Problems With Verizon Broadband
Verizon provides telephone service to homes and businesses, in addition to cellular service. These services include DSL and wireless broadband connections. Multiple service subscriptions provide customers with bundled savings and the convenience of a consolidated account. However, DSL and wireless broadband utilize existing networks and connections, and these can be slower than expected.
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Types
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Types of broadband service available from Verizon include DSL for residential customers and wireless broadband for mobile customers. DSL service is usually added with telephone (landline) service, and wireless broadband can be added to cellular service as a separate account or a tethered option, for connection through a compatible smartphone. DSL service can be connected to home computers or a router to create a network. The wireless broadband is usually connected to a laptop.
Speed Test
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The speed of your connection can be checked through a speed test (see Resources for link) to determine the amount of data being transmitted and received. Most services specify speeds up to 3 Mbps for DSL and 1.5 Mbps for wireless broadband, both of which are faster than dial-up connections, which can top out at 56 kbps (or 56K). Check whether your connection speed is faster than a dial-up connection.
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DSL
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DSL service problems are usually associated with slow or dropped connections. The speed of DSL connections is dependent on distance from the provider's station and speed of equipment. Check for any spyware that may slow down your computer and consider upgrading your router to "N" technology or changing the channel of the network through the device's settings manager. A simple solution may be adjusting the location of the wireless router to minimize interference within the house.
Wireless Broadband
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Wireless broadband options are available for cellular customers for mobile computing. If a smartphone plan (such as a Blackberry) is currently used that includes both data and telephone transmissions, a tethering option can be added to the account. With a tethering option, the smartphone is connected to the laptop and the phone acts as a modem. Special software is required to be installed on the laptop to activate the connection. Problems with tethering include slow and dropped connections. To address these issues, regular updating of the phone's hardware to the network by dialing "*228" and software updates are required. Since the smartphone acts as a modem, the signal strength and coverage area drive the strength of the connection. In addition, incoming calls may interrupt the tethered connection. Another option is to purchase a dedicated broadband modem that attaches to the laptop. These broadband devices can have a faster connection speed than a tethered smartphone and provide reduced interruptions. The devices automatically update network settings before use.
Customer Support
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Major considerations when troubleshooting broadband connections include hardware and coverage area. Contact Verizon customer support by dialing "*611" on your cell phone to request adjustments in its service center and for help troubleshooting problems. Verizon has technical support, but you need to be patient as your issue elevates in support level. Credit may be issued for ongoing problems.
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