Help. Confused with my Internet

[chickensexer]

Hello again dear All.

Ok, here is the deal. My internet provider is a small company, I'm not sure if they even have an office or even an admin person to answer phonecalls, I think it's actually one of the technical people themselves who answers the phone. IF answers..

Anyway. They are the only internet provider available for my place, they offer ADSL and... PNA? Something like that, plugged into a phone socket in the wall. Down in the building cellar there is some general phone thing to which they install some thingie that actually give me internet of certain speed.

Almost 2 years ago they had some campaign offering 2Mbit t discount. I signed contract with them and have been paying same amount monthly ever since. A couple of months later some problems started. I managed to get ahold of them and after suggesting me to try various things they agreed to go and check that internet thingie in that phone thing in the cellar. And then they sid that something broke in that internet thingie indeed, so they replaced it. And they said that it turned out they put a wrong thingie the first time around - instead of 2Mbit they put 4Mbit. But now they had to put 2Mbit but they didn't happen to have one so they put 1Mbit for now and when they'll have a 2Mbit one they'll replace it, next week or so. Next week I called them and asked whether they replaced it already, not yet, tomorrow they'll send someone...

So, I guess they did... BUT - I'm not sure!! I'm often under impression that it's slower than 2Mbit should be. I tried several broadband tests online but they all came with different results of wide range. So, how can I check it to be sure??

And another weird part is that they don't even have a 2Mbit package mentioned on their website anymore! Just 1 and 4!

Wht should I do?

[chickensexer]

Ah, I forgot to add - I really want to know my speed. I'm considering ordering internet TV and test-watching it now, requirement is 2M or more. The video "freezes" once in a while so I'm wondering: is it because my internet is under 2Mb so I can upgrade it and possibly be happy? Or is it because the quality of the product is not too good and then I probably won't order it..

I really want that TV package!

[Upphew]

Ah, I forgot to add - I really want to know my speed. I'm considering ordering internet TV and test-watching it now, requirement is 2M or more. The video "freezes" once in a while so I'm wondering: is it because my internet is under 2Mb so I can upgrade it and possibly be happy? Or is it because the quality of the product is not too good and then I probably won't order it..

I really want that TV package!

If something requires "2M or more" you need more. Same with computer games, minimum system requirements are something, you better have something+1 at least.

[chickensexer]

If something requires "2M or more" you need more. Same with computer games, minimum system requirements are something, you better have something+1 at least.

I know. That's the whole point of me asking how do know which speed I do have. So if I'm able to watch it alright, it just stalls onse in a while for a couple of seconds - does it imean that my connection IS 2?

[pierrot]

If something requires "2M or more" you need more. Same with computer games, minimum system requirements are something, you better have something+1 at least.

I know. That's the whole point of me asking how do know which speed I do have. So if I'm able to watch it alright, it just stalls onse in a while for a couple of seconds - does it imean that my connection IS 2?

Contact them and ask them directly.
As you have done speed tests yourself and came to non-conclusive results none else here can know what speed you have. Tell them about the InternetTV and ask them to guarantee you that it will work. Most of the times the limits like 1,4 or 8 mb/s are the best possible speeds and adverts say something like "up to 8 mb/s", meaning that it can also be much less during a network stress period.

[chickensexer]

Contact them and ask them directly.
As you have done speed tests yourself and came to non-conclusive results none else here can know what speed you have. Tell them about the InternetTV and ask them to guarantee you that it will work. Most of the times the limits like 1,4 or 8 mb/s are the best possible speeds and adverts say something like "up to 8 mb/s", meaning that it can also be much less during a network stress period.

Their voicemail message says they are on vacation, if I understood correct. Dates are not specified. Can I really ask them to guarantee a service that they don't provide? O mean that TV thing is not theirs.

Anyway, I thought may there was some technical way to figure out the speed, some "reliable" speed test, or some info abaout it retrievable from my computer. I guess I was wrong.

Thanks to all who took time to reply.

[raamv]

Their voicemail message says they are on vacation, if I understood correct. Dates are not specified. Can I really ask them to guarantee a service that they don't provide? O mean that TV thing is not theirs.

Anyway, I thought may there was some technical way to figure out the speed, some "reliable" speed test, or some info abaout it retrievable from my computer. I guess I was wrong.

Thanks to all who took time to reply.

No one ever guarantees a minimum speed ( Although some of the service providers have them in the works and some regulators are working on them).
I am surprised that your results to find your speed are not conclusive...Its better to use one site to test your speed and average it over time..
The Peak speeds are a theoretical Max. e.g. a 1MBP max. speed will probably net you a few 10's to a few 100s kbps. ( Its 1 Mega BIT per second => 975 Mbps Mega bytes per second).
The best site for speed testing is http://www.dslreports.com/stest?more=1 ( and go to your country and select one of them).
( e.g. http://nettimittari.ficora.fi/nettimitt ... npage.aspx is pretty good and you need to register
but you might get good results with http://downloadtest.suomi.net/ and http://www.speedtest.fi/cbtest.php )
Another site is http://www.speedtest.net/
Since you are talking about IP, its the Best effort and so will depend on different kinds of traffic, priority of other traffic, etc.

[chickensexer]

Thank you raamv!

I did the test again, used some other sites as well and it seems that my connection is 2M on average.

But what still concernes me: during some times the video is mostly stalled and is of no use at all! Like for example around 9-10pm. Could it be cuz too many people use internet at that time? If I'll upgrade my connection to 4Mb will it solve the issue? Or there are some internet fluctuations anyway and I still will have those stalling moments? Or can it be the fault of the internet TV provider itself?

