"Is Cogent Comm Still a Reliable ISP Choice in 2024?"
Hey folks,
So I’ve been using Cogent Comm for a while now, and lately, it feels like things are… inconsistent? Like, the speeds are *usually* fine, but I’ve had random drops and weird latency spikes.
Anyone else noticing this? Or is it just my setup being janky?
I know Cogent Comm used to be solid for budget fiber, but with all the new players in the game, I’m wondering if it’s time to switch. How’s your experience been lately?
(Also, if you’ve jumped ship, who’d you go with? 👀)
Thanks!
Yeah, I’ve been with Cogent Comm for about two years now, and I’ve noticed the same thing. The speeds are decent for the price, but those random latency spikes are *annoying*.
I started using PingPlotter to track where the drops happen, and it’s definitely not just my setup. Might be worth trying to see if it’s a local issue or on their end.
If you’re looking to switch, I’ve heard good things about Hurricane Electric for stable fiber, but they’re not as cheap.
Cogent Comm was my go-to for years, but lately, it’s been hit or miss. I switched to Zayo last month, and so far, so good—way fewer drops.
But honestly, before jumping ship, try running a traceroute during one of those spikes. Could just be a bad hop somewhere in their network.
Man, I feel you. Cogent Comm used to be *the* budget option, but their peering has gotten worse over time.
If you’re gaming or doing anything latency-sensitive, I’d look elsewhere. I moved to HE.net, and it’s been night and day.
For testing, try MTR (Matt’s Traceroute)—it’s like traceroute but way better for spotting consistent issues.
I’ve had Cogent Comm for my small biz, and yeah, the inconsistency is real. Speed tests look fine, but real-world performance? Meh.
I’ve been using SmokePing to monitor latency, and it’s wild how much it fluctuates.
If you’re considering alternatives, check out Lumen. Pricier, but way more reliable for us.
Cogent Comm is still okay if you’re just browsing or streaming, but for anything serious, nah.
I switched to Aryaka last year, and it’s been solid. A bit more $$$, but worth it if you need stability.
Before you bail, though, try resetting your modem/router during a spike. Sometimes it’s just dumb luck.
Lol, Cogent Comm is like that old car that runs *most* of the time. Cheap, but you gotta expect some hiccups.
I’ve been using Pathping (Windows) to check where the lag’s coming from, and it’s usually not my gear.
If you’re done with the gamble, check out GTT. Not as cheap, but way fewer surprises.
Thanks for all the feedback, everyone! Definitely gonna try PingPlotter and SmokePing to see where these spikes are coming from.
Also, good to know about Hurricane Electric and Zayo—I’ll check them out.
One more thing: anyone here tried negotiating with Cogent Comm for a better route or something? Or is that not a thing?
Still rocking Cogent Comm here, but yeah, it’s not perfect. The random drops are frustrating, but for the price, I’m sticking with it for now.
I’ve been using UptimeRobot to monitor outages, and it’s helped me figure out when it’s them vs. me.
If you find something better in the same price range, let me know—I’m all ears!
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