Forget FiOS, DOCSIS 3.0 is Coming!
Nothing gets me more giddy than learning about new Internet technologies that may wind up in my household one day and today’s AP article about Comcast’s demo of DOCSIS 3.0 is no exception. Currently, cable modems use a coaxial cable line to shoot data down a TV channel. The fastest throughput this method has been able to achieve lies around 8-10 megabits.
A new revision of cable modem technology dubbed DOCSIS 3.0 uses four TV channels for data delivery and delivers an unbelievable 150 megabit per second download speed! Unfortunately, the article didn’t say what kind of upload speed this new technology will be able to provide but I was able to research and find a potential upload speed for DOCSIS 3.0 cable modems of around 120mbps.
In the presentation, ARRIS Group Inc. chief executive Robert Stanzione downloaded a 30-second, 300-megabyte television commercial in a few seconds and watched it long before a standard modem worked through an estimated download time of 16 minutes.
Generally, I would much rather use an Internet service based around fiber lines (FiOS) than old coaxial lines but Verizon’s FiOS service has been rather slow at laying new fiber lines to residential areas. Cable providers should be able to offer DOCSIS 3.0 service to residential areas “within less than a couple years”. What does this mean? This means that within 5 years we might be seeing YouTube HD (if YouTube is still around…) in addition to many more people relying on online data storage to safeguard personal documents, perhaps even an online OS.
I’ve stopped blaming Verizon. The problem is not them, it’s stupid local governments not making deals with Verizon. Verizon has had fiber laid in my city for over a year now, yet my stupid city won’t give the go ahead on the service.
wow, nice. pity that most people use wireless (at least i do) so i’ll be capped at 802.11g speeds. either way, it’ll be nice to max out. bet joost would be flawlessly on this tho.. *cough, cough* ;)
@bandersnatch - I just logged into my joost but I can’t find out how to send invites. It says just click “my joost” but when I’m logged in, I don’t see that.
A-Mazing. I was thinking of canceling my cable and getting DHL because for half the price I get 6-8 megs instead of 8-10, but hearing this makes me want to keep my cable.
And YouTube HD. Awesome. You heard it here first, folks.
@ shawn
Yup, Paul always spot on, which is why he’s a daily read.
@ Paul
I guess its not meant to be! I’ll see if I can dig around and find out why you’re having such difficulties
whoops for above post. s/paul/paul is. :D
For those who think they are going to have trouble with there Internet speed because of the wireless 802.11n speed limitations, don’t worry because in 5 years, I’m sure this will improve by a huge percentage.
Just think about it, whats the point of having these great Internet speeds if the wireless technology can’t catch up to it, that’s why I’m 100% sure that within a few years the wireless technology is going to be at 600 megabits a second.
For those who think they are going to have trouble with there Internet speed because of the wireless 802.11n speed limitations, don’t worry because in 5 years, I’m sure this will improve by a huge percentage.
Just think about it, whats the point of having these great Internet speeds if the wireless technology can’t catch up to it, that’s why I’m 100% sure that within a few years the wireless technology is going to be at 600 megabits a second..
Stammy, your right about Verizon. I live in League City,TX and Verizon mentioned in a national letter (its even on there website) that League City was to have FiOS in 2004. Yet its 2007 and still no FiOS. I have made calls to Verizon weekly with All answers leading to “we do not see any profit in Houston and surrounding areas due to the poverty levels being so high.” AT&T U-Verse will not enter any areas that are owned by Verizon. So again stuck like Chuck. If TimeWarner and Comcast move quickly here in the Houston area (TimeWarner leaving and Comcast entering) then maybe things will work out and I can get some decent speeds for a change.
I mean who wouldn’t want a few Mbps of actual download speeds other than just with testing tools.
Man - that would be awesome - imagine the possibilities!
Joost is an interesting technology - wonder where it will go. Would love to check it out.
@ motherduce
I’ll hook you up once I get it going, k?
@ motherduce,
Invite sent.
If anyone else is interested, I’ll be posting a request for invites on my blog, 99lives.org. I don’t think Stammy would appreciate his blog being flooded with hundreds of comments. ;)
Yippiee, this means I can now go over comcast’s “invisible bandwidth limit” in a matter of minutes!
Great! Now instead of $45 a month, they can justify charging me double the price! Go Comcast!