connection upgrade

Dom · Sep 14, 2004, 07:34 AM

I got my Verizon DSL connection upgraded from 768Kbps/256Kbps to 3Mbps/768Kbps.

I was paying $40 per-month for the old connection when I should of been paying much less, because their 1.5Mbps/384Kbps service was only $30 per-month. I knew about this apparent billing 'error' for sometime but never called up to rectify it until I learned Verizon was upgrading connection speeds to 3/768 in my area. After emailing Verizon asking why I was being overcharged for a lesser service they gave me some BS explaination of how my connecting pakage included a dial-up service (for which I assume I was being charged $10 a month for in addition to the $30 for DSL), which doesn't make much sense because why were my speeds still only at 768/256 and not 1.5/384? I had no idea I was being charged for a dial-up connection, in the 3 years I've had it I never used it.

But, anyway I have the new connection speed and I'm happy. I was already paying $40 (with the bogus dial-up charges) a month and for an extra $5 I couldn't say no. I probably wouldn't have taken the upgrade had I been paying the normal rate - nice little gimick they had going on me.

GutterPunk · Sep 14, 2004, 07:39 AM

very nice, mine sux compared to yours

Dom · Sep 14, 2004, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Verizon
Great news! Your line qualifies for our up to 3.0Mbps/768Kbps DSL upgrade service.

Before we process your request for a speed upgrade, we need to let you know that this upgrade does include a price increase. The new speed of 3.0Mbps/768Kbps currently bills at $44.95 (or $39.95 with the bundled services discount).

If you still wish to proceed with this speed upgrade, we ask that you please respond to this email to confirm. For the protection of our subscribers we need to verify that the person requesting a change to the account is the account holder and thus has authority to change information on the account. Please reply to this email with your name and billing address for verification. Once we receive this information we will make the change that you requested within 48 hours.

You do also qualify for the 1.5Mbps/384Kbps for $29.95 per month. However, before we change your account to reflect either of these packages, , we must explain something to you. Right now your account is on a plan which includes additional hours of Dial Up service every month. If your account is changed over to either new rate, you will loose the Dial Up service that you currently have on your account. Please reply to this email, letting me know it is still okay to change your account under the circumstances.

When responding, please include the above verification information, and advise of which speed you prefer.

Should you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We appreciate your business and value you as a customer. Thank you for choosing Verizon Online as your Internet Service Provider.

Sincerely,

(name removed)
Customer Service Representative
Verizon Online Broadband Sales and Services Center

Quote:

Me
The Dial Up service is just 56k, right? If so, I don't use that service anyway and never have, so it's useless to me. If the Dial Up service is just 56k, please upgrade my account to the 3.0Mbps/768Kbps speeds.

Please notify me upon receiving this message, also please let me know once the new speeds have taken effect.

Here's the information you requested, if you need anything else please let me know.

(information removed)

Quote:

Verizon
Dear Valued Verizon Online Customer,

Thank you for your email. Your speed change to 3.0Mbps/768Kbps has been submitted and should be completed within the next 5 - 7 business days.

Actual connection and throughput speeds and uninterrupted use of the service are not guaranteed.

Your monthly DSL charges have changed to $44.95. If you need further assistance with this issue, you are welcome to contact a billing representative at 1-800-567-6789.

Should you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We appreciate your business and value you as a customer. Thank you for choosing Verizon Online as your Internet Service Provider.

Sincerely,

(name removed)
Customer Service Representative
Verizon Online Broadband Sales and Services Center

Quote:

Verizon
Dear Frank De Jesus,

Thank you for your recent order to change your DSL speed. Wooosh!

This e-mail confirms that your Verizon Online DSL speed will change to 3.0M/768K on telephone number (removed).

YOUR SPEED CHANGE DATE
Your estimated Service Ready Date for this change in service is 09-10-2004* after 6pm. To confirm, after your speed change, your monthly charges will be $44.95/month.

We will keep you updated on the status of your order through your Verizon.net e-mail, so please check it regularly.

Thank you for choosing Verizon Online DSL! Your business is important to us.

Sincerely,

Verizon Online

I'm thinking about calling them up and complaining, though I really don't wanna be bothered.

Dom · Sep 14, 2004, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GutterPunk

very nice, mine sux compared to yours

What's your's at?

