Comcast vs Qwest Speed Test

I switched over to Qwest DSL a few months ago because Comcast kept dropping my connection. I’d been so satisfied with Qwest’s reliability that I kept them when I moved as well. Especially since I was moving to a highrise building. I figured the line would be saturated. But since DirectTV has the worst customer service ever and I still have Comcast cable I decided to give high speed another shot. I called them up and asked for a deal to match qwest. $80 a month with Science channel HD + high speed. I got it, Digital Preferred + High Speed for $80 a month. I got the modem and new channels the same day. Hooked everything up and ran some speedtests.

Comcast with Linksys WRT54G v8 Router - Speed of the beast!
Comcast with Linksys WRT54G v8 Router - Speed of the beast!

My first test wasn’t very impressive but it was running through my router. A Linksys WRT54G v8. I thought the router might be the issue so I tried it without the router.

Speed test without router, PC direct through modem
Speed test without router, PC direct through modem

Wow, much better. I only get 5mbs tops on Qwest. So I knew the router was a problem. I gave it the latest firmware update and reset it to factory defaults.

Speed test after upgrading firmware and resetting to factory defaults
Speed test after upgrading firmware and resetting to factory defaults

Yay, because I really need a router and didn’t want to have to buy one. How does this compare with Qwest?

Qwest speed test
Qwest speed test

Honestly, DSL is slower than cable but there are some pros. You get your own dedicated line so no other user can affect your connection. The customer service with Qwest is amazing. I’ve used billing and technical support and they are great, even the people over in India. With that said I won’t be switching back. the deal I am getting with Comcast is too good and the speed is fantastic. Unless Comcast royally screws up again and my connection starts dropping I’ll stick with them long term.

All of my tests were using hard wired connections and to the same location each time. The Qwest modem/router combo I have is the Motorola Netopia 3347. Modem with Comcast is the Scientific Atlanta DPC2100. Router I use with Comcast high speed is a Linksys WRT54G v8. I have Comcast with power boost and Qwest 7mbs packages.

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