FDX/Unified DOCSIS

fmd · 2025-02-13T20:05:09+00:00

While we wait for the announcement that N+X deployment has officially begun... Unified is the new version of FDX that has downstream going all the way to 1.8 GHz (currently limited by old taps). The return still stops at 684 MHz. Comcast has presented this spectrum layout to begin with: This is sufficient to offer symmetrical 2 Gbps. When more of the legacy channels go away, higher speeds can be offered. 3.1 modems that get FDX-L (limited) firmware can use the FDX channels.

CommunityMember

MacLeech Apple is its own ISP, they own the entire scope of 17.0.0.0 internet IPs, and for it’s HQ they own the fiber to multiple local colo’s or data centers where they directly link with other providers.

Apple has many buildings and campuses in addition to the spaceship in the area (and others that no one is supposed to know is affiliated with Apple because the group is in one/more stealth modes, but hiding the true affiliation is not always fully successful). While one cannot be sure of anything, some of the manhole covers near those campuses and buildings (and the underground utility markings for pre-construction work around those campuses/buildings), show the usual names of the various major fiber providers. And the colos/DC locations are also well known. Amusingly, on some of the sidewalks in the area of the (Google) Plex they have their own name (Google) as owning the network vaults stamped on the manhole covers (and then elsewhere on some of the entrance roads have the usual suspects fiber provider names on manhole covers). I would guess both Apple and Google have IRUs on the fiber itself to the various Colo/DCs where the interconnect equipment resides (we did for our builds).

CommunityMember

telcodad The last percentage figure I think I’ve seen is that about 80% are X1/IP boxes now.

What is the source of that 80%?

The numbers are, of course, constantly changing, but pretty much monotonically moving toward IP capable boxes. To be honest, if you exclude the legacy DTAs in some guest bedroom (which many probably have not thought about for years, and just pay the bill every month (they should actually look at their bills)), I suspect the numbers are even better. And while I am sure some customers will give up their classic linear QAM (only) STB with a clock on the front when it is pried from their cold dead hands, Comcast has not issued a non-IP capable box for nearly a decade (your location will vary).

Comcast plays a long game. IPTV is the future.

hex0101

CommunityMember classic linear QAM (only) STB with a clock on the fron

I know A LOT of customers still love this and were shocked after switching to XG1v4/Xi6 that the clock was gone. I missed it too but still upgraded to the XG1v4 because my XG1v2 was slow (especially with the smart apps) and didn’t playback recordings correctly at all times. I suspect the HDD was dying. XG1v4 fixed my issues.

telcodad

CommunityMember telcodad The last percentage figure I think I’ve seen is that about 80% are X1/IP boxes now.

What is the source of that 80%?

I think it may have been from an article on the Light Reading site, but that may have been 2 or 3 years ago.

From Google AI Overview:

Determining the precise, current percentage of Comcast customers still using legacy set-top boxes can be challenging, as it’s a constantly evolving number due to Comcast’s ongoing transition to its X1 platform. However, the information available suggests that this number is relatively low and decreasing:

Older data: A 2017 article indicated that only about 5 percent of customers still had outdated boxes. While this data is several years old, it suggests a continued trend of customers moving away from legacy equipment.

Focus on X1: Comcast has been actively promoting and encouraging customers to migrate to the Xfinity X1 platform, which offers advanced features and a modern interface.

I think that 5% figure for legacy boxes may be a bit low, as I think there are still a lot of those older, non-IP DTAs still out there. Maybe 5% as far as full-size STBs and DVRs go though.

CommunityMember

hex0101 I know A LOT of customers still love this

I point out to my clients that an IKEA clock, which they can hang on the wall, is only a few dollars (one time).

But those who want their STB to have a clock are not convinced.

I simply have no answer to that concern (although out of their sight I do just shake my head in disbelief).

lesmikesell

hex0101 and were shocked after switching to XG1v4/Xi6 that the clock was gone.

Yeah, I ordered a $10 LED clock from Amazon as soon as I saw that - still using it after all my X1 boxes are gone.

Man-of-Leisure

fmd I’m surprised they plan to keep 3.0 upload and download active for so long.

