New Roadrunner Speeds

[DSquare]

http://tampabay.mybrighthouse.com/site/AboutUs/PressReleases/FasterRR.cfm

[Bschneider]

Looks like FIOS speed from Verizon is responsible for this. I like it but I don't like the extra cost.

[Zimmy]

High speed service price needs to come down, not up.
The minute Verizon comes to my 'hood, I'm dropping Road Runner.

The best way to implement these speeds in my opinion is to drop the price of normal service $10 - $15 across the board, then add the premium.

This way, the people that want the speed increase won't have to pay anymore and the ones that don't need it get a break.

$40 for broadband is too much in my eyes. 5 years ago, yes, but the infratructure has changed, it should be much cheaper.

[bdraw]

I think their pricing tier is right where it needs to be.
I am also glad to see they offer RR lite but not sure of the details other than it is 29/mo.
I am concerned that they don't mention the price for the RR only customers.
I will be the first to call on the 17th to be upgraded, but am not willing to subscribe to either their phone service or their TV service.

I have the same problem with Verizon who refuses to offer FIOS without home phone service. Not to mention no condo's or apartments.

[Zimmy]

Anyone notice their current Roadrunner service getting slower?
I'm used to getting 5-6meg downloads, now I'm lucky to 2.

[djkilla]

My connection has been very consistant and I'm getting my full 5mbs. It may depend on your area and the route taken for your connection if you're encountering slow speeds. I'm in the Temple Terrace area by the way.

Now for the good news! I just called Bright House and they'll be increasing my connection from 5mbs to 10mbs at 4pm on Monday. I'm currently paying $39.95 (regular price is $44.95 I think) for 5mbs Road Runner service. To bump up to 10mbs is an additional $10 which would put me at a ridiculous $49.95 but I managed to barter my way down to an irresistable price almost the same as what I was currently paying.

For the record, there are no current promotions to bump up in speed for either 10mbs or 15 mbs. You just have to know how to talk and barter your way for a good price. Believe me, I've gotten very good at getting the maximum for my $$$. Anyway, the new speeds take affect on Monday Oct. 17 as stated in previous posts. The person refered me to the following web site for speed testing:

http://www.testmy.net

He said to select the 'Download Speed Test' and then the 'SmarTest' option. There's actually lots of sites for speed testing but I'll probably check this site out. Hope this info helps others looking for info and getting a good deal.

-D j K i l l a-

[bdraw]

The best site to test YOUR connectin is test.tampabay.rr.com only a few hops away. Of course this doesn't test RR's connection to the rest of the internet.
I always get 5Mbps with this and many other tests.

As for the new service. I called to order it, but they told me it was only for customer with either phone or cable service. Since I am RR only I couldn't upgrade. Sounds alot like FIOS. I called to see if it was available and they told me I had to order phone service first. I think that policy sucks but what choice do I really have? I am not going to pay $90 for more throughput.
So for now I will have to stay with basic RR. For whatever reason I only pay 32.95/mo.

[Floyd]

Here's another site that verizon uses to check their fios installs. It gives me the highest readings for some reason:

http://miranda.ctd.anl.gov:7123/

You can check the details or statistics tabs to get advanced info.

BTW, Verizon is offering 5m/2m fios to existing DSL customers for $30/mo now.

[qqqqq]

I have the same problem with Verizon who refuses to offer FIOS without home phone service.

Maybe not initially, but I was able to cancel home phone service after getting FIOS installed.

[SixIron]

I went ahead and bumped mine up to the 10 MB plan yesterday, rationalized somewhat by cancelling HBO (didnt watch it much) at the same time so my bill wont actually increase any.

They told me on the phone it would be immediate but an hour later and two modem resets I was still capped at 5. I called tech support and they did a modem reset from their end and I was able to get 10 MB down as soon as they did there thing.

I've downloaded 10 gig in a day no prob from newsgroup binaries so the added speed will be put to good use.

[FTBoomerIII]

I went ahead and bumped mine up to the 10 MB plan yesterday, rationalized somewhat by cancelling HBO (didnt watch it much) at the same time so my bill wont actually increase any.

They told me on the phone it would be immediate but an hour later and two modem resets I was still capped at 5. I called tech support and they did a modem reset from their end and I was able to get 10 MB down as soon as they did there thing.

I've downloaded 10 gig in a day no prob from newsgroup binaries so the added speed will be put to good use.

Upgraded to 15MB. I've been using BitTorrent but wanted to try the newsgroups. How do you download and which groups are the best?

I checked some of the alt.binaries but didn't find much.

[millerman101]

boomer, go to test.tampabay.rr.com and let me know what your speeds level out at @ a 50mb file... Im also at 15mbs...

[FTBoomerIII]

boomer, go to test.tampabay.rr.com and let me know what your speeds level out at @ a 50mb file... Im also at 15mbs...

Leveled out @ 1.83 M\sec or 14.4MB (1.83*8)

[SixIron]

Upgraded to 15MB. I've been using BitTorrent but wanted to try the newsgroups. How do you download and which groups are the best?

I checked some of the alt.binaries but didn't find much.

Depends on what you want. There are plenty of movies, mp3's etc to be had. alt.binaries.dvd.image is one example.

[FTBoomerIII]

Upgraded to 15MB. I've been using BitTorrent but wanted to try the newsgroups. How do you download and which groups are the best?

I checked some of the alt.binaries but didn't find much.

Depends on what you want. There are plenty of movies, mp3's etc to be had. alt.binaries.dvd.image is one example.

Mostly looking for mp3's. Not sure how do get specific artists. Do you use outlook express or another proggy?

[millerman101]

Use newsleecher for newsgroups... its great and not a memory hog

[SixIron]

I've used Forte Agent for years (I'm currently on 2.0). You can always try the free version called Free Agent. www.forte-inc.com is their website.

Outlook and Outlook Express can also be configured to read newsgroups but I'm rusty on setting them up.

There are specific mp3 categories for every genre of music you can think of and then some. You'll also probably need to get WinRar (file compression and extraction proggie) and learn how to use it too.

[FTBoomerIII]

Thanks guys:

Millerman: What kind of speeds are you getting?

Six: I have 7zip which wil unzip just about everything including RAR files. My problem is finding updated music. Everything looks real old but I haven't checked everything yet. I've also noticed that the files are very fragmented. I'll keep looking. Thanks

BTW, I'm only looking for samples of music I intend on buying. To download music would be.....illegal and I don't want to break the law. I buy all my music leagally. Really.

[millerman101]

about the same boomer... seemed a little slow dropped down to 780 on the one of the 10mb files..but good on another 50mb wierd..

[Zimmy]

I still reasonable speeds on the test downloads site but when I use a site (like IGN) that I was used to get 480-520 speeds, I now only get about 80-120.
They are definetly doing something different.

Quicktime HD trailer downloads use to be lightning fast, not anymore. At least for me.

[bdraw]

alt.binaries.sounds.mp3.full_albums
alt.binaries.sounds.mp3
alt.binaries.sounds.music
Are my favorites.
I use MT-NewsWatcher on my Mac, and Xnews on XP.
Both are free.

Easynews.com works great too, but comes at a small premium.
Works with any ISP though.