Can someone please explain??

[invogue]

I'm not THAT technically minded when it comes to how ISPs work and bandwidth and all that, but I'm trying to work out whats happening here.   I like a lot of others am still on the old Karoo MAX package, up to 8mb speed (HA!) and am noticing a recent drop in speed like never before after about 6pm.  So, we know that traffic shaping is running amock and that they want us all to move over to the newer packages (ridiculous packages that is!) but how can I find out and understand what is actually happening here.   Let me outline:
I've PAID to have the Big Brother Live Feed on here, and until about 6pm I can watch without a problem.  After 6pm it's impossible!!   I've used Speedtest.net and it's very odd.   During the day I get speeds of around the usual 4 or 5mb.  At around 6 or 7 it then reports less than ONE mb.  It will keep doing this, even if I reconnect, until about an hour or so later then report 4 or 5mb again.   And yet the performance is slower than it used to be on bloody 56k!!!!!   

I've tried some other speedtest sites, the last 3 reporting speeds under 1mb, whilst speedtest.net continues to throw a happy 4 or 5 at me with an assured smile!!!

I just don't understand how to get an accurate reading - AND...  say my speed (throughput) WAS around 5mb, does traffic shaping at peak times mean that only A SMALL PART of that throughput can be used???

My guess is that I've exceeded this 30GB thing which they're enforcing, so it's tapering to a halt after 6, but I dont understand the broad variation in speedtests!!    The last one at http://www.broadbandspeedchecker.co.uk/   laid at 0.3 and 0.5 for most of the test, skipping up to 4mb and 4.5mb for a second or two.   

PS:  I'm still on the old "Batmobile" Speedtouch modem, never had any hassle with it tho, could that be a prob??

[stormy]

Well you can check if you have exceeding your FUP by login in at www.karoo.co.uk/myaccount.

My guess is you are just another victim of the total piss poor service after 6pm. I have given up complaining about it, its never going to improve for us old Max users. I am just biding my time until I can get something other than Karoo like these new wireless services showing up.

Karoo Max is just so inconsistent, one day things work and I can use the catchup TV services, the next day I can't even use youtube.

*shrugs*

[Karoo]

Hi invogue,

Have a read of our dicussion post on facebook about this 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karoo-Broadband/100668908521?v=app_2373072738&ref=search#!/topic.php?uid=100668908521&topic=14796

Can we ask which Max package you are on? And also, why you haven't chosen to switch to one of the ADSL2+ packages? Is it because there isn't a suitable usage limite for you? Please be honest...

Thanks
Karoo

[stormy]

What does this mean for customers on old packages?

If they wish, our customers can remain on old packages, but we want to make sure they are aware that the online experience when using video applications may not be as good and may deteriorate further because the old packages were not designed to support it.

LOL Karoo never cease to amaze me with the utter FUD and BS they put out, Its a 8Mbps service and should be able to cope FINE with any of the video catchup services out there, christ the BBC SD service needs just 800kbps! (and you can't cope with that half the time). All ADSL2+ is, is just an exension of the original ADSL service. The technology is virtually the same.

I suppose ADSL is not designed to stream music at 128/160kbps either, as Karoo Max struggles with that at peak time. LOL.

Just more evidence to me its being crippled, why would it deteriorate further unless KCOM makes it do so?

*shakes head in utter disbelief*

NextGenUS, PLEASE hurry and come to Brough so I can retire this KC phone line and put it where it belongs, in the history books.

[Adrian]

For the lazier: http://tinyurl.com/24k38uf

[invogue]

I have Max Option 1.   I haven't switched to the new packages simply because I'd be paying for less - I download and stream a lot of stuff and it would simply cost me more than I can afford to pay for the extra usage.    Seems to me the new packages are only really value for those that use the net irregularly for browsing and the odd bit of streaming or whatevs.   

[MickyByte]

I agree, these new packages by Karoo simply would leave me with an empty wallet and large debt to pay at the end of each month. I use between 90GB and 120GB a month and that is with my existing  Max 3 package. I simply refuse to pay an extra 10 pounds a month for a service that imposes more restrictions onto the customer, I.e. less peak times.

Also if anyone starts to think I hate Karoo just for the hell of it let me say this, I would like to praise Karoo for the services provided but given the circumstances its hard to give any more gratitude besides offering me Internet access.