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Networking & wireless forum: Mbps vs. kB/sec on internet DSL connection

by: wrgarrett08 September 6, 2012 11:03 AM PDT

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Mbps vs. kB/sec on internet DSL connection

by wrgarrett08 - 9/6/12 11:03 AM

I am having a problem understanding my download speeds. I live in the country served by a cooperative phone company. I spoke to them today because my speed has slowed to a crawl. They guarantee 1.5 Mbps ADSL and when I run testmy.net or speedtest.net, I get 1.4 Mbps. However when I download, my download windows show 160 to 180 kB/sec regardless of time of day or host server(s). I have three desktops and four laptops at home, all with same result. My ISP said the problem is in my house. I went across the street to a business and another business down the road a couple of blocks. Same exact same thing. I went to the city hall and tested all three PCs there, I am the Mayor, and got same exact same result. ISP said they test at the modem and they use speedtest.net and get 1.4-1.5 Mbps. My question is why and what is the relationship between Mbps and kB/sec? Oh, this all happened at the end of July when they started offering other speed packages, namely 1.5, 3, 5, 10, and 20 Mbps. I'm thinking they throttled us back so they could offer these increased speed (read increased prices) packages. Do we have any standing to demand higher speeds like we
ve been receiving for the past 5 or so years? Any assistance is greatly appreciated!

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Answer Best answer as chosen by user wrgarrett08

One is bits, the other is bytes.

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 9/6/12 11:16 AM

In Reply to: Mbps vs. kB/sec on internet DSL connection by wrgarrett08

so 180 kilobytes per second times 8 (bits in a byte) gets us 1,440 kilo bits per second so it's in the right ballpark as your 1.5 million bits per second.

I'm unsure why any ISP would say this is a problem but I fear most ISPs won't deal with educating the users today. It's too expensive.
Bob


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Very well put!

by wrgarrett08 - 9/6/12 1:17 PM

In Reply to: One is bits, the other is bytes. by R. Proffitt Moderator

Here is what really ticks me off. I made 4 lengthy calls to Tech Support which resulted in one on-site visit by a technician who never called me back after 4 days which resulted in a heated call to the Manager which resulted in he and I both getting hot under the collar and never, ever once did anyone take the time to explain, as you did so very clearly, what was going on! All this BS could have been avoided with my initial call to Tech Support. I am very, very grateful that you took the time to answer my post! Now, since they won't answer the public's questions, I will have to take my time to go out and visit all the locals who came to me and try to explain it to them.


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Glad the simple answer helped.

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 9/6/12 1:30 PM

In Reply to: Very well put! by wrgarrett08

Be aware that the others may have had a lot more information in front of them. That is, I only had what you wrote to answer so my answer only deals with your 2 questions.

The bits and bytes question comes up once in awhile so it helped that you supplied a few numbers that I could use in my reply. This helps you grasp the answer quicker.
Bob


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Just for laughs

by wrgarrett08 - 9/6/12 2:09 PM

In Reply to: Glad the simple answer helped. by R. Proffitt Moderator

Here are the new DSL rates I was quoted:

1.5 39.95
3.0 59.95
5.0 79.95
10 109.95
20 189.95

When you're the only game in town I guess you charge what you want!

OK, I'm through venting. Thanks again, Bob!


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