DSL4mb speed inconsistency

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killswitch

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I upgraded from DSL384k to DSL4mb yesterday and the router information confirms that the connection syncs at 4096/384. My issue however, is that certain downloads are quicker than others, some i can download at full speed of 420kbps, while others chug at 20 - 40kbps. With DSL384, i pretty much had a consistent download speed of 37 - 39kbps.

Even stranger: i checked out the Gametrailers website. One video will stream at full speed and download at 410 - 425kbps, while another video on that same website will go at around 30 - 50kbps. I let the slower video stream completely and then re-try it, but it always went at the same speed, while the other video always streamed faster. The same seems to apply for files downloaded from other sources.

Further information: i ran a few GamCo speed tests and it said i should be able to download at 418 - 433kbps, with a similar connection speed result yielded from speedtest.net

Is there a reason for this speed inconsistency? Could there be a fault with my line? I've tried 3 different ISPs (TI SAIX, Imaginet SAIX, WebAfrica IS), all yielding the same results. I'm in the Cape Town area, near the CBD.

Any input would be highly appreciated. Thanks.
 
Hey, I also have a 4mb line and I can confirm that there is a lot of inconsistency. Some downloads will go at 460KB/s others reach a max of like 30KB/s etc.

I would recommend using a Download Manager to try get most of your downloads at full speed. I would recommend IDM. It works really well for me ;)
http://www.internetdownloadmanager.com/

I should also be noted that you will experience slower speeds at midday during weekdays than you would in the evening on a weekend for instance. :)
 
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Mate of mine cannot get his 4MB line to Sync at more than 2MB.
He has gone to extensive trouble trying to sort out his problem with Telkom to no avail.
After numerous chats with various people and specifically one clued up Telkom Technician they have determined that his problem stems from the new "Gel Cables" that Telkom have installed in his area which according to the Technician should be according to his original recommendation, 5mm instead of the lesser 4mm cables.
My friend reckons Telkom was penny wise pound foolish here are clearly the slightly thicker cable would have done the job.

>My friend is now trying to get a reduction in his rental and back credit as he claims he is not getting what he paid for according to Telkom's Marketing and that is "ADSL Fastest".
Fastest DSL - only R413.00 p/m
(based on 4096kbps technology)
Click to expand...
 
just remember, that it could be your sources or just problems at our local ISP's backbones like Telkom and Internet Solutions.

Some websites also limit the download speed to maybe 512K or 1mbit (i know some websites where u can download content, wants to charge a monthly fee to have unlimited speed download from that website)
 
Thanks for the replies guys.

Seems like its the DSL service in general and the sources connected to that's the cause of the inconsistency.

I spoke to Telkom's tech department and they couldn't pick up a fault on the line. She logged a request that scared me though, saying that they'd get a technician to check my distance from the exchange. I'm paranoid they'll screw things up and downgrade me to 384k (knowing Telkom).

Keeping my fingers crossed :/
 
This makes me want to say that you are experiencing the theory that a single international thread is limited to roughly 512kbps.However the fact that you say some trailers on Gametrailers go at full speed while others don’t throws me off a bit.The only other explanations would be that the trailers are not hosted on the same server. In which case it would probably make sense as some servers might allow your browser to make multiple connections while others not.
 
milomak said:
The only other explanations would be that the trailers are not hosted on the same server. In which case it would probably make sense as some servers might allow your browser to make multiple connections while others not.
Click to expand...

On rapidshare.com, using Flashget, I get no less than 400KBps for my downloads.

However, when not using a download manager, the files will download at maximum of 52KBps.
 
Using Free Download Manager (FDM) with 10 connections enabled seems to download most things at full speed - i say "most things" as these refer to the sources where more than one connection can be made. Where a source does not allow more than one connection to be made via FDM (or whatever download manager you use), the download speed varies from 25 - 425kbps (once again, this is source dependent).

Conclusion: getting a download manager as a poster recommended in this thread helps alot. Thanks!
 
killswitch said:
Using Free Download Manager (FDM) with 10 connections enabled seems to download most things at full speed - i say "most things" as these refer to the sources where more than one connection can be made. Where a source does not allow more than one connection to be made via FDM (or whatever download manager you use), the download speed varies from 25 - 425kbps (once again, this is source dependent).

Conclusion: getting a download manager as a poster recommended in this thread helps alot. Thanks!
Click to expand...

This software is great, use it now! http://www.freedownloadmanager.org/
Plus it's free and open source.
 
BTTB said:
Mate of mine cannot get his 4MB line to Sync at more than 2MB.
He has gone to extensive trouble trying to sort out his problem with Telkom to no avail.
After numerous chats with various people and specifically one clued up Telkom Technician they have determined that his problem stems from the new "Gel Cables" that Telkom have installed in his area which according to the Technician should be according to his original recommendation, 5mm instead of the lesser 4mm cables.
My friend reckons Telkom was penny wise pound foolish here are clearly the slightly thicker cable would have done the job.

>My friend is now trying to get a reduction in his rental and back credit as he claims he is not getting what he paid for according to Telkom's Marketing and that is "ADSL Fastest".
Click to expand...

News for you, Telkom will not refund as their terms and conditions, which you have agreed to, does not guarantee DSL speed, it is referred to the best effort service. Also note you pay for a 1024k offering and enjoy benefits upto 4096k. Attenuation and SNR for 4096k ideal at premises must be less than 40db and >20 db resp. Adjacent cable pairs with DSL will affect your DSL carrying pair, request Telkom to reconfigure DSLAM port to 4096K, you are probably locked to 2048k, when possible cable conditions interfered. U never know, might actually run better when cables dry out. Also remove all other connected instruments when testing, cordless telephones, fax machines, modems although working behind a microfilter they have a tendency to cause metallic noise. 4096k works well upto around 4 kms from exchange, beyond that service speeds can fluctuate.
 
Wow, there's a lot of these threads popping up here these days.
We all got that problem.

Maybe it's because Neotel have tapped into Telkom's lines.
 
Dosti said:
News for you, Telkom will not refund as their terms and conditions, which you have agreed to, does not guarantee DSL speed, it is referred to the best effort service. Also note you pay for a 1024k offering and enjoy benefits upto 4096k. Attenuation and SNR for 4096k ideal at premises must be less than 40db and >20 db resp. Adjacent cable pairs with DSL will affect your DSL carrying pair, request Telkom to reconfigure DSLAM port to 4096K, you are probably locked to 2048k, when possible cable conditions interfered. U never know, might actually run better when cables dry out. Also remove all other connected instruments when testing, cordless telephones, fax machines, modems although working behind a microfilter they have a tendency to cause metallic noise. 4096k works well upto around 4 kms from exchange, beyond that service speeds can fluctuate.
Click to expand...
You may be correct with the old 1024K Product, but take a look at your account if you have ADSL. Telkom used to sell a 1024 Line with a freebie speed thrown in for up to 4Mb, but now they are actually selling a 4096 line and this is the difference. Take a look at their web page.
DSL Fast, Faster and Fastest.

Anyway I am not concerned as I have a 384Kb line, not that I cannot afford a faster line, but I am not prepared to pay for Telkom's pricing. Besides I am getting nailed buying Prepaid ADSL at R70 a GB as it is and a faster line will just gobble up the GB's quicker. Don't get me started on that as the whole pricing structure of ADSL is a gemors.
The Devil is in the detail. Two Rentals plus Usage start to add up at the end of the month>
 
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BTTB said:
You may be correct with the old 1024K Product, but take a look at your account if you have ADSL. Telkom used to sell a 1024 Line with a freebie speed thrown in for up to 4Mb, but now they are actually selling a 4096 line and this is the difference. Take a look at their web page.
DSL Fast, Faster and Fastest.

>
Click to expand...

Agreed
 
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