ISP 'fixed' my ping (down by more than half) but nerfed the speed (15Mbps down to 5). What to do?

Dabombinable · July 30, 2015

I called them last week to sort out some issues on their end which caused my ADSL2 router to lose connection (I only needed to logon to the router and set it to reconnect to PPOEDSL), upgrade my plan from 100GB to 500GB ($50 to $60) and was also told that people have been having 'speed' issues and that it would be fixed within 3 (business) days. It is now 4 business days later and I'm stuck with low ping but very slow speeds-which means that for example when playing games the 'ping' is actually worse, and I can at most stream 240p videos off peak instead of 720p like I used to, and 144p on peak instead of 240p. Just to be clear, I ran a speed test 5 times on wireless in my room (normal circumstances) and 5 times on ethernet plugged straight into the router and the speeds were pretty much identical (a 200Kbps or so difference, near identical ping). I've been on hold for over 2 hours now and I've had no response (apart from the bad music looping) so what should I do?

Me1z · July 30, 2015

Perhaps its time to switch to a new ISP? Or move someplace where ISPs actually care about their customers? I'm paying about $45 a month for unlimited 50mbps down and 25mbps up. Sure, everything else here costs a fortune, but at least the internet isn't terrible...

Polyvalent · July 30, 2015

Perhaps its time to switch to a new ISP?

If only comcast didnt have me locked into their service 50 miles in every direction. would drop them in a heartbeat. I get nerfed by 50 mb/s sometimes more. Pay for 120 and rarely even get 70.

Dabombinable · July 30, 2015

Perhaps its time to switch to a new ISP? Or move someplace where ISPs actually care about their customers? I'm paying about $45 a month for unlimited 50mbps down and 25mbps up. Sure, everything else here costs a fortune, but at least the internet isn't terrible...

The problem is I'd have to 'do a deal with the devil' and go with Telstra or Optus, who charge over double for less (aka, Comcast/Verizon, even the poor customer service and attempts to scam customers match).

If only comcast didnt have me locked into their service 50 miles in every direction. would drop them in a heartbeat. I get nerfed by 50 mb/s sometimes more. Pay for 120 and rarely even get 70.

Pretty much all of Australia's network consist of Telstra with 99% coverage and Optus with 97% coverage, with Telstra having the higher prices and Optus with the overloaded ADSL/wireless network. I can feel the pain of those who are getting screwed by their American ISP.

Wombo · July 31, 2015

Most likely the line that your ISP uses to send you internet just simply can't handle anything faster than 5. You were probably experiencing a lot of interference and attenuation that lead to higher ping and most likely a lot of loss/errors. Ask them to come upgrade their lines in the area or change ISPs are really the only things you can do.