Is the internet getting slower lately?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the perceived performance of the internet, with participants sharing their experiences and speculating on potential causes for slow speeds. The scope includes personal observations, technical explanations, and suggestions for troubleshooting, without reaching a consensus on the overall state of internet performance.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express concerns about the internet becoming slower, citing issues like choppy loading and delays in image rendering.
  • Others report no change in performance or even improvements, suggesting that experiences may vary significantly based on individual circumstances.
  • Several participants propose that issues may stem from the Internet Service Provider (ISP), including potential throttling during peak usage times.
  • There are suggestions to check local network conditions, such as router performance and the type of internet connection being used.
  • Some participants humorously discuss the internet as a series of tubes, implying that congestion could occur due to high usage.
  • A few participants challenge the notion that the internet itself is getting worse, arguing that overall bandwidth is increasing, while others point to evidence of throttling and compression affecting individual experiences.
  • Technical suggestions are made, such as testing different browsers or devices to isolate the issue.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus; while some believe the internet is not slowing down overall, others maintain that individual experiences of throttling and slow speeds are valid concerns. The discussion reflects multiple competing views on the state of internet performance.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various factors that could influence internet speed, including ISP policies, local network conditions, and individual hardware performance. There is no resolution on the impact of these factors on the overall internet experience.

DaveC426913
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Is it just my network, or my irritability, or is the internet getting a lot worse lately?

It seems to be choppy. Pages will start to load but then I'll wait inordinately long for the last few images. I don't mean PF; I mean in general.

I ran SpeakEasy SpeedTest and it eventually climbs to 3Mb/s but the needle is very fidgety.
 
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No change in performance here.
 
DaveC426913 said:
Is it just my network, or my irritability, or is the internet getting a lot worse lately?

It seems to be choppy. Pages will start to load but then I'll wait inordinately long for the last few images. I don't mean PF; I mean in general.

I ran SpeakEasy SpeedTest and it eventually climbs to 3Mb/s but the needle is very fidgety.
It's more than likely with your ISP, could be the wiring in your house, to your house, your ISP doesn't have enough bandwidth to support it's users, etc...
 
Dave, your ISP could be throttling you during times of high usage. I have had to complain to my ISP many times because I am not getting the bandwidth that I am paying for. Now, I sometimes get less than I am paying for, and sometimes get more than I am paying for. You have to complain to get results. The customer service reps are paid to obfuscate and placate you, but the fact is that you keep the pressure on and refuse to accept faux "fixes" they will eventually accommodate you (though never owning up to the throttling).
 
You see, the internets are like this series of tubes, and when too many people are watching Youtubes the tubes get clogged, and the internet plumber has to clean them out... :biggrin:

Probably an ISP issue; if you're on 802.11(b|g|n) check the speed of that as well.
 
jhae2.718 said:
You see, the internets are like this series of tubes, and when too many people are watching Youtubes the tubes get clogged, and the internet plumber has to clean them out... :biggrin:

Probably an ISP issue; if you're on 802.11(b|g|n) check the speed of that as well.

But those cute cat videos are soooooo worth it!
 
lisab said:
But those cute cat videos are soooooo worth it!

Hmmm. What's the digital/Internet equivalent of a hairball? Dave, has your router or modem been struggling, shivering, coughing?
 
Newai said:
Hmmm. What's the digital/Internet equivalent of a hairball? Dave, has your router or modem been struggling, shivering, coughing?
And going "Ack-Ack-Ack!"?
 
Newai said:
Hmmm. What's the digital/Internet equivalent of a hairball? Dave, has your router or modem been struggling, shivering, coughing?

Do forums cough up threadballs?
 
  • #10
close some tabs. turn off scripting.
 
  • #11
Try a separate web browser and see if you get the same issues. If possible, try accessing the Internet from an entirely separate computer.
 
