Reddit mentions of IQrouter – IQRV2 Self-Optimizing Router with Dual Band WiFi (AC1750) adapts to Your line for Improved Quality

Check the iqrouter out

It's on the expensive side in consideration to other routers, but I've had great success with IQrouter. It does automatic QoS based on your connection is built on OpenWrt. It receives constant firmware updates, and has great customer support.

https://www.amazon.com/IQrouter-Self-Optimizing-router-improved-quality/dp/B06WP5GTS8/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=iq+router&qid=1564411919&s=gateway&sr=8-3

I agree with everything you wrote about how slow upload speed is a major factor in what is going on. I experienced all that you describe several years ago