Safeguy - 1st time paying for internet and here's the problem

[safeguy]

Well, it's the 1st time I'm going to pay for internet access. All of these while, I've been using free Wireless@SG, my schools' network, etc.

My subscription:

Here's the plan I subscribed (2 years contract):

m1 mobile broadband

I took the 4Mbps download and 1Mbps upload plan (I chose mobile broadband as I'm using a laptop) and that would cost me $26/month (usually when the bill comes, it tends to be higher so I'm expecting $30+) Well, luckily there's a 50% discount promotion for it - I wouldn't have paid the full price of $52 lol

Do you guys think its value-for-money? There are 2 other major ISP here in Singapore and here are their mobile broadband plans:

Starhub Mobile Broadband
Singtel Mobile Broadband

Anyway, that isn't the important matter. Let's get straight to the problem -

The problem:

I feel cheated. YES! Cheated.

I ran a few tests on SpeedTest.net and here are the results I got:







Well, as you can see, I'm getting far less than 4Mbps download speed..in fact, it doesn't even reach 1Mbps except for once...weird case.

What gives? I'm paying - even if some of you find it's 'cheap' - it should at least provide me with half the deserved speed. Compare the above speeds with this one when I was using free network:

http://forum.raymond.cc/general-forum/14252-speedtest-how-fast-is-your-connection-2.html#post110805



What should I do now? I've no experience dealing with ISP...should I make another test somewhere? I doubt it as the internet speed right now does feel slow and the network signal is damn poor and unstable. Anyone has any suggestions? What can I do now?

[johnshaw1917]

Hi safeguy, don't feel like you're all alone, getting ripped off for broadband internet service! I pay more per month than you do for less bandwidth and I've never come close to getting the download or upload speeds they advertise. If I need to download larger files, I usually do it early in the morning when there is less internet traffic. The ISP I use is the "best" broadband service I can get where I live, so I have just learned to deal with it.

[luffy]

SpeedTest.net does not show all the information you need to know.
This is what I use before I call to complaint my ISP:
Test if your ISP is manipulating traffic.
Test it and print out the result. Mail it to your Internet provider.
I hope you win.

[In-f3st]

Your ping is way off...but when I think about it, mobile internet always seems to suck...

You can always call them up and ask them to check it, but they will probably tell you that it's depends on where you are at the time you are testing the speed.
You should also check you contract, they probably have a clause in it about it.

[findingmyzen]

Hey Luffy, thanks for sharing that website, great to know there's the ability to test the ISP

[safeguy]

@luffy

The test link you gave me (Test if your ISP is manipulating BitTorrent traffic) - the result shows that my ISP isn't manipulating BitTorrent traffic (all is green) so that's good.

But then, I tried a different test (from the same site) and here is the result:

Test your broadband link characteristics



@In-f3st

I know my ping is high but what no. is considered as an "Ok" or a good average ping? Is there any way or method to improve (I mean 'lower') my ping - I know it sounds ridiculous but I read that a firewall can affect ping...is that true? Will turning off firewall help?

[luffy]

@safeguy, is your computer connected to router or modem? If it connects to router. Disconnect it from the router. Then power cycle your modem (unplug the power cord for 30 seconds) and restart the computer. And then connect the computer directly to the modem use Ethernet cable. Run the following test:
speedyeasy.net
http://www.dslreports.com/tools
If your speed is not improve, call your ISP.
=========================================================
About the ping. It's up to the location. How far between you and your ISP.
What is your jitter test result?

[safeguy]

I'm not using any external modem/router...I'm using a wireless USB device (Vodafone) to get connected to the web.

[richie1913]

Hi safeguy,I use mobile broadband a lot,have used vodafone as well.They are great for basic Internet use but If you are going to do large downloads and play games then mobile broadband Is going to disapoint you I'm afraid.There Is nothing you can do to lower your ping and the speed you get will vary considerably depending on what time of day It Is sometimes becoming very unusable during "peak times".As I have said I use It a lot and found that vodafone is one of the slowest and has the highest ping.

[grr]

Safeguy..feeling sorry for you but wireless USB devices don't provide that much of speed. the 4 & 1 Mbps are just good on paper. If there is a lower speed, go for it & save some bucks.