Slow Download Speeds

[captainpud]

I seem to be getting very slow download speeds at the moment and I have been having these problems for the last few days. My speed is usually very stable at 6MB download and 0.7MB upload but at the moment it seems to be any where between 1MB and 3MB. I have just done a test on thinkbroadband and it is running at 1.8MB.


http://www.thinkbroadband.com/speedtest/results/id/12823815982426937592.html


I have reset my router a few times and tried powering off for a while but it has made no difference. Any ideas?

[Steve]

 Any chance of a BT speedtest result and router stats  Pud?

[captainpud]

I have just replaced all cables and ADSL filter and my latest test is 1.5MB

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/speedtest/results/id/12823836055404497958.html

The stats on my router are pretty much the same as the have been for years.


                      UP         Down
Line Rate        8096       832
Noise margin    7.9db      9.0db
Line Atten       28.0db    14.0db

[Rik]

We need to see a BT test to be able to help you Pud.

[captainpud]

Sorry for the wait, I have been struggling to get the BT test to work. BT is saying 3MB now but that is still half what I have been getting.

Download  Speed
3183 Kbps
   
0 Kbps 7150 Kbps
Max Achievable Speed

Download speedachieved during the test was - 3183 Kbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 1200-7150 Kbps.
Additional Information:
Your DSL Connection Rate :8096 Kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 832 Kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP Profile for your line is - 7000 Kbps

[Rik]

Difficult. BT are going to say the line is working as expected, ie it's within their acceptable speed range. Has anything changed recently, have you tried moving the router to the test socket?

[captainpud]

Difficult. BT are going to say the line is working as expected, ie it's within their acceptable speed range. Has anything changed recently, have you tried moving the router to the test socket?

Nothing has changed or moved other than me changing the cables and filter to try and solve the problem this morning. Latest on think broadband is 1.7MB. As I said it seems to be fluctuating quite a bit. Surely BT can't say 1.7MB is reasonable for a line that usually gets a constant 6MB. I used to get 1.7MB when I had a 2MB line. I can't really think what could be causing it except something at BT's end. Any suggestions?

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/speedtest/results/id/12823863702040678484.html

[Glenn]

Do you have another router to try?

[Rik]

Unfortunately, BT can say anything above 1200k is acceptable.

The only speed test which matters is the BT one, so it's pointless firing them off in all directions. You could be looking at engineering works, line degradation, external or internal noise etc.

Are you seeing packet loss, have you tried the test socket, what router are you using?

[pctech]

Could be exchange contention.

[Steve]

I think until you can speak to support we're going to struggle to provide a solution as we don't have the BT connection data.


It could be exchange congestion as Mitch says but it seems it a little early in the day for that. Again I'm guessing.

[pctech]

Worth looking up the Virtual Path status http://usertools.plus.net/exchanges/

[captainpud]

I do not have another router I can try. The last time I had a faulty router the sync was all over the place, it is stable at 8096 at the moment.

I am in the test socket at the moment and it makes no difference. I am using a BT voyager 2110.

Should I be looking at the router and if so do you recommend one.

Thanks

Paul

PS no packet loss or errors being reported.

[Rik]

My gut feeling, Paul, is that it's not the router but exchange congestion or a hot VP. Do two or three more BT tests and let support have them.

[captainpud]

My gut feeling, Paul, is that it's not the router but exchange congestion or a hot VP. Do two or three more BT tests and let support have them.

Thanks, do you know what time do support open on Monday?

I am on Home supermax so shouldn't I get prioritised traffic to at least some extent alleviate congestion?

[Rik]

They open at 08:30. Email the results to support@idnet.com, someone will investigate asap.

[captainpud]

They open at 08:30. Email the results to support@idnet.com, someone will investigate asap.

Thanks for your help Rik

Thank you to everyone else for their input as well:)

[captainpud]

I have emailed support with my details, a link to this thread and two BT speedtests. I will continue to add BT speedtests over the weekend for support to view. 2MB at the moment

BT Speed test added

Download  Speed
2016 Kbps
   
0 Kbps 7150 Kbps
Max Achievable Speed

Download speedachieved during the test was - 2016 Kbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 1200-7150 Kbps.
Additional Information:
Your DSL Connection Rate :8096 Kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 832 Kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP Profile for your line is - 7000 Kbps

[Rik]

It definitely has the feel of an exchange issue.

[pctech]

What does that exchange checker say about VP status?

[captainpud]

What does that exchange checker say about VP status?

The Exchange checker showed the status as Green, everything ok.

Thank you

Paul

[pctech]

Strange although it will depend on whether that exchange has had now connections activated since it was updated.

[captainpud]

Another BT Speedtest

Download  Speed
2655 Kbps
   
0 Kbps 7150 Kbps
Max Achievable Speed

Download speedachieved during the test was - 2655 Kbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 1200-7150 Kbps.
Additional Information:
Your DSL Connection Rate :8096 Kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 832 Kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP Profile for your line is - 7000 Kbps

[captainpud]

Strange although it will depend on whether that exchange has had now connections activated since it was updated.

