Internet connection cuts out

Do UK ISPs break ADSL connection?

[kapow]

I posted this in Foo, but now I think perhaps it belongs here.

I have a problem wiht my ADSL connection, it is intermitently failing. I wonder if my ISP is cutting it off when I hit a bandwidth limit. I have 3 applications running that automatically update and collect files online e.g. I FTP collect updates from my customers sites. The cut-off only seems to happen when my systems have been busy. My ISP said I should return my wireless router to factory settings but it took me ages to setup.

Has anyone heard of UK ISPs cutting off connection at a certain threshold? Or am I paranoid?

[mole]

many UK ISPs have download limits on their low-cost ADSL packages.

I guess as a first step you need to check with your ISP to see if you are on a restricted package.

To give you an example, you should be able to get unlimited usage on a 512KBPS download ADSL for around £25 per month

[kapow]

I assume that if I am on a restricted package - after I hit the limit I should not be able to connect till the beginning of the next month. However if I turn my router off and on again my connection starts up.

And it only goes off when my systems have been busy.

[mole]

well at the moment I think there are several unknowns:
(1) does your ISP limit you?
(2) is there a problem with your router?
(3) is the problem related to your systems being busy?

try to deal with these one at a time: first contact your ISP, find out what package you have, and if there is a download limit there.

BTW, what router is it? and what O/S are your systems running?

[kapow]

Router = A wireless LinkSys
OS = Windows XP

[encyclo]

Any ISP worthy of the name, if they are selling packages with limited transfers, are not going to cut you off after you hit the limit, rather they are going to profit from the situation to hit you with a nice hefty bill for over-use!

If the line keeps cutting out, then it is usually a technical problem, either at your end (your router is dropping the connection) or at their end (poor line quality, poor connection).

If they are daft enough to be cutting you off rather than attempting to rip you off, then a phone call should at least wake up their sales staff enough for them to propose a more suitable package! If it's technical, ask them to check the line, and check your logs for problems at your end.

[kapow]

They want me to reset my router to factory settings before they ask BT to do a full check. It took ages to get my router setup, which is why I thought I would check at WebmasterWorld in case this was a common problem.

[encyclo]

I don't know about your router, but on mine you can backup the configuration to a file on your machine and restore at a later date. Dig around in the router management control panel and you might be lucky. That could save you a load of hassle.