joefnh's profile

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9 Messages

Saturday, March 16th, 2024 7:39 PM

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Paying for 200Mb upload and I can only get 40Mb

I have purchased the 2000 down / 200 up plan several months ago and after 2 technician visits, 2 visits to the local store, countless calls into tech support, replacing the modem 3 times (I purchased 3 Netgear CAX80 modem / routers) I can only get 40Mb upload. The download is fine at 2000mb.  I am an engineer with 25 years experience in this field.  

I have spent hours on the phone with Netgear and we verified and re-verified all the settings & firmware version etc. They could see nothing wrong with the setup.  

The first technician rewired from the pole to the house and verified that the house wiring is fine. He then with his network analyzer plugged in the modems coax directly into his tester and could get a stable 200Mb upload.  He also looked at signal strength and SNR noise figures and they were great. 

The second technician came out yesterday and spent 4 hours going over everything from the pole to the house, double checking the modems firmware and the rated specifications of the modem and the connection form the modem to my PC.  Of note my PC is a recent model Dell with a dual port 10GB network card. I have a stable 2.5Gb connection to the modem.  I am plugged directly into the modems 2.5GB port and I’m using the latest Cat 8 shielded patch cable rated at 20Gb.  This is about as good of a hardware setup you can make. 

The second technician discovered something interesting.  In my Xfinity account, it has 2 entries for the internet service when it should only have 1.  The first entry is for the 2000Mb down / 200Mb which is what I have subscribed for.  The second entry was for an older plan not offered anymore rated at 1000mb down / 35Mb up.   He spent 2 hours on the phone and could not find anyone that could delete the second entry.  The thought is that the second entry is messing up with the generation of the provisioning file. 

Of note all 32 channels of the download connection are locked and have great numbers, power 3.1 dBmV and SNR 44.4dB.  4 of the downstream ODFMA channels are locked, 4 of the upstream bonded channels are locked, but none of the of the upstream ODFMA channels are locked or in use.  

My next stop was at the local xfinity store, they saw the same thing and were unable to delete the second erroneous plan entry.  No one seemed to have the authority to do so.  He then said to call customer care. So I did that, after an hour on the phone going through the modem reset issue etc etc etc….they could not solve the problem or delete the second erroneous plan entry.  They tried to resending the provisioning file and guess what, it didn't make any difference.  So what is thier recommendation….they are sending a 3rd technician tomorrow afternoon.  So I get to spend another 3 or 4 hours which I’m sure will not solve the problem.  This seems to be a systemic problem.  I have found several other posts on this site with this exact same issue.  One of them with this same modem model and the others with different models.  It should be noted that the Netgear CAX80 is on the Xfinity RECOMMENDED hardware list, its even the first entry. 

So with a direct connection from the utility pole to the modem, no splitters or any other hardware in the middle to 3 brand new modems with the latest firmware, I cannot get above 40Mb even though the xfinity connection has been tested to 200Mb and the modems (all 3 brand new and the same model) are rated at 1000up.  

I spoke with a friend in Concord NH (I am in Manchester NH) who has the same exact modem with another ISP and he can get 200Mb upload easily. 

So my question is, why is Xfinity capping my speed at 40Mb when for months I am paying for 200mb ?

Is there anyone at Xfinity that can fix this so I can stop wasting my money and time on your service? 

Who is going to compensate me financially for the months of not being able to deliver the advertised service and the estimated 60 hours now of my time and the the roughly $1,500 in hardware costs that I have payed for?

Let me know

Gold Problem Solver

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26.3K Messages

1 year ago

... CAX80 modem / routers) I can only get 40Mb upload ...

The CAX80 is not approved for the new upload speeds. Realize that although Comcast calls some devices "Approved" and some "Recommended", for all but a few devices those designations only mean "approved/recommended for use with their Internet service", and not necessarily approved for the new upload speeds. See:

Also see the "All Compatible Devices" link near the bottom of https://www.xfinity.com/support/devices (at the moment it points to https://assets.xfinity.com/assets/dotcom/projects/cix-4997_compatible-devices/2024.03.14%20Full%20List%20of%20Compatible%20Devices.pdf).

