Convert phone line to Ethernet connection
Convert phone line to Ethernet connection
The cable plant design likely involves running fiber and adding a new node. If this applies, it may not be worthwhile for the cable company to run a wire. Each node can handle a limited number of customers—Comcast probably caps each node at around 130 users. Even if the company had installed the wire, most people wouldn’t be willing to pay $50,000 for cable. You’d typically pay per foot of wire and for any equipment needed, like fiber nodes or amplifiers. I’ve seen many clients quoted $50k and get surprised because they only expected a few hundred. The restrictions aren’t as severe as with DSL. With each update to Docsis, cable companies are pushing fiber deeper into their networks, bringing it closer to many homes. They also use AMPs to extend signals further. Another concern is that US phone companies have left wires on poles, making distance limits even stricter. Companies like AT&T sometimes mislead customers by saying no ports are available, even though they still exist. While the rest of the world accepts DSL, it’s largely illegal in the US now. Major telecoms are shifting focus to fiber, Docsis, and 4G/5G services.
The main challenge in the US involves cable providers being tied to specific areas. If a neighborhood is served by one provider, switching becomes difficult. My friend lived across three counties, and none of the cable companies could easily reach him. He ended up relying on satellite or Hughes internet, though he might adopt a microwave ISP soon. Regarding your upload speeds, the situation is uneven in the U.S.—many connections struggle with download performance. How are your upload speeds at Alex Atkin in the UK?
I own a 80/20 setup (actual is 66/18), but the cable remains uneven since my friend has a 150/10 configuration.