Is there anyway to prioritise connections?

kieran_read · 28 Feb 2016 at 16:32

Basically I have TalkTalk which is problem one, problem two is that it's 8mb MAX down, 1mb MAX up.

Problem three is that i live in shared accommodation with 4 other people who there's 5 of us connecting to that internet.

Watching TV/Downloading is fine the problem is the ping is too high, playing games online is next to impossible if everyone is home so are skype calls.

I have activated the prioritise games on the router but is there anything else I can do?

I don't need all the internet just need it to be stable which is the main problem I have at the moment.

Is there a way to make is to the internet comes to me first then to the others, they only watch Netflix etc so higher ping is less than an issue for them than me. I have so many ping spikes 40-2000 it's terrible.

bremen1874 · 28 Feb 2016 at 17:24

That connection between five active users is always going to be nightmare.

You could consider replacing the router with that offers QoS better (Quality of Service) handling. Unfortunately with such a small amount of bandwidth to play with it probably won't help very much.

I'd either get a second line connected for my own use or move.

kieran_read · 28 Feb 2016 at 17:45

Move is the only option, it's an Apartment so while EVERY house around me has fiber they wont connect it here? On the openreach website this place isn't even up for consideration.

bremen1874 · 28 Feb 2016 at 17:57

What's stopping them supplying it?

FTTC comes in over the standard copper line. The fact that it's an 'apartment' shouldn't necessarily make any difference.

What is this apartment? A flat? A converted house?

Sometimes it's just BT's database that's wrong.

kieran_read · 28 Feb 2016 at 18:46

Well it's not that they're not doing it, on the timeline on the openreach website it's "Exploring Solutions" so will be years away from getting it.

(I have no faith in them at all) Just terrible I'm in the middle of London and can't even get good internet.

Ill look up some QoS routers anyone have any good suggestions?

Sparx · 28 Feb 2016 at 20:26

What does the BT DSL checker show for your line/address? https://www.dslchecker.bt.com/

Have you checked availability for Virgin fibre?

Hyperoptic could also be an option, especially being in a London apartment... Check out their website.

kieran_read · 28 Feb 2016 at 23:03

Sparx said:
What does the BT DSL checker show for your line/address? https://www.dslchecker.bt.com/

Have you checked availability for Virgin fibre?

Hyperoptic could also be an option, especially being in a London apartment... Check out their website.

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Downstream Line Rate(Mbps)

Upstream Line Rate(Mbps)

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Availability Date
WBC ADSL 2+ Up to 5 -- 3 to 7.5 Available
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WBC Fixed Rate 1 -- -- Available
Fixed Rate 1 -- -- Available
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Copper Multicast -- -- -- Available

For all ADSL and WBC Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) services, the stable line rate will be determined during the first 10 days of service usage.

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Can't get fibre or any sort.

(Can't check a number as i have no phone, shared apartment so it's literally broadband only)

bremen1874 · 29 Feb 2016 at 02:26

You must have a phone socket or you wouldn't have broadband. If it was a BT line you could just plug a phone in and dial 17070 and it'll tell you the number. Not sure if it works with TalkTalk, or if they have their own version.

Your problem isn't going to be easily fixed. You have limited download bandwidth, and extremely limited upload bandwidth (my not particularily good iPhone 4G data rate is better [14.73/2.51]).

If you're going to try different routers then purchase from somewhere with a flexible returns policy. I don't really believe that any new router is going to make that connection work for five people. It's basically not fit for purpose!

Avalon · 29 Feb 2016 at 14:10

You've realistically got 8Mbit/s or 1MB/s to split among 5 people. If one person streams a 1080p movie even with crap audio that'll hit 6.5Mbit (ish), that's going to hurt your uplink enough that latency sensitive stuff will suffer such as voip/skype/gaming. You could add QoS and limit the upload rate or favor certain devices etc. but it's not going to alter the fundamental issue which is that's not a lot of bandwidth for 5 people sharing.

Nexy · 1 Mar 2016 at 10:27

It's going to be a struggle, however you look at it. As others have said, better and more targeted QoS might help a bit (maybe with pfsense), but the main problem is you've so little bandwidth coming in.

You can look at bonding multiple connections, so if there are wifi connections nearby you can (legally) use then you may be able to use them to supplement your main ADSL connection. If there are any good tetherable 4G data deals available, they might help take some of the load.

Check if there are any alternative providers nearby, like Virgin Media or something wireless-based.

Satellite is probably too expensive and apartment unfriendly, but worth a check. It's got high-ish latency, but can reach places others can't.

I appreciate there's only so much you can do in an apartment, but have you checked the phone wiring as best you can? Do you have a proper BT NTE5 master socket, and are there any other phone points in the apartment?