My Download Speed is only 1.5 Mbps While Paying for 3.1-7.0 Mbps

[TomtheBomb]

Greetings everyone. My internet service provider is Verizon. I have their High Speed DSL Internet Plan featuring 3.1 -7.0 megabits-per-second (Mbps) download speeds. In regards to my hardware, I have a Westell 6100 modem, a Linksys WTR 1900ac router, and all but one of my PC's are fitted with Gigabit PCI Ethernet Cards. In addition, all of my PC's are wired with CAT 6 Ethernet cables.
However, while I am paying for 3.1 - 7.0 Mbps download speeds, I am only averaging 1.4-1.5 Mbps download speeds on all of my PC's. I have tested my speeds using both Speedtest.net by Ookla and Verizon's native speed tester featured on their site. Every time I tested my speed, I received the same results regardless of what site or PC I was using to test.
Upon talking with Verizon today, I was told that my modem is still capable of operating higher download speeds and those speeds are available in my region. After conducting some research, I discovered that phone wiring and the network interface device can also be the source of the problem. However, after scouring my home, I found that I do not have a network interface device, but instead an ancient box concealed in my basement's drop-ceiling where all of my telephone wires connect. This box looks original to the house, so I'm guessing that it dates back to 1952. I have included links to pictures of it that can be found at the end of this message. Could this box be the source of the problem? Before contacting Verizon technical support again, I wanted to have a few opinions on the matter and how I may solve this issue. Thank you - Tom

https://mail.aol.com/38896-519/aol-6/en-us/mail/get-attachment.aspx?uid=28165720&folder=NewMail&partId=1

https://mail.aol.com/38896-519/aol-6/en-us/mail/get-attachment.aspx?uid=28165720&folder=NewMail&partId=3

https://mail.aol.com/38896-519/aol-6/en-us/mail/get-attachment.aspx?uid=28165720&folder=NewMail&partId=7

https://mail.aol.com/38896-519/aol-6/en-us/mail/get-attachment.aspx?uid=28165720&folder=NewMail&partId=5

 

[Calculagator]

Most likely you are confusing Mbps with MBps. That letter is important a Mega Byte has 8 times as much data as a Mega bit (or so depending on what you are actually measuring). For a 10 Mbps connection, you can expect to download at just over 1 MBps. ISPs sell service using Mbps (the bigger numbers look better and are actually more specific) Speedtest.net gives results in MBps because it is easier to directly compare to how fast things will download.

 

[USAFRet]

Poor house phone wiring can indeed affect your connection speed. If, from speedtest.net, you're seeing 1.4Mbps....that may be all you can get.
You're relying on 60+ year old wiring, when 'the internet' was not even someones wet dream yet.

Also, DSL is very distance dependent. The farther your physical residence is from the local connection point, the crappier signal you will get.

Your modem may be capable of more, but all the wiring between you and them may not be.
The only way to really know is to have a Verizon tech come out and test. See what happens.

 

[USAFRet]

and those speeds are available in my region

'Region' does not matter. Actual wire distance does. Literally, one street over can make the difference, depending on how the wire is laid.

 

[TomtheBomb]

Most likely you are confusing Mbps with MBps. That letter is important a Mega Byte has 8 times as much data as a Mega bit (or so depending on what you are actually measuring). For a 10 Mbps connection, you can expect to download at just over 1 MBps. ISPs sell service using Mbps (the bigger numbers look better and are actually more specific) Speedtest.net gives results in MBps because it is easier to directly compare to how fast things will download.

Thank you for your reply, however I am not confusing Mbps with MBps. I understand the difference. My speed tests gave me results in Mbps NOT MBps. I am paying for 3.1 - 7.0 Mbps and am only receiving roughly 1.5 Mbps. There is a problem. If you do not believe me, the link to my speed test is at the end of this message. If you could be helpful in any other way, I would appreciate it. Can you tell me anything about the box in my ceiling?

http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/4100965179

 

[USAFRet]

We can't see your AOL mail picture links.

 

[TomtheBomb]

We can't see your AOL mail picture links.

That's weird. I wish this they let you post pictures from your PC. It would make things a lot easier. Do you have an email address I could send them to? I'm not a creepy stalker.

 

[Calculagator]

Most likely you are confusing Mbps with MBps. That letter is important a Mega Byte has 8 times as much data as a Mega bit (or so depending on what you are actually measuring). For a 10 Mbps connection, you can expect to download at just over 1 MBps. ISPs sell service using Mbps (the bigger numbers look better and are actually more specific) Speedtest.net gives results in MBps because it is easier to directly compare to how fast things will download.

Thank you for your reply, however I am not confusing Mbps with MBps. I understand the difference. My speed tests gave me results in Mbps NOT MBps. I am paying for 3.1 - 7.0 Mbps and am only receiving roughly 1.5 Mbps. There is a problem. If you do not believe me, the link to my speed test is at the end of this message. If you could be helpful in any other way, I would appreciate it. Can you tell me anything about the box in my ceiling?

http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/4100965179

I see. In that case USAFRet is correct. You can try plugging your modem in as close to the incoming wire as possible. It may even be possible to directly plug it into the incoming wire. You will probably need a tech to test in person.

