Why is my Internet connection slow?

Your connection speed can be affected by many factors, such as how many others are on your home network at the same time (if you have a home network), to how far you are from a DSL switching station.

There are other things you can check to troubleshoot slow connections:

1. Check for Viruses or Spyware. If your computer is infected with viruses or spyware it can often result in sluggish performance and connection speed problems. Run your AntiVirus program, and check for and remove any infection.



2. Verify that filters have been installed on all of your phone jacks. If you have not installed DSL phone filters on all your voice devices (phone, fax, answering machine, satellite TV system, security system etc) it could cause interference with your DSL signal, resulting in a slower connection. Check to be sure all of your devices have filters, and that they are correctly and securely connected.
   
   If you still have problems, try unplugging one device from the filter at a time to see if you have a faulty filter.



3. Check for too many connected telephone devices. It is not recommended to have more than 5 telephone devices or extensions connected in your home. Doing so might cause interference with your DSL connection even if all the devices have DSL filters installed.



4. Check for faulty wiring. If your phone wiring is old or faulty, it could result in slow DSL connection. To see if your home's phone wiring is at fault, pick up a phone and check for static on the line. Also, see if the slow connection is related to bad weather (extreme cold or rain). If your connection speed drops during bad weather, it could mean that you have exposed wiring that needs repair.