Network Broadband Congestion (external to home)

[Paul8282]

How can I identify if VM broadband network congestion is impacting on me? My use of broadband is consistent during any 24 hour period. However, I notice around 6-9pm suddenly everything slows, buffering and slow internet speeds - even though my own use has not altered. Neighbours, also on VM broadband, have noticed the same at similar times. 

To avoid confusion on what I am asking, how can I identify if it is VM congestion within their network that is causing this problem? I do not believe it is anything within my home that is causing the issue as use is consistent. I assume VM must have data on this as I am assuming it must be monitored or reported when congestion occurs? 

[Dannyhancock22]

Hi Paul, did you find a solution, I’m a gamer and struggling around the hours of 4pm to midnight 

[Paul8282]

Hi Danny,

Sorry for teh delay in responding. So to answer your question I am no longer experiencing dropout/buffering as I previously was. I wouldn't say it has been totally eradicated, but vastly better than what was previously reported. As a  result of the discussion on here VM arranged for an engineer to attend. He seemed confident at knowing what the issue was, something to do with the small metal box that was inside attached to the main VM cable entering the house (sorry I don't know what the technical term was - but looking at it you could certainly see it had been damaged (according to engineer it happens as a result of the signals to the house.

What I did find really helpful is teh 24/7 broadband monitor suggested by someone responding to my post. This monitor (free to set up) will look at your broadband signal as long as your router remains on, no need to run a PC for it to work. This shows the consistency of your broadband signal and should show dropout/congestion if it is causing a problem. I used this as I was unsure if the problem was in house or in street and beyond. As a medium computer knowledged person I was able to set it up and monitor, still using it now. 

Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. I have replicated the BQM (Broadband Quality Monitor)  advice I was given to assist you - totally understand your frustration! Regards Paul 

Info follows ............................................................

If you haven’t already, set up a free, secure and “offlsite” - “Broadband Quality Monitor” to continually monitor the state of your connection and record any true network dropouts , latency issues, packet drops, etc - it will thus allow you to differentiate between those and simple wifi dropouts. It does it 24/7/365 and it keeps a visual record of any/all of your network disconnections, useful data to have to match to the Network logs (in your Hub settings) and also in discussions with VM - note it will take a few hours to start seeing a sensible picture - post up the “link” to the “share live graph”. Click the lower link (Share Live Graph) then, click generate. Copy the text in the Direct Link box, beware, there may be more text than you can see. On here click the Link icon (2 links chain to the left of the camera icon) In the URL box paste the link you copied and then click OK
https://www.thinkbroadband.com/broadband/monitoring/quality