Download speed is way down, need advice?

Networking is not my bag so maybe some of you lot could help me figure out why my download speed went from 374k/s to 221k/s. I use Verizon DSL and their 3 year old ActionTec wireless router. I don't use or need wireless as everything I hookup to the net (Xbox 360, PS3 and laptop are within 3 -5 feet) of the router.

It happened about 2-3 months ago when I noticed downloading files which on average went at a zippy pace of 374k/s avg and dropped to 211-221k/s. And here where it gets weird is that for a few days my speeds came back to where they use to be, then dropped again.

I tried resetting the router and no change. Any ideas, or should I contact Verizon and see if they are throttling down my speeds? I watch lot's of streaming video including TV on my laptop and i'm a subscriber to ESPN 3.

 

So it's an ADSL service? As in via phone-line?
Log in to your router via web browser (192.168.0.1) and look for line parameters- Line Rate, Line Attenuation, Noise Margin, Output Power.
Copy-paste them here. This way we'll see if it's caused by physical issues with the line or not.

 

Yes my DSL aka "Dry DSL" is via a phone line. Where do I find the line parameters?

I'm logged into my router but don't see anything of the sort.

edit: Is it the system log, Downloads?

 

I don't know the router but it's usually in status menu?
What's the exact router model?

 

Actiontec GT704-WG, Is this what you're looking for?

DSL Status
VPI:
VCI:
DSL Mode Setting:
DSL Negotiated Mode:
Connection Status:
Speed (down/up):
ATM QoS class:
Near End CRC Errors :
Far End CRC Errors :
Near End CRC(Within last 30 mins) :
Far End CRC(Within last 30 mins) :
Near End RS FEC :
Far End RS FEC :
Near End FEC(Within last 30 mins) :
Far End FEC(Within last 30 mins) :
Discarded Packets(Within last 30 mins):
SNR Margin (Downstream/Upstream):
Attenuation (Downstream/Upstream):

 

These three would do- both down an up please.
Speed (down/up):
SNR Margin (Downstream/Upstream):
Attenuation (Downstream/Upstream):

 

Speed (down/up): 2112 / 864 Kbps

SNR Margin (Downstream/Upstream): 31/12

Attenuation (Downstream/Upstream): 20/15

 

Everything is fine here- the line is OK.
That said- you connection is synchronized at 2112 Kbps (real speed should be less than 2mbps)
You've mentioned your download speed as "221k/s"- I assume it's 221KB/s (kilobytes) which is 1768kbps.

That's about right from a line synchronized at 2112kbps.

In order to get 374KB/s (which is 3000kbps) your line should be synchronized at some 3700kbps.

To put it simple- you get max of what you can at this speed. Line is OK so your ISP cut down the speed at which you are connected to them for some reason- you should contact them and clear this up.

 

OK cool, I appreciate it.

I'll contact them tomorrow and ask why I went from 374KB/s down to 221KB/s. My guess is they'll say if I want a higher speed i'll have to pay for it.

 

You do have some kind of contract with them so they are supposed to deliver at certain speed- check it before calling.
They could argue that they don't guarantee the speed will be achievable but it's impossible to achieve it if they don't synchronize your connection at speed high enough to make it possible.

 

How do I check that?

Agreed

 

Could just be congestion bumping your speed down.

Consumer grade DSL doesnt usually have a SLA's for speed. As long as it connects, they dont care.

What you can try do is call up your ISP and ask for your speed profile to be increased. They can manually bump up the sync rate to say 5mbps but if your line quality is bad it will just keep on dropping out and the profile will go back down.

Looking at your modem stats it is a excellent quality line.

What speed plan do you have?