This was quite a leap for me - 4x faster than before - it's nice for downloading but browsing isn't any faster (as expexted).

MythicaL · Sep 14, 2004, 07:48 AM

Lucky... mine is always between 'less than 1mbit barrier' and '1mbit barrier'. Plus I have a shared connection... so might as well make that ISDN speed

Vampyromaniac · Sep 14, 2004, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dom

it's nice for downloading

I wonder what you're downloading

Dom · Sep 14, 2004, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vampyromaniac

I wonder what you're downloading

Catalyst 4.9's.

Judas · Sep 14, 2004, 09:24 AM

there a DSL provider here that sports the 3mb/1.5mb connection.. yet it's painfully slow.... i'm unsure why..but i was considering getting a XiCOM dual wan router and running the cable connection as my download and my DSL for upload... apparently it would have been slower due to DSL being rated at that... wasn't preforming.... sad... i was being hopefull...

however, if money that's saposed be heading my way shows up.... i might just get 2 CABLE connection and run either balanced bandwidth mode or split it and forward all game servers to one cable connection OR setup UT2k3 and Quake 1 on one connection and the UTclassic and Quake 3 on another.... then load up 2 more game servers

don't know... all just thought ATM

pr0digal jenius · Sep 14, 2004, 05:16 PM

and my upload is right around 2 megabits

this shared OC line stuff is fun

when you live next door to the military you are gauranteed to have access to the best infrastructure, and everyone's greatest and fastest WILL be available in your area..haha...only downside is the f-22s that do test patterns over me at 8 am...lol..o well

Judas · Sep 14, 2004, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pr0digal jenius

and my upload is right around 2 megabits

this shared OC line stuff is fun

when you live next door to the military you are gauranteed to have access to the best infrastructure, and everyone's greatest and fastest WILL be available in your area..haha...only downside is the f-22s that do test patterns over me at 8 am...lol..o well

i still got some ISP problem apparently...

i ran a test..... got a massive low score... (wtf) then went to another machine and tested and got 25301 ? (whao? )

although 33mb/s is saposed to be the fastest i could obtain...... i think it's a bit strange...

drakesteakn · Sep 14, 2004, 06:53 PM

here is my bandwidth

GutterPunk · Sep 14, 2004, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dom

What's your's at?

This was quite a leap for me - 4x faster than before - it's nice for downloading but browsing isn't any faster (as expexted).

its supposed to be 3 mb/s down 256k up... but who knows im trying to find an accurate test site

i just scored 364.7 on cnets lol!

Geminiwave · Sep 14, 2004, 07:13 PM

WTF DRAKE! HOW MUCH DID YOU PAY FOR THAT CONNECTION?!

or was there some photoshopping involved in there ^_^

GutterPunk · Sep 14, 2004, 07:24 PM

no photoshopping, right after the test hit back lol... i can score 63000

should i call my provider about these absolutely slow speeds compared to what i should be getting

drakesteakn · Sep 14, 2004, 07:49 PM

i was messing around and hit the back button, the test was already loaded and was quicker to do. i actually get 3.8mb.

pr0digal jenius · Sep 14, 2004, 07:56 PM

so drake here actually gets 43MB/s from his hard drive, and 3.8MB/s from his internet...haha

Falstaff · Sep 14, 2004, 08:04 PM

I dont get diddly squat, no sir, not squat....heavy sigh

drakesteakn · Sep 14, 2004, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pr0digal jenius

so drake here actually gets 43MB/s from his hard drive, and 3.8MB/s from his internet...haha

yeah, pretty sad.

GutterPunk · Sep 14, 2004, 10:37 PM

ITS OFFICIAL!!!!

my upload speed 233ish is higher than my download!!!! wow this is great! i cant believe it, they are coming to fix the issue tomorrow, its been like this for some time

drakesteakn · Sep 14, 2004, 10:41 PM

yeah, like over a year u've had to put up with narrowband. now u might get broadband.

GutterPunk · Sep 14, 2004, 11:11 PM

hehehe

Louiemaster · Sep 14, 2004, 11:15 PM

nice i just had my connection upgraded too. They raised my upload speed like a 100 kb/s.

CaptinSxb · Sep 15, 2004, 03:19 AM

Any body got a link to that bandwith meter thing. Tried going to cnet but i cant find it.

