I purchased a 1 Gbps down/up connection and noticed that I was consistently getting 95 Mbit/s down/up, regardless of hardware configuration (router, no router, switch, no switch, connecting directly to the ONT, cat 6/6a cables, etc) and regardless of software configuration (VPN on/off, firewall on/off, OS Linux/Android, driver updates, etc).
When nothing seemed to help on my end, I finally called my ISP. They could confirm that my ONT is a decade old and that they can see that each port only allows for 100 Mbit/s down/up.
I went through these steps before finally testing a direct connection to the ONT which finally made me call the ISP.
The ISP is going to replace the ONT for free.
Sounds perfect to me. You thoroughly tested and eliminated every variable on your side before pointing fingers. Network techs hate it when someone starts blaming “the network” when it’s something stupid like a damaged cable behind the user’s desk.
Thanks! In that case, I am proud :D
At least it was a quick call! With all the tech I run locally, I tolerate a lot of issues before I call in, assuming it’s in my stack. Then troubleshoot the stack, come up with nothing, then call the ISP and have them gaslight me (“your UPS is probably putting out bad voltage, I’ve seen that before”) and tell me to reboot the router etc only to find out it’s a common problem with these devices and the ISP is just recalcitrant.
Yeah, once my isp had me verify that the power light on my ont was on, then asked me to plug in a lamp to confirm the outlet was working…
Another time they had me do all kinds of troubleshooting, insisting there was no outage in the area… It turned out a truck had taken out the wires over the road.
On a related note to the last one, if we have a power outage, I get an email from them right away - before the ceiling fans stop spinning - warning me the internet might not work without power. But, somehow, they can’t detect outages in their own network.
I knew there had to be some truth to the “have you tried rebooting” trope…
I was mentally prepared for anything at this late a time on a Friday when all I wanted to do is to grab some sweet Linux ISOs to enjoy. So I explained every single step that I had taken, described every piece of hardware and exposed any and all quirky software that I had turned off for the final speed test. They were extremely polite and kind when they said, “you are exactly right, sir, the ports on your ONT can only deliver 100 Mbit/s. We’re getting you a new one.”
I was so goddamn relieved.
That’s awesome.
I’m kinda surprised that your ISP was able to sell you a 1 Gbps service but didn’t bother to check if the line equipment was capable of that speed. Here in California, the ONT is considered the “demarcation point”, which is where the ISP’s responsibility ends and where the customer’s responsibility begins. So the ONT is owned and maintained by the ISP, although it often does require AC power from the customer’s home.
Just prior to when I upgraded from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps, my ISP was already undertaking a network upgrade and that meant they were proactively upgrading customers to newer ONTs that would enable faster service. My understanding is that they had a newer fibre switch on their end, and upgraded customers would need the physical fibre moved from the old switch to the new switch. So to shrink the time where they are forced to operate two separate switches, they reached out to all the customers to replace their ONTs at once. I’m aware that some PON networks can run upgraded services simultaneously on the same fibre, but apparently my ISP doesn’t do that.
As a result, their equipment was already in place when I decided to jump to 1 Gbps. Rather embarrassingly, it was only then that I found that my home’s original CAT5(no E) wiring had two pairs taken for use with a former alarm system. And since 1 Gbps requires all four pairs, the ISP technician could show 1 Gbps at the demarc but not through my home wiring. On my own time, I reunited the missing two pairs and now have 1 Gbps link to the ONT.
In future, I plan to re-run that 30 meter link with CAT6, since my own testing indicated that the existing wiring is too marginal for 10 Gbps, or even the 802.3bz intermediate speeds of 2.5 Gbps or 5 Gbps. And I really do want to upgrade to 2 Gbps service, mostly to say that I have it…
Thanks for sharing! I was also surprised and even tried to “provoke” an explanation as to why it wasn’t changed a long time ago, or at the very least, why they allowed me to electronically sign a contract that they would not be able to live up to…
And your story reminded me, that I really should try to remember to tell the technician that they are sending out sometime next week to check my cables! I’d hate for them to leave me a gigabit ONT with who know what ancient category Ethernet cables in my walls…
Same symptoms for me, ended up being an ethernet wall outlet between the ONT and the router that needed to be rewired.
Is this something that you were able to do? I unfortunately don’t have the necessary skills for that… YET!
Yes it was very easy. I didn’t even need to run a new cable through the wall to the outlet, just trimmed the end and rewired.
I wire connectors for my own ethernet cables (because it is cheap), and it is pretty easy once you’e done it a couple of times. The outlet is even easier. I highly recommend getting a tool kit for ethernet wiring, having the specialized tool(s) is worth it.
Cool! Found this bundle. Goes for about €54. (Swedish site) https://www.kjell.com/se/produkter/natverk/installationsmateriel/verktyg/dibotech-verktygsvaska-for-natverksinstallation-p38194
Be aware that there are 2 standards for ethernet. See the tables for T568A and T568B termination. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANSI/TIA-568#T568A_and_T568B_termination I am not an expert, but my understanding is that most all hardware works with either standard. You just want to make sure both ends of the cable are wired the same way, otherwise you’ve made a crossover cable, instead of a straight-through cable. I do T568B.
Specifically B is the standard. Edit: the Wikipedia article has a more complete explanation as to why, but you should always wire to B unless you have an explicit reason to do otherwise.
That’ll do it.
