Fusion High-Speed Internet Slowdown

[dustyp103]

My Verizon Fusion download speed has tanked. My Verizon Fusion High Speed Internet Service has been running for nearly 3 years with a usual download speed of more than 20 Mbps. I live in a rural resort area, so some speed drop offs during weekends and prime tourist times in the summer are usual. But recent performance has been pathetic even late at night.

Starting around July 1, 2017, the top download speed fell off to less than 5 mbps. Verizon researched network issues and found none. I had the cantenna replaced on July 20. On that day, while the tech was here, I got 20 Mbps down. Since then the average speed has been less than 10 mbps. That is only slightly better than before the cantenna was replaced.

Since the Fusion system provided an average performance of over 20 Mbps for several years, there should be a way to return the performance back that normal download speed around 20 Mbps. What do I need to do make this happen?

[vzw_customer_support]

Dustyp103, I depend on my service to be quick.  Let’s get this figured out. What is your zip code? Are you experiencing these slow speeds with your mobile device as well or only your HomFusion? Do these speed reduction happen at a specific time or throughout the day ?

AlbertoR_VZW

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If my response answered your question please click the �Correct Answer� button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[dustyp103]

My zip code is 95446, Guerneville, CA. I don't use my cell phone for data so I have no mobile speed data to report. Attached is a pic of speeds. (I have more) You can see it bounces all around. There are some speed tests in the 20+ Mbps. Why cannot Verizon provide consistent service. Note today 8/8 where download worse late at nite. Is the upload speed really twice download?

I will try doing speed tests several times a day to see how it varies during the day as opposed to day-by-day.

[dustyp103]

Here is a screen print of download speeds at various times over the last 4 days. As you can see there is significant variability in download speed from around 4 to over 20 Mbps. That's a spread of over 16 Mbps. The average is just over 10 Mbps. I never know at any time if there will be enough bandwidth to stream a HD movie. Also note that upload speeds are rarely more than a pathetic 600 kbps. This is unacceptable. As I previously indicated for the last 3 years, I am used to getting an average download speed over 20 Mbps on a more consistent basis. Also note that I was getting 4 and sometimes 5 bars on my iPhone 5s when LTE is selected. That is what prompted me to choose Fusion in the first place. But lately I am getting only 3 bars and occasionally getting 4 bars. Over the last 3 years I have been satisfied with the service that Verizon Fusion has provided. However, since July 1, 2017 the service has been pathetic. A replacement cantenna has not corrected the situation. If we are unable to resolve this issue to get a consistent download speed with improve upload speed, I will need to explore satellite internet and possibly terminate Fusion.

[lukevinyl]

You asked why Verizon can't provide consistent service....

While I do understand where you are coming from, this is the nature of cellular service versus what you are looking for-- a landline experience. I realize not every area has the option of a true "home" solution via cable (or similar) provider, but that is truly the way cellular works with a wide range of variability in download/upload speeds as well as coverage limitations. Since a cellular connection uses radio frequencies/waves, the experience will never be the same as a hardwired solution, and will be subject to limitations from weather, number of people online, interference, building materials of structures etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.

I can't say for certain why you used to get better general download speeds, but considering the things that do impact a cellular connection, many of these could have only now started to negatively impact service (population increases, addition of technologies with interfering frequencies in area, etc..)

[dustyp103]

I appreciate your reply. As an ex-IT guy, I am well aware of the limits of wireless communication. That's why I expected some drop-off on weekends and when local events drive tourism. (More people using cell services.) Previously the drop-off still provided at least 10 Mbps. This extreme variability and dropping down to the 5 Mbps range is entirely new. Also the drop-off and variability seemed to happen suddenly, like on July 1 Verizon threw a switch. They tell me there is no network problem. There has to be something more than blaming it on weather, population or interference. If the network is truly that congested to cause this, then it is time to look for a new service provider. Unfortunately, cable or fiber broadband is not an option. Let’s let Verizon tech support try to explain this issue.

