ISP Archives - Rick's Daily Tips

How to quickly find out if your Internet service is down (without calling your ISP)

Posted on October 30, 2025

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Unfortunately, Internet outages are to be expected from time to time.

Storms knock down transmission lines, backbone cables get cut via construction mishaps, routing and switching gear go belly up… the reasons for Internet outages are many.

The thing is, when your Internet stops working it can be hard to determine whether the problem is an actual Internet outage or an issue you’re having with your own modem, your router and/or your connected devices. [Read more…]

Q&A: Can I use two network adapters to double my Internet speed?

Posted on March 8, 2025

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Question from Bill: I have DSL Internet through our local landline telephone company and it seems to be getting slower every day.

I just bought a new desktop computer that has both a wired Ethernet port and a wireless WiFi card in it. That got me to thinking.

Is there any way to use both of those network adapters at once to double my effective Internet speed? [Read more…]

Q&A: Why are my Internet download speeds so slow?

Posted on January 29, 2024

Question from Kellie: I have Xfinity Internet and the plan I’m on is for 200 Mbps download speed.

I used SpeedTest.net to run several speed tests yesterday and again this morning. The fastest speed I got was around 65 Mbps.

I called Xfinity this afternoon and they ran some kind of test from their end and said I was getting all the speed I’m paying for.

Is there something I’m doing wrong when I run the speed test or is Xfinity just blowing me off? [Read more…]

Scam alert: Beware scams offering a sweet deal on Internet service

Posted on January 6, 2024

New U.S. and state government programs aimed at expanding rural broadband Internet access have Internet Service Providers (ISPs) expanding into new areas, resulting in new high speed Internet options for rural consumers.

Of course that’s a good thing if you happen to live in an area where your only viable Internet options are satellite (and if you’re lucky, DSL).

After all, it’s always good when consumers are provided with real choices for higher quality service at a better price.

Unfortunately, as always happens in situations like this, these expanding Internet service options are being exploited by scammers looking to make a fast buck off as many innocent victims as they possibly can. [Read more…]

Tips for choosing an Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Posted on August 18, 2023

It hasn’t been all that long ago since most of us had only one choice when it came to Internet connectivity: an agonizingly slow dial-up connection through a standard telephone landline.

But times have changed. Nowadays virtually everyone in the United States can get a broadband Internet connection via their cable TV provider, the local phone company, a blazing-fast fiber optic connection or satellite Internet.

In fact, some folks even have the luxury of choosing between two or more broadband options simply due to where they happen to live. [Read more…]