(your original links are to your email and are not publically accessible)

 

[USAFRet]

1. Fixing "too far" = literally moving the house. From the nearest Verizon connection point...the farther your are away = loss of signal. Unless we alter the laws of physics, there is no way around this.

2. House wiring. The fix would mean discovering the actual problem. House wiring, a single bad connection somewhere, the ancient box from 1952....who knows.

 

[USAFRet]

A Verizon tech will have the tools and means to test the signal and speed at the junction box on the side of the house.

If that is similar to what you see inside, it is simply a matter of 'thats what you get because your house is too far away'
If it is significantly better, then your house phone wiring is the culprit.

 

[TomtheBomb]

Hey guys. I posted some new links to the photos. Here they are.

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/3284/zOGnyP.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img910/2492/ranIjE.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img912/7618/HNd3RU.jpg

 

[USAFRet]

Hey guys. I posted some new links to the photos. Here they are.

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/3284/zOGnyP.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img910/2492/ranIjE.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img912/7618/HNd3RU.jpg

Impossible to fully diagnose from out here, but yeah....that looks 'old'.

 

[Calculagator]

Hey guys. I posted some new links to the photos. Here they are.

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/3284/zOGnyP.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img910/2492/ranIjE.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img912/7618/HNd3RU.jpg

I don't see anything obviously wrong here. There could be a poor connections somewhere, but it would require closer inspection to find. Do try plugging your modem into some different phone jacks to make sure you don' have just one loose room connection.

 

[USAFRet]

Hey guys. I posted some new links to the photos. Here they are.

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/3284/zOGnyP.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img910/2492/ranIjE.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img912/7618/HNd3RU.jpg

I don't see anything obviously wrong here. There could be a poor connections somewhere, but it would require closer inspection to find. Do try plugging your modem into some different phone jacks to make sure you don' have just one loose room connection.

I'm thinking maybe 60 years of oxidation somewhere in the chain, degrading the signal a little bit.

 

[TomtheBomb]

Hey guys. I posted some new links to the photos. Here they are.

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/3284/zOGnyP.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img910/2492/ranIjE.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img912/7618/HNd3RU.jpg

I don't see anything obviously wrong here. There could be a poor connections somewhere, but it would require closer inspection to find. Do try plugging your modem into some different phone jacks to make sure you don' have just one loose room connection.

I'm thinking maybe 60 years of oxidation somewhere in the chain, degrading the signal a little bit.

You've been a lot of help. Thanks. I'm actually only 21 and in college right now. I take a lot of classes online though and can't be without internet for more than a day or two max. The campus is just too far to commute every day. I also run an online business that requires me to access the internet very frequently. If you had to give a rough estimate from any prior experiences you may have had, how long does it take to diagnose and repair phone wiring problems? If they couldn't fix it the same day as they diagnose it, could they at least reconnect it so I could have internet access?

 

[USAFRet]

You've been a lot of help. Thanks. I'm actually only 21 and in college right now. I take a lot of classes online though and can't be without internet for more than a day or two max. The campus is just too far to commute every day. I also run an online business that requires me to access the internet very frequently. If you had to give a rough estimate from any prior experiences you may have had, how long does it take to diagnose and repair phone wiring problems? If they couldn't fix it the same day as they diagnose it, could they at least reconnect it so I could have internet access?

How long? Completely unknown. Depends on what is wrong.
You (or they) have to start at the border. The box attached to the side of your house. That is the demarcation between their responsibility and your responsibility.

If the signal sucks coming in, it won't get any better once inside the house. The house wiring may still have issues...you just don't see them yet.
If it is demonstrated OK coming in at the border, then you or someone might have to do some rewiring.

 

[TomtheBomb]

You've been a lot of help. Thanks. I'm actually only 21 and in college right now. I take a lot of classes online though and can't be without internet for more than a day or two max. The campus is just too far to commute every day. I also run an online business that requires me to access the internet very frequently. If you had to give a rough estimate from any prior experiences you may have had, how long does it take to diagnose and repair phone wiring problems? If they couldn't fix it the same day as they diagnose it, could they at least reconnect it so I could have internet access?

How long? Completely unknown. Depends on what is wrong.
You (or they) have to start at the border. The box attached to the side of your house. That is the demarcation between their responsibility and your responsibility.

If the signal sucks coming in, it won't get any better once inside the house. The house wiring may still have issues...you just don't see them yet.
If it is demonstrated OK coming in at the border, then you or someone might have to do some rewiring.

Thanks! Well I'm going to call Verizon tomorrow so I keep everyone updated!

 

[TomtheBomb]

So, the problem has been solved. The Verzion tech had do some new wiring. Certain wires throughout my home, outside my home, and on the telephone pole were bad and needed replaced.