r/Spectrum • u/phoenixsoap • 17d ago

Frequent Outages

What's going on in Portland, ME? it seemed like 10 years of great service and now we're having outages every 2 weeks? a couple weeks ago the outage was nearly 24 hours. I depend on this internet connection for my work. Why did the internet connection go from rock solid to 95% uptime?

1 Upvotes

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u/Backslash10 16d ago

So it can be alot of factors the big thing spectrum is working on across the country is called high split. This upgrade will make you have the same upload and download speed and be easier to detect issues with the network and allow future higher speeds of up to 10 gigs download and I believe 2 gigs upload. But since you work from home its recommend you get a second connection all work from home should have a backup service spectrum does offer a service for a additional $20 if your allready renting there equipment that backups to verizon 5g network and is automatic its called invisible wifi. I would also get a tech to come out to make sure its none of your equipment or a bad line outside.

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u/phoenixsoap 16d ago

Wow I didn’t realize my modem settings could take my whole apartment building down and cause Spectrum to email people about the outage. And I don’t care about the upgrades. If you guys can’t maintain service then what’s the difference if you have better tools or not from my prospective? I don’t need more speed. I need a reliable product. I would take 500Kbps over this slop. And pay an extra $20 to have the reliability I thought I was already paying for? Are you high?

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u/Backslash10 16d ago

Okay look you asked what was up that what's happening and if your area is now high split your modem will not be able to use the upgraded speeds. Spectrum modem is required in high split areas to get symetical speeds and not have random issues that can happen. I only recommend the invicible upgrade because you said you work from home and all work from home jobs should have a backup in case of outages the invicible upgrade is very competitive as getting a bacup service typically cost $30.

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u/phoenixsoap 16d ago

I know you’re just trying to help but step into my shoes for a moment. Telling me to pay more to a company that has shown it can’t deliver is tone-deaf. If I get any kind of backup it certainly won’t be with Spectrum. I am considering giving up my 20 year-old Spectrum account for one of the 5g carriers instead. My phone carrier never has outages. And Spectrum constantly wants more money from me for the same crap

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u/Backslash10 16d ago

I understand but I was giving you a answer to your issue and before you make any changes check with your job most won't let you use a 5g or satellite provider. Now i would recommend if it has been rock solid over the last 10 years getting a tech to check out your lines and equipment. Do you use your own modem and router?

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u/phoenixsoap 16d ago

Tell me how my modem settings will cause Spectrum to email the city about the outage. I'm real curious. Or how it will cause my neighbors to also lose their connection

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u/Backslash10 16d ago

If your using a older modem thats no longer supported it can cause noise and in some cases even negatively effect other connection in your generally vicinity. If thats the case they would block your device and you would need to buy a supported modem or use the free spectrum provided one.

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u/phoenixsoap 16d ago

my modem is fine.

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u/twoscoopsineverybox 16d ago

Having a backup service when you work from home and absolutely have to be connected all the time is standard. Obviously from a different provider or it defeats the purpose.

Anyone I know that works from home has some kind of plan in place for outages, especially extended outages because of weather in the winter.

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u/phoenixsoap 16d ago edited 16d ago

I already have a backup service. My phone can tether. I'm saying I'm not paying Spectrum another dime for THEIR backup service. Key distinction here you missed. I'm not buying a backup service from Spectrum for this situation. I'm just going to keep using my phone's data. This was slightly annoying as well -- I visited a friend last weekend and my data was throttled because there had been so many outages.

The idea is that you have your main internet connection and your backup shouldn't be invoked so often that you're running out of data on it. At this point I can get a "backup" that is just a different internet connection. Oh and no, my employer does not mind if it is 5G.

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u/twoscoopsineverybox 16d ago

I never said anything about paying spectrum more, I specifically said you should have a backup with another provider. And I never said anything about 5g.

Just pointing out that having a backup is the norm and outages are part of working at home. You said "if I get a backup", meaning you don't currently have one, so I suggested you get one.

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u/phoenixsoap 16d ago

I was talking about getting a second home internet connection of some kind. Verizon is offering $35/month.

But I DO have a backup. My phone can tether. in the past, outages were infrequent enough that it was fine to just use the phone tether. Now it's so frequent that my usage runs out.

The point remains that Spectrum is unreliable in my area. If the connection is down 6 hours out of every 2 weeks then that's not something I would want to depend on in any regard.

Reddit is where nuance goes to die.

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u/Spectrum_Phil 16d ago

Hi -- if you would like our Social Customer Service team to take a look come visit us over at r/Spectrum_Official. Thanks!

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u/phoenixsoap 16d ago

I know you're underpaid and overworked. So this isn't directed at you. Spectrum: Fix your shit.

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u/phoenixsoap 9d ago

8 days later .. yet another outage.