AOL Throttling!

[Kappa]

Hi all,

I found this in the ADSL forum and just wondering if I would have any problems like this if I migrated here when my contract ends in March!

AOL have finally admitted they restrict at certain times in the evening. I am one of them and are not happy about it!

The following text is from another AOL member:
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Yes they are finally admitting it
see my conversation a few minutes ago - still no reply to my last question though

16:56:26SystemWelcome .........
16:56:26SystemConnecting to server. Please wait...
16:56:26SystemConnected to eunadprod01-lux.ops.aol.com
16:56:26SystemInitial Question/Comment: My broadband connection falls from 5.5 mbs to 500 kbs each evening except Friday and Saturday can you tell me why?
16:56:26SystemThank you for calling into AOL Live Help for Technical Support
16:56:26SystemI may be with some other members at the moment, please bear with me and I shall be with you as soon as possible
16:56:35SystemManvi Vyas has joined this session!
16:56:35SystemConnected with Manvi Vyas
16:56:45Manvi VyasWelcome to AOL Live Help. How might I be of service to you?
16:56:55Manvi VyasHello:-)
16:57:42YouHello My broadband connection falls from 5.5mbs to 500kbs each evening do you know why?
16:58:15Manvi VyasI apologise and I'll be glad to help you.
16:58:22YouThanks
16:59:15Manvi VyasHow long have you been experiencing this issue?
16:59:28Yousince 21/1/07
17:00:36Manvi VyasAnd is it for that specific time only?
17:00:49YouYes the rest of the time it is fine
17:01:56Manvi VyasI apologise but that decrease is due to AOL's fair usage policy.
17:02:21YouRight thanks for letting me know
17:02:56Manvi VyasPlease be assured ,there is nothing to worry:-)
17:03:06Manvi VyasYou are most welcome ! Apart from this issue, is there anything else that I may assist you with today?
17:03:10Youbut why is it so slow
17:04:06Manvi VyasIt is done so as to same speed provide other members also.
17:04:49Youmy friend who is on silver (previously gold) gets 2 mbs ant these times
17:06:26Manvi VyasThese may include speed restrictions at peak times on some AOL Broadband users. Anyone with speed limits on their service can still download at full speed during off peak hours.
17:06:44YouThanks for your help
17:06:46Manvi VyasIt is as per AOL's policy.
17:06:59Youwhen did this start?
17:07:46Manvi VyasIt started on 1 Feb .2007
17:08:08Youthen why did my speed fall from 21/1/07
17:11:06Manvi VyasI understand the inconvenience caused.
17:11:37Manvi VyasI apologise but the speed depends on the contention ratio,line capability ,distance from exchange etc.
17:11:37Youbut why did it fall before the 1/2/07
17:12:37Manvi VyasIt may be due to excessive usage at your exchange
17:12:57Manvi VyasWe can increase the computer speed by deleting junk files on your computer.
17:12:57Manvi VyasI have an e-mail designed specifically for that. I'll send that to you immediately. Follow the instructions in that e-mail and if you have any further questions then please do come back to us.
17:13:07Manvi VyasPlease let me know if you have received my mail
17:13:32YouThank you goodbye

Can any recommend a decent provider is virgin Media OK?


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[pcorker]

I think that all ISPs have some form of restrictions at the "around £20 price level". E.g. ADSL24 resell the Entanet product which lowers the available speed at peak times to preserve the "quality" of the connection. Plusnet use the "traffic shaping" method which aims to keep the speed up on certain high priority traffic and lower it (and quality) in other areas and would seem the more intelligent method but getting it to work WELL seems to be a big problem. There is a school of thought that Entanet's "blunt instrument" approach is better at present.
You have to pay a LOT to avoid restrictions.

[tboorman]

I'm not sure what you're asking. Entanet don't do any traffic shaping, but there is an anti-loss tool that kicks in when a central reaches maximum utilisation.

[Kappa]

I'm not sure what you're asking. Entanet don't do any traffic shaping, but there is an anti-loss tool that kicks in when a central reaches maximum utilisation.
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My line is only capable of handling 4mb so what would you say would be the lowest speed I would get at times when the central did reach max utilisation? Currently my speed gets throttled from 450kbps to as low as 60kbps after 6pm almost every evening. Currently paying £30 a month for surfing speeds which can be as slow as dial-up at times!

Thanks :)

[greyrider]

"After noticing severe packet loss on Friday night we have introduced an anti-loss tool. The tool works by reducing the maximum rate limit when capacity hits a certain point and then allows it back up slowly if the capacity returns. [ .. ] The variation in limits are applied on a per central basis so that if only one has a problem then only it has its limits adjusted. Users will be able to switch centrals and the limit will be reset to that of the central they reconnect to."
"The rate limit changes only happen once the 5 minute average usage for that central hits 96%, once this occurs then the maximum rate limit is reduced by 500kbps. [.. ] One minute later the next 5 minute average is calculated, if usage remains above 96% then a further 500kbps will taken from the maximum limit and this will continue to a minimum of 2Mbps. [..] Once usage fall below 91% then the rate limit is raised by 200kbps. If the capacity hovers between 91% and 96% then the limit will continue at its current setting." So, in theory, no lower than 2ms.