be upgraded because I already have the highest level of service available! Since
my goal is to squeeze as much of the precious bandwidth out of my connection
as I can, I've been playing around with my network! I've got it wired with Cat5e
Ethernet cable end-to-end. In addition, I've been experimenting with DSL modems
trying to find one that will max-out my connection. Since early this year, I was
using my Actiontec C1000A, but it has been having problems running fast for the
last month. This modem runs so hot that I think it's designed to self destruct
after the warranty expires!
Yesterday I visited a CenturyLink store to see what modems they are selling. The
only model they offer is a ZyXEL C1100Z ADSL/VDSL modem that's custom-made
for CenturyLink's network. Although I had poor results with an earlier ZyXEL
modem, the sales woman assured me that I can return the C1100Z within 30
days, no questions asked! So I dropped $99.99 (40% less than Amazon's price) for
yet another ZyXEL modem!
I easily swapped-out my Actiontec with the new C1100Z. During prime time, the
C1100Z synced at 6880/896Kbps, which my Actiontec is unable to do now! I'm
getting Internet speed tests as fast as 6800/1150Kbps, which is considerably
faster than what my other modems can deliver! For example, my Actiontec ran at
7072Kbps downstream for over 2 months, but it got tired and won't run this fast
anymore! During the fast time window, the fastest Internet speed test that I
performed was 5640/738Kbps. I believe that the C1100Z performs better than the
Actiontec when there is congestion in CenturyLink's network, which is often! In
addition, although the Actiontec was cooking itself to death, the C1100Z runs very
cool!
Although it might seem that a 20% speed increase isn't worth the investment, to a
Windows 7 user it feels like I upgraded my DSL connection speed! For example,
Google Earth runs so fast now that it makes my head spin!
I hope that my new modem lives a long and productive life!
DeepDiver