other obvious benefit (reduced bufferbloat, or some other experience improvement), I'll buy. But in the meantime I'll wait.



pende_tim

Premium Member

join:2004-01-04

Andover, NJ 3 recommendations pende_tim to jlivingood

Premium Member to jlivingood

I am only seeing 3 up bonding so why upgrade to a 24x8 device?

Waiting for the 3.1 devices is probably the best path for me.



jlivingood

Premium Member

join:2007-10-28

Philadelphia, PA 1 recommendation jlivingood to Taito

Premium Member to Taito

said by Taito: My 4x4 SB6121 seems to be fine for my 75 down speed tier (speed tests 90). Is Comcast realistically going to offer another free speed upgrade before DOCSIS 3.1 modems are available? Speed upgrades usually vary somewhat by division (geography). In the Northeast that Blast tier moved to 150 Mbps a few months ago for example - » corporate.comcast.com/ne ··· ustomers

kaila

join:2000-10-11

Lincolnshire, IL 2 recommendations kaila Member said by jlivingood: Speed upgrades usually vary somewhat by division (geography). In the Northeast that Blast tier moved to 150 Mbps a few months ago for example.... Is there a possibility of leveling the tiers across divisions pre-DOCSIS 3.1? In theory at least, I'd then be looking at a modem upgrade.



JasonOD

@comcastbusiness.net 1 recommendation JasonOD Anon said by kaila: Is there a possibility of leveling the tiers across divisions pre-DOCSIS 3.1? I'd fully expect something like this, or a further speed increase before or in conjunction with the national rollout of the data usage plans. Don't expect DOCSIS 3.1 for a while.



telcodad

MVM

join:2011-09-16

Lincroft, NJ 3 recommendations telcodad to pende_tim

MVM to pende_tim

said by videomatic3: seeing in the post how you recommend a 24x8 device, maybe you can hint us in on when Comcast plans to improve the upstream spectrum and when we might see more upstream channels? said by pende_tim: I am only seeing 3 up bonding so why upgrade to a 24x8 device?



Also, most U.S. cable systems currently only provide a return-path (upstream) band from 5 to 42 MHz, which only accommodates up to 4 "standard" upstream channels.



A few systems may already use an 85 MHz "mid-split" return-path arrangement, while other systems may soon upgrade to that, or even a 200 MHz "high-split" one, which will accommodate extra D3.0 US channels, while also allowing for more upstream spectrum for future DOCSIS 3.1 use. Well, first it seems that all the new D3.0 chipsets that are capable of bonding 24 or more DS channels are also now capable of bonding 8 US ones.Also, most U.S. cable systems currently only provide a return-path (upstream) band from 5 to 42 MHz, which only accommodates up to 4 "standard" upstream channels.A few systems may already use an 85 MHz "mid-split" return-path arrangement, while other systems may soon upgrade to that, or even a 200 MHz "high-split" one, which will accommodate extra D3.0 US channels, while also allowing for more upstream spectrum for future DOCSIS 3.1 use.