Plan to get Xfinity/Comcast internet and phone on Tuesday, 19th

[RalphVa]

FINALLY got the wife disgusted enough with Centurylink to switch to Comcast/Xfinity for internet and phone (use Roku over internet for TV/movies). Due to swap on Tuesday, the 19th.

Her biggest problem with making the switch was the changing of her email for about a dozen or more outfits that send her stuff by email. Well, she had an unused gmail acount; so I set it up on Outlook, and then we proceeded to notify all her people with her email change. Got it done.

One thing we're wondering about is how my Boston Scientific Latitude heart monitor will work on Xfinity Voip. The PDF on the Latitude indicates it will but MIGHT require the modem to be up where it can be plugged directly into the modem and then run a phone line off the Latitude to the phone jacks. That's in the 2nd floor bedroom with our computers here in the basement. Not sure whether the computers will deal with the modem up there.

Best location is our TV room here in the basement, as it has a cable connection and phone jack right behind the TV. Will try it and see if the Latitude works.

Anyone else have experience in using the Latitude with a digital phone service like from Comcast? Latitude says other services haven't worked so well with it, but Comcast's does.

Ralph

 

[EarPlug]

Why not set it up on Wifi Setting Up LATITUDE with a Wireless Internet Connection Using the Wireless Internet Adapter - Boston Scientific

 

[RalphVa]

Thanks for the link. That may be our fallback position for the Latitude.

Ralph

 

[kcflhrc]

Running a modem or fax over VOIP can be challenging for some carriers. It's all about the Codec settings whether it will work or not. Your gonna find out on Tuesday

 

[TheMan419]

Interesting. My Medtronic heart monitor uses the cell network. Good luck on your setup.

 

[RalphVa]

Took all morning, mostly with Ernest in Idaho setting up our Voip. Went from 7:45 delivery of the parts to about 12:30 when we have both computers and iPad on the Wifi network and one phone master plugged into the internet.

Went out for a hike and then plugged the other set of phones into the modem after disconnecting the Centurylink phone lines at the box in the utility room. Went upstairs to the Latitude. Did the test on it. Works fine.

Amazing difference in computer performance on the internet, and watching a movie tonight on Roku had absolutely no spooling.

DSL is fine IF they could maintain it at 1.3-1.5 MB/s, but it really does downhill in a hurry with lots of traffic.

Sent out my 2 MB newsletter to the master gardeners. Ziiiip! It's gone. Loaded it onto our Volunteer system online in a docs area. Ziiip! Loaded.

Ralph

 

[lman]

Unfortunately in my area they don't run cable to rural areas, so I'm stuck with only one option, Centurylink.

 

[kcflhrc]

Unfortunately in my area they don't run cable to rural areas, so I'm stuck with only one option, Centurylink.

I wouldn't say that is the only option. Satellite is an option as well as a hot spot. If you have cell coverage then more than likely you can use that carrier for a hot spot. I use AT&T fixed wireless internet and it works fantastic. You may be able to upgrade to a higher speed with CenturyLink depending on where you are distance wise from the DSLAM. Each area is different though so what is available here may not be available there. Cant hurt to ask, but maybe you already have.

 

[RalphVa]

We're pretty close to town here but could not get Centurylink's 10 MB/s service. They say they're spending their resources to get DSL farther out into the county.

I'm not sure how far the Comcast cabling goes, but I'm glad it was here. We had it for TV until Xfinity bought them out (or vice versa; it's probably like you're talking to Exxon or Mobil on that deal, too). Then, they just seemed completely unreasonable. Had dial up internet up to about that point; I think. Went with DSL with Comcast and DirecTV. Squashed DirecTV after 2 or 3 years and went with Roku.

DSL is not bad if they could just maintain it at the 1.3-1.5 MB/s speed, but with Covid and stay at home, they just could not do it.

Ralph

 

[TheMan419]

Unfortunately in my area they don't run cable to rural areas, so I'm stuck with only one option, Centurylink.

Look at ubifi.net they run off att tower. I put up an external antenna and get 20 mb speeds. Unlimited downloads. We stream all our tv now.