More speed problems today

[davecollins]

Hi all,

My connection has been fine since the Apple fuss died down, but today I'm seeing terrible speeds again.

I usually get a steady 75 Mb/s down but all morning have been getting 9-12.

I'm also seeing packet loss since mid-morning. Anyone else having any problems?

[jameshurrell]

Yes same packet loss here. Speeds fine - just doesn't respond as snappily as usual.

[Bill]

Pretty much a match for my BQMs- see sig.

I'd guess that extra BT bandwidth isn't in place yet

[Steve]

I've just seen several IDNet TBBQMs they are all showing packet loss again. Sorry if it was me as I've just put Mavericks on my wife's laptop.

[jameshurrell]

More confirmation here:

http://craigswebsites.co.uk/ping/

[psp83]

Packet Loss and slow speeds here..

[davecollins]

Thanks all.

I'm glad it's not just my connection, but does anyone have any idea why?

I spoke to support but they suggested posting here and letting them know if it wasn't better by mid-afternoon.

I had hoped for more than that.

I think once our year is up (FTTC) we'll be switching to Zen.

[Steve]

The response from Simon at IDNet was related to capacity on the BT host link for which he apologised. I presume they may or may not increase this capacity as presumably once this Apple update dies down there will be room for everyone. As highlighted in another thread a few FTTC users downloading 10Gb each to update one machine each is going to have a significant impact. Certainly I've used probably an extra 40Gb in the last few days.

[davecollins]

Understood, however the problem isn't only isolated to Apple.

Microsoft, Adobe, Sky TV and many others mean that more users are going to make greater use of their bandwidth allowance.

This problem will increase. When the next major sporting event begins, the same will happen. And IDNET need beef up their infrastructure to deal with this.

I have remote access to four people's machines for support purposes, and they all use TB's quality monitor. Between them they're using three other networks. None of them saw any issue whatsoever this week. They simply weren't affected - no packet loss, no slowdowns.

IDNET could and should be doing better.

[JamesAllen]

I agree with Dave, this is a very important issue and one that is bound to get worse. I can't continue with certain days being filled with packet loss as I host a weekly radio show that requires good latency. I'm not going live this evening but still need to play a replay so hoping it clears by then.

I'm sure IDNet will be looking at what can be done though and hopefully they can address this soon to avoid future problems.

[Bill]

as presumably once this Apple update dies down there will be room for everyone.

I don't think that argument holds water.

IDNet claim that there is zero contention within their own network. Whilst this may be true under "normal" conditions the last few days indicate that it's a bit too close to contended for comfort... I'm quite happy to ignore the hit on the evening of Mavericks' release, but it should have dissipated by now as, in effect, statistics takes over.

Dave and James also make very valid points.

I got the impression from Simon_idnet's post that more BT capacity was to be installed... I may be mistaken and anyway I've no idea how long it takes to kick BT into anything approaching activity.

[psp83]

I wonder what the 31st is going to be like this month when Battlefield 4 is available for pre-loading. The beta was 5gb, just imagine what the whole game is going to be 

Hoping the packet loss is cleared time the 1st Nov so I can play some BF4 

[jane]

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[Renfrew]

Hi, new member here having just joined IDNet last week.

I migrated from BT Infinity 2 and had rock solid 75Mb/17Mb connection for 18 months ever since the upgrade to Infinity 2.  I joined IDNet last week on Thursday and suffered a drop in speed to about 45Mb on the first day (Thursday) whilst maintaining an upload of about 17Mb.  The download speed recovered the next day and remained consistent at about 74Mb since then -  until today.  My download speed has dropped today to about 18Mb but the upload remains at 17Mb when using speedtest.net.  I then carried out a BT Wholesale test which gave me a download of 14Mb and upload of 16Mb.

I'm not so sure that the problem lies with IDNet because, AIUI, the BT Wholesale test bypasses the IDNet interconnection and connects directly to BT's servers.  I went on to take the additional tests and when it came to the TAP3 test, I just got a Java server error messge instead of any results.  Consequently the current problems might actually be within BT's backbone, as seen from my end.

[Steve]

Clearly something is amiss somewhere 

[Bill]

AIUI, the BT Wholesale test bypasses the IDNet interconnection and connects directly to BT's servers.

I think that applies to some types of connection (can't remember the details), but not to most and not to IDNet. But I could be wrong.

... when it came to the TAP3 test, I just got a Java server error messge instead of any results.

That's quite common, I get it about one test in three at a guess- the BT speedtests are not the best-written pieces of code on the internet. The "Back" button usually cures it by re-running the test.

[mervl]

I know I've suggested speedtests are for entertainment purposes only, but this is taking it a bit far:
TBB on my 40/10 connection gives me 13Mbps download and 24Mbps upload, consistently. Ethernet connection. And, no, I've not read it wrong. My connection is no problem to me but this is silly. The beta Android, wireless tester and BTw, gives a "normal" result though despite the same packet loss as everyone else.

[psp83]

I know I've suggested speedtests are for entertainment purposes only, but this is taking it a bit far:
TBB on my 40/10 connection gives me 13Mbps download and 24Mbps upload, consistently. Ethernet connection. And, no, I've not read it wrong. My connection is no problem to me but this is silly. The beta Android, wireless tester and BTw, gives a "normal" result though despite the same packet loss as everyone else.

Some AV's mess with certain speed test sites, try disabling your AV and re running.

[Renfrew]

I think that applies to some types of connection (can't remember the details), but not to most and not to IDNet. But I could be wrong.

Thanks for that.  I confess that I had assumed that IDNet used the WBMC service from BT Wholesale.  If I am wrong, or if the WBMC service doesn't behave as I thought regarding connectivity to BT's test servers, I'd like to learn more?

[Bill]

I'd like to learn more?

So would I

I've raised the question over on thinkbroadband (here, for anyone who wants to follow it firsthand), there are people over there who, unlike me, know what they're talking about!

[Renfrew]

So would I

I've raised the question over on thinkbroadband (here, for anyone who wants to follow it firsthand), there are people over there who, unlike me, know what they're talking about!

Thanks again - I'll go and take a look.  FWIW, my router lost connectivity to IDNet at about midnight last night but came back up later.  Since then my speeds appear to have returned to normal without signs of packet loss.

[Tacitus]

There is a news item over on TB saying that the O2/Be wholesale service is to cease by Feb 2014 and all connections will be transferred to SKY. 

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/6127-be-o2-wholesale-services-to-shut-by-end-of-february-2014.html

I believe iDNet used the Be wholesale service and, whilst I may have missed it, I don't recollect any announcement from them about the implications of the SKY takeover for their network.  According to the news item, smaller operators are moving to TalkTalk wholesale.

Could it be that behind the scenes at iDNet they are rejigging the network due to this changeover, and this is currently having an impact on speeds?  Apple updates may just be a symptom of the problems they are currently having as Simon and the gang try to optimise the network. 

[Bill]

There is a news item over on TB saying that the O2/Be wholesale service is to cease by Feb 2014 and all connections will be transferred to SKY.

I noticed that too... it could be that IDNet are directly contacting those affected via email, in which case those not affected wouldn't know about it.

[Baz]

There is a news item over on TB saying that the O2/Be wholesale service is to cease by Feb 2014 and all connections will be transferred to SKY. 

theres a bit in that article     Any users on O2/BE Wholesale services are advised to contact their their broadband provider to discuss options.

Do we have to ask whats happening or would it be good if IDNet could keep us informed,even if its nothing

[Steve]

Not sure when the release was made public, but looking at the TBB item i.e. 17:24 yesterday we won't hear anything from IDNet yet.