I have 1Gb service from RCN Boston. Just bought an Arris Surfboard SB2800 and RCN provisioned it. Performance is good, I'm getting over 900 Mbps from some speed tests and usually better than 600. However, RCN tech support tells me that I need to open up more downstream channels or my connection will degrade soon. Is that true? The modem has 32 downstream channels. The SB8200 admin page (I would attach a screenshot here but am not able to do that for some reason) shows only channels 1-16 and 159 bonded. Modem status lights shows that I'm getting DOCSIS 3.1 mode downstream. The admin page is read-only, I have no ability to make any configuration changes. I reset the modem once, also had RCN reprovision, no changes.
Power and SNR levels downstream for my modem are within limits (see https://arris.secure.force.com/consumers/articles/General_FAQs/SB8200-Cable-Signal-Levels/). Upstream power levels are below the limit but nonetheless uploading is working OK (less concerned about upstream performance). Event log doesn't show anything worrisome (there are some errors, but Google tells me they are minor).
RCN tells me that I need to contact the manufacturer (Arris) for guidance on opening up more channels. However, Arris tech support tells me that provisioning is completely under the ISP's control. I'm more inclined to believe Arris on this question. Perhaps I should just ignore all of this and feel good about the performance, but I'm concerned that if performance degrades later I'll be outside of the time window for returning the modem to Best Buy.
I see suggestions on the forum that RCN uses only 16 downstream channels in most locations. Are any Boston users out there getting more than that? Any thoughts on what the truth is here?
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