Crooked ISP (VIF.com)?

[Puer Aeternus]

My DSL speed dropped dramatically after I moved and My old ISP blamed me, saying it was a prob on my end, I only moved 1 block away, the phone company came by and said the lines were crystal clear and I was really close to the switching station. I tried my computer/modem/router on a private DSL line in the house that my roomate has w/ sympatico and tested at 1.2-1.4 w/ various tests. On my phone line w/ VIF i get about 800kbps and pay for 1.5 service. So I got angry and switched to Sympatico. WhenI joined them my speed was actually the same as with VIF service, average 800kbps on a 1.5 line. Sympatico quickly fixed the problem(on their end) and my speed jumped to 1.4* on several of the same sites I tested at before. this leads me to believe that VIF is either crooked or has poor service.
Does this mean VIF.com was lying, giving me poor service or just not as good as Sympatico?

*keep in mind that no hardware changes were made on my end and I continue to use my Gnet modem w/ Sympatico as I did w/ VIF.

I am just angry w/ them and would like people to know that they may not be a very good company to deal w/..I have had other problems w/ them as well.

[su root]

Well, the point that both Bell and VIF had the same problem shows that it doesn't matter what ISP you were on, you would get the same problem.

It was probably something on the lines between you and the ISP. Since most of the lines out there are Bell lines, that means that there may have been some cap or issue between you and the Central Office on the Bell lines. That would be something that VIF wouldn't be able to touch, but Bell could. They also tested the lines, but whatever was at fault didn't hamper the connection strength tests.

[Puer Aeternus]

That makes sense, however Bell did say they had me on a 1 meg service instead of 1.5. I was told it was a error on their part. Previously, after much complaining w/ VIF, Bell not only checked my lines but even changed the main modem at the central hub..or something like that. I admit networks are not my thing so what I am trying to do is understand why vif had me on 1 meg service or capped me? If you are right and sympatico saw there was a connection prob and fixed it (where vif could not), why not just tell me that instead of saying I had 1meg service instead of 1.5?
If it was a prob w/ the lines I feel that VIF could have made better efforts to correct the problem instead of blaming me for it. I still harbour ill towards VIF but if it is unfounded I would like to know and clear the air w/ them.

Thanks Su root:)

[nikeair]

Im a DSL tech for an ISP, and if you just changed ISPs(also called ILECs, and bell would be the RBOC) and your speed jumped that means VIF had you set to a lower provisioning rate.. meaning if they had just changed their provision for you to 1532kbps you would've got better speed. Unfortunate, but true.

[Puer Aeternus]

Originally posted by nikeair
Im a DSL tech for an ISP, and if you just changed ISPs(also called ILECs, and bell would be the RBOC) and your speed jumped that means VIF had you set to a lower provisioning rate.. meaning if they had just changed their provision for you to 1532kbps you would've got better speed. Unfortunate, but true.

then why the deception w/ vif?...is this common practice for ISP's to lower "Provisioning rates"?
Should I inform the better business bureau?

[nikeair]

alot of the times they lower provisioning rates based on their standard of distance...according to them with your distance you might only be able to get a 1mbit provisioning instead of 1.5mbit. Sometimes with the higher provisioning rates it causes you to not get sync, or lose sync intermittently. Sync being the dsl signal coming to the modem. So according to their standards they might have been in the right, but of course you can run a 1.5mbit provisioning over your lines. But theres not really much you could do, just stick with what you have and be happy with that speed, its pretty good. Even though I get between 4-5mbit down on my cable connection ;)

[Puer Aeternus]

Thanks Nikeair...I never knew that.