What should I do about my Internet?

pujolsfanpujolsfan
in Help Wanted!

I've tried at least half a dozen of those online internet speed tests, and they all say that my download speed is about 1.5Mbps. Can that actually be accurate? I've tried on multiple computers and I get near the same results. I've noticed that my pages haven't been loading as quickly as I remember in the past. Sometimes they may take a few seconds, or the whole page doesn't load all at once. My upload speed is horrible as well. I notice this the most when trying to upload pictures to ebay. Overall though, browsing the web is fine. It may take a few seconds to load a page, but it's not horrible.



As well as just being on the computer, I use Netflix a lot. When choosing something to watch, it might take a little while (under a minute) to initially load the movie or episode, but after that there aren't any problems besides the picture not being clear for a minute or so, but then the picture looks just fine. I can run Netflix on two devices at the same time and it seems to do pretty well.



I have internet through CenturyLink. I use the modem / roughter that they provided. I can't make heads or tails of my billing statement. It doesn't say what speed I'm actually paying for.



Do you have any suggestions as to what I should do? Or if I should do anything at all? Do you all buy your own modem / router or use the one your internet provider gives you? I heard that sometimes they charge a rental fee, but I don't see that on my statement.



I can live with what I have...but it sure would be nice to have webpages load instantly, videos not have to load, and actually being able to upload pictures to ebay without waiting an eternity.



Any kind of help or advice is appreciated. I really don't know much at all about this area.



Thank you!!

 

Comments

  • Mega TankMega Tank
    1. You need to figure out what speed you are paying for.

    2. If it is not reaching that speed, call in and get some technical support.



  • MrPete1985MrPete1985
    Have you power cycled your modem/router lately?



    Are you able to log into you router and see if maybe there are any rouge devices that might be using your bandwidth?



    Also might be a cable that needs to be replaced



    Maybe you hit a bandwidth limit and are being throttled.
  • Mega TankMega Tank
    Originally posted by: MrPete1985



    Have you power cycled your modem/router lately?



    Are you able to log into you router and see if maybe there are any rouge devices that might be using your bandwidth?



    Also might be a cable that needs to be replaced

    This should be done every so often.



     
  • pujolsfanpujolsfan

    Originally posted by: Mega Tank




    Originally posted by: MrPete1985



    Have you power cycled your modem/router lately?



    Are you able to log into you router and see if maybe there are any rouge devices that might be using your bandwidth?



    Also might be a cable that needs to be replaced

    This should be done every so often.



     



    I turn it off and unplugg it every now and again if for some reason I can't get a connection. I'll try that again and then do another speed test.

    I guess I don't know what logging into the router means, but I'll look into that.



    Thanks guys!


  • Mega TankMega Tank
    The "Log in" is going into your router and being able to change the settings on it.
  • theirontoupeetheirontoupee
    I have CenturyLink...they are terrible and have no idea what they're doing via customer support every time I've called in since I have has similar issues...I wish you the best of luck
  • mkiker2089mkiker2089
    Is this DSL or cable? I think it's DSL and if so you may be out of luck. DSL in theory can work great if the phone company installs expensive signal repeaters on the lines. The problem is they won't do it. The current idea is that DSL is to be fazed out with Fiber so the cost won't be recouped. They'd rather you just suffered for 5 years or so.



    To the Op, first you need to do some research. You need to know things like



    what channel is the wireless router on,

    how many neighbors use the same channel,

    is the router giving an error log,

    is a wired connection as slow,

    Is the wireless set to the proper mode (g or n only)

    most importantly is what speed are you paying for



    It may be easier to get friend or family member to tweak the router. Netflix isn't the best test of a router because at even the slow speed you measured the picture can look decent. They have some of the best compression out there and their software is great at maximizing quality on any speed. Are there other ISPs in your area?
  • mkiker2089mkiker2089
    Just to add a short version, my guess is that the problem is just where you live. DSL doesn't travel well if the phone company doesn't convert it to fiber or use expensive signal repeaters. If that's the case no amount of service calls will help. They will probably tell you that 3 is the max signal and that 1.5 is within margin. DSL sucks unless you happen to live near the phone company.
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