I guess there must be something wrong some where as I have lost roughly two thirds of my usual speed. It very rarely goes below 6mb and is usually well above, it is not unusual for it to be 6.5mb. I tried to download the new tomb raider game off Xbox Live earlier which would normally take about 45 mins for the 2GB file and after well over an hour it was on 17%. I gave up

[captainpud]

Another Speed test added

Download  Speed
2915 Kbps
   
0 Kbps 7150 Kbps
Max Achievable Speed

Download speedachieved during the test was - 2915 Kbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 1200-7150 Kbps.
Additional Information:
Your DSL Connection Rate :8096 Kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 832 Kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP Profile for your line is - 7000 Kbps

[Steve]

Very much the same, this is a wired connection to the router is it?

[captainpud]

Very much the same, this is a wired connection to the router is it?

Yes it is an ethernet cable direct to the router.

Test just run on Thinkbroadband

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/speedtest/results/id/128241356455729013292.html

[captainpud]

BT speedtest

3107 Kbps
   
0 Kbps 7150 Kbps
Max Achievable Speed

Download speedachieved during the test was - 3107 Kbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 1200-7150 Kbps.
Additional Information:
Your DSL Connection Rate :8096 Kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 832 Kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP Profile for your line is - 7000 Kbps

[captainpud]

BT speed test added.

Download  Speed
2490 Kbps
   
0 Kbps 7150 Kbps
Max Achievable Speed

Download speedachieved during the test was - 2490 Kbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 1200-7150 Kbps.
Additional Information:
Your DSL Connection Rate :8096 Kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 832 Kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP Profile for your line is - 7000 Kbps

[Steve]

I think you've proved they're consistently poor. Support will be able to give the reason(s) why?

[captainpud]

Well BT said there is not a problem when support spoke to them and yet my speed tonight is 1.2mb

1245 Kbps
   
0 Kbps 7150 Kbps
Max Achievable Speed

Download speedachieved during the test was - 1245 Kbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 1200-7150 Kbps.
Additional Information:
Your DSL Connection Rate :8096 Kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 832 Kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP Profile for your line is - 7000 Kbps


If you wish to discuss these results please contact your ISP.

If you are experiencing problems with specific applications, servers or websites please contact your ISP for assistance.

Your test has completed please close this window to exit the performance tester.


It seems as it gets later in the evening, the worse it gets. Surely this must mean its a contention issue at the exchange?

[Steve]

I agree contention seems a likely cause although it's usually possible to escape it at sometime of the day,Did support have any suggestions?

[captainpud]

I agree contention seems a likely cause although it's usually possible to escape it at sometime of the day,Did support have any suggestions?

Support basically said there was nothing they could do and I should just buy another router to see if that helped. I really did not find this that helpful. From all the tests and evidence I really do not think there is a problem with the router.

I Really do not know what to do at the moment, this is driving me up the wall.

I could buy a Draytek 2710n but if it does nothing I am going to be a little miffed

[Steve]

It's a shame you can't beg,borrow or steal one for a day or so.

[captainpud]

It would seem that even at 5am in the morning my download speed is poor and I also seem to be having problems with my upload as well. Never had my upload below 700k and now it is fluctuating between 400 and 700k. Maybe it is the router.

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/speedtest/results/id/12827967569406671880.html

I am going to get a new router and hopefully if this does not solve the problem at least I can prove the problem is with BT.

Surely speeds as low as 1.2mb can't be acceptable? There must be a fault somewhere when I have dropped from 6mb to just above 1mb.

[captainpud]

BT test at 6am

Test1 comprises of Best Effort Test:  -provides background information.

Download  Speed
3242 Kbps
   
0 Kbps 7150 Kbps
Max Achievable Speed

Download speedachieved during the test was - 3242 Kbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 1200-7150 Kbps.
Additional Information:
Your DSL Connection Rate :8096 Kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 832 Kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP Profile for your line is - 7000 Kbps

[Rik]

Surely speeds as low as 1.2mb can't be acceptable? There must be a fault somewhere when I have dropped from 6mb to just above 1mb.

For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 1200-7150 Kbps.

Sadly, to BT, they are.

[captainpud]

Can faulty routers cause the sort of speed problems I am having? Sync speed is totally fine.

[Rik]

They can, but the only way to find out, unfortunately, is to try another router.

[captainpud]

They can, but the only way to find out, unfortunately, is to try another router.

OK, Thanks Rik

I guess I will bite the bullet then.

[Rik]

It might be worth asking support if they have one they can lend you.

[Technical Ben]

I have a spare here too. Not sure on what the P&P is though.

[Rik]

Most routers seem to weigh in at about £5, Ben.

[captainpud]

I have a spare here too. Not sure on what the P&P is though.

That is a very kind thought and it is very much appreciated and especially when we are complete strangers to each other. Thank you very very much but I have now ordered a Draytek 2710n. I just hope it does the trick

It should be with me tomorrow although after downloading the three hundred page manual  I am a little concerned

[Rik]

I usually find manuals make a lot more sense when the hardware is actually in my hands.