Dom · Sep 15, 2004, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptinSxb

Any body got a link to that bandwith meter thing. Tried going to cnet but i cant find it.

http://www.dslreports.com/stest

pr0digal jenius · Sep 15, 2004, 03:49 AM

do a google search for 'bandwidth meter' and you'll get dozens

Drakon · Sep 15, 2004, 04:59 AM

mine is 703 down/ 134 up. could be faster since earthlink was advertising it as 1.5 dwn/ 128 up...

Dom · Sep 15, 2004, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drakon

mine is 703 down/ 134 up. could be faster since earthlink was advertising it as 1.5 dwn/ 128 up...

Are you testing at a server close to you?

Drakon · Sep 15, 2004, 05:03 AM

nope, Dom. but i'll go check. i doubt it'll be much faster...

Dom · Sep 15, 2004, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drakon

nope, Dom. but i'll go check. i doubt it'll be much faster...

It should get faster, the closer, the faster. And, of course your connection should be idle while you're testing.

Drakon · Sep 15, 2004, 05:29 AM

Update: Well i checked a server in MD and here are the results:

Quote:

WEB100 Enabled Statistics:
Checking for Middleboxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Done
running 10s outbound test (client to server) . . . . . 139.39Kb/s
running 10s inbound test (server to client) . . . . . . 724.70kb/s
------ Client System Details ------
OS data: Name = Windows XP, Architecture = x86, Version = 5.1
Java data: Vendor = Sun Microsystems Inc., Version = 1.4.2_04
------ Web100 Detailed Analysis ------
Cable modem/DSL/T1 link found.
Link set to Full Duplex mode
No network congestion discovered.
Good network cable(s) found
Normal duplex operation found.
Web100 reports the Round trip time = 1671.26 msec; the Packet size = 1380 Bytes; and
No packet loss was observed.
This connection is receiver limited 45.58% of the time.
Increasing the current receive buffer (249.0 KB) will improve performance
This connection is network limited 54.37% of the time.
Contact your local network administrator to report a network problem
Web100 reports TCP negotiated the optional Performance Settings to:
RFC 2018 Selective Acknowledgment: ON
RFC 896 Nagle Algorithm: ON
RFC 3168 Explicit Congestion Notification: OFF
RFC 1323 Time Stamping: OFF
RFC 1323 Window Scaling: ON
Information: Network Middlebox is modifying MSS variable
Server IP addresses are preserved End-to-End
Client IP addresses are preserved End-to-End

What do u think, Dom? Not much of an improvement imo... But this did catch my eye:

Quote:

This connection is receiver limited 45.58% of the time.
Increasing the current receive buffer (249.0 KB) will improve performance
This connection is network limited 54.37% of the time.
Contact your local network administrator to report a network problem

So i checked on speedguide.net and used their TCP/IP Analyzer and here are the results:

Quote:

SpeedGuide.net TCP/IP Analyzer

TCP properties for IP = xxx.xxx.xx.xx ()

Browser/OS = Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1)
Notes: Read the [color=#0000ff]Analyzer FAQ[/color] if the above is [color=#0000ff]not your IP address[/color].

TCP options string = 020405ac0103030201010402
[color=#0000ff]MTU[/color] = 1492
MTU is optimized for PPoE DSL broadband. If not, consider raising MTU to 1500 for optimal throughput.
[color=#0000ff]MSS[/color] = 1452
MSS is optimized for PPPoE DSL broadband. If not, consider raising MTU to 1500 for maximum throughput.
[color=#0000ff]Default Receive Window (RWIN)[/color] = 255552
RWIN Scaling (RFC1323) = 2 bits (scale factor of 4)
Unscaled Receive Window = 63888

[color=#228b22]RWIN is a multiple of MSS[/color]
Other values for RWIN that might work well with your current MTU/MSS: [color=#228b22]
511104 (MSS x 44 * scale factor of 8)
127776 (MSS x 44 * scale factor of 2)
63888 (MSS x 44)[/color]

[color=#0000ff]bandwidth[/color] * delay product (Note this is not a speed test):

Your RcvWindow limits you to: 10222.08 kbps (1277.76 KBytes/s) @ 200ms
Your RcvWindow limits you to: 4088.832 kbps (511.104 KBytes/s) @ 500ms

[color=#0000ff]MTU Discovery[/color] (RFC1191) = ON

[color=#0000ff]Time to live left[/color] = 58 hops

[color=#22b200]TTL value is ok.[/color][color=#0000ff]Timestamps (RFC1323)[/color] = OFF

[color=#0000ff]Selective Acknowledgements[/color] (RFC2018) = ON

IP type of service field (RFC1349) = 00000000

I don't understand much about what the results are talking about...

