The move to AT&T, FTTH.

I took the plunge and signed-up for AT&T's FTTH service that promises 1 Gpbs (download max typically at 940 Mbps).  And rather than mess with cutting the cord, I also opted for U300 Uverse serivce all for $145/m guaranteed for the first year. AND the equipment fees for upto 4 HDR receivers plus W-Fi gateway router is also included.  Further, they don't cap internet speeds. So, after calculating 1 Gpbs service ($70) + other TV-cutting services + initial investment for equipment, it would have cost more at the outset, but about the same per month.



The install went smooth, but at about 11p on 7/10, the GPON device in the garage stopped receiving a signal and I had no service.  After about 35 minutes on a chat with tech support, they said they could get someone out here on 7/12 to fix.  Of course I pitched a fit and then the tech guy promised to have it escalated to be fixed on 7/11 (slurpee day) as well as a credit applied to my account.

When I awoke 7/11 at 515am, all was good with the Uverse.  It seemed to have fixed itself, or some magical AT&T gnome flipped a couple of switches to enable services again.  No matter.

Interesting thing about 1 Gpbs speed... if you have 10/100 switch or 10/100 NIC's, or if your internal home cabling is wired so that 2 pair are for ethernet and 2 pair are for phones, you don't realize the speed benefit of 1 gig.

It's never as easy as you think it is...

I have since upgraded my switches to handle giga-speeds, but upgrading my NIC's will take more time.  Wireless on 802.11ac is well over 200-300 Mbps using www.speedtest.net.

I re-punched by ethernet outlets to have all 4 pair using the giga-speed and removed the phone punch-outs.  Unforunately, I now have to upgrade the NICs.  Hopefully, my monthly speed report will reflect the awesomeness that is giga-power.

Sample Speeds below:

(1) ethernet from my Dell Inspiron Desktop with 10/100 NIC, through 2 separate gig switches:


(2) And a Dell Latitude Laptop directly connected via Ethernet to the Residential Router:


I'm curious about the Laptop NIC compared to the Desktop NIC, when the latter is older than the former.

Regardless, noice.