You need one of Comcast's newer rental gateways or one of the few retail devices shown in the "Next Gen Speed Tier" group with an upload speed rating in the "All Compatible Devices" PDF.  Also see the Reddit link, which lists the approved retail devices as well as other requirements for faster uploads speeds. Comcast could make all of this much clearer, but they have chosen not to do so.

Please be aware that there are 2 kinds of responses in this Forum: Replies and Comments. When you Comment on a post by scrolling down to "Comment on this post here...", I am notified of your response. But if you select Reply, I am NOT notified and may not be aware of your response.

(edited)

Visitor

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9 Messages

@BruceW​ The CAX80 is rated at 10Gbs down / 1Gb up and is DOCIS 3.1.   What would a next gen modem offer thats better than that and why cant a modem rated at 1gb up not achieve 200Mb.  Thats a factor of 5x over. 

It’s also setup with ODFM channels for upload and download. 

From your second link, go to page 2 and read their definition of what a “Recommended” device is.  It states its ready for the speeds.

(edited)

Expert

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110.1K Messages

1 year ago

That modem is not approved for their next gen speeds. They won't push the correct speed configuration file to it. You'll need one of these approved modems or one of their latest model gateway devices;

Your area has to have been upgraded as well.

(edited)

Visitor

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9 Messages

Our area has been upgraded and is ready, we verified that while talking to the level 3 support group and the the second tech used his analyzer with the coax plugged and tested the up and down speeds for this plan and it worked fine. 

The CAX80 is specified to work at 10gb down and 1gb up.   We are trying to achieve 200mb or 0.2Gb up.  I don't see what the problem could be.  It is also setup with ODFMA for both up and down. 

(edited)

Expert

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110.1K Messages

1 year ago

@BruceW 

Sorry for the echo Bruce. I didn't see your reply when I posted.

Visitor

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9 Messages

Well if you look at the spec for this modem from Netgear it’s rated for 1Gb upload.  It’s not having issues with the 2000Mb download.  The specs state “supporting up to 10 Gbps download and 1 Gbs upload speeds”.  

What does a modem on the next gen list offer thats better than that? 

Official Employee

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1.1K Messages

Thanks EG and BruceW for the help! joefnh they are correct that it isn't currently one of the approved ones. However, Xfinity is working with the manufactures to get more and more modems certified. In fact, the UCI was just added a week or two ago so it is very possible yours will be added too.

 

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Expert

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110.1K Messages

@joefnh​ wrote;

What does a modem on the next gen list offer thats better than that? 

They have the hardware and the firmware that is needed to support Comcast's new mid-split system and OFDMA upstream channels. They also support the correct custom speed configuration files that Comcast has written for them.

I am not a Comcast Employee.
I am a Customer Expert volunteering my time to help other customers here in the Forums.
We ask that you post publicly so people with similar questions may benefit from the conversation.

Was your question answered? Please mark an Accepted Answer!tick
I am not a Comcast Employee.
I am a Customer Expert volunteering my time to help other customers here in the Forums.
We ask that you post publicly so people with similar questions may benefit from the conversation.

Was your question answered? Please mark an Accepted Answer!tick
I am not a Comcast Employee.
I am a Customer Expert volunteering my time to help other customers here in the Forums.
We ask that you post publicly so people with similar questions may benefit from the conversation.

Was your question answered? Please mark an Accepted Answer!tick
I am not a Comcast Employee.
I am a Customer Expert volunteering my time to help other customers here in the Forums.
We ask that you post publicly so people with similar questions may benefit from the conversation.