Or wait a second... I might be wrong but it seems that those major freezing moments happen when the laptop is running on the battery, but it doesn't start immediately after unplugging, rather when it's between half-full and empty. Weird but the video resumed perfectly as soon as I plugged the laptop!

Or could it be related to the distance between my modem nd the laptop? It seems to stll more when in another room.

Can it be true or am I saying something very silly?

[sinikala]

( Its 1 Mega BIT per second => 975 Mbps Mega bytes per second).

meanwhile, for most of us ...
1 byte (octet) = 8 bits
1Mbit/s = 125 kbytes/s
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mbps#kilobit_per_second

To the OP an effective speed test for Finland is http://www.msoynet.fi/speed.htm

But what still concernes me: during some times the video is mostly stalled and is of no use at all! Like for example around 9-10pm. Could it be cuz too many people use internet at that time?

Yes

If I'll upgrade my connection to 4Mb will it solve the issue?

It won't do any harm. 2Mbps is the bare minimum for internet TV http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mbps#Usage_examples
It's the fastest available to my brother, he has internet TV in Cyprus and the quality is pretty poor, it will never be better than VHS with 2Mbps.

Or there are some internet fluctuations anyway and I still will have those stalling moments?

Can also depends how far you are from the exchange

Or can it be the fault of the internet TV provider itself?

Yes, or even from the TV channel before it makes it to the internet, e.g. if they are piping a satellite channel to you, it could be bad reception for them.

I might be wrong but it seems that those major freezing moments happen when the laptop is running on the battery, but it doesn't start immediately after unplugging, rather when it's between half-full and empty. Weird but the video resumed perfectly as soon as I plugged the laptop!

Check your laptop's battery power saving settings, and switch them all off. That should tell you.

Or could it be related to the distance between my modem and the laptop? It seems to still more when in another room.

Don't know, but I've read at least with BT sockets there is some difference in ADSL speed if your modem is not connected to the master socket. Don't know about over here, I've got Ethernet at home, not ADSL.

And very likely if you are using WiFi.

Can it be true or am I saying something very silly?

It could be practically anything, but if you want good quality the best option is to go for as high speed as possible.

[chickensexer]

Can also depends how far you are from the exchange

Don't know, but I've read at least with BT sockets there is some difference in ADSL speed if your modem is not connected to the master socket. Don't know about over here, I've got Ethernet at home, not ADSL.

And very likely if you are using WiFi.

Mhmh.. To be honest, I have no idea what are BT or master sockets. Yes, I am using WiFi. And in fact that devise that I'm planning to order along with the TC subscription itself, for showing the TV on the TV set screen, not on the laptop - I want it to be WiFi, too. Will it make things even worse?

I'm very happy with the quality of the video when it doesn't stall. And last night when I kept the lapot plugged in and in the bedroom - it didn't stall even once!..

About power saving modes - that could be it!

But I think I still might consider upgrading to 4Mb but heck, I don't need it really for anything else.

[sinikala]

Can also depends how far you are from the exchange

Don't know, but I've read at least with BT sockets there is some difference in ADSL speed if your modem is not connected to the master socket. Don't know about over here, I've got Ethernet at home, not ADSL.

And very likely if you are using WiFi.

Mhmh.. To be honest, I have no idea what are BT or master sockets. Yes, I am using WiFi. And in fact that devise that I'm planning to order along with the TC subscription itself, for showing the TV on the TV set screen, not on the laptop - I want it to be WiFi, too. Will it make things even worse?

I'm very happy with the quality of the video when it doesn't stall. And last night when I kept the lapot plugged in and in the bedroom - it didn't stall even once!..

About power saving modes - that could be it!

But I think I still might consider upgrading to 4Mb but heck, I don't need it really for anything else.

The BT comment is British Telecom... there are lots of discussions about how to squeeze the best speed out of ADSL in England, my understanding generally there is a master socket which is the first box as the phone line comes into your house or apartment. If you have other sockets e.g. in the bedrooms, they are generally wired to the master socket. The further you are from the master socket the worse the signal:noise ratio, so the slower the speed....

i.e. make sure your wireless router is plugged into the main socket, and not one in a bedroom for example.

WiFi shouldn't be a problem at the speeds you are talking about if your have a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.11#802.11b WiFi then it can operate up to 11Mbps, typically 4,5Mbps is more common, e.g. at home we typically get 4,2Mbps on WiFi laptop speed tests, vs 15 Mbps for our Ethernet connected desktop ... getting sidetracked.

Problems with WiFi may arise if you have a poor signal, even at the best of times they only cover about 30m, so if you are behind several walls, the signal may not be so good (or the signal may be dropped).

Although WiFi is obviously tidier, for TVs, personally I would go for a hard wired model, having WiFi can only add to the possible problems there.

[chickensexer]

Ahha, then my WiFi modem is not in the master socket. And honestly, I don't want it there cuz it's in the entryway and I don't wan it there, visible. Distance shouldn't be aproblem cuz I have a moderate size apartment. Gotcha on hard wire device!

Thank you every single body who replied, it's been very helpful to me!

[raamv]

Or wait a second... I might be wrong but it seems that those major freezing moments happen when the laptop is running on the battery, but it doesn't start immediately after unplugging, rather when it's between half-full and empty. Weird but the video resumed perfectly as soon as I plugged the laptop!

Or could it be related to the distance between my modem nd the laptop? It seems to stll more when in another room.

Can it be true or am I saying something very silly?

Your laptop power properties are set to the "laptop" profile in which case Microsoft performance is very different to when it is set to "desktop" profile.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/usin ... rch25.mspx
Windoze treats the different profiles differently when it is on different power settings.