Apologies, Another Wireless ?

Posted by: Gingerbeard on 07 July 2015

I am hoping you good folks can help me. I have recently (tonight) changed my virgin super hub to modem mode and connected an Asus RT66u N900 wireless router. Everything has connected okay and all our technologies can access the Internet, which is great. However the downloads speeds are still a lot slower than I would expect ( checked via speed test) I live on an urban estate so have super fibre optic and pay for 'up to' 150mbs speed. I dont expect to get the top speed, but would expect to get between 50-95mbs. We only ever seem to get around 20mbs download an about 12mbs up load. i have spoken to Virgin in the past (prior to going the modem route)  and they usually just changed a channel (on the Superhub) and supposedly did something to the line, which would sort it out for about a day and then it would revert back to the usual speed. Am  I doing something wrong or do I need to play about with the wireless router settings or could there be an issue with our virgin line Or Superhub ? 

 

My my set up is as follows if that helps 

 

Superhub > Wireless Router > Switch - (Sonos and iMac also connected to switch) 

 

Thanks in advance 

 

Posted on: 03 August 2015 by Simon-in-Suffolk

dayjay, true, and however certain quality ISPs will give a speed estimate before you sign up if you give them your phone number (ADSL). In my experience BT tends to UNDER estimate sync speed estimates if you have installed quality home telephone wiring or are on a long line.

Simon

 

Posted on: 03 August 2015 by joerand

Ok, sorry for the patronizing response. Providers always have disclaimers, but should also have some level of accountability. Still, I don't think the broadband highway is unlike the auto highway with regard to speed. The posted speed may be 65 mph, but drive at rush hour and you might find yourself averaging 25 mph. That said, if you choose to travel during off hours, you ought to expect to find yourself at least approaching the speed limit, assuming your car can do 65 mph.

Posted on: 03 August 2015 by james n
Originally Posted by Gingerbeard:

interesting replies guy's. they finally admitted it was a case of over subscription in our area, as to whether they improve this by October remains to be seen. We are seeking some significant reimbursement as this 'fault' (or incompetitence) has been going on since September 2014! Although we only up-graded to the top package in May. 

 

My parents neighbour (who lives in South Devon) is quite senior in BT so next time I visit I'll have a chat with him about their services 

I've been with VM for the last 8 years. No problems until the role out of the TiVo service and bandwidth started to suffer - evening meant awful speeds. Our particular area was due for a network upgrade and once this ws been done it's been great since. i think i get around 40mbps on a 50 service which works fine for me. The Virgin Media forums are good for finding local area issues and getting them dealt with. Good luck 

Posted on: 03 August 2015 by joerand
Originally Posted by ianrobertm:

But... in the real word, internet pages hang up and wont load. It may be fast - but its not responsive. Can anyone give me a tech term for this

Not a techie whatsoever, but three things in my mind;

1) loading of ads and cookies on webpages, that's where your internet speed is dedicated during page loading. Pop up blockers can help but sometimes cause complications. It's an arms race.

2) virus checker doing its thing.

3) strength of WiFi signal if that's how you're connected. Download speed is directly proportional to signal strength.

 

Then, there's the browser and the ISP. They direct certain "searches" to bidders. Ever wonder why Amazon always seems to come up on top when looking to buy something?

Posted on: 03 August 2015 by Mike-B
Originally Posted by Simon-in-Suffolk:

............  . In my experience BT tends to UNDER estimate sync speed estimates if you have installed quality home telephone wiring or are on a long line. 

 

 I find this to be true,  BT "estimate" my line @ 18mb

I just made a BT Speed Check,  & over wireless (not the recommended ethernet wired)  & the NDX is playing iRadio (not everything disconnected as recommended)

The result was

- Connection Speed 24.4mb

- Download 20.9mb

- Upload 0.99mb

This is an improvement over the previous 10-16mb speeds  since much of my local exchange served area has been connected via fibre optic. 

.........   & at 20mb I wonder if it is worth going to the extra cost of BT Infinity when our local cabinet is converted to fibre.  I'm located a short 200m (walking) distance to the exchange & apart from an overhead run pole to house,  its all underground & only aprx 30m to the cabinet.

Posted on: 03 August 2015 by ianrobertm
Originally Posted by joerand:
Originally Posted by ianrobertm:

But... in the real word, internet pages hang up and wont load. It may be fast - but its not responsive. Can anyone give me a tech term for this

Not a techie whatsoever, but three things in my mind;

1) loading of ads and cookies on webpages, that's where your internet speed is dedicated during page loading. Pop up blockers can help but sometimes cause complications. It's an arms race.

2) virus checker doing its thing.

3) strength of WiFi signal if that's how you're connected. Download speed is directly proportional to signal strength.

 

Then, there's the browser and the ISP. They direct certain "searches" to bidders. Ever wonder why Amazon always seems to come up on top when looking to buy something?

Thanks, @joerand.

Yes, eBay is particularly bad, these days. But Amazon is fast.....? The Naim Forum is lean, mean and very quick.....

Am on Ethernet, so its not the WiFi