Home
Sign Up
Prices
Coverage
Support
News
About Us
 

 

Line performance is one of the biggest issues affecting your connection to the internet. Since all of Pennswoods.net's modems allow for a full digital 64Kbps connection - or 53Kbps for analog connections - the speed you're actually getting is determined by your modem and the performance of the the lines between you and Pennswoods.net. Factors that affect the speed and reliability of your connection to the internet are:

Noise
Electrical noise in your telephone lines varies from a rough crackle or hum that an completely prevent you from getting online, or a slight fizz or snow that slows down your connection and knocks you offline on occasion. Slight noise can also cause the time it takes to initially connect to the internet to be significantly extended. Noise can be introduced to the lines within your house by other devices, bad connections, proximity to other wiring, etc. Noise may also come from outside your house, in the telephone company's lines.

Distance
Distance primarily affects the speed of your connection. In order to achieve 44Kbps or higher, you must live within a few miles of your local Central Office or telephone switch.

What can be done about line noise?
Following are a few general procedures to follow to eliminate problems with frequent disconnects:

  • Connect to the internet and take note of the speed and stability of the connection you get, then disconnect.
  • Eliminate other devices in the line - such as splitters, other telephones, cable boxes, etc - then try connecting. Is there a change in speed or stability? One of the devices in your home is affecting your connection.
  • If it's possible, obtain a telephone patch cord to run from the demarc (the telephone junction box on the side of your house) directly to your computer. Try your connection again. Is there a performance difference? If so, there is probably a problem in the wiring in your house.

If none of these tests at all improved your disconnection problems, consult with the telephone company. Keep in mind that the telco refuses to support any sort of 'data' connection, and will only repair the line if you are having problems with voice communications.

Educational Reading