If i change internet provider, will it make any difference to internet dropping off?

[bastardbroadband]

Or is it all the same wires and things anyway?

A couple of months ago we upgraded from regular broadband to 'superfast' broadband (or whatever it's called). Ever since then the internet has been constantly dropping off and I'm getting so frustrated!

I keep phoning talk talk and they have tried this that and the other but it's getting worse, not better!

I've currently got the router plugged into the test socket (as instructed) and they've done something to stabilise the signal a couple of weeks ago. Since then it's got worse. Yesterday I phoned them AGAIN and the woman assured me she'd done something else and she was certain I'd get good service now and to wait 48 hours, but it's still really bad!

So, if I change to BT, could it make any difference to the service? Or is it all the same infrastructure and I'd just be transferring the problem to someone new to deal with?

I'm with BT and it's shite.

Don't they all use Openreach and BT infrastructure anyway?

yes, that was what I'm asking really. I'm thinking it won't really make any difference if I change provider.

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong here but I've been told the following...

If each cabinet has 100 'ports', 40 of those are for BT, 20 for sky, 20 for talk talk (not scientific but you get the gist)

Now we have a fibre port with talk talk (which is crap but the best we can do!). I got a quote from Sky who said they could better that with their fibre but when it came to it they didn't have any fibre ports available in my nearest cabinet.

Also, your distance to your cabinet will make a difference to the speed you can get. If we were any further from our cabinet we wouldn't be able to have fibre at all and the closer you are to the cabinet the better speed you can get.

we had normal broadband with talk talk for a year...it was a nightmare, i would have to disconnect and reconnect/reset the router at least four times a day..more if everyone was using their devices (consoles/laptops etc) as soon as our contract expired we moved to sky BB. the difference has been immense. in over a year i have only had to reset router once or twice. not advertising sky, more talk talk bashing...but definitely get away from that cowboy outfit, as well as shite coverage, their customer service skills are somewhat....lacking!

Move to Zen and yes it will make a difference. When it drops off (if it does at all) and you call them, they will get BT to fix the issue and very quickly. Much quicker than if you're with BT and ring them yourself. You need a quality ISP. Talk Talk, BT and Sky are not quality ISPs.

It could be an exchange/cabinet issue, or it could be that Talk Talk are trying to serve too many people at once.

Is it a wired drop out or wireless?

I have no idea about the difference but I had a wireless drop out and a lovely tech from work changed a channel in the router.

I should add, been with Zen since 2011 at this address and my connection has never dropped. That's never. I am a loooooong way from the exchange. I pay £30 per month plus line rental. Worth every penny.

If your Zen connection has never dropped, how do you know what happens when it does?

Go with virgin and get fibre optic

Because it happened at a previous address. Zen called BT and they attended same day. Turned out a fault at the cabinet caused by a BT engineer working on someone else's line that morning. I also worked in IT for years and we used them for staff member's home connections. I highly recommend them.

Anything's better than ringing BT.

Worth a visit OP: www.ispreview.co.uk/review/top10.php

Hi Op -my partner who works in IT troubleshooting has suggested the following......

Assuming it was fine before your upgrade and you get the same bad performance using Wired (Ethernet cable) or wireless connection. Try any or all of the following suggestions.

Apologies if any of the following has already been done....

Try changing your broadband filter (the one that the router and house phones plug into.

When the router is plugged into the test socket make sure all the other house phones etc are disconnected. This Will rule out a problem with the phone wiring within your house which is your responsibility (cost). The test socket and outside wires are your internet providers responsibility .

Is the "drop off" a total loss of internet as indicated on your router (it will have lights on it to tell you the status, power, Line and connection)?
If so, then you have either a wiring fault somewhere, or a router fault.

if it is just a slowdown of the broadband speed that is the problem you can try doing a Broadband speed test at various times of the day and noting when it is fast and when it is slow. If there are patterns in the speed changes (teatime always poor) then it is probably a bandwidth issue.

Try using the internet on another device, i.e. phone, tablet or TV. If these work OK then check your Computer with your anti virus software and a reputable anti malware program i.e. Malware bytes anti malware (please be careful when running the setup programs and read the screens and make sure the ticks for the trial version or any additional software are NOT ticked).

As all the providers use the same physical wires a change to another provider can be just as bad. As you have the router in the test socket and it looks like they have reset your line it could be a bad connection on any part of the wires back to the cabinet or even exchange.
This type of fault usually takes them a while to find because BT own the wires and it will cost your provider money to get it checked and fixed. Oddly enough it is the last thing they will check. Have you had some storms lately? These can cause physical damage to cables and connections.

Or it could be just like the other PP suggested that your provider has not got the capacity to give all the users in your area fast BB all the time.

Hope this is of some assistance.

oh this is fantastic, thank you! All advice much appreciated and I'm working my way through it now.