ADSL Speed Issues
Many people I’ve been speaking to recently are experiencing some speed issues with their internet connections (i.e. Dial-up like speeds – 64-128kbps), so thought I’d offer the following advice (this post is for Speed-related issues, not connection related issues)
To help you avoid speed problems and get the most from your connection, I advise all ADSL users to where possible, LEAVE YOUR ADSL MODEM / ROUTER SWITCHED ON (with exception to long periods of extended time away from your home – e.g. holiday).
Business customers and those running a permanent VPN link to their offices should ALWAYS leave there ADSL modem (internet connection) turned on.
How can turning your modem off and on cause issues?
Sorry, here’s the technical bit…In the first 10 days of an ADSL Max internet circuit initiating, it will be in “training mode” where it will automatic test your line for the best speed (both Upload and Download). During this 10-day period, you can experience vast differences in your internet download speeds – this is perfectly normal and is to be expected.
Once this 10-day period of uninterrupted service is complete, your internet will settle to a speed that guarantees the best possible quality of service for your line (this is dependant on many factors; your distance from the local BT telephone exchange is one).
Constant re-training of your internet connection can cause BT (who run the link from the local exchange to your house/business) to think that your line is experiencing speed issues, and trigger them taking evasive action. This means they may reduce / cap the bandwidth on your line in an attempt to achieve a stable connection, but if your modem is still being switched off/on regularly it will never finish it’s “training mode” and BT will keep lowering the bandwidth in a vain attempt to achieve stability – in extreme cases this could result in your connection being as slow as a dial-up connection.
It is therefore important that you keep your equipment on, both during the initial 10-day training period and beyond – this will prevent the service from re-training again.
Advice
Please keep your ADSL Modem switched on at all times.