[lukevinyl]

Fair enough, I just wanted to respond to your question regarding consistent service. The majority of wireless users (I am not saying you are one of them) expect a landline/hardwired experience from their wireless  provider when this is not possible or reasonable.

When you state it has changed from what it used to be previously, that is where what was mentioned may come in to play as these things change, and while I realize you don't believe it to be any of the things mentioned-- these were just examples and certainly 1 or more of these items that have recently changed could in theory affect service to the degree you describe.

Ultimately what you can do to get a definitive answer is speak with Tier 2 technical support over the phone with the intention of submitting a network (NRB) ticket that will have them look at the things mentioned, among others. Ultimately they will give a determination on the issue and I have even seen instances where they have sent technicians to tower/switch center locations for analysis of equipment (and have even seen where they have determined a piece of equipment needed to be replaced). This is what I would recommend doing though, if it were me. Good luck to you

[vzw_customer_support]

dustyp103, we definitely do not want you to cancel your Broadband Fusion device. I rely on having a consistent data connection, as well. Let's continue the discussion about signal. As you have been informed, many factors outside of our control can impact wireless signals with structural interference ranking high on the list. This will explain the service degradation while indoors.  When was the last time you've escalated the issue to our advanced technical support team? This will help us determine the next step.

SheritaH_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

If my response answered your question please click the "Correct Answer" button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[dustyp103]

A tech support ticket was initiated on Mon. 8/14. Today, the response was, “…there is less than optimal signal strength in your reported area, which can cause weakened and reduced network connectivity especially indoors. Though Verizon has the best network, there are small pockets that experience these kinds of negative connections.” They should know the cantenna is outdoors.

I called back Verizon tech support to ask this question: If I had no significant speed issues over the past 3 years, but only recently started to have network speed issues, then what changed recently to cause the “less than optimal signal strength.” The tech was not able to specifically answer this question. Apparently, the research showed no problems with the network infrastructure and my equipment is working as expected. However, it was suggested that Verizon’s new unlimited wireless plan may be some of the reason as people are now able to use more data. Also, since I live in a tourist area, there are more people in the area likely using Verizon. As more people use the network to download data and do more downloading, it becomes more congested and network speeds slow. (I can verify this in the fall when tourist season ends and less people are around.)

As far as leaving Verizon, my options are limited. Satellite is currently the only other option. Hughes Gen5 supposedly offers 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload speeds. A 50 GB plan is about $100 less per month than Verizon.

I would like to stay with Verizon as I have been generally satisfied with service and support. That is until recently.  I am going to have to make a choice before I consider adding Netflix or other streaming services.

[dustyp103]

Over the last 30 days I tested Internet speeds usually 3 times a day – morning, afternoon and evening. The Verizon website advertises Fusion as 5-12 Mbps down and 2-5 up. My results show average upload at 950 kbps did not meet the advertised speed. Sometimes I got a pathetic .03 Mbps upload.  Upload only met or exceeded specs 25% of the time. The average download speed at around 10 Mbps met the advertised speed. Most of the higher speeds in the average occurred in the early morning and in the evening. That suggests daytime network usage, that is congestion, caused some of the slowdown. This is far less than the 20+ Mbps speeds I had been experiencing over the last three years. This significant speed issue prompted me to investigate the situation.

I recently had a HughesNet satellite system installed.  I am getting consistently more than their advertised 25 Mbps down and 3 Mbps up. So, HughesNet beats Verizon on speed.

When considering pricing, Verizon is substantially more expensive.  My current 40GB Verizon plan costs $207 per month (data + equipment) plus taxes. A 50 GB HughesNet plan including premium support costs about $147 plus taxes. Plus, I get 50 GB of bonus data after hours for no additional cost. Adding another 10 GB of data to match Hughes 50 MB plan given Verizon’s current data only pricing would drive the monthly cost over $300.  HughesNet beats Verizon on costs as well.

Comparing the two Internet service providers for my site, it looks like Verizon is providing half the speed for twice the cost.

Sorry Verizon,good bye Fusion. I canceled the service.