VOIP - Skype and BT broadband

GlowingG

I used to be able to use Skype reliably including taking part in 2 hour conference calls with the US. Now calls may not connect or may be fine for a while and then become unintelligble part way though. There is a twanging and I can hear a sound but cannot make any sense of the other side's noise.

I would like to continue to use Skype so I can see my clients when we speak.

Reinstalling the Skype software and equipment makes no difference - the connection is no longer reliable. Today, it was perfect for 15 minutes and at 2.30pm became unusable again. I couldn't reconnect with sufficient quality. I couldn't call BT as I had to continue my call on the BT landline. It can also be bad n the evenings - so not just a problem in the working day.

This problem started after a IT consultant who works from home moved in. There are also lots of other people now working from home. So it seems likely contention is the issue in our very rural area.

However, when its been checked by BT, the speed is ok. The Skype quality problem is not constant - sometimes its ok, and sometimes not.

I don't have BT on the line when a call drops, so don't know what step to take next. The BT help desk refused to advise me how I monitor speed over time. BT Broadband are washing their hands of it - determined its nothing to do with them.

I'm not a techie - and would appreciate any advice.

many thanks,

Glowing G

TimBear

You can monitor your speeds here - http://speedtest.net/. Wait for the map to load up and you'll see 'Begin test', and it'll do the rest for you.

Contention may be an issue, but it could also be a problem with the physical line, your equipment in your home etc. I think the thing to consider is if there has been a noticeable change, as you are experiencing, with your connection then something is up and BT ought to check into that to establish what's causing the problem.

Is your line rental paid through BT too?

GlowingG

Thank you. Sometimes it will work really clearly for 10 or 15 minutes and then lapse into twanging and inaudibility. I made sure that all my other programmes were closed and no one else in the house was active online at the same time - and had 15 mins really clear yesterday afternoon before we had to resort to a landline.


I've asked Skype for help with the issue too - so far no response.

GlowingG

Buzby

It does sound like a bandwidth problem - if more folk pile on to the same pipe ,it's all shared and VOIP and streaming video is the first to suffer.

reidy100_2

Are you using wireless anywhere ??

GlowingG

Yes.....light dawns. I will try it when connected to the network, rather than wireless (netgear). Here's hoping that sorts the problem.

Thank you for the suggestion and help everyone. I'll let you know how it works out.

GlowingG

reidy100_2

Yeah bypass the wireless and let us know what happens ??

macman

If it's then OK, change your wireless channel (using InSSIDer to pick a less crowded channel).

GlowingG

Thanks - I'm out today so will try later this week. Thank you both.