Recommended Tests

A week ago, when I just got FiOS, I was easily able to get over 20 Mbps on speed tests and real-world file downloading. Now, I'm only able to get 16 Mbps at MOST in speed tests and downloads. I tried turning off all the STBs in the house, and there was no effect on the results. I've also tried rebooting the Actiontec router, and release-renewing to get new IP, nothing helped get my old speed back. I've been using the same PC, so that's not a variable. I've also not installed any new programs, soo...

What's wrong?

I did that already Unplugged A/C for 30 sec, plug back in. Didn't help. I guess it's network congestion on Verizon's end.

:::::::::::::::::.. Download Stats ..:::::::::::::::::
Download Connection is:: 15559 Kbps about 15.6 Mbps (tested with 25600 kB)
Download Speed is:: 1899 kB/s
Tested From:: http://testmy.net/ (Main)
Test Time:: 2009/03/24 - 3:48pm
Bottom Line:: 271X faster than 56K 1MB Download in 0.54 sec
Tested from a 25600 kB file and took 13.479 seconds to complete
Download Diagnosis:: Awesome! 20% + : 136.6 % faster than the average for host (verizon.net)
D-Validation Link:: http://testmy.net/stats/id-M3Y27OPFJ
User Agent:: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.0; en-US; rv:1.9.1b3) Gecko/20090305 Firefox/3.1b3 (.NET CLR 3.5.30729)

::::::::::.. Upload Stats ..::::::::::
Upload Connection is:: 4490 Kbps about 4.5 Mbps (tested with 5983 kB)
Upload Speed is:: 548 kB/s
Tested From:: http://testmy.net/ (Main)
Test Time:: 2009/03/24 - 3:49pm
Bottom Line:: 78X faster than 56K 1MB Upload in 1.87 sec
Tested from a 5983 kB file and took 10.916 seconds to complete
Upload Diagnosis:: Awesome! 20% + : 231.61 % faster than the average for host (verizon.net)
U-Validation Link:: http://testmy.net/stats/id-43EZJCK08
User Agent:: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.0; en-US; rv:1.9.1b3) Gecko/20090305 Firefox/3.1b3 (.NET CLR 3.5.30729)

Meh, I came from Comcrap's basic 12 Mbps/2 Mbps package (used to be 6/1), so I expected more.

On a wired PC... I'm able to hit full speed:
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::.. Download Stats ..:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Download Connection is:: 20405 Kbps about 20.4 Mbps (tested with 25598 kB)
Download Speed is:: 2491 kB/s
Tested From:: http://testmy.net/ (Main)
Test Time:: 2009/03/26 - 2:37pm
Bottom Line:: 356X faster than 56K 1MB Download in 0.41 sec
Tested from a 25598 kB file and took 10.277 seconds to complete
Download Diagnosis:: Awesome! 20% + : 210.15 % faster than the average for host (verizon.net)
D-Validation Link:: http://testmy.net/stats/id-UYMRPEZG0
User Agent:: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.9.0.7) Gecko/2009021910 Firefox/3.0.7 (.NET CLR 3.5.30729)

:-\

EDIT:
Hmm... boosted the Tx Power from 70 mW to 96 mW got me:
::::::::::::::::::::::::.. Download Stats ..::::::::::::::::::::::::
Download Connection is:: 19530 Kbps about 19.5 Mbps (tested with 25600 kB)
Download Speed is:: 2384 kB/s
Tested From:: http://testmy.net/ (Main)
Test Time:: 2009/03/26 - 2:51pm
Bottom Line:: 341X faster than 56K 1MB Download in 0.43 sec
Tested from a 25600 kB file and took 10.738 seconds to complete
Download Diagnosis:: Awesome! 20% + : 196.85 % faster than the average for host (verizon.net)
D-Validation Link:: http://testmy.net/stats/id-K34GFV8H0
User Agent:: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.0; en-US; rv:1.9.1b3) Gecko/20090305 Firefox/3.1b3 (.NET CLR 3.5.30729)

Looks like that was the solution?


::::::::::.. Download Stats ..::::::::::
Download Connection is:: 20760 Kbps about 20.8 Mbps (tested with 25600 kB)
Download Speed is:: 2534 kB/s
Tested From:: http://testmy.net/ (Main)
Test Time:: 2009/03/26 - 2:56pm
Bottom Line:: 362X faster than 56K 1MB Download in 0.4 sec
Tested from a 25600 kB file and took 10.102 seconds to complete
Download Diagnosis:: Awesome! 20% + : 215.55 % faster than the average for host (verizon.net)
D-Validation Link:: http://testmy.net/stats/id-K1MOWJ0BZ
User Agent:: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.0; en-US; rv:1.9.1b3) Gecko/20090305 Firefox/3.1b3 (.NET CLR 3.5.30729)

G. The FiOS router is the provisioned Verizon one.

I'm connecting my gaming rig wirelessly to the FiOS router via Wireless Bridge with the WRT54GL w/ DD-WRT V24 SP1. It seems that boosting the TX Power increased my speed dramatically. Now it's almost just as fast as wired.

These two routers are separated by a wall. The WRT54GL is in my room, with my gaming rig wired to it, and the Actiontec is in another room nearby, with Coax connected to it, with some wired PCs ("work PCs").

My concern now would be the safety of my old trusty WRT54GL at 96mW Tx Power

But why when the WRT54GL + TX Boost works fine?

I hear it's safe all the way up to 150mW without additional cooling. Obviously the signal will be noisier.