How do I get a faster internet connection? Please help!

[PS34EVER]

I was just wondering if there is maybe something that I can do to get a faster internet connection. The problem that I am running into when I attempt to play COD:4 online (or any online game) on my PS3, and then someone attempts to browse the internet on the home computer, I get lag, BIG TIME. My setup is as follows:

Quest Silver Connection, “Speeds up to 1.5 Mbps” connected through a 2-Wire 2700HG Modem.

Do I maybe need a bigger modem? Do I need a faster connection? I also just used the Playstation Store last night to download the first episode from season 2 of Prison Break. It roughly took 4 hours to download. To me, to watch a 40 minute SD episode, it should NOT be taking 4 hours to download. Also, a PS3 Firmware update takes roughly an hour to download. I’ve seen people on these forums that say their PS3 Updates take no longer than a few minutes!!! What?!

What do I need to do to get a faster connection? Thanks guys!

[Marquoz]

You might need to have the router prioritize information to go to the PS3 versus the computer. On a linksys it is the QoS option, device priority. Not sure which router you are using so can't give you detailed instructions on how to do it. This will save you from having to upgrade the connection, but if you are lagging that bad, you might want to look into that.

If you are going to go with device priority, it would also be good to use static addresses on the computer and the PS3 that so you always know which one is which. By static I mean within the internal network, (e.g. 192.168.1.150 for the PS3, and 192.168.1.250 for the computer). This has absolutely no effect on your actual IP address that the internet sees you as.

To answer the question about getting a faster connection, all you need to do is call your service provider and find out what options they offer. Your modem should work with any speed they offer.

[UlicBelouve]

To get a faster speed, you'd need to upgrade what you have with your ISP (for instance, upgrade to 3Meg, 5Meg, etc.)

But it seems your concern may be to get closer to the speed you are paying for.

So first run semi-official tests on your speed, close out anything else using your connection (downloads, PS3, etc) and try these sites:

www.speedtest.net
www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/

It should place your speed close to what you are paying for. If not, talk to your ISP nd they can check out the signal to your modem, etc. If the modem signal is fine, then they may advise you to check your computer for issues, to ensure that nothing is "hiding" and consuming bandwidth.

If the tests come out fine, then your only option is to call the ISP and payer for a higher level of service.

[AliceT]

Well, id run the speed tests and see what you are getting. It should be somewhat close to your rated speed. Otherwise, ask the provider if they offer a faster tier of service, or check with a new provider.

[PS34EVER]

As you can see, slow as hell. Definately not the 1.5 Mbps that I am paying for. Qwest sucks!

Originally Posted by UlicBelouve

It should place your speed close to what you are paying for. If not, talk to your ISP nd they can check out the signal to your modem, etc. If the modem signal is fine, then they may advise you to check your computer for issues, to ensure that nothing is "hiding" and consuming bandwidth.

How do I do this? See if something is consuming bandwidth?

[ZackL]

Originally Posted by PS34EVER

As you can see, slow as hell. Definately not the 1.5 Mbps that I am paying for. Qwest sucks!



How do I do this? See if something is consuming bandwidth?

Holy Smokes. That is TERRIBLE. You also need to consider that internet providers almost never give you the internet you are paying for. In many areas here in Canada you are offered a 7mbps internet service and they can only even get 3mbps to the area, so you are essentially paying for the idea that someday you COULD be getting those speeds. Location also has a lot to do with it.

With that said, that is a dreadful download speed. I would just call then up and what speeds are available. 5Mbps is more then enough for gaming. If they offer it and it costs more then $45, I would be jumping to a new provider. Sorry im not American so I can't offer anything myself, but stay the HELL away from Charter.

I used to work for them outsourcing and they're horrible and a bunch of thieves/scam artists. They're basically Paul Allen's lego land where he plays when he's bored. Well that's my piece on Charter... has nothing to do with this but good luck, hah.

[Marquoz]

Originally Posted by PS34EVER

As you can see, slow as hell. Definately not the 1.5 Mbps that I am paying for. Qwest sucks!

How do I do this? See if something is consuming bandwidth?

