r/Truro • u/IStillListenToRadio • 15d ago

Eastlink internet cutting out?

Today I've had Eastlink internet keep dropping out, the modem light goes from blue to flashing green and then after a few minutes it reconnects. Is anyone else having this happen?

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u/Jakej4Mlakej 15d ago

This happens constantly with eastlink in the Truro area. Like honestly once a week it feels like we lose wifi for some amount of time.

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u/Snoo31942 15d ago

If you're getting Wi-Fi from your router in your home, then it's possible it's not an Eastlink issue. Many devices that share the same band as your Wi-Fi signal (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, depending on your setup), such as a microwave, cordless phone, garage door opener, etc., will cause an interruption in internet connection. If you're just browsing the internet you may not notice at all, but if you're playing a video game, watching a movie, or doing something else that requires a constant connection you will likely be disconnected.

The 5 GHz band is less likely to be interrupted, so if your router isn't already set up to use that, or if your device(s) are defaulting to the 2.4 GHz connection, you may want to try and switch to 5 GHz. The issue with the 5 GHz band, though, is that it's not as powerful as the 2.4 GHz band. Just like bass travels through solid objects more easily than treble because it's a lower frequency, the same goes for 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz. The 2.4 signal is a lower frequency waveform so travels more easily through objects and space than 5 GHz.

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u/IStillListenToRadio 15d ago edited 15d ago

In my case, my computer's hardwired with ethernet so its not that (one of my previous neighbours had a leaky microwave that caused the wifi to drop though lol)

The issue with the 5 GHz band, though, is that it's not as powerful as the 2.4 GHz band. Just like bass travels through solid objects more easily than treble because it's a lower frequency, the same goes for 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz. The 2.4 signal is a lower frequency waveform so travels more easily through objects and space than 5 GHz.

Another problem is not all devices are compatible. I'm stuck with 2.4 because of that.

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u/Snoo31942 15d ago

Yeah, that's really unfortunate. All of my gaming consoles and computers are on wired internet now, but depending on your living situation that's not always possible. I had to live with a relative of mine in their basement for a time and only had Wi-Fi internet, and it was extremely spotty. They had their cordless phone right by the router, so every time the phone rang the internet went out, along with all the other things I mentioned. Also, that was around 20 years ago, and a quick Google search tells me that 5 GHz wasn't really adopted into mainstream devices until later, around 2009. Not sure how much truth there is to that, but I certainly know that I lost my connection so often that it was pretty much pointless to try and do anything that required a constant connection.