Should this be a problem?

I have Broadband from TalkTalk (speed test 16 before modem and 3.5 after) - having issues if wife is using Iplayer from laptop and I am using Netflix with buffering.

Any suggestions? I have the following modem
Belkin G Wireless ADSL Modem Router with Easy Set Up & 54Mbps Transfer Speed (F5D7634uk4-H)

Would changing router or moving to their YouView offering make any difference?

Thanks

What does "speed test 16 before modem and 3.5 after" mean?

iplayer and netflix will be fighting for bandwidth if the connection is only able to supply 3.5 Mbps. To run both at the same time you want something like 4 Mbps to 6 Mbps or more.

Hi, the test on the TalkTalk site showed speed at 16 Mbps before the modem, and 3.5 thereafter - I'm afraid I'm not sure what the significance of this is.

Is it likely to be a modem issue or something I should be taking up with the broadband provider?

In reply to a post by craigiec:

Hi, the test on the TalkTalk site showed speed at 16 Mbps before the modem, and 3.5 thereafter

Still don't know what that means.

Best way to assess speeds is to 1) get full router stats to get raw connection speeds and 2) to do a few speedtests to get actual throughput.

Okay log into the routers web interface and find out where it says the connection speed. Or failing that run a speedtest when NOT using wireless but connected via an Ethernet cable.

The belkin only offers 802.11g wireless which may after a wall or two be slow.

Is there a reasonably priced modem router which would perform better which you would recommend?

Thanks.

We can't understand what you keep repeating about the speeds before and after the modem. That's why the others have asked for figures from the GUI of your router.

Pointless to talk about a better router when it is far from clear that there is anything wrong with yours.

the T-T speed test results graphic shows "up to 24" at the exchange, sync speed at the router and speed test result at the computer.

So I read the OP as 16M sync speed with a 3.5M speed test result.

Though when I had talktalk it did not always agree with the sync speed, so checking with router is worthwhile

Ah! Still better to measure them yourself. I would!

That's exactly what it was, sorry if it wasn't terribly clear.

Is the speed test being run wired or wireless to the router? For valid results regarding the TT service it has to be wired, as wireless is subject to all sorts of fluctuations.

Does the speed vary hugely depending on the time of day?

Do you make sure nothing else is using the internet when you run the speed test?

If you are normally running a PC wirelessly, you need to check what actual wireless connection speed it shows in the wireless status when things are good and when they are bad. That can vary a lot. It is quite rare to see the full 54Mbps signal.

we aren't necessarily familiar with the layout of the TT speed tester.

Do you get the same result at say 7am, and the same via a wired or wireless connection ?

The router is wired into the PC. I've yet to try it at another time, will do.