Your first bet is to get a good anti-virus and spyware checker if you don't already have it. If that doesn't clear it up, hit ctrl-alt-del and check your network status without anything open that is using the network and check your network usage. If it seems to be sucking up your bandwidth, go through your running programs and google them all to see what each one is.

You might also want to call customer service for your ISP and talk to them see if they can do a line test and see if there is something outside of your house that they can repair. It might also be something inside your house that is slowing you down. Do you have a lot of splitters run along the cable line to your router? If you do, that could be part of the problem, each time you split the signal it degrades it a little bit.

[UlicBelouve]

Originally Posted by ZackL

but stay the HELL away from Charter.

I used to work for them outsourcing and they're horrible and a bunch of thieves/scam artists. They're basically Paul Allen's lego land where he plays when he's bored. Well that's my piece on Charter... has nothing to do with this but good luck, hah.

Used to work for them too. Stay the hell away from their service. I used to be pretty senior in the High-Speed Data, and I left with a pretty good company-wide "cram it up your ass" e-mail. I've now tripled my pay in the 2 years since leaving there.

That aside, have your ISP give you the full gamut on what your signal levels are, and what the tolerable levels are. Don't let them BS you on what is acceptable levels, there's a publicized standard. I can look it up if need be, but triple check that you have nothing running for your speed tests.

I'd really point to a bad signal coming in to your line.

Granted, you can remote into your own modem, get the signal levels, etc. But you're paying them for service, have them do it. Also gives you a chance to see how much they are BS-ing you.

[PS34EVER]

Well, I called up Quest yesterday and they told me the same thing that I already know... we have a horrible connection. Apparently, the router that we have has been known to have some problems, so they are sending us a new one today. Once I open it up and get it all set up, I will let you all know if that fixed the problem.

Unfortunately, the highest speed that we can get from them is 1.5 Mbps. I am actually moving in 3 months and I am going to go with Comcast's internet service.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by UlicBelouve

To get a faster speed, you'd need to upgrade what you have with your ISP (for instance, upgrade to 3Meg, 5Meg, etc.)

But it seems your concern may be to get closer to the speed you are paying for.

So first run semi-official tests on your speed, close out anything else using your connection (downloads, PS3, etc) and try these sites:

www.speedtest.net
www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/

It should place your speed close to what you are paying for. If not, talk to your ISP nd they can check out the signal to your modem, etc. If the modem signal is fine, then they may advise you to check your computer for issues, to ensure that nothing is "hiding" and consuming bandwidth.

If the tests come out fine, then your only option is to call the ISP and payer for a higher level of service.

Definately do as advised in the quote. I had an issue a few years back with Bell Sympatico High Speed (Canada) service. I wasn't getting the speed and I knew something was wrong. After numerous phone calls to their service dept I finally found out that they didn't support high-speed (through tel line) in my area. I was fuming.....but, I got my money back (almost $400). Then I promptly switched to Cogeco cable and haven't had a problem since.

[arush5268d]

You could always try to grease up the modem a bit!

[swifty7]

Originally Posted by PS34EVER

Well, I called up Quest yesterday and they told me the same thing that I already know... we have a horrible connection. Apparently, the router that we have has been known to have some problems, so they are sending us a new one today. Once I open it up and get it all set up, I will let you all know if that fixed the problem.

Unfortunately, the highest speed that we can get from them is 1.5 Mbps. I am actually moving in 3 months and I am going to go with Comcast's internet service.

yep!! Comcast is very fast.



but the grand daddy of them all is the Verizon FIOS service.

[messym]

There is no way your upload should be faster than your download speed. I had an issue w/ Verizon about 2 years ago where I would call customer service over and over b/c my download time exceeded my upload time and would get the same bs story from them. Finally, I made them come out to my house and long story short the verizon box on the outside of the house was damaged. As soon as they swapped it out I never had an issue again. During this problem my phone always worked normally. The worker told me that customer service has no clue. Just my 2 cents.

This is what I get now. 1.5, which is what I'm supposed to have now.

[PS34EVER]

Qwest sent us out the new router today. 1.5 Mbps is the HIGHEST speed that we can obtain through them, and here is what speedtest.net gave me through a few different tests:





A little bit better I presume?