  • #12
No change here. If anything it's getting faster. I'm still amazed that I download at ~1 MB/sec. Then I was reading some newegg review for wireless adapters where someone was complaining about d/ling at ~1 MB/s. I must be getting slow. Is it wireless? My old wireless card would slowdown like hell after using torrent downloads.
 
  • #13
Just tested mine and i am only getting 5 meg half the 10 meg I pay for
However 5 meg is still a lot, no problems with video on youtube, I can play at least 2 video at the same time, which is more than enough for anyone!
Probably a local ISP issue, the connections are shared so probably a few heavy users on at the same time, or your ISP boosting it's profits. To be expected more at peak times.
If I was being throttled the policy is a 75% drop but I'm only seeing a 50% drop.
I would google "YOUR ISPNAME throttling"
 
  • #14
lisab said:
Do forums cough up threadballs?
I think I found one under my keyboard:blushing:
 
  • #15
DaveC426913 said:
Is it just my network, or my irritability, or is the internet getting a lot worse lately?

I'm sorry but...that just sounds so funny. I work at a technology help desk and...that's the kind of questions we hear from older non-traditional students who clearly have not grown up with technology. I sincerely do not mean to offend you.

No, the internet is not 'getting worse'. In fact the collective bandwidth of the vast network is increasing all the time. It's not some sort of child with off days and tantrums.
 
  • #16
KingNothing said:
I'm sorry but...that just sounds so funny. I work at a technology help desk and...that's the kind of questions we hear from older non-traditional students who clearly have not grown up with technology. I sincerely do not mean to offend you.

No, the internet is not 'getting worse'. In fact the collective bandwidth of the vast network is increasing all the time. It's not some sort of child with off days and tantrums.

So, you dismiss all widespread claims and evidence of bandwidth throttling then.

Next you're going to tell me that the signal I'm getting on my cable TV is not highly compressed compared to what we used to get on OTA broadcasting...:-p
 
Last edited:
  • #17
DaveC426913 said:
So, you dismiss all widespread claims and evidence of bandwidth throttling then.

Next you're going to tell me that the signal I'm getting on my cable TV is not highly compressed compared to what we used to get on OTA broadcasting...:-p

so that's why your text is all fuzzy, data compression
 
  • #18
I'm only getting 4.4 meg again today not the advertised 10 meg.
However I would never have know had I not tested it, as I noticed no delays.
 
  • #19
DaveC426913 said:
So, you dismiss all widespread claims and evidence of bandwidth throttling then.

Not sure where you got that from. I do commend your imagination.

My point is that "the internet" is not slowing down. The connection provided by your ISP may be getting throttled, hell everyone on your block might be getting throttled. But it's not a problem with the internet itself.
 
  • #20
KingNothing said:
My point is that "the internet" is not slowing down. The connection provided by your ISP may be getting throttled, hell everyone on your block might be getting throttled. But it's not a problem with the internet itself.

Gee, you think?
 
  • #21
DaveC426913 said:
Gee, you think?

Yes, I do. Do you?
 
  • #22
KingNothing said:
Yes, I do. Do you?

I think your sarcasm detector is broken...
 
  • #23
jhae2.718 said:
I think your sarcasm detector is broken...

But I don't have one? Surely you must be mistaken.
 
  • #24
It's Rebecca Black's fault.
 
  • #25
Slowly the internet will grind to a halt and whatever website you have open at that moment will be the only website you can ever view...

...and then... robots...
 
  • #26
FlexGunship said:
Slowly the internet will grind to a halt and whatever website you have open at that moment will be the only website you can ever view...

...and then... robots...

All the more reason to have PF open all day, every day.
 
  • #27
If you have Firefox, type about:robots into the address bar.
 
  • #28
jhae2.718 said:
If you have Firefox, type about:robots into the address bar.


Wow, how'd you find that out?
 
  • #29
Well, obviously it's my thorough and complete knowledge of all things technical...:biggrin:

The above means, of course, that I read it on the Interwebs.
 
  • #30
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