AOL customers + speed problems

[feck]

How many AOL customers are there here who are getting speed problems with their service.

Please let me know by posting to this thread what speed your paying for and what speed your actually getting, try going to both these sites to test your connection:

http://www.speedtest.net/index.php
and
http://specials.zdnet.co.uk/misc/ban...edtest500.html

Both these sites are established speed testers and probably the best out there.

Do not be fooled by what your system tells you as this is probably wrong try a speed test at both these sites. The first speedtest.net just involves clicking a yellow icon, that represents your nearest server, and Znet automatically tests your connection when you link to that page.

[Scoobs]

speedtest.net is a poor speed test site

http://www.speedtest.bbmax.co.uk/ is better

My speed should be 8mb but the max I have seen lately is 3mb and the lowest (after 7pm) has been 0.2mb, I have spoken to their customer care and all I got was the usual try this try that (I think the operator was reading from a book!).
They eventually did a line test and all they would tell me is that I have a strong broadband connection - they would not answer my questions properly or didn't understand them.

I believe they are throttling back on me even though I have unlimited download!

[jaffacakes]

broadbandmax gives me
289kbps down / 315kbps up

not bad really for 6:55pm on a 2meg connection i suppose. Just wish i could get torrents to go anywhere near that!

[foxwalker]

On 8mb broadband, I'm getting about 120kbps. This reflects the vast majority of times. When it does work, I receive anything up to 2.5mbps, but this is rare.

They claim that it's because of migration to the Carphone Warehouse servers. But CPW has the worst reputation for speed, so I don't see how it's going to get better. I'm getting 2.6 meg on an 4 meg connection, which is apparently pretty average for CPW....

The problem is the sale to Carphone Warehouse. The service we've come to expect has evaporated. It's definitely not worth the Laptop bribe they gave me...

i am paying for 8 meg speed from AOL but i am getting 228 Kbps. Thats too horrible to be with them...shame on AOL.

[jedi.warrior]

253 down and 360 up?

hmmm 8 meg connection my arse!

had better line with Tiswas

[clive063]

I am paying for 8mb and during the last week speeds have dropped to around 1.6 mb average. I understand it is due to the move of the servers and that they are currently working to improve it...they had better otherwise I shall move to another ISP.


clive::

[shokan]

Hi I recently bought a dell inspirion laptop and have been trying to connect it to my aol broadband connection through a number of routers/modems. I tried using the bt voyager 205 router but despite the modem connection being visible, I was not able to connect to the internet. I contacted aol and they said that they wont be able to provide me with any assistance on this modem as aol does not support it. Now I don’t want to buy a new router as I will be joining uni in a few months and thus simply want to use my current home broadband for the remaining months. Aol said that I will have to modify ‘settings’ on the 205. can anyone suggest anything. Thankyou.

[SteveR]

Just rang AOl ref poor speeds, they gave me a new user and pass for my router, this solved the prob...getting better speeds than before now!!!! they said it was to do with them changing the servers...give them a call peeps it worked for me.....

[egoneo]