And QAM video, even alongside 5Gb DOCSIS 4.0

telcodad

Man-of-Leisure I’m surprised they plan to keep 3.0 upload and download active for so long.

Well, many, if not all, of the existing, stand-alone X1 boxes have D3.0 modems in them.

fmd

Man-of-Leisure The exact layout of the spectrum below 42 MHz may change… Less SC-QAM, more OFDMA. Comcast has talked about it, but there is no date attached to it. It depends on the devices out there.

kmax

Old man screaming at the clouds, get off my grass age…yeah, the led clock under the tv is grand when you drifted off to sleep and have no clue what time it is.

kmax

meerkathalon Me too. I’ve been mapping nodes in our county to track progress. In alignment with the fcc map there are three small neighborhoods that have midsplit. Around 3 nodes, maybe four.

Otherwise there are 40+ OM4120 nodes still deployed, and of course the old amps. There’s one small area I have not finished yet, but I already know there’s no midsplit based off fcc map and checking addresses with Xfinity. Seeing that made me realize how far behind we truly are. I doubt we will be included in the 30% Xfinity said would be upgraded in 2025.

Don’t expect much. My town of 300K had about 2 dozen on midsplit according to FCC map from 6/2024. The December map basically showed no changes.

Curious what this June map will show but I already know zero. Because, well sort of easy to spot no activity.

hex0101

kmax what if no upgrades occur until 2030 for us lol?

meerkathalon

kmax Yeah, I’m not expecting anything. That’s what I was trying to convey with the data.

badtlc4

hex0101 Sony Bravia Core or whatever it is called needs greater than 100Mbps but that is the only one and I think you can only use it on Sony TVs and PS5. Vary rare use case.

lesmikesell

badtlc4 Sony Bravia Core or whatever it is called needs greater than 100Mbps but that is the only one and I think you can only use it on Sony TVs and PS5

That’s 80Mbs or it wouldn’t work with the TV’s 100Mbs ethernet interface. But they recommend having a 100+Mbs internet service because they don’t always deliver the full speed. And you have to enable ‘Pure Stream’ in the settings or it uses 30Mbs like everyone else.

Man-of-Leisure

badtlc4 Sony Bravia Core or whatever it is called needs greater than 100Mbps but that is the only one and I think you can only use it on Sony TVs and PS5.

I wish others would increase their streaming quality too.

Too bad it’s only limited to those few devices.

badtlc4

lesmikesell
It doesn’t work with the 100Mbps ethernet interface. I have a Sony TV and use it. 80Mbps is the “nominal” bitrate. it can exceed that. When you try to use it with 100Mbps ethernet, the app tells you that the enhanced quality is disabled. It only works with WiFi unless you buy a 1Gbps USB3.0 adapter. I bought an adapter for $10 and it works great.

Very annoying situation, though.

hex0101

Interesting

“The Pure Stream™ feature requires an internet speed of at least 43 Mbps. To enjoy at the highest speed of 80 Mbps, you need an internet speed of 115 Mbps or faster. Ethernet (wired LAN) connections are limited to 100 Mbps due to the TV’s product specifications. Therefore, to enjoy 80 Mbps with the Pure Stream™ functionality, you need to connect to a Wi-Fi router that supports IEEE 802.11 ac/n (wireless LAN). Pure Stream™ is currently only available on BRAVIA CORE, not BRAVIA CORE for XPERIA.”

802.11n 5 Ghz, I wonder how fast that would be. I only ever used AC in the 5 Ghz band, which can peak at 700 Mbps with a 2×2 MIMO client. The highest I ever saw was 675 Mbps. 450-550 Mbps was typical.

videomatic3

cypherstream
i definately missed this post, but im not using any kind of qos on the router, doing so would require disabling fastrack

SBT13

GoNetSpeed announced a few days ago that they are expanding their fiber service into NJ, and where I live is part of the towns listed. Apparently should be ready for service around Fall 2026.

I will most definitely be jumping ship, or at least dual homing. We’ll see if Comcast is able to deploy D4.0/FDX before GoNetSpeed starts offering service.

https://www.gonetspeed.com/resources/news/gonetspeed-accelerates-network-footprint-prepares-expansion-serving-11th-state-new-jersey/

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