Sep 14, 2004, 07:34 AM	#1
Dom DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 12,940 Rep Power: 0	connection upgrade I got my Verizon DSL connection upgraded from 768Kbps/256Kbps to 3Mbps/768Kbps. I was paying $40 per-month for the old connection when I should of been paying much less, because their 1.5Mbps/384Kbps service was only $30 per-month. I knew about this apparent billing 'error' for sometime but never called up to rectify it until I learned Verizon was upgrading connection speeds to 3/768 in my area. After emailing Verizon asking why I was being overcharged for a lesser service they gave me some BS explaination of how my connecting pakage included a dial-up service (for which I assume I was being charged $10 a month for in addition to the $30 for DSL), which doesn't make much sense because why were my speeds still only at 768/256 and not 1.5/384? I had no idea I was being charged for a dial-up connection, in the 3 years I've had it I never used it. But, anyway I have the new connection speed and I'm happy. I was already paying $40 (with the bogus dial-up charges) a month and for an extra $5 I couldn't say no. I probably wouldn't have taken the upgrade had I been paying the normal rate - nice little gimick they had going on me.

Sep 14, 2004, 07:48 AM	#5
MythicaL I like computers. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In front of a monitor Posts: 3,399 Rep Power: 87 System Specs	Lucky... mine is always between 'less than 1mbit barrier' and '1mbit barrier'. Plus I have a shared connection... so might as well make that ISDN speed __________________ Always knew I didn't belong in this world. I wasn't made for this. But I'll never forget those who betrayed me, and those who never failed my trust.

Sep 14, 2004, 06:53 PM	#11
drakesteakn boo!!!! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ft. Meyers, FL Posts: 2,041 Rep Power: 57	here is my bandwidth __________________

Sep 14, 2004, 07:13 PM	#13
Geminiwave I Have lovely Breasts Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: In the closet... Posts: 5,395 Rep Power: 62	WTF DRAKE! HOW MUCH DID YOU PAY FOR THAT CONNECTION?! or was there some photoshopping involved in there ^_^ __________________

Sep 14, 2004, 07:24 PM	#14
GutterPunk I = Greatest Dood Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nebraska Posts: 5,949 Rep Power: 70	no photoshopping, right after the test hit back lol... i can score 63000 should i call my provider about these absolutely slow speeds compared to what i should be getting __________________ Rock On \m/ Thank you Mousey for the Sig! --------------- Intel Core2Duo E6660 (3.4GHZ) ~ Tuniq Tower 120 ~ Enermax Galaxy 1000W ~ Corsair Dominator @ 1090MHZ 5-5-5-15 (OCZ XTC Modded Cooler)~ EVGA 8800GTX W/ HR-03 Plus 120MM ~ Asus DVD-RW LiteScribe ~ LG DVD-RW ~ Corsair Voyager 2GB ReadyBoost Drive ~ Vantec Nexus Fan Controller ~ ThermalTake Armor 25CM fan ~ Personal Finance Blog: Dent Your Debt

Sep 14, 2004, 07:39 AM	#2
GutterPunk I = Greatest Dood Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nebraska Posts: 5,949 Rep Power: 70	very nice, mine sux compared to yours __________________ Rock On \m/ Thank you Mousey for the Sig! --------------- Intel Core2Duo E6660 (3.4GHZ) ~ Tuniq Tower 120 ~ Enermax Galaxy 1000W ~ Corsair Dominator @ 1090MHZ 5-5-5-15 (OCZ XTC Modded Cooler)~ EVGA 8800GTX W/ HR-03 Plus 120MM ~ Asus DVD-RW LiteScribe ~ LG DVD-RW ~ Corsair Voyager 2GB ReadyBoost Drive ~ Vantec Nexus Fan Controller ~ ThermalTake Armor 25CM fan ~ Personal Finance Blog: Dent Your Debt

