Where do you plug in your modem. My I P says that the extension cable is no good

[Concepta]

When I got the modem from my Internet Provider I plugged it into one of the telephone extensions in my spare room. My Internet Provider says the reason I only have 0.5 MB is because it is not plugged into the main socket in the hall. It has been working perfectly for 9 months now and suddenly the speed has dropped. They say that you don't get a good speed when you are not plugged into the main socket. We don't have any room in our hall. Its small emough as it is without a computer sitting there too. Is there any truth in all this - or are they just making it up so that I take out a more expensive package. I know I could buy a wireless router, but I have heard so many bad reports about people being able to hack into your computer. Advice please!!

They are making excuses. It's partly true. but as you say it was working before. In my case I've tested the difference and it's tiny.

It is possible something has changed in the extension cable though. Maybe it goes under the carpet and gets stepped on or maybe it goes past something electrical which interferes with it.

Can you set it up in the hall just long enough to test what speed it shows? The idea is to try that with all the phones and extension cables unplugged so you know what is NOT causing it.

What is your speed supposed to be? (perhaps up to 8MB) and what was it really most of the time.

As for the wireless router it might be worth considering if you do try the router in the hall and it goes up in speed, but they do bring problems of their own.

You can secure a wireless router so it's fairly safe. (well unless you have the CIA after you) but it can be slower anyway if there is lots of interference so you might not gain anything.

Have they asked you to do the quiet line test yet?

unplug everything from the phone line, plug an ordinary corded phone into the hall socket and dial 17070. An automated voice will offer options. Press 2 for 'quiet line test' and it will go silent and you can listen for interference on the line. There should be no sound at all.

Yes I would echo what onagar says.

You do loose spead the longer the cable is - but I used to run mine off a 20m (cheap) extension cable and was fine. Distance from your local telephone exchange also affects the speed you can acheive.

Try taking your computer to the hall socket just to see what you get. I find this speedtest fairly good.

Wireless isn't necessarily the answer - because most basic wireless dongles can only support speeds up to 1-2Meg anyway.

I believe (although I have never tried it) that you can get BT to turn up teh "gain" on your line to improve signal.

Although if something has changed recently non of this should be necessary.

Who is your ISP BTW?

I am with the Post Office and my speed today is 576kbps. Up to now it hasnt been that good 1250 kbps, but it has been ok for all that we need it for. I will shift the computer to the hall on Monday. With the children at home today I don't want the hassle as I want to spend time with them. We live in a rural area quite a distance from the exchange but they said that we should have at least 2.0MB. When I ring them they just say there is nothing they can do its because we are using the socket in the bedroom and not the main one in the hall. No matter who I speak to I get the same answer. We have to go until July before our contract with them runs out and then I will try and get another provider. I was advised by computer expert to leave modem plugged in all time as the speed can reduce if turned off. He also said that the weather can affect speed The weather today and over the past few days has been terrible so maybe there is some truth in that too. Thanks ladies for your advice, I will try everything that you have told me and see how it goes.