Can someone help with download speeds?

[StarkillerMarek]

Recently, I notcied a huge change in download speeds with my cable-highspeed internet. I get(paying for) a 1mbps service. However, download speeds are now 20kbps. It all happened very sudden. I am going to call my ISP, but I wanted to know if you guys knew any reason why it would drasctically drop for download speeds around 1mbps, to 20kbps. Until I have got this resolved, I believe I won't be downloading/uploading any map/mods.

[Maveritchell]

If you have a download cap or if your internet provider drastically reduces speed based on average use (I had this one time in an apartment I lived in), you may see what you're talking about. Best thing to do is simply contact your provider and ask directly. No one here can do any better than guess.

[FragMe!]

As I found out from my boss as he took his ISP to task on it, they do actually reduce, filter or buffer if you will, certain sites so the download speeds are reduced. He did inform them that it is not good practice to do so (not the exact words) I have also noticed the same thing on FileFront, use to get blazingly fast speeds the it changed to a crawl whereas other site have stayed normal. Another fun thing of note for you conspiracy types, some, not all, monitor, record and furnish information to certain authorities those who connect to the illegal song download sites.

But I digress, as Mav said the best thing to do is contact your ISP anddemand to know what's up, you pay them good money for the high speed so you should get it.

[StarkillerMarek]

Thanks guys, that's all I was looking for.

[Teancum]

Incidentally, before you call take a few speed tests at http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/ - a lot of times they'll make you use their own speed test sites, but I always use it as a good benchmark. That way if there's an actual issue with the connection speed overall you can use that as evidence to get a tech out to check your lines. Nearly every time I've had an overall speed issue it's been some sort of line issue before it gets to my modem.

What sites are you having trouble with, or is it any site? I've noticed a bit of throttling on some file sites myself, and I'm on a T3 connection at work.

[StarkillerMarek]

On any site, when I download a file, the transfer rate is always hovering 25 kbps. However, what's weird is that surfing the internet is no problem. Still the same blazing highspeed power (6 months ago, we had dialup, so you can imagine the difference).We recently experienced a few snow storms in our area, so I wouldn't be suprised if it was some outside wire trouble. Thanks for the link, I will try the speed test.

[lucasfart]

On any site, when I download a file, the transfer rate is always hovering 25 kbps. However, what's weird is that surfing the internet is no problem. Still the same blazing highspeed power (6 months ago, we had dialup, so you can imagine the difference).We recently experienced a few snow storms in our area, so I wouldn't be suprised if it was some outside wire trouble. Thanks for the link, I will try the speed test.

I'm pretty sure its not an outside wire causing your problem. If it was, wouldn't it affect all your internet, not just the downloads? As the other guys are saying, they might have just filtered/reduced download speed(is that possible??) and left internet speed the same. although, i do think that download speed is incorporated internet speed. is there any difference between the 2?

[StarkillerMarek]

No, it's not possible that they reduced download speeds. Thanks for all your help guys. I got a whopping 100kbps on a file yesterday so it looks like things are headed in the right direction.

[FragMe!]

Have a look at this if you think the ISP can't control download speeds from certain sites or type of traffic.

Traffic Shaping