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UPC - is it worth upgrading broadband?

  • 27-02-2014 1:23pm
    #1
    hernie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 140 ✭✭


    Does anyone know what broadband router/modem UPC are offering now and if they are reliable?

    I currently have a Scientific Atlanta EPC2203 & a Netgear WGR614v9 wireless router which I got when I joined a few years ago. I never have any problems with them but the max speed the EPC2203 can handle is 30mb. I'm paying the same amount as they charge for the 50mb speed but I'm reluctant to upgrade if the newer modems are unreliable.


Comments

  • #2
    Hooter23
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,528 ✭✭✭Hooter23


    I have just ordered a 50mb+ modem i was on just 30mb cause thats all the modem i have right now can do I dont know if this new modem will be reliable I only upraded because at the moment the 50mb+ modem is free to the first 30,000 customers ....


  • #3
    hernie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 140 ✭✭hernie


    Hooter23 wrote: »
    I have just ordered a 50mb+ modem i was on just 30mb cause thats all the modem i have right now can do I dont know if this new modem will be reliable I only upraded because at the moment the 50mb+ modem is free to the first 30,000 customers ....

    That's tempting, it used to cost €45 to upgrade to the new modem. Hmmm...


  • #4
    Sheldons Brain
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,394 ✭✭✭Sheldons Brain


    Measure the actual useful speed you get at the times you use it (the likes of Speedtest.net), this may not be 30Mb, and might not change much even if you upgraded.


  • #5
    hernie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 140 ✭✭hernie


    Sheldons Brain wrote: »
    Measure the actual useful speed you get at the times you use it (the likes of Speedtest.net), this may not be 30Mb, and might not change much even if you upgraded.

    I usually get very close to 30Mb. I downloaded a 10GB game on steam this week and got between 27-29Mb.

    I've heard that some people have had problems with the newer all in one routers. I think the make was thomson router. Main problems seemed to be WiFi speeds and connecting your own seperate WiFi router. Can anyone verify?


  • #6
    AmilcarAlho
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 137 ✭✭AmilcarAlho


    By upgrading to a newer modem, residential customers lose the bridge option. There are 3 modems currently provided by UPC:

    Cisco EPC3925 - This modem is only provided to Business Customers, it allows for bridge mode

    Thomson twg870u - Bridge mode is removed, but can be enabled by experienced/advanced users. Not supported by UPC http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057106714

    Technicolor TC7200 - same as above http://blog.vucica.net/2014/01/few-notes-on-upc-irelands-technicolor-tc7200.html

    They also have a all-in-one-50/50 device: Horizon . This is a STB with built in modem and WiFi. Since the STB usually sits under the telly, and most living rooms are not centrally located, WiFi range will be an issue for a lot of people.



    Remember that any issues that might arise from messing around, UPC will most likely refuse to support it.

    The advantages of bridge mode is that you can use your own wireless modem that will outperform the UPC solution almost all the time. With the current devices from the provider you can still use your own WiFi solution, but add an extra layer of potential issues like double nat and so on.


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  • #7
    Hooter23
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,528 ✭✭✭Hooter23


    hernie wrote: »
    That's tempting, it used to cost €45 to upgrade to the new modem. Hmmm...

    The package I have is a bundle and when I rang I got the same package for €10 less + the free upgrade of the modem and was told that the 50mb I get with the new modem will be upgaded to 120mb in march at no extra cost:)


  • #8
    hernie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 140 ✭✭hernie


    Thanks for all the info AmilcarAlho. I'll ring & see if I can wrangle a Cisco EPC3925 off them, sounds like the best option.


  • #9
    moonboy52
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,204 ✭✭✭moonboy52


    hernie wrote: »
    Thanks for all the info AmilcarAlho. I'll ring & see if I can wrangle a Cisco EPC3925 off them, sounds like the best option.

    I tried every which way to get a 3925 to no avail.

    They will send you a Technicolor 7200.

    I asked for an engineer to be sent out and luckily he had one in his van and swapped it over.


  • #10
    finbar10
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 97 ✭✭finbar10


    Hooter23 wrote: »
    I have just ordered a 50mb+ modem i was on just 30mb cause thats all the modem i have right now can do I dont know if this new modem will be reliable I only upraded because at the moment the 50mb+ modem is free to the first 30,000 customers ....

    Be aware though that your monthly bill may still go up. Was on a package (basic monthly service charge of €81 for tv, phone and 30MB broadband). Got this "free" modem and now find my basic service charge has gone up to €96.50. OK, my broadband is now faster and likely to get even faster (so I don't mind that much). Just be aware that there may be an extra monthly charge for the extra speed (and you'll be locked in for another 12 months).


  • #11
    hernie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 140 ✭✭hernie


    I went for the same deal as Hooter23, and it's big 50 cent cheaper than I'm paying now :eek: Ended up with the TC7200 tho. But the speeds are good so far

    http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/3348659714

    74Mb down, 10Mb up and 10ms ping. Pretty good for 50Mb broadband. Hopefully it stays that way.


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  • #12
    Hooter23
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,528 ✭✭✭Hooter23


    hernie wrote: »
    I went for the same deal as Hooter23, and it's big 50 cent cheaper than I'm paying now :eek: Ended up with the TC7200 tho. But the speeds are good so far

    http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/3348659714

    74Mb down, 10Mb up and 10ms ping. Pretty good for 50Mb broadband. Hopefully it stays that way.

    Very good...I was told that the speed would increase soon to 120mb at no extra cost I hope this still means its unlimited with no cap on downloads I was told that it was anyway:)


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