Internet connection speeds very slow

Helpline Q&A Directory

I have a 56K external modem, but I'm being connected to the internet at very slow speeds, such as 33Kbps. Why is this?

There are several possible reasons that are causing your modem to connect so slowly. Look through the list below and see if any could apply to you.

Phone cord. The simplest, least-expensive potential solution is to replace the phone cord between your modem and the telephone wall jack. If you run multiple cables between your modem and wall jack, so the modem can share the connection with an answering machine or phone, replace them with a single line to the wall jack.
Conflicts with other devices. If that tactic doesn't work, unplug all your phones, fax machines, and any other devices that use the phone line.
Modem. To test your modem, find someone who has a satisfactory 56Kbps (kilobits per second) connection and trade modems for a day. If you suddenly get a fast connection and the other person gets a slow one, the problem lies with your modem. Check your modem vendor's website for new drivers or known problems. If you can't find anything useful there, demand a replacement modem.
Incompatibility. Your modem isn't compatible with your ISP. It may need a flash upgrade to the internal software, which may have been updated since the modem was manufactured.
Noise. You have a noisy telephone line. The gain adjustment on your telephone line is too high or too low.
Sharing lines. BT has installed a Dacs unit on the line. This allows two numbers to share one physical line. You will need to speak to your ISP's technical support and your BT engineers and check the US Robotics website to find out which of these possibilities is the cause of your problem.
Phone company. If the source of the trouble isn't the phone cord, other telephone devices in the house, or the modem, it probably lies with your telephone company. You can submit a complaint, but don't expect any miracles. Just as you can't get a DSL or cable line installed everywhere you can't always get a good 56Kbps connection.