Based on material scavenged from anywhere it can be found

In order to help users make a fair choice on Cable Modems we have created this FAQ.

With current technology moving faster than light, and with the current need to obtain and manage vast amounts of data, Telewest has introduced blueyonder HSI, a high speed always on connection to the internet using cable modems.

1. What is a cable modem?

   A cable modem is an external device very similar to a standard modem to look at. This is where the similarities stop. The Cable modem is like a gateway that allows data to flow at high speed between your computer and the Telewest high speed network. There are two connections to a cable modem. one goes to the coax that comes up the drive from the little box that the cable operator has placed in the street and the other connects to a network card (NIC) in your PC. Basically A cable modem bypasses the telephone system to connect your computer directly to the high-speed "backbone" of the Internet.

2. What speed will I get with a cable modem?

   From May 2004 the speeds of the "unlimited" Cable Modem services were increased by 50%. The current "standard" speeds are thus 768K down stream and 128K up stream. That means that against a 56K modem you will be able to download pages and software about 15 times faster and upload data at about 4 times faster (Please remember that a 56K modem only uploads at 33.6K max). Certain questions have been asked about the sharing of the bandwidth available so I will try to explain. Telewest are connecting all cable modems to a head units, these are basically a hub type object that takes yours and your neighbors cable modems and connect them to the fast network. This means you share bandwidth with them. This will not be a problem in normal use as the bandwidth you share will be far greater than the capacity allowed by your cable modem. Occasionally problems may occur when someone using the same head unit as you starts downloading and uploading massive amounts of data, Telewest have looked at this and will monitor it, so if you have any problems give them a call and they will fix it.

   A 1.5Mbit service is also available, offering 1536K down stream and 256K up stream, for a £10 premium over standard pricing (see below), and a 3Mbit service has been rolled out, offering 3072K down stream and (again) 256K up stream for an additional £25 per month (or £15 per month over the 1Mbit service). The up stream is unlikely (at this stage) to be enhanced to a speed of 512 kbit.

   Note that the 3Mbit service is unavailable to Eurobell customers, nor can those receiving their connection through their set-top box (see the "self-installation" package below) take advantage of it. Their connections will be limited to 1Mbit.

   The latest new service to be introduced is a 256kbit "limited" connection. Offering 256kbit downstream and 128kbit upstream, it is designed as a direct replacement for dial-up and is suitable for "normal" usage patterns of e-mail, web browsing etc., with a recommended maximum daily usage of 750MB per day. The service is not capped at that level, but those going beyond will be urged to upgrade to the 768kbit service instead.

3. How much will it cost?

   The price is currently £27.99 per month. This includes the rental of the modem. Users who take the Telewest telephone service in addition pay only £25. Those who have a Telewest TV-only service without telephone will qualify for the discount only if an existing customer at 1st March 2003. The 1.5Mbit service costs an additional £10 (i.e. £35 or £37.99), while the 3Mbit service is £50 (or £52.99). The 256kbit service is £19.99 per month, or £17.99 if taken with another service.

   Paying by any means other than Direct Debit attracts an additional "administration fee" of £2 per month.

   There will also be a one-time installation charge of £50 (although this is frequently been discounted with special offers of one kind or another). A "self-installation" package that utilises the cable modem embedded in all "Active Digital" set-top boxes has also been launched, at a cost of £12.50, but this is limited to a top speed of 1Mbit/second.

4. What operating systems are supported?

   At the present time Telewest support Windows 95/98, Windows ME, Windows NT4, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Apple Macintosh OS8.1+ & OS9.x.

   See http://www.telewest.co.uk/html/internet/internet.htm for details.

   Other operating systems MAY be supported as time goes by. The AUP for cable modems does not rule out the use of other operating systems. But at this time you MUST have one of the above systems for them to install the services on.

5. What if I don't have a network card in my computer?

   Don't worry, These are common components and can be purchased from any computer supplier. Most modern Network cards are plug and play and as such are easy to install. If you have any problems try using the news groups for help, there are many people who will try to help you fit a card. Alternatively you may wish to use USB for your connection. While easier in some respects, this is not the best means of connection, and switching such an installation to ethernet (usually a simple operation) will reap benefits in PC/CPU efficiency.

6. Can I get someone to fit a network card for me?

   Yes, Your local supplier will more than likely be pleased to fit the card for you. Don't forget to agree a price before you have the card fitted and always back up all data before having any work done on your computer. See above also.

7. Can I connect the Cable Modem directly to a HUB?

   Although it is technically possible to connect a cable modem directly to a hub or switch, it is very difficult to set-up and maintain. Telewest are providing the current cable modems with a special kind of authentication that requires the cable modem to have a direct connection to a PC in order to obtain its IP address and other settings. If you want to share the network connection then you will need a second network card and you will also need special software to "ROUTE" the data through the cable modem. Windows 98 SE has a feature called "Internet connection sharing" that is built for just this type of connection.

   http://www.practicallynetworked.com has some guides on how to share the connection and reviews of hardware/software routers.

8. Can I run server software on my system?

   YES you can. The AUP for the cable modem service allows the use of server software under the following conditions.

   1. The service is NOT offered to the general internet populous without limit.
   2. The service does not act as an "open relay" or "open proxy".
   3. The service does not interfere unduly with others' use of the Internet (e.g. it doesn't use up all the bandwidth on your local "segment").
   
   

9. Will I have a constant IP address?

   At this stage IP addresses will be allocated dynamically. That means that you will get a new IP address each time you connect. for normal browsing of the web, this will not affect you. Telewest have indicated that a Fixed IP service may be available in a later service offering.

10. Is it worth the cost?

    That is a question only you can answer. You will need to workout exactly what it costs you now and what you use the Internet for. For some it will not be cost justifiable and for others it will be the perfect solution.

11. Will the service be dogged by the troubles of Surf Unlimited?

    At this time no details of the network infrastructure are available. But the indications are that Telewest have built a new High Speed data network to address the issues of blueyonder, and that this is capable of the full roll out.

Last Amended : 2006-04-13 by elfin
Original Author : Steve Parkes