Internet Signal

[bob561941]

Why does my internet signal strength go up and down at different times of the day ?.

[RATTER15]

You mean your download up load rate? bps

probably due to greater demand on the system at peak times.

[RATTER15]

*Mbps

[VHG]

The internet consists of millions of pieces of data constantly being sent round the world to computers in every country.

The more people who are using the internet, the more data is being sent, the slower it gets.

If lots of people in your street are using the internet at the same time then lots of data is being sent down the same phone lines so the speed of the internet to your house will reduce.

So the best time to use the internet in the UK is when the UK are all asleep (our night time), though the Americans will probably be using it then.

Also note that if you are a heavy user of the internet (downloading lots of films for example) then your computer provider may throttle (limit) your broadband speed to stop you hogging it all

[Buenchico]

Just to add to VHG's post:
The broadband speed available to you is linked to the 'contention ratio' used by your ISP.

Budget ISPs typically use a contention ratio of 50:1, which means that up to 50 users share a connection to the internet at the exchange. If you're the only one of them using the internet (say at 3am) you'll get a fast speed; if everyone else is using the internet as well (e.g. in the early evening and particularly if they're all using things like Youtube or iPlayer) you'll get a much lower speed.

Better contention ratios are available by using ISPs that mainly serve businesses, rather than domestic customers. However they come at a higher price. (My ISP uses contention ratios of between 12:1 and 8:1, and I get 'ADSL2+', which effectively gives me two connections at the exchange as well - thus giving me twice the speed that my neighbours get. However I pay over £18 per month for that service, without any 'add-ons' such as telephone calls or TV services).

If you want a connection at the exchange all to yourself, it's certainly possible. (Many businesses choose that option). However you'll have to pay at least £200 per month, and possibly much more.

As with much in life, you get what you pay for!