[Abby_Normal]

Hello Tech Support Guy(s),

I am Tech Support Impaired.

My issue:

I have had a digital phone for a couple of months now and am having continuing issues. One problem that I don't think I am going to be able to change is that my server, Suddenlink, keeps losing connectivity. After it is out for a brief period of time the modem resets the IP address. Then I have to initialize my router and the digital phone for it to work again.

I have run diagnostics on my computer and that was fine.

The second problem with the phone (Citynet) is the quality of the sound. Sometimes it cuts out so much that I cannot continue a conversation and other times it is fine.

I have talked to Tech Support until I am blue in the face. Phone Tech says it's a server issue. ISP Tech Support says it's probably a router issue. Router Tech Support reconfigured the Linksys router over the net for me but no improvement.

Anyway I am pretty ticked that I keep losing connectivity. Sometimes for a couple of minutes sometimes a couple of hours. Today ISP Tech Support said I had connectivity 98.6% of the time. So okay I will pay 98.6% of my bill. Which is a pretty big bill IMO. $91/month for high speed.

So am I expecting too much to have connectivity >98.6% of the time? Unfortunately I am rural and my only other option is DSL and god knows how much connectivity I would lose with storms.

And your suggestion for the digital phone cutting out? It is the same with corded and cordless phones.

 

[gurutech]

If you have a 2.4ghz cordless phone and a wireless-G router, then you may have problems with interference. You can try changing the channel on the router (6 is the default, try 1 or 11).

 

[Abby_Normal]

If you have a 2.4ghz cordless phone and a wireless-G router, then you may have problems with interference. You can try changing the channel on the router (6 is the default, try 1 or 11).

Yes, both. Although I do have the same cutting out with a corded phone.

Can't find the knob/dial/lever/icon/switchythingy on my router. Got a # for Lynksys Tech Support? They reconfigured it before.

Will I have to change settings on my wireless notebook?

 

[Abby_Normal]

Okay, so I don't know how to spell. Which led me into a pothole on the www. But fortunately my nerdy son knows how to spell better than I and got me to the real linksys link. So we changed the channel. Since my laptop is smarter than I am it found the new signal with little coaxing.

And then we had to decide who we could call to test the phone at 1:30 am Eastern. Fortunately my son has virtual friends the world over.

The outcome: The cordless phone still cuts out.

So...

 

[JohnWill]

Buy a 5.8ghz cordless phone, you'll be much happier with it.

 

[Abby_Normal]

Shopping on ebay now...


As for the 98.6% connectivity...

Am I just a perfectionist or should I expect better?

 

[JohnWill]

If you have wired phone service and you have that much trouble, I'd be unhappy.

 

[TRS-80 vet]

Have you considered web-to-cell (cell phone as high-speed modem)? Most cell carriers are now on this bandwagon now.

Have you considered web by sattelite? This is MUCH cheaper, after initial equipment install; loss of signal is the con here, but when it's from stormy weather, the pc should be off anyway, for protection...

 

[Abby_Normal]

Web-to-cell? Never heard of that one. But since my cell does poorly on my farm I dunno if I could get it.

I was thinking about DSL but it is not available in my area.

Web via satellite might be a better option. Until it rains. I had satellite TV before but I wasn't that attached to my TV but I CANNOT live without my www.

 

[JohnWill]

Any cellphone data service is going to be pretty expensive, Verizon gets $99/mo for theirs!

From your description, I'd think that satellite is probably the best option. It's not perfect, but it'll be usable most of the time.