3 Ways to Improve Internet Speed When Streamyx Sucks

Filed in: Malaysia, Tips, Tmnet — April 27th, 2010

SMW4 Cable Network
SEA-ME-WE 4 cable network [image by Wikipedia]

Malaysia. TM Streamyx broadband connection is extremely slow recently due to the cable fault on the SMW4 submarine cable network. It is expected to be fixed on Sunday, 2 May 2010.

While we are waiting for it to be fixed, I show you 3 ways you can to do to improve your Internet speed.

1. Reconnect to get new IP address

While not scientifically tested, some IP ranges get faster speed that the others.

Try to reconnect your Streamyx connection then test speed at SpeedTest. I get a better speed after reconnections. Reconnect again if the speed become slower.

2. Use TMnet proxy server

Proxy server is a caching server which keep copies of visited web pages. By applying proxy server, you can load a website faster if it is already in the cache.

TMnet open proxy server is: 219.93.178.162 Port: 3128

3. Switch to 3G / Wireless broadband

In Malaysia, we have couple choices of 3G / wireless broadband services. If you have subscribed one of those, you can switching/tethering the wireless connection on your computer. Instructions vary per service.

I could get about 1Mbps by tethering with iPhone on Maxis 3G network.

Bonus: Use Google DNS servers

[Hat tip: @simonlim88]

DNS is the service to resolve domain name to its IP address. TMNet’s DNS server is SLOW! You should switch to a faster DNS server like Google free open DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4

My two cents

Broadband speed down to snail speed due to cable fault is nothing new to Malaysians. I am not sure how many submarine cable networks we have to connect to the World.

But we could tell immediately as soon as there’s cable fault happened. Seems like we don’t have enough Internet backbones for backup connection? Who has insider information?

Do you have other tips to improve Internet speed?

If you need talk to TM, the Streamyx Hotline is: 100 (dial on local fixed line).

Tags: ,

Like this post? Please share:

Follow @liewcf on Twitter; Join Facebook page; Subscribe to free newsletter for updates like this article..

  • Pingback: uberVU - social comments

  • http://champdog.blogspot.com/ ChampDog

    Nice info! :) But, how to set the DNS?

  • http://zuhairy.kelabjutawan.com PART TIMER

    Good tips..But, i dont know how to setting… :-(

  • http://twitter.com/simonlim88 Simon Lim

    Hey, thanks for sharing tips on Google DNS..it does help for me :)

  • http://www.liewcf.com/ LiewCF

    which setting? I might be able to help :)

  • http://www.liewcf.com/ LiewCF
  • http://twitter.com/danesh_m Danesh

    Install namebench to find out which dns server is best for you. It FOSS and works really well.

    http://code.google.com/p/namebench/

    :D

  • http://www.liewcf.com/ LiewCF

    yes, used it. :)

  • animegod

    Wow… the TM proxy really works… you're the best..

  • dasu

    In Romania you don't need “ways to speed up”… In Romania is an ISP named Ilink Telecom (lead by Sabin Piso) and it offers subscription of 30 EUR for 100 mbps in any direction !!!!!!

  • http://www.liewcf.com/ LiewCF

    now I am jealous.

  • http://haha.com ha ha

    haha … do u get paid by Maxis or other BB?

  • http://www.liewcf.com/ LiewCF

    no, I don't get paid

  • http://solution-for-sleep-apnea-problems.blogspot.com/ karan

    this is awesome,gonna try it some day or right now ….strange how can't i didn't notice before

  • http://solution-for-sleep-apnea-problems.blogspot.com/ karan

    this is awesome,gonna try it some day or right now ….strange how can't i didn't notice before

t