Fluctuating Internet

[MrSnaffles]

Hello!

Since just before Xmas I have had problems with my internet and I think now it has come to the point where I've run out of ideas ( that probably actually happened a while ago ).

My broadband is with Orange (using the BrightBox) and the problem is most prominent with streaming / downloads. When I run speed tests (speedtest.net) , it shows that I am getting a 6.6Mbps dl speed with 0.88Mbps ul speed. However sometimes the speedtest fails to complete - it will run at ~6.6Mbps then just drop off and end up giving a rating of 0.6 Mbps.

This is indicative of the streaming problem - streaming video on Youtube, LoveFilm, iPlayer all runs perfectly for up to 5mins max and then just stops, usually requiring me to either skip forward a few seconds in the video for it to buffer again. This also happens with clips on BBC Sport, which will play for ~30 secs then stop and come up with the message that it cannot be played.

With downloads it is similar - the speed will be perfectly fine (500kb/s to 900kb/s) for Steam, PSN, etc and then drop for a minute or two before going back up to speed again.

This happens across a variety of devices - PC's, laptops, a tablet and PS3 and occurs whether connected over wifi or ethernet. At first I thought it might have been Windows 8 (for no particular reason other than it happening at around the same time we upgraded) but the problem occurs on a PC running XP and a netbook running Linux.

I've the following fixes:

• Tried a different router
• Plugging router directly into master phone socket
• Factory reset of router
• Phoned Orange who said there was no problem on their end (surprise)
• Tried ethernet/wireless on all devices capable

Sorry for being long winded but I'm sure you can appreciate it is just an annoying situation.. I've probably forgotten some important info somewhere so apologies if this isn't clear enough

Thanks!

[kalniel]

Sounds like the modem could be the issue. Make sure it has good cooling, but it could just be on the way out.

[MrSnaffles]

Oh whoops I knew I forgot something - I did swap the router for a spare one we had and the problem was the same... I'll edit the original post.

[zaphox]

This is ADSL right? Have you got a micro filter plugged into all phone sockets in the premises? And have you tried replacing the filters?

[MrSnaffles]

Yes this is ADSL. I only have a filter on the socket that the router is plugged into - should I have one on every socket with a phone in? And no I haven't replaced the filter, I'll go try that now thanks!

[zaphox]

Yes, you need a filter on all phone sockets, there's a good chance this is the cause of your problem.

[MrSnaffles]

Thanks zaphox - I just changed out the microfilter and checked all the phone sockets in the house. The only one being used is the main one which is set up as follows: I have a microfilter plugged directly into the main phone socket (faceplate taken off) with the router and a 2 way phone socket splitter plugged into that. My sky and phone are then plugged into the splitter. However, there appears to have been no change on the streaming front... I am wondering whether or not there are some router settings that may have to be changed, since Orange switched to EE around the same time this happened?