Troubleshooting a Mysterious Internet Slowdown: A Family’s Struggle

In early 2022, I had to leave my family home to support a relative undergoing surgery. When I returned after five months, I was shocked to discover that our internet connection had deteriorated to unbearable speeds. Initially, I suspected that my computer was to blame, but it quickly became apparent that something was amiss with our internet service provider (ISP).

For the past six months, my family has been grappling with persistent download speeds capped at a disheartening 1.8 Mbps. Despite our ISP’s repeated assurances and five technician visits, the root of the problem remains elusive.

Here’s a breakdown of our situation:

• New Equipment, Same Issue: The ISP replaced our modem with a brand-new unit, yet there was no change in our internet speed.
• Direct Connection Testing: I connected multiple laptops directly to the modem, but the download speeds continued to mirror our previous experience—stuck at 1.8 Mbps.
• Visitor Complaints: Other family members have visited and expressed frustration over the sluggish performance, particularly when trying to download videos for work.
• Frustrating Technician Visits: The latest technician, on his fifth visit, reported that he had installed a new port at the neighborhood cable box. However, he checked all outside wiring and our home’s network configuration without finding a clear cause for the sluggish speeds. He also ruled out the possibility of the ISP throttling our connection.
• Validation at the Library: To confirm that the issue wasn’t with my devices, I took my laptop to a nearby library. The difference was stark—I experienced significantly higher download speeds and smoother internet browsing there.

Despite our attempts to resolve the situation, we remain puzzled. Switching ISPs isn’t an option for my family member who pays the bill, as he believes the download speeds do not impact him directly. This leaves me in a bind, needing reliable internet for downloads but forced to trek to the library for a stable connection.

Here are some potential factors we’ve considered:
– There are no unauthorized users on our network. It primarily serves my laptop, a seldom-used device of my family member, and a few smartphones.
– An earlier connection to a T-Mobile booster was disconnected at the suggestion of a technician, but this too made no difference.
– Once known for its fast speeds, our connection now resembles the dial-up experiences of the 1990s, according to one senior technician