Really variable internet connection?

[134]

My internet connection has been really variable lately. One second it will be fine and the next it will just nearly stop functioning. I don't see why either, granted we have a lot of stuff connected but our router is top of the line. We get Charter Hi-Speed 30Mbps, and our new router is the Netgear N750 Dual Band Gigabit Router. Our modem is a couple years old old, DOCSIS 2.0, but I don't know why this connectivity happens. One second I will have fast speeds the next I won't have any connection or abysmally slow connection. Our cordless phones run on 900 Mhz frequency. Interference isn't much of a problem where we are. What is the issue?
I mean our phones use 1900 Mhz

[tbshmkr]

Connect your PC to your router with Ethernet [NOT wifi] for several days [7days minimum]
=
IF the PC Internet connection still varies widely, then connect PC directly to modem for a couple days.
- IF the PC Internet connection still varies widely, replace modem [or contact ISP].
- ELSE the router [Netgear N750] maybe overwhelmed by the "lot of stuff connected" or faulty.

[johntrottier]

You need to weed out some possibilities before you can address the problem
1. Is it your system or the ISP?
The way to check this is to connect one computer directly to the modem, disconnecting the router. Use http://speedtest.net/ to test the modem and the ISP. Always use the same server. Do this at various times and track the results. If the connection varies a great deal, call your ISP. Show him the results and raise the roof until they fix it
2. If the modem check out, next step is the router
Using a wired connection, test one, and then several machines at once doing speed tests. See if the router is sharing the bandwidth properly. If it is not check that QOS is enabled. Adjust the rules as needed.
3. With the router tuned up on Ethernet, check out the wireless. Run the same kinds of tests. I think you will find that wireless is significantly slower, especially with multiple machines. The reason for this is the overhead associated with wireless. Not only must the signal be converted to/from radio at each end, but it also must be encrypted/decrypted as well. That's a lot of overhead, which is why manufacturers will never guarantee wireless performance.

Hope that helps