The incumbent telecommunications and cable companies try to deal with the bandwidth explosion by retrofitting outdated copper wire and coaxial cable. It is an end-less game of catch up and this creates a bottleneck. The biggest bottleneck on the Internet that a user can control is the modem feeding data to their computer. When you hyperlink from site to site, browse web pages with lots of graphics and multimedia files like streaming video and MP3 audio, it is bandwidth that matters. The Internet provider you choose, and the connection to your computer are the two things you can control the most. Thames Valley Communications cable modem service is capable of delivering much greater bandwidth to your home, utilizing Thames Valley Communications advanced fiber-optic network.

Cable modems are capable of delivering extremely fast Internet access. Yet, as with all modems, especially DSL, connection speeds vary. Thames Valley Communications advanced fiber-optic technology offers speeds far greater than dial-up telephone modems, ISDN and even ADSL. For example, a file that takes 9 minutes to download over a 28.8k phone modem would take 2 minutes on ISDN, compared to 2 seconds on Thames Valley Communications. The actual speed that you receive data is dependent, not only on the cable modem, and Thames Valley Communications network, but also the web server you are connecting to, and the processing power of the computer receiving the data. The connection beyond Thames Valley Communications network is affected by daily traffic on the Internet, and the bandwidth capabilities of the site to which you are connecting.

Initialize the cable modem.

Yes. Click here to view our Landlord Permission Form.

Currently, TVC does not provide parental controls within our Internet Service. We are aware that this is a concern for many parents and we would like to offer you some links of interest on this topic.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/parentalcontrols.mspx

At this time, Thames Valley Communications will install the high speed Internet service connection only for a single computer connection in a customer home. Thames Valley Communications does not install or provide customer support for home LANs, and we cannot answer technical support calls regarding their usage, configuration or problem solving. Once the installation has been completed for a single computer by a Thames Valley Communications technician, we will only support that single connection. Thames Valley Communications will provide you with a dynamic IP connection as a component of the service.

No. However, Thames Valley Communications does offer high speed Internet access for business customers to connect LANs, intranets and servers to the Internet. Please call 1.860.446.4009 for more details.

An IP address is essential to using the Internet. Thames Valley Communications does not allow residential subscribers to host a server, therefore we issue only dynamic IP addresses. This dynamic IP may change at any time, and will not allow people to connect to your server. These dynamic addresses are given out for two reasons: they make network administration easier, and they also act as a deterrent to hosting your own server. A static IP address never changes, and can always be found on the Internet.

DOCSIS is a cable modem standard that stands for Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS), and it defines the interface requirements for cable modems involved in high-speed data transmission over cable television networks. These standards and testing will help inter-operability between cable modems and cable networks.

Two-way cable modems are constant “always on” connections, and therefore, theoretically never disconnect you.

No. However, Thames Valley Communications does offer high speed Internet access for business customers to connect LANs, intranets and servers to the Internet. Please call 1.860.446.4009 for more details.

Wait at least 30 seconds then plug modem back in
(top 4 green lights will come back on one at a time)

In Internet Explorer go to Tools/Internet Options. In the General tab enter the address you want as your home page into the “Home Page” address line. If you would like to use the web page that is currently open click on the “User Current” button.

Click on Tools/Internet Options and click on Delete Cookies, Delete Files, and Clear History. One at a time, allowing each one to clear those items off your hard drive. Then click OK.

Power Cycle your modem. How?

If you are paying for Value Service you should be getting up to 1.5 Mbps download speed, if you are paying for Preferred Service you should be getting up to 6.0 Mgbps download speed, and if you are paying for Preferred Plus Service you should be getting up to 8.0 Mgbps download speed.

After making sure your cable modem connection is set up as a Local Area Connection (and NOT Broadband) and all others are disabled we suggest that you leave your computer on and actively connected to the cable modem for a period of 12-36 hours. The Unidentified Network will usually resolve on its own.

Most problems with your cable modem connection are corrected by rebooting the cable modem’s operating system. The process Thames Valley Communications uses to reboot your computer and cable modem is called a “power-cycle.”

Disconnect the cable modem power cord from the electrical outlet.

Wait at least 30 seconds and turn the power back on for this equipment in following order: first the cable modem, and second the personal computer.

Open your Internet browser and try to reach a web page.
You should try to power-cycle the cable modem and computer each time you experience an outage.

The modem is connected on one side to an Ethernet on your computer. The other side of the cable modem is connected to the Thames Valley Communications cable outlet on the wall. The cable modem works like an addressable cable converter box and is “tuned” to select the Internet data channel. The data to and from your PC travels over the Internet data cable channel on the Thames Valley Communications fiber optic network to the Thames Valley Communications headend and Internet gateway.

Yes. Thames Valley Communications allows you to have up to 7 free e-mail accounts. Additional accounts are available for a fee.

Yes. You can now get cable modem service without receiving Thames Valley Communications cable TV services!

An Ethernet card or Network Interface Card (NIC) is the interface that enables your computer to communicate with the cable modem via an Ethernet, or cross-connect cable, which then allows you to receive the Internet signal. Thames Valley Communications technicians will provide all necessary cable to complete the installation, and install a working 10/100 BASE -T connection in your computer prior to the installation of the cable modem.

YES. Thames Valley Communications cable modems operate over a separate channel. Neither the PC nor your TV is affected by simultaneous use.

Sending unsolicited email is against Thames Valley Communications Acceptable Use Policy. Those that spam other Internet citizens will be warned the first time then blocked. Thames Valley Communications supports all of the current and new State and Federal SPAMMING, Cyber Identity Theft and Internet Child Porn Laws and will assist State and Federal authorities in prosecuting offenders. To learn more of what constitutes spam see TVC SPAM Policy. If you need to contact us concerning spam please
e-mail helpdesk@tvcconnect.net.

TVC will never send out mass e-mails without first putting a message announcing it on this webpage. In addition, do NOT ever open e-mails from service@tvcconnect.net, postmaster@tvcconnect.net or admin@tvcconnect.net.

Provide your accurate physical address to your interconnected VoIP service provider to ensure that emergency services can be quickly dispatched to your location.

Be familiar with your interconnected VoIP service provider’s procedures for updating your address, and promptly update address information in the event of a change.

Have a clear understanding of any limitations of your 911 service.

If the power is out or your broadband connection is down, be aware that your interconnected VoIP service may also be out. Consider installing a backup power supply, maintaining a traditional phone line and analog phone, or having a cellular phone as a backup.

If you have questions about whether the phone service you are receiving is an interconnected VoIP service, contact your service provider for further information.