Are Ntl restricting Usenet access?

Mick Fisher · 14-11-2005, 20:24

For the last 3 days I have only been able to get 10K/s per slot from Easynews no matter how I connect, what route I choose or what proxy I use.

Easynews say there are no known problems at there end.

Connecting to Ntl's usenet server to download headers I get full speed initially then it drops to the same 10K/s. Mind you it could just be broke again.

Needless to say, this is making Usenet practically unusable.

I'm on 3meg by the way and my connection is behaving normally otherwise, as far as I can tell.

I've seen some comment from other Ntl/Telewest users on another forum experiencing the same problem and I wonder if it has relevence to the problem described in the Astraweb thread.

Is anyone else experiencing this issue..

Mick.

Rob2005 · 14-11-2005, 20:37

I'd like to know this too. I use Giganews.

I'm on 3mb (probably the only one left...) and up to 3 months ago always got full speed. Then I discovered usenet.. Well, had used it before, just not for heavy downloading. Since then I might get full speed for an hour or two, then the speed just gets slower. Then the connection breaks off and its intermitant connection thereafter. Very annoying. I'm sure ntl is doing something to limit downloading. So 3mb means 3mb only if you use it for a small amount of time...not much point in these fast speeds if you can't use it when you want it.

SnoopZ · 14-11-2005, 20:41

I'm getting my full 10Mbit using newshosting.com.

14-11-2005, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnoopZ

I'm getting my full 10Mbit using newshosting.com.

Me to. average 1023kB

I am pretty sure NTL are not restricting newsgroup access

Chrysalis · 14-11-2005, 22:19

giganews is poor because of amsterdam congestion, easynews has a traceroute tool you can use to see if their is a routing issue between them and yourself.

http://easynews.com/trace/

Mr Clean · 14-11-2005, 23:14

I use NTL News Servers and Astraweb servers and always Max out my 3Mb connection, usually get between 350 and 380kbps and sometimes on a really good day 400 - 410kbps.

Should have the 10Mb tomorrow, see what that brings.

deadite66 · 15-11-2005, 06:28

hi fellow easynews user o/

have you tried different ports/addresses.
usually connect on proxy.news.easynews.com or the ssl port via stunnel no problems for me atm though they were slow a few days back.

grubbymitts · 15-11-2005, 07:01

using powerusenet on 2mb - no probs here. I've noticed surfing a bit slow, but not usenet access.

The first rule of usenet: you do not talk about usenet
The second rule of usenet: YOU DO NOT TALK ABOUT USENET

DieDieMyDarling · 15-11-2005, 08:00

I've never had a problem with GigaNews, always get the full speed. Although my area is on about 2.7mb instead of the 3mb at the moment, due to the upgrades. (even though i'm on the 10mb config file).

Dazzlercee · 15-11-2005, 16:54

I contacted Easynews about slow connections and I was told that NTL are having problems and are throttling usenet connections at certain times.

I have confirmed this in that easynews downloads are at about 16K b4 11PM and then they shoot up to 236K (2MB connection). I get the same results on all proxy/port configurations and also when using NNTP.

I don't know whether this is an NTL technical issue or whether they are deliberately restricting the bandwidth to usenet connections.

cookster · 15-11-2005, 19:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamgood

I use NTL News Servers and Astraweb servers and always Max out my 3Mb connection, usually get between 350 and 380kbps and sometimes on a really good day 400 - 410kbps.

Should have the 10Mb tomorrow, see what that brings.

700 - 800k with Astraweb my friend

That's using the pay per download settings. I might change and try if I can get any more via the different ports etc.

I get a cool 1100-1200k via NTL's own connection

grubbymitts · 15-11-2005, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by grubbymitts

using powerusenet on 2mb - no probs here.

Famous last words there. Merrily downloading at 234k and suddenly, 5 mins before the damn thing is due to finish - 24k a second and 502 errors. Then Grabit crashes when it tries to exit.

Hope it's better in the morning!

15-11-2005, 20:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dazzlercee

I contacted Easynews about slow connections and I was told that NTL are having problems and are throttling usenet connections at certain times.

Sorry but that is not true NTL are not throttling easynews simple as that.
Now you can choice not to believe me , but i know we are not throttling newsgroups

dilli-theclaw · 15-11-2005, 20:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dazzlercee

I contacted Easynews about slow connections and I was told that NTL are having problems and are throttling usenet connections at certain times.

I have confirmed this in that easynews downloads are at about 16K b4 11PM and then they shoot up to 236K (2MB connection). I get the same results on all proxy/port configurations and also when using NNTP.

I don't know whether this is an NTL technical issue or whether they are deliberately restricting the bandwidth to usenet connections.

I have never had a problem with easynews any time of day or night. I get 10mb perfectly fine. http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/at...2&d=1131496035 Oh well - Bill beat me to it

grubbymitts · 15-11-2005, 20:03

Just tried NTL's own news server and that is working fine at top speed, so they ain't throttling port 119. Just seems to be a hitch. Hope it's okay soon...a new linux distro is up on Thursday morning.