DSL speed

[Cheeky]

verizon is my dsl provider. i currently have the 1.5mb (max) download, 384kb upload.

they also provide a "slower" service, 768kb/128. do you think there's an actual difference in load speeds?

[Stytooner]

Yep. I used to have straight DSL with download max around 1.4 MPS. I had to have my ISP gve me something more reliable because every two or three weeks, I would have to spend sometimes hours on the phone with Tech support to get them to simple reset my card there. About three years worth of that wasted time, I was looking into Dish DSL. I told my ISP about it and they instantly suggested DSL over tone. Evidently this is hooked into a line that gives a dial tone. Had trouble with all the filters at first, but now that it is sorted out, I sometimes get 6.5 MPS download. Sometimes its not but 750 KBPS, but it usually runs right in between these two. The first time I downloaded a file at over 6 MPS, I just knew there was something wrong. Nope. Got it all at the snap of a finger, or in my case, the press of a key.

[LinuxRandal]

What do you do with your internet service?

Webbrowsing (like here), email, auction sites, ocassional updates, and bargain hunting only? No real difference.

Downloading new distros (new multigb Linux distros), multimedia (things like downloads off googlevideo), etc. You will notice a difference.

[vaking]

Additional information - I am using my Verizon ISP to connect to my job over VPN a lot. Among the applications I use at my job - IP telephony and video-conferencing - this way I can call my coworkers over VPN instead of long distance. With this usage the upload speed becomes even more important than download. Each of those multi-media streamers need about 300K bidirectional link. The slow speed DSL (768/128) gives you just 128K upload speed - not enough. Even the connection you have now is marginally enough. If you don't have enough bandwidth for streaming apps you will have choppy voice instead of normal telephone, echo on the line, etc. I am currently using Verizon fiber (20MB/5MB) - this thing flies. My company conducted fair amount of tests of what is required for this setup and came to conclusion that 768/128 is clearly not enough, 1.5/384 - meets minimum requirements, 3MB/768 - recomended.

[JR]

My company conducted fair amount of tests of what is required for this setup and came to conclusion that 768/128 is clearly not enough, 1.5/384 - meets minimum requirements, 3MB/768 - recomended.

I just upgraded mine to 3Mbps/768Mbps for the very same reasons you mention.

JR

[Cheeky]

thanks all.

i use my computer's interweb for a host of things, not just browsing.

Verizon FIOS is currently unavailable here, and was just wondering if they pull a fast one on you with the 2 DSL levels.

Thanks again

[JR]

Verizon FIOS is currently unavailable here, and was just wondering if they pull a fast one on you with the 2 DSL levels.

You can check the actual download speed here:
http://infospeed.verizon.net/

[gerti]

You can check the actual download speed here:
http://infospeed.verizon.net/

Awesome! 500000KBits! Or maybe that page is somewhat unreliable... At least with Safari on OS X. Looked more reasonable using Firefox.

[JimD]

I use the slowest (and cheapest) DSL speed from Alltel (now Windstream). It is a little slow on uploads and downloads but a whole lot faster than dialup (if I do something in the gigabytes I have to wait 10 minutes or more - megabyte files are seconds). I also VPN but my companies VPN adapter is so slow that it does not help to have a faster connection - the VPN is the limitation.

Jim

[greencat]

I had the faster speed and just recently changed to the slower speed because on average they could not deliver the faster speed to me. I ran different tests like the one metioned above and would come in at around 1.1 when I was paying for 1.5. With the slower speed I average .75 and thats fine for what I use it for. I think it depends on your area and needs.

[scmhogg]

JR,

I have Warner Cable and the Verizon test shows 7623.9 Kbits and 953 KBytes.

Now, what does that mean?

Steve

[linear]

I'm sharing mine with about 1000 of my cow-orkers:


Your Speed in
KBits/Sec KBytes/Sec
17595.3KBits 2199.4KBytes



They all still complain.

[JR]

I have Warner Cable and the Verizon test shows 7623.9 Kbits and 953 KBytes.

Now, what does that mean?

7.6239 Mbps in the direction from the network to you. That's a nice rate, Steve. Are you on Fios?

JR