Why is my internet so slow?

[479]

I am using AT&T and my internet connection is supposedly 100 mbps (It says so in the network settings). However, when I check it on speedtest, it says it is only around .70-.80 mbps (note the decimal point in front of the numbers). This really does not add up. My ethernet cable is only a few months old (undamaged) and the router we have is also relatively new. This has led to more than a few instances of incredibly slow/laggy internet. In addition, it can take several days to download large files (>1GB). Why is the difference between connection speed and the actual connection so large? I know that you're supposed to have a small amount of the bandwidth that is unusable, usually 10 to 20 percent, but this is an astronomical difference (almost 99%). Perhaps the modem is causing the problem?
By the way, AT&T freaking sucks. Their technical support and maintenance teams must be run by a bunch of brain-dead apes judging by the quality of their service and customer treatment. And it costs way more than it should. Anyone who is shopping around for a new provider, DO NOT use AT&T unless you are willing to suck up to them and pay ridiculously high prices.

[Cindy]

Maybe you can reset your router's password.

[Johnaton]

I had AT&T too. They're shit and expensive. Then changed to t-mobile and got better speeds MUCH better speeds and also saved some money.

[Technocrates]

A slow internet connection wastes time, turns streamed videos into bad slideshows, and puts your computer in real danger of being lobbed out the window. Here are some steps you can take to fix or improve your connection.
http://www.wikihow.com/Speed-up-a-Slow-I...Connection
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windo...dows-vista

[slin100]

Your Internet connection speed is very unlikely to be 100 Mbps. It sounds like your computer is connected to the AT&T router/modem/gateway via 100 Mbps Ethernet. If so, the computer is simply reporting the speed of the Ethernet connection, not the speed of the Internet service.

If you are getting Internet service via DSL, it's possible that your residence is located too far away from AT&T's network. Max DSL speeds drop off significantly beyond a certain distance.

You can try asking AT&T to tell you the length of your DSL line in feet. If it's more than, say, 5000 feet, then it's very possible that .70-.80 Mbps is highest speed you can get. Switching to another Internet provider would be your best bet.