Was your question answered? Please mark an Accepted Answer!tick

Visitor

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9 Messages

@EG the CAX80 has the mid split and the ODFMA channels for both upload and download.  In addition look at my last post (scroll down) I followed the link you posted and was led to the fully computable list.  It scanned and saw I had a CAX80 and then listed the compatible ones for my area.  2 were listed, the CAX80 and the Arris G36.  I included a screenshot of what Xfinity recommended.  

What am I missing here.

My post is more detailed.

(edited)

Visitor

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9 Messages

1 year ago

It seems that the thoughts here are that the area might not be ready and it is, this was verified by a level 3 tech and that the modem cant handle the speeds.  The modem is rated at 10Gb down and 1Gb upload.  It has ODFMA channels for both upload and download. If I look at the speeds for the next generation list, this modem surpasses those.  

Can someone explain why this model would not work for the 2000/200 plan?

I believe the “ghost in the machine” is that my account has an older plan (1000/35) and the newer plan (2000/200) listed and they, meaning the technicians that were talking to level 3 support group or anyone at the xfinity store including the manager, cannot delete the older plan. The postulation by the level 3 tech is having the older plan in there that they cannot delete, is corrupting the generation of the provisioning file.  

Of note when I as a customer look at the plans, I cannot see the 2 plans only the newer plan. This seems like a database error more than anything else.  Only those with admin rights into the customer files can see the 2 plans listed.

(edited)

Visitor

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9 Messages

1 year ago

@EG you list a link which takes you to an explanation of the Xgen speeds etc.  

https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/upgraded-areas-leased-equipment-required-for-upload-speeds

This Page then has a link “Full list of these retail devices”.   When I go to that link it lists what my modem is (Netgear CAX80) it then lists what would be the compatible devices.

This is a screenshot of what it sees is my modem and what would be compatible modems to use which lists the CAX80 as a compatible device:

(edited)

Expert

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110.1K Messages

1 year ago

@joefnh 

I didn't post any links. I posted a pic. 

Sorry this is not what you want to hear about your modem model, but the bottom line is that it is their game and their ball. Only we can choose whether or not we want to play it. Take care !

Visitor

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9 Messages

You’re right EG, that should have said Bruce, sorry about that.   He posted the 2 links and the response and screen shot were from the web page the second link takes you to.  That page has a link to the “full listing of compatible devices”. They show the CAX80 on that page the models that work in this area on that plan.

Gold Problem Solver

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26.3K Messages

1 year ago

... This is a screenshot of what it sees is my modem and what would be compatible modems to use which lists the CAX80 as a compatible device ...

The image posted only shows that the CAX80 is compatible with plans that have a download speed "up to 1.2 Gbps". It says nothing about upload speed. For that, as stated, you need to refer to the "Next Gen Speed Tier" chart in the "All Compatible Devices" PDF (that's the chart posted by @EG above). And then, as stated, you have to refer to the Reddit page to see the additional requirements for the new upload speeds.

Comcast should pull all this together on their "Devices" page, or at least include hints there to the other pieces of the upload speed puzzle, but they haven't done it. The result is customers looking over manufacturer's specs for a device and thinking "well that should work", only to discover that the device they are using is not supported in the way they expect. Comcast needs to do better, both in device support, and in documentation.

Please be aware that there are 2 kinds of responses in this Forum: Replies and Comments. When you Comment on a post by scrolling down to "Comment on this post here...", I am notified of your response. But if you select Reply, I am NOT notified and may not be aware of your response.

Visitor

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9 Messages

1 year ago

On the page there is no option for the 2k plan or the 200 up.  The Arris G54 is listed in the next gen list with ODFMA.  The specs on that modem are basically identical to the CAX80.  I have a third tech scheduled for a visit tomorrow so I went ahead and picked a G54 locally so both modems (the Arris G54 & CAX80) will be available to work with. 

What I find interesting is that page identifies my plan speed as 1.2Gb.  I know on the xfinity customer access page my plan is listed as the 2000 / 200.  This makes me suspicious about this being a database error resulting in an inappropriate provision file when it’s generated. Just a theory. 

I’ll post an update after the tech visit

(edited)

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