Variable download rate

[jim5000]

When we got Skymax about 2 months ago, we had a couple of problems with it. The switchon date came and went, and Sky told me my line was activated and I could start using it, but the router wouldn't connect (the 'i' light never came on). After waiting 3 days Sky accepted there was a fault, logged it with BT and a few days after that I was connected, syncing at 14mb and downloading at 1.2mb\s. This was great but after a week and a half, the internet light went out and wouldn't come back on. It took over a week to sort out, and when it came back I was capped at 8mb (router syncs at just under 7mb). After both causes of the non-connecting, BT reported that they could find no fault with the line.

I wasn't to bothered about this- the main thing I want is a relatively fast and stable connection. However, I can't seem to get on: for about 2 hours every evening, I can download at 700k+\sec, but the rest of the time my downloads crawl at 25k\sec. I'm not using the Sky router, because it is impossible to even browse using it, simple webpages take minutes to load or don't load at all.

What would cause the download rate to vary so wildly, and is there anything I can do about it? I use an extension cable to connect to my phone socket, but it is a professional ADSL cable brought from ADSL nation. I have tried connecting directly to the master socket using a short cable but it doesn't make much difference. My router stats seem to stay the same the whole time, 7mb sync, 7dB noise margin (sometimes it drops to 1 or 2 though).

[richone54]

have a look at cabling and faceplate, could be a problem with your wiring (orange wire)

also you could try your test socket for comparison

[Isitme]

I'm not using the Sky router, because it is impossible to even browse using it, simple webpages take minutes to load or don't load at all.

If this is the case you should be pushing Sky for a new router. Although it and it's software is heavily criticised, it is not that bad and better than many that are on the market. Try connecting into your test socket as has been suggested. It could be that you internal wiring is causing the problem. Extensions, especially the plug-in type can cause problems, no matter how good they may be. Rather than use a phone extension, you should consider a longer ADSL cable or a long ethernet cable.

[Saturday]

What would cause the download rate to vary so wildly?

Are you wireless?