Slow and unreliable broadband in the evening

[Cliveawalsh]

I've seen some posts about this , but they seem to suggest it's been fixed. Been with Vodafone since October and finding now that the speeds and reliability are poor in the evenings. Watching off iplayer and it will suddenly stop and pause for around a minute, several times. Really annoying. It's fine in the day. I've jumped through some hoops already, like changing from my own tplink router to the Vodafone one, made no difference. Also the tv is connected to the router direct with Ethernet cable and the tech person said to change the WiFi channel. When I explained that I didn't see how the WiFi channel would effect the wired connect she ignored it and insisted I change the channel of WiFi. Anyway. It's still happening. When I do a speed test while it's happening it can be anything from 1 to 15 mbps when it's usually around 35 to 40. Any help or advice?  I think it's due to more people using the internet but not sure. It's jumpy tv when using iplayer or itv hub, or Plex built in to the tv, but if I chromecast plex it seem ok which is odd. Help please

[Migwire]

I'm experiencing the same. Last night was so bad I used my phone as a hotspot and it's 5g connection instead.

Just ran a speed test and it's 8.74mbps. Connected Express VPN to London and it's 25mbps.

This morning, with no VPN it was running at 62mbps.

Been onto Vodafone the last few days about it. I thought it was because I'd changed router, seemingly not. Keep going through the same rigmarole. Connect to master socket, restart router, split WiFi, merge WiFi, update router, disconnect everything. 

We don't have an aerial or satellite feed and rely on streaming for TV. Been useless the last few nights.

Got 6 months of my contract left and considering just abandoning ship.

And please mods, don't ask me to connect on social media. I don't use it.

[Migwire]

Just had a text from VF saying they can't find a fault and the issue likely lies inside my property.

The attached image shows speed tests carried out yesterday. Yellow connected without VPN, red carried out with Express VPN, London Docklands or The Hague server.

Not sure how this accounts for it being entirely an issue within my property.

 

[GJ_DAN]

I can't see the image yet that you've posted but im assuming the speed test using a VPN is much quicker? This just proves there must be some sort of throttling going on. I would say it's definitely not your property. 

I'm obsessed with doing speedtests now! It's just the evening where the speed showing doesn't seem legit. It seems to take a while to load up a stream from BT sport or Now TV. It works ok once connected but takes a while for it to load, or sometimes it fails to load and I have to try again. Not sure if the router is at fault or it's just the bad performance of Vodafone broadband at peak times. I'd say the latter. 

[Migwire]

Yes, no VPN, 4 to 8Mbps. With VPN, ~25Mbps. Right now it's running at 62Mbps.

Think I'm just going to jump ship. Might go back to BT even if they are more expensive.

[GJ_DAN]

I might end up doing the same tbh. Never had an issue with BT. £21.50 a month was a good price but if your not getting the service it's pointless. Rather pay £5-6 extra a month and get reliable broadband. 

[Mark]

Let's take a closer look into this for you @GJ_DAN, @Migwire and @Firtrees. If you've done the quick troubleshooting steps below and there's no improvement with your service, pop our Social Media team a message and we'll take a closer look for you. 

- Check your router's connected to the master socket.

- If you're using a Wi-Fi connection and do you have any other devices connected.

- Are you in the first 14 days of your contract.

- Is the router next to any electrical equipment that might interfere with the signal i.e. Microwave, TV or Baby monitor.

[mrbluesky]

Speak to your social media team? They can do less than the technical support team, which is a grand total of FA. Your having a laugh Mark! Cant wait till your boss ends up on Watchdog when this scam comes out.

This is yet another example of Vodafone trying to brush it all under the carpet and move its (rightfully) angry customers out of sight.

[Jayach]

---

@Migwire wrote:

Just had a text from VF saying they can't find a fault and the issue likely lies inside my property.

---

They would say that, but the posts from multiple users on here proves differently.

Last night my speeds dropped from their daytime results of 70Mbs to 17Mbs, the slowest I've experienced yet.

I have to say I've not experienced improved speeds over VPN so I don't suspect throttling it's just under capacity.

The only option I can see is to raise an official complaint and when they can't resolve it you should be allowed to leave penalty free.

[Migwire]

I have lodged a complaint. 

Which VPN did you use?

Last night I connected my TV to my phone hotspot, connected the VPN on my phone and streamed via the router through there. It wasn't perfect but watchable. Unlike if I connect straight to WiFi on the TV or do the same via phone without VPN.

But yes, it might be my microwave...

[Jayach]

I was using Nord when I tried it last night. I will try again tonight with PIA.