Sep 14, 2004, 05:16 PM	#9
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	and my upload is right around 2 megabits this shared OC line stuff is fun when you live next door to the military you are gauranteed to have access to the best infrastructure, and everyone's greatest and fastest WILL be available in your area..haha...only downside is the f-22s that do test patterns over me at 8 am...lol..o well

Sep 14, 2004, 07:49 PM	#15
drakesteakn boo!!!! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ft. Meyers, FL Posts: 2,041 Rep Power: 57	i was messing around and hit the back button, the test was already loaded and was quicker to do. i actually get 3.8mb. __________________

Sep 14, 2004, 07:56 PM	#16
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	so drake here actually gets 43MB/s from his hard drive, and 3.8MB/s from his internet...haha

Sep 14, 2004, 08:04 PM	#17
Falstaff Old Codger Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: USAFA Posts: 19,047 Rep Power: 206	I dont get diddly squat, no sir, not squat....heavy sigh __________________ "Inspiration is always a surprising visitor."

Sep 14, 2004, 10:37 PM	#19
GutterPunk I = Greatest Dood Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nebraska Posts: 5,949 Rep Power: 70	ITS OFFICIAL!!!! my upload speed 233ish is higher than my download!!!! wow this is great! i cant believe it, they are coming to fix the issue tomorrow, its been like this for some time __________________ Rock On \m/ Thank you Mousey for the Sig! --------------- Intel Core2Duo E6660 (3.4GHZ) ~ Tuniq Tower 120 ~ Enermax Galaxy 1000W ~ Corsair Dominator @ 1090MHZ 5-5-5-15 (OCZ XTC Modded Cooler)~ EVGA 8800GTX W/ HR-03 Plus 120MM ~ Asus DVD-RW LiteScribe ~ LG DVD-RW ~ Corsair Voyager 2GB ReadyBoost Drive ~ Vantec Nexus Fan Controller ~ ThermalTake Armor 25CM fan ~ Personal Finance Blog: Dent Your Debt

Sep 14, 2004, 10:41 PM	#20
drakesteakn boo!!!! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ft. Meyers, FL Posts: 2,041 Rep Power: 57	yeah, like over a year u've had to put up with narrowband. now u might get broadband. __________________

Sep 14, 2004, 11:11 PM	#21
GutterPunk I = Greatest Dood Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nebraska Posts: 5,949 Rep Power: 70	hehehe __________________ Rock On \m/ Thank you Mousey for the Sig! --------------- Intel Core2Duo E6660 (3.4GHZ) ~ Tuniq Tower 120 ~ Enermax Galaxy 1000W ~ Corsair Dominator @ 1090MHZ 5-5-5-15 (OCZ XTC Modded Cooler)~ EVGA 8800GTX W/ HR-03 Plus 120MM ~ Asus DVD-RW LiteScribe ~ LG DVD-RW ~ Corsair Voyager 2GB ReadyBoost Drive ~ Vantec Nexus Fan Controller ~ ThermalTake Armor 25CM fan ~ Personal Finance Blog: Dent Your Debt

Sep 14, 2004, 11:15 PM	#22
Louiemaster Masto Commando Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Don't worry about it unless your a stalker. Posts: 295 Rep Power: 0	nice i just had my connection upgraded too. They raised my upload speed like a 100 kb/s. __________________ Lets blow this popsicle stand!

Sep 15, 2004, 03:19 AM	#23
CaptinSxb DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Good Ol' U.S. of A. Posts: 404 Rep Power: 0	Any body got a link to that bandwith meter thing. Tried going to cnet but i cant find it. __________________ A64-3200; x800xl; a couple other things ; and a floppy drive

Sep 15, 2004, 03:49 AM	#25
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	do a google search for 'bandwidth meter' and you'll get dozens

Sep 15, 2004, 04:59 AM	#26
Drakon DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Floatin'... Posts: 4,957 Rep Power: 56	mine is 703 down/ 134 up. could be faster since earthlink was advertising it as 1.5 dwn/ 128 up...

Sep 15, 2004, 05:03 AM	#28
Drakon DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Floatin'... Posts: 4,957 Rep Power: 56	nope, Dom. but i'll go check. i doubt it'll be much faster... Last edited by Drakon; Sep 15, 2004 at 05:25 AM.