Low Bandwidth

zappaDPJ · Apr 15, 2009, 16:57:36

I've started a new thread to try and sort out an issue I'm having. To cut a long story short I've identified I'm having a problem with bandwidth.

My modem stats:

ADSL Link Downstream Upstream
Connection Speed 8128 kbps 448 kbps
Line Attenuation 26.0 db 12.0 db
Noise Margin 6.3 db 23.0 db

My usual throughput on the downstream is around 6.8Mb/s. The current 0.55Mb/s probably explains why I've had high (gaming) pings and websites are currently so slow to resolve.

Any ideas?

Rik · Apr 15, 2009, 17:02:52

Can you do a BT speed test please, Zappa?

zappaDPJ · Apr 15, 2009, 17:11:00

Done

QuoteTest1 comprises of Best Effort Test: -provides background information.
Your DSL connection rate: 8128 kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 448 kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP profile for your line is - 7150 kbps
Actual IP throughput achieved during the test was - 831 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.

Rik · Apr 15, 2009, 17:27:24

Thanks. You need to send that result to IDNet. My instinct is that it's exchange congestion, but they need to look at the line to be sure.

Having just got IDNet to test your line, are you connecting wirelessly? If so, could you try a cable connection, your pings are good, no packet loss, so it may be the wifi connection.

zappaDPJ · Apr 15, 2009, 17:38:30

I'm cabled into the Router. We do make occasional use of WiFi via a laptop but not at the moment. I've also checked that's nothing unknown running in the background on this PC.

It's very odd because up until yesterday or today my downstream which I check around once a week has always been rock solid at 6.8Mb/s.

Rik · Apr 15, 2009, 17:43:11

James was betting on it being a wireless connection.

You'd better have a word with support direct, on the face of it the line is fine and ping times to your router (11ms) suggest the exchange is not to blame. As the profile is correct for the sync speed, he'll have to do some more digging.

zappaDPJ · Apr 15, 2009, 17:53:23

Ok thanks for your help Rik, it is much appreciated

I'm going to do a few tests of my own to eliminate any possibility that it's an issue with my equipment and then I'm away for 24 hours or so but I'll give support a ring when I return.

Rik · Apr 15, 2009, 17:55:09

Keep us posted.

Sebby · Apr 16, 2009, 00:06:53

It could just be an unknown glitch, but something is not right, though what exactly is not apparent.

zappaDPJ · Apr 17, 2009, 01:45:52

Well I've tested as much as I can at my end and things are not looking too good.

I've attempted to run the BT speedtest again and this time after completing test one it attempted to complete a further two tests but consistently bails out on test three. It just sits there without ever returning a final result.

My connection is currently running so slowly I can't do anything other than basic browsing and that is painfully slow.

I'll phone support when I get back from work tomorrow.

cavillas · Apr 17, 2009, 12:23:49

Is your telephone line underground or overhead via poles? There may be a faulty joint/connection.

zappaDPJ · Apr 17, 2009, 14:17:25

Overhead cable and IDNet are currently on the case. My gut feeling is that it's an exchange issue.

cavillas · Apr 17, 2009, 14:22:02

Just thought it could have been a connection joint where cable joins junctions etc. Sometimes these physical defects cause problems that can be difficult to trace and are often intermittent.

zappaDPJ · Apr 17, 2009, 14:39:55

I certainly wouldn't rule it out. At this stage it doesn't seem like it's a problem with my equipment or anything within IDNet's direct control.

zappaDPJ · Apr 17, 2009, 15:34:28

And fixed.

It was a software problem at my exchange which was limiting throughput on the downstream for me and probably a few hundred other Internet users on the same hardware.

Many thanks to IDNet and particularly James for resolving the problem. I can't give you karma but I can bring quite a large number of soon to be homeless Tiscali/Pipex users your way.

Thanks again

Rik · Apr 17, 2009, 15:35:37

That's great, Zappa, it certainly explains the mis-match between your stats and throughput.

cavillas · Apr 17, 2009, 15:37:43

Glad it's sorted for you. and the more the merrier. More people to share twisted humour with.

Ray · Apr 17, 2009, 15:39:26

That's good, Zappa, glad it's sorted for you.

zappaDPJ · Apr 17, 2009, 16:00:31

Thanks

Sebby · Apr 17, 2009, 21:52:35

Excellent result.

zappaDPJ · May 07, 2009, 20:36:37

Just bumping this thread for visibility as the problem has come back. I was warned this might happen.

I'll phone IDNet in the morning.

Sebby · May 07, 2009, 20:59:04

Strange that it should reappear if it was a software error at the exchange. Anyway, get onto IDNet again and hopefully they'll get it sorted again.

zappaDPJ · May 07, 2009, 21:19:43

I will do Sebby. The way it was explained to me was that it is an incorrect setting present in software and that the software may reapply the setting at a later date in which case BT would have to find it and change it. I'd take a guess that it overwrites the correct value which has been set from another source.

Sebby · May 07, 2009, 21:23:17

Ah, what a pain.

Rik · May 07, 2009, 22:17:17

How very BT.