High Speed Cable Modem
I am using Time Warner Cable (TWC) as my Internet Service Provider (ISP). They are in the beginning stages of a network upgrade where I will soon have a 100 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload connection speed. I presently have a 20/2 Mbps “Turbo” plan. For no additional cost I will soon have the 100/10 Mbps Ultimate 100 plan.
What I have just done is a no cost exchange of my leased cable modem for a newer generation SB6141 DOCSIS 3.0 modem. The one I was provided (linked above) can be purchased for under $100.00 at retailers rather than leased.
Speeds up to 300/20 Mbps will soon be available from TWC. Actually the new technology can provide 686/131 Mbps when the cable companies are ready and determine what very premium price to charge. A slightly different and slightly more expensive but available SB6183 model modem will be required. (There are other suitable product brands available as well.)
The “secret” of operation in a very simplified explanation is that they use a system of multiple channel connections tied together. It is like running eight (some like the SB6183 modems can use sixteen) separate download and four separate upload modems at the same time. This is a very similar multiple modem system that has broadly increased the bandwidth (speed) of WiFi networks.
I have just made the modem swap and I see that I now have the bonded multiple upstream and downstream connections with my ISP. The multiple modem connections are working. I have tested my connection speed and it has not yet changed substantially but I already experience a noticeable increase in performance at my present (old 20/2 Mbps) connection speed. Probably because of the multiple connections.
This speed will really bring cloud storage and applications to life.
No official word when the “real” increase is coming but I already like what I see in performance. I am considering buying this modem or the twice as fast SB6183 (about + $30) rather than leasing from TWC once I see it in action. I have no need to pay for higher speed but if the ISP keep giving it away, I want to be in line…
I remember the 300 Baud acoustic modem days. I thought that was really cool but I don’t remember thinking it was fast! Perhaps I will laugh and think the same at 100/10 in a few years.