DSL Speed

[Curtis]

I have been having speed issues with my DSL service from AT&T. It took about 45 sec. to load a web page. After talking with customer service (they were typing but said they didn't do anything) the web page loaded in less than 5 seconds.

I have been using their web page to measure my speeds (www.att.com/speedtest). They have a great deal of variation in the speed. Between 4.2 and 10.19 download speed.

My questions: isn't DSL always the same speed? Are there any known issues with AT&T not providing the correct speeds?

[the86d]

The server you are testing with may be busy with other tests. I have seen variance many times.
Try http://speedtest.net

From the AT&T customers I have tried to help (sales reps) they have had bandwidth consistency issues such as this.
One actually had her DSL filter between then modem and wall cutting her data rates substantially (<1Mbps).

DSL modems, and routers in the mix may have to be rebooted from time to time, as they seem to be more intolerant to power hiccups. After dropping just a cheap UPS (uninterruptible power supply) resolved having to cycle power on the whole chain of networked devices (modem, then router[, then switch{s}]) on the way to my computers (starting at the wall and working toward the computers, cycling each device as it connects to the next [follow the network connections/cables for the order starting at the wall]), and have been running them on such a UPS ever since.

Try not to have any torrents going at the same time, and no other computers pulling and pushing data at the same time. WiFi is more suitable to interference, and distance from access point(/router w/WiFi) will decrease speeds, and will have slower, and less consistent test results. Using WEP encryption, you can have leaches on your network in less than 5 minutes, or if your wireless is unencrypted at all, you can have the same leaches using up your bandwidth also. Streaming media such as Netflix will slow down, and make speed tests inconsistent also, even from another device using the internet connection.

Are you testing this wired in via network cable, or are you using WiFi?

If you disconnect your Wifi devices does the (Wireless) light still blink like someone is using the connection, when you are not?

[badfish2]

I've had my connection slow down significantly while windows or my AV was downloading updates in the background, leading to some inconsistent speed issues, something to consider also.

[bigmike82]

Dsl is real finnicky about your wiring quality. If your phone jack has old wiring, that could be an issue. I had to rewire three different jacks in my condo in order to get dsl to not suck.

have you called att to do a line check?

[Horton Fenty]

Do like the86d said and go to http://www.speedtest.net/ and also http://www.pingtest.net/ and see what kind of results you get. Do the tests from a wired computer with no load on your network. Post the results, any number of people will be able to tell you if your net is good, bad, or ugly.

[bigbearbear]

I have both Comcast Cable and DSL for internet access at home, I work from home you see, so connectivity is critical for us and employer picks up the tab anyway.

What I've found is that AT&T DSL isn't very reliable. When I was using it I would constantly experience problems, and tech support isn't much help either. I still remember this instance when I call their their tech support (India) and told them the "DSL" light on my DSL modem isn't there and I've lost internet connection. And spent another 2 hours doing stuffs like rebooting my computer, clearing cache on my browser blah blah blah....useless.

I now use Megapath instead (they were Speakeasy.net when I signed up):

http://www.megapath.com/data/dsl/

Their prices are a little higher than regular residential services but if reliability is important to you, they're worth it. Their techs support is based in Seattle, Washington and really nice people to work with. I called them twice for the 5 years I've been them, and they were able to troubleshoot the issue quickly.

[Jeepers]

i have always had luck with my AT&T DSL running 6Mbps (5+ years) until recently they "upgraded" the area and now i seem to get throttled for alot of sites like streaming divx sites .... i am thinking about going charter cable but not sure yet .....

ETA my speed test come out fine i have a feeling AT&T is throttling connections to some sites

[Curtis]

the86d - I do have wifi, but it is well protected with encryption from outside uses (my IT guy's day job is as a high security guru). The system I used is hard wired and the load was light or nothing. I do reboot every so often. I haven't considered the filter because it is hardwired into my home run box. The home run box is in an area of the house that does have large fluctuations in voltage.

The major issues I am have are related to Netflix and even YouTube on an iPad.

Thanks for everyone's advice. I will look into other internet providers. I'm even thinking of dropping my AT&T phone service.

[DaveInOroValley]

Used to have sonic.net dsl always consistent speeds and performance especially considering how far away we were from the closest switch. Been happy for quite awhile now with Wave Broadband.

[the86d]

If you ever get the option for FiOS...:


This is the basic bandwidth they gave me with phone/internet/TV(+DVR), no upgrades... yet.