well looks as if the speed problems may persist till the end of April

1:55:10 PM System Connecting to server. Please wait...
1:55:10 PM System Connected to eunadprod02-lux
1:55:10 PM System Thank you for calling into AOL Broadband Live Help for technical support
1:55:10 PM System Ross has joined this session!
1:55:10 PM System Connected with Ross
1:55:10 PM System Welcome to AOL Live Help. How might I be of service to you?
1:55:27 PM Ross Hi there. Welcome to AOL Live Chat Support, my name is Ross. How can I help you today?
1:56:00 PM You Hi, im getting slow downloads, and web browsing speeds, i heard it was due to aol serves being move to carphone warehouse servers?
1:57:17 PM Ross I'll just need to do a few checks on this end one moment please.
2:00:08 PM Ross It's not showing up any problems on your line that we know of at the moment. Do you know what download speed you are receiving please?
2:01:14 PM You transfer rate is about 160 kbps max
2:01:41 PM You and iternetfrog is showing a connection of about 1.5 MB/s
2:01:54 PM You it should be 8
2:02:11 PM Ross Have you tried a download through Internet Explorer as well as AOL, to see if theres any speed difference?
2:04:15 PM You yes i've trie IE explorer, firefox, aol and recently safari they all show have the same results
2:05:22 PM Ross OK, are you using a modem or a router to connect please?
2:05:40 PM You bt voyager 105 usb adsl modem
2:05:56 PM You i have a router as well which i have tried
2:06:02 PM You no difference though
2:06:54 PM You is it because of the move of servers?
2:07:00 PM Ross And no improvement with that router, OK. All that's realistically left is a broadband line fault. I'd suggest that you need to call our help line on 0844 499 5555, and they could run a more in depth line test with you, they need to be speaking to you on the phone to run that test. From that we'd know if you're dealing with a line fault
2:07:20 PM Ross We're unable to tell if that's the case yet, we'd have to get the results of the broadband line test first.
2:07:34 PM You but it could be?
2:09:10 PM Ross Yes, that is a possibility. We have had some slowness issues recently, due to the network migration.
2:11:19 PM You so when is this migration complete?
2:12:01 PM Ross It is due to be completely finished by the end of April.
2:13:36 PM You why were we not informed about this?
2:16:32 PM Ross It was unexpected that this problem would happen, we've updated the AOL help pages to inform our members that there has been problems.

I like that last post, because that is what they told me as well. My download at the is averaging at about 700Mbps (average from few different speed check sites). They have confirmed that I am on 8Mbps a month.

Afterall it is not surprising, they have moved to carphone warehaouse network, or should we call it TALKTALK network, I have no idea anymore, they used to be good, but I am going to give them 2 more weeks and if there is no improvement I will move!

aol is now the slowest service you can get they don't care about there customers ..they are earning to much money to care ..been with them ten years and now i have had enough you ring them and they just fob you off if f and off go together then that sounds about right had enough just looking into other internet services sky lok goood just need to go into it a bit more i can;t be the only one .............................................

[SteveR]

Has anyone tried to contact them like I did in 4 posts up? It worked for me guys.....

I accepted a 18mon contract in Jan08. the speed went up to 5.9mbps for 2 months and now it is about 780kbps. For the past month I have been trying to get a straight answer from Live Help, Emails, and 0844499555 on a daily basis. but I feel I am a ginea pig training their technician for their technical skills as well as English. Among the useless advice they give I heard "Network migration". I found this site using keyword "AOL Network Migration Carphonewarehouse". I remember TalkTalk jamming because CPW offered a good deal. I remember cashback with mobile deals. God help us if these charlatans are running the AOL UK show. They have figured a loophole to milk UK population and get rich.

Just rang AOl ref poor speeds, they gave me a new user and pass for my router, this solved the prob...getting better speeds than before now!!!! they said it was to do with them changing the servers...give them a call peeps it worked for me.....

Originally Posted by SteveR

Finally that worked for me too. This could have been achieved right at the beginning by informing the customers. Why leave them in a situation to have to call and call and call without getting the real answer. I guess it is to do with making money and training their staff for cheap.

[Hornet600]

Hi Guy's, can anybody advise what IP profile for you line means. I'm supposed to be on a 8MB package if that helps.

Test1 comprises of Best Effort Test: -provides background information.
IP profile for your line is - 5500 kbps
DSL connection rate: 448 kbps (UP-STREAM) 6688 kbps (DOWN-STREAM)
Actual IP throughput achieved during the test was - 3803 kbps

[Hornet600]

Finally that worked for me too. This could have been achieved right at the beginning by informing the customers. Why leave them in a situation to have to call and call and call without getting the real answer. I guess it is to do with making money and training their staff for cheap.

Originally Posted by simplysam

How does a new user and pass improve speed? I thought it was just used to gain access to you router settings.

[JohnnyReb51]

Hi Hornet600.

Welcome to The Scream!

Your IP profile will be set for the most stable connection at that time, in accordance to your Connection rate.

Your Connection rate is what your Modem/Router is syncronising at, with the exchange.

Your Throughput is the actual speed you are getting.

Many speed discrepancies can be down to a faulty phoneline, faulty internal wiring of extension sockets, faulty filters, faulty Modem/Router, exchange problems or the ISP itself

Dont forget, AOL are moving everyone onto the TalkTalk LLU servers, so your sync/speeds, etc, may vary during this period, but you can still use the BT tester, which means you are still on the old AOL servers, otherwise you wouldnt be able to use the tester. Your ISP is the most likely cause of bad speeds at this time.

Re: Your Username and Password.

I believe that the new Username/Password change, is only for people who have been moved onto the TalkTalk LLU servers. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

It has nothing to do with logging onto the Router, its the ISP login details for AOL which are entered into the Router settings for you to connect to them, that is being changed. Your router access Username/Password will still be as normal. EG. admin/admin or whatever you use.

[Hornet600]

Thanks for you reply,

Do you know of an approximate date when the server move is going to take place?

[JohnnyReb51]

Hiya.

The server move has been going on for a few months now, I think I read somewhere it was to be completed by the end of April/May, but dont hold your breath, lol.

If you do get moved to the TalkTalk LLU servers, then you decide to go to another ISP in the future, that requires a BT line, you may have to pay BT a fee to go back to them, or you could possibly move to another LLU service like Be, Sky, etc, which should just mean a migration, assuming you are out of contract with your present ISP.

[Hornet600]

Hi, I've just received an E-Mail from AOL, they say that I will be moving to the new server by the end of the month.

Are you saying that my line connection won't be with BT?

[JohnnyReb51]

Hiya.

Are you saying that my line connection won't be with BT?

No.

AOL do IPStream aswell, which still uses BT's system, so you may be lucky and stay on the BT circuit.

I suppose you could ask them directly to see what the change over involves, whether you go to IPStream or LLU. That way you will know for sure.

But I would imagine they will eventually put everyone on LLU, because it costs them a fraction of the cost to run, using their own kit in the exchange, than it does to pay BT.

[Hornet600]

Thanks for you help mate it's been very usefully.

Let's just hope that the new servers will in prove my connection speed.

just because aol are bringing onto the Carphone Warehouse network does not interfere with your bt service. llu jus means they are using there own equipment in the bt exchanges, it must be pointed out, AOL and talk talk are still two separate companies only linked by their owner, Charles Dunstone. if you have aol bb on llu and want to leave to a diff isp, whether its on llu or ip stream, you dont need to pay anything or get any line reconnected. thats only the case if it is a talk talk line, in which case you would not have aol bb as it is not compatible on a TT line.

AOL 8MB package getting 2MB download even tho my router connects to the local exchange at 7MB and my naubor gets 7.1MB and when i 1st joined the contract i was getting 6.3MB which i did not mind but now its just getting slower and slower. got BT to do a downstream line test for me and turns out AOL are sending me 2.3MB when there ment to be sending me 8MB... can i say anymore? oh yeh iv phoned them over 100 times now been with them sins dial up lol i live in the UK and i have done a networking course at college and iv learnt all about line lengeth and how things can slow down but if my nabour is getting 7.1mb and im getting 2mb im sure it can't slow down by that much in a matter of 50 meters. funny thing is when AOL know they can't do anything to keep you with there service they just hang the phone up at there end lol they have done that me to 3 times now.

[NoYa]

Anyone still getting speed problems with AOL? Currently on 8mb bb, and i'm getting speeds just above Dial Up, i can't even load websites up correctly because of it.

I've rang AOHELL up about five time now, and they've told me bugger all.

AOL is a bag of crap!

[Craigant]

NoYa, I'm getting incredibly awefull speeds at the moment. Websites are loading at dial up speeds and my average download speed is 2.7kbs. AOL is fast becoming a joke. I've tried calling them several times, but they're just god damn useless.

NoYa, I'm getting incredibly awefull speeds at the moment. Websites are loading at dial up speeds and my average download speed is 2.7kbs. AOL is fast becoming a joke. I've tried calling them several times, but they're just god damn useless.

Originally Posted by Craigant

Im with you on this one pal! mines running uselessly slow and im trying to get hold of Customer Services and cant get hold of them