My internet connection is rubbish

[TW]Fox · 6 Apr 2006 at 13:12

Hey guys,

Since about 10pm last night my connection has been rubbish. Sometimes browsing is fine, other times it's taking up to 10 seconds to load threads on ocuk, browse the web, etc.

I also cannot play Eve Online. Ok, it loads, but it's so slow it times out before I can do anything.

I suspect this is becuase Plusnet is rubbish. Can anyone confirm or make any suggestions? I've rebooted my router several times. I have 512k ADSL wtih MinusNet.

Seriously considering migrating to MaxDSL with Nildram..

just_grass · 6 Apr 2006 at 13:35

could be worth a peek in HERE

Alex

edit:
there is also network maintanance going on today and yesterday...

http://portal.plus.net/supportpages.html?a=2&link=supindex_servstatlink

tolien · 6 Apr 2006 at 14:01

BT Speedtest (FAQ for instructions) and an ordinary one (large file from fuller.zen.co.uk or mirror.ac.uk or whatever) might be worth a shot.

[TW]Fox · 6 Apr 2006 at 14:24

Direction
Actual Speed
True Speed (estimated)

Downstream 25 Kbps (3.1 KB/sec) 27 Kbps (inc. overheads)
Upstream 251 Kbps (31.4 KB/sec) 271 Kbps (inc. overheads)

Amazing

Clarkey · 6 Apr 2006 at 14:28

adslguide speed test is rubbish tbh.

Plusnet are only bad if you donwload copious amounts during daytime hours and they throw you onto a heavily throttled service. Otherwise its fine, I have no complaints with mine.

Yewen · 6 Apr 2006 at 14:33

[TW]Fox said:
Direction
Actual Speed
True Speed (estimated)

Downstream 25 Kbps (3.1 KB/sec) 27 Kbps (inc. overheads)
Upstream 251 Kbps (31.4 KB/sec) 271 Kbps (inc. overheads)

Amazing

My router is connecting at 4.8mbs to MaxADSL after a regrade and I am getting exactly the same thing.

Ahhhh!

OH

NOTICE for ACTIVE and PRO Customers

We are currently receiving a high volume of calls following regrades to the new IPStream Max products - Active and Pro, the following information is provided to assist customers who have ordered these products.

It is normal for customers to experience speeds of around 2Mbit/s, or similar to their old service, in the initial period following a regrade to IPStream Max - until BT automatically increase the maximum throughput available. An initial increase should occur after a maximum of 75 minutes, however this could take up to three days if BT determine further line monitoring is required. Further details are available in our Zen 8000 Pro and Active Glossary in the Knowledge Base: http://www.zensupport.co.uk/knowledgebase/article.aspx?id=10537.

OllyM · 6 Apr 2006 at 14:50

Fox, move to Nildram - you're wasting your time with Plusnet, they're an absolute joke.

[TW]Fox · 6 Apr 2006 at 17:47

Clarkey said:
Plusnet are only bad if you donwload copious amounts during daytime hours and they throw you onto a heavily throttled service. Otherwise its fine, I have no complaints with mine.

I barely download anything, according to Viewmy usage I downloaded 9gb in total last month.

The service is slow, and Usenet is utterly un-usable. They've throttled it so badly I cannot even use it for text groups - even if I use a third party server.

Scottland · 6 Apr 2006 at 18:05

Try the BT Speedtest as tolien mentioned, you log onto a BT test account so this will rule your ISP out of the equiation

Logon with speedtest@speedtest_domain as the username, no password. Then browse to http://speedtester.bt.com/

Clarkey · 6 Apr 2006 at 18:12

correct me if I'm wrong, but don't Nildram also use traffic shaping just like plus? I'm sure thats the reason why one of my mates left them.

I'm not defending plusnet here, their management is rubbish, but even with their most draconian policies, my connection is just fine and I could be classed as a heavy downloader, but i schedule them to run between 12-8am which is unmetered and unshaped, im happy, they're happy, everybody's happy.

OllyM · 6 Apr 2006 at 18:14

No, Nildram don't shape at all.

I've got a torrent downloading at 450kb/sec right now (although I am on a business service).

Skilldibop · 7 Apr 2006 at 12:33

OllyM said:
No, Nildram don't shape at all.

I've got a torrent downloading at 450kb/sec right now (although I am on a business service).

That would be why your not shaped

Most ISPs offering higher speed services i.e 2meg+ shape the traffic.

stoofa · 7 Apr 2006 at 13:00

Skilldibop said:
That would be why your not shaped

Most ISPs offering higher speed services i.e 2meg+ shape the traffic.

Nildram however are not "most ISP's"
Along with Zen I'd say they are one of the best out there.
I can see Nildram being forced to cap further unfortunately because at the moment they seem to be attracting in a lot of users who are going to be nothing but problems (self confessed 24/7 max downloaders).

NathanE · 7 Apr 2006 at 20:51

stoofa said:
Nildram however are not "most ISP's"
Along with Zen I'd say they are one of the best out there.
I can see Nildram being forced to cap further unfortunately because at the moment they seem to be attracting in a lot of users who are going to be nothing but problems (self confessed 24/7 max downloaders).

The 50GB cap surely prevents "24/7 max downloaders" though?

I have a Nildram and Plusnet line. One is great and one is dire. Luckily I am able to tunnel my Usenet and a few other services using SSH which gets pretty good performance on Plusnet (but still not as good as Nildram.) Quite amazing what an extra £8 or so will buy you in the way of performance and reliability.

antc · 7 Apr 2006 at 22:10

OllyM said:
Fox, move to Nildram - you're wasting your time with Plusnet, they're an absolute joke.

have to say nildram are a great isp and cant recomend them enough

i would definately move to nildram no question

benjo plz. · 7 Apr 2006 at 23:43

I personally would recommend IDNet.