Very low speed on 20Mbit tier

[internetguy]

Hi guys,

Would really appreciate some help with this. So anyway this is not my connection but instead someone I know. They've just had VM internet installed a couple weeks ago and I was running some speedtests. They are on the 20Mbit tier but I was only able to reach a max of approx 2.5Mbit down (forgot to test the upstream).

Before they call VM for an engineer to come out I was wondering if anyone could look at the information I took from the modem? The formatting might be a bit off, I used notepad to store it.

Also the connection the router is fine so I believe it to be on Virgin's end. Pings over the LAN and to the modem were a couple milliseconds and transfers were fast.. it's only when it hits the web that pings start to get a bit high and speeds are slow.

Cable Modem Status:
Acquire a Downstream Channel - 402750000 Hz - Locked
Connectivity State - OK - Operational
Boot State - OK - OperationalCable Modem Downstream:
Downstream Lock : Locked
Downstream Channel Id : 2
Downstream Frequency : 402750000 Hz
Downstream Modulation : QAM256
Downstream Symbol Rate : 5360.537 Ksym/sec
Downstream Interleave Depth : taps32Increment4
Downstream Receive Power Level : 2.4 dBmV
Downstream SNR : 42.4 dBCable Modem Upstream:
Upstream Lock : Locked
Upstream Channel ID : 2
Upstream Frequency : 29200000 Hz
Upstream Modulation : QAM16
Upstream Symbol Rate : 2560 Ksym/sec
Upstream transmit Power Level : 55.5 dBmV
Upstream Mini-Slot Size : 2Config:
Network Access : Allowed
Maximum Downstream Data Rate : 20480000
Maximum Upstream Data Rate : 768000
Maximum Upstream Channel Burst : 3044
Maximum Number of CPEs : 1
Modem Capability : Concatenation Enabled, Fragametation Enabled, PHS EnabledBasically just trying to confirm if it is an issue which an engineer/technician needs to sort out or if I can do it myself.

Thanks!

[jb66]

Do you have a laptop to try to rule out the computer and are you using speedtest.net london server?

[internetguy]

Yes have tried it on a laptop. I used the speedtest.net london server and also the speedtest on this forum. :)

[General Maximus]

it has been donkeys since i had 20mbit so I cant remember the exact settings but I am sure your upstream power level is a tad on the high side.

[vanman]

Cable Modem Downstream
Downstream Receive Power Level : 5.0 dBmV
Downstream SNR : 42.1 dB
this mine your power level is 2.4 bit low

[General Maximus]

na, downstream SNRs are allowed to go low, I think they can actually go to something like -4. The higher the upstream though the more unstable the connection

[kwikbreaks]

There's a sticky on this forum about the modem stats...

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/12/26006-cable-modem-signal-levels.html

That suggests that the upstream power level is indeed quite high.
By my reading as it is using "Upstream Modulation : QAM16" it's too high.


I'm as far from an expert on this as it gets but I'd suggest checking the modem log for errors (maybe paste it up here as it will certainly mean something to somebody).

[AbyssUnderground]

...I was only able to reach a max of approx 2.5Mbit down...

How were you testing, since 2.5MB/s is exactly 20Mbps... You might be getting your units confused.

[kwikbreaks]

How were you testing, since 2.5MB/s is exactly 20Mbps... You might be getting your units confused.

I used the speedtest.net london server

Speedtest.net reports Megabits.

[AbyssUnderground]

Sorry I missed that bit. You can never be too careful though, as it's a mistake that's been made too many times :)

[kwikbreaks]

Yep - when I saw your post I thought I'd maybe missed the obvious.

Then I cheated and read it all more thoroughly ;)

[AbyssUnderground]

I was on my lunch when I read it and my sandwich was a bit more important than thorough reading :D

[Peter_]

this mine your power level is 2.4 bit low
Actually he has a better downstream than you do.:D

His Upstream at 55 is a bit high but within spec so would be best advised to call in so that his connection can be checked as the issue may lie elsewhere.

Call in on 151 from a Virginmedia phone line or 0845 454 1111 from any other phone.

[internetguy]

Thanks for the replies! :)

It was definately megabits, since it also showed speeds in the area of 250KB/s. I'll try some usenet downloading when I can to see if speeds are any higher on that. :D

[Peter_]

Thanks for the replies! :)

It was definately megabits, since it also showed speeds in the area of 250KB/s. I'll try some usenet downloading when I can to see if speeds are any higher on that. :D
Try this speed test as this what we will use if you call in, just read the instructions and download the larger files which start about 35 down the list such as Battlfield 2142 1.1Gb and Bfme english final.

http://www.virginmedia.com/testmyspeed/manual.php

[internetguy]

Thanks for the suggestion Masque, i'll try those as soon as I can. Most likely tomorrow or tonight (since it is my friends connection it'll be the next time im there). :P

[internetguy]

Been running tests from a usenet server and is now downloading at 20Mbit, so seems alright :)

I think it is just that the area is a bit overloaded and during certain times of the day it gets slow. That doesn't really matter though :P