Internet speed issues. Help ASAP.

Steven · **Posted:** December 21st, 2009, 9:05 am

Okay so, I had to move a month or two ago to this new place. And when we finally got the internet up, it was TERRIBLY slow. We're paying for 7Mb/s but we're getting 1.08Mb/s (says Speedtest.net), so something is definitely wrong. At my old house it was MUCH faster. If anyone could help, I'd appreciate it.

Adbot · **Posted:** December 21st, 2009, 9:05 am

Mushroom Queen · **Posted:** December 21st, 2009, 9:45 am

Are you on cable or fiber? Slow fiber optic speeds can result from poor installation, as well as other issues that need to be dealt with by your ISP. If you're on cable, then you could just have poor wiring in the house. Our flat has terrible cable wiring and, thusly, the internet is slow. Have you tried pinging an address to make sure that you're not getting any packet loss?

Steven · **Posted:** December 21st, 2009, 10:59 am

I'm pretty sure we have cable.

I haven't pinged an address because I don't know how to. xD Pretty sure there's no packet loss, but it wouldn't hurt to see. How would I go and ping an address?

Pfkninenines · Global Moderator 12/4/08

You can do it manually via command line (type ping www.google.com), or go to Pingtest.net and run a test.

If you're on cable, you may be experiencing your ISP overselling their capabilities. If too many people are on your ISP's connection using bandwidth, the collective whole of the bandwidth available may being used up, thus your lower download rates. Does the download rate ever increase during off-peak hours (say midnight or later)?

Steven · **Posted:** December 21st, 2009, 7:58 pm

We have only one computer in my house, and we don't have a router, so other people using the bandwidth is out of the question.

No packet loss.

Al3X · **Posted:** December 22nd, 2009, 2:33 am

I'd recommend calling your ISP, that would be the easiest solution. Generally if you complain enough they'll fix anything.

Adbot · **Posted:** December 22nd, 2009, 2:33 am

Pfkninenines · Global Moderator 12/4/08

Other people using the bandwidth is still a potential problem. The problem with most ISPs is that they split an amount of bandwidth between their subscribers. If you are on a hub that is oversubscribed, or being overused, you will notice a decrease in bandwidth available to you.

This is why I suggested testing during off-peak hours. If you notice the bandwidth returning with higher yields late at night, I'd be willing to say someone else on your hub is being a bandwidth hog. There isn't anything you can do about it either.

For example, an ISP sells you Plan A that has '1mb/s down, and 250kb/s up', while plan B has '10mb/s down and 2mb/s up'. You can buy plan B, but never receive the full download/upload speeds you thought you were paying for. You're just buying a 'guaranteed maximum' amount, though your experiences could be closer to that of plan A. This would likely occur if your ISP has oversold the limits of the hub you are on, or the people on the hub are actually trying to use the majority of their 'guaranteed' bandwidth.