Stupidly slow internet

Calum · Nov 23, 2008, 20:32:19

for some reson my internet has become SLOW, i downloaded a file earlier today and it was downloading in bytes per second

I've just run a speed test and i have a download speed of120kbps from speed test.net

I don't know if anyone can help but any ideas would be nice, I've already emailed idnet for help but obviously cant speak to them till tomorrow, this is becoming a recurring problem and i'm really starting to get bored of it. as far as i can tell there's nothing wrong with my router or any other connections.

Router stats

ADSL Link     Downstream   Upstream
Connection Speed     7616 kbps     448 kbps
Line Attenuation           16 db     4.5 db
Noise Margin     10 db     26 db

Calum · Nov 23, 2008, 20:38:59

oh yeah just one little not, if running over your bandwidth usage affects your internet speed then that could be the problem because i frequently use a lot more than the package. i sometimes use 15GB (rarely) and im on home lite but sometimes i almost don't use the internet for a month and it levels out at cheaper to stay on lite. However if its affecting speed ill upgrade tonight.

Simon · Nov 23, 2008, 20:47:40

Hi Calum,

Can't help you technically, I'm afraid, but I can state fairly confidently that exceeding your download allowance won't affect your speeds, as each extra Gb is simply charged to your IDNet account.

Calum · Nov 23, 2008, 20:49:44

ok thanks, thats a relief

kinmel · Nov 23, 2008, 20:51:29

Quote from: Calum on Nov 23, 2008, 20:38:59
oh yeah just one little not, if running over your bandwidth usage affects your internet speed then that could be the problem because i frequently use a lot more than the package. i sometimes use 15GB (rarely) and im on home lite but sometimes i almost don't use the internet for a month and it levels out at cheaper to stay on lite. However if its affecting speed ill upgrade tonight.

Going over your limit does not affect your speed or anything else, you get exactly the same service as when within your quota.

Do a BT speedtest as soon as the affected download is finished, to check what is really happening.

Be aware that some file servers are really slow when busy, I always get full speed from Easynews servers, but downloading drivers and software from ATI is usually really slow.

Calum · Nov 23, 2008, 20:57:07

the results from the website kinmel supplied http://test.speedtester.bt.com:50301/

Test1 comprises of Best Effort Test: -provides background information.
Your DSL connection rate: 7616 kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 448 kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP profile for your line is - 135 kbps
Actual IP throughput achieved during the test was - 90 kbps

Sebby · Nov 23, 2008, 21:57:47

There's the problem, Calum. What's happened if your line has been unstable at some point recently (possibly caused by the weather), and the sync will have dropped dramatically, causing the profile to drop to 135k. So, despite your sync now having returned to normal, the profile hasn't recovered, and as a result your throughput is very limited.

The good news is that it should recover fairly quickly, but if it hasn't by tomorrow, let IDNet know and they can get BT to reset it manually.

kinmel · Nov 23, 2008, 22:39:51

I do like it when these problems are that easy to identify

Calum, repeat the test in the morning

Lance · Nov 23, 2008, 22:54:55

Although if it is a recurring problem we might want to dig further to the cause of the noise, or at least curb its effects!

Sebby · Nov 23, 2008, 23:17:40

Indeed, Lance.

Calum · Nov 24, 2008, 16:39:02

thanks for your help

iv only just logged in today and the results have improved dramatically

but there still lacking on what i normally accept, hopefully they will continue to increase and ill be back up to speed by the end of the day

kinmel · Nov 24, 2008, 16:43:59

Speak to IDNet, BT can correct them manually

Calum · Nov 24, 2008, 16:59:46

I've just spoken to idnet and they've told me to email them both speed test results (the one i did yesterday and one i've just done) and they are going to speak to BT about it.

This is just something i think is appropriate when it comes to BT customer service, its one of the best things on the internet so enjoy it

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=hg1CLskFIKQ

Also the test results from today

Test1 comprises of Best Effort Test: -provides background information.
Your DSL connection rate: 7616 kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 448 kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP profile for your line is - 6500 kbps
Actual IP throughput achieved during the test was - 1735 kbps

Rik · Nov 24, 2008, 17:10:32

That looks like exchange congestion, Calum. Have you checked?

http://usertools.plus.net/exchanges/

Calum · Nov 24, 2008, 17:15:49

Status   Date
green currently
green    03 Nov 08
green    27 Oct 08
green    20 Oct 08
red    13 Oct 08
red      06 Oct 08

Ok, so this would mean its fine at the moment (i hate IT problems where the answers not simple)

Rik · Nov 24, 2008, 17:20:12

Maybe not. Unfortunately, the displayed information is often out of date. IDNet will be able to get a more accurate answer. What we have seen recently is that every time BT puts in extra capacity, it's immediately taken up. It doesn't seem to occur to them to put in more than they need immediately.

Calum · Nov 24, 2008, 17:38:37

Quote from: Calum on Nov 24, 2008, 16:59:46

This is just something i think is appropriate when it comes to BT customer service, its one of the best things on the internet so enjoy it

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=hg1CLskFIKQ

Calum · Nov 24, 2008, 18:34:10

just so you know, I,ve just checked my speed again

Everything fine, only a slight bit down but it is 6.30 so a lot of people will be using the internet.

Rik · Nov 24, 2008, 18:38:52

That u/s speed is a bit low, Calum, I normally see a steady 380k.

Sebby · Nov 24, 2008, 21:01:41

Upload is a bit low, but the download is more acceptable. If you see the speed fluctuating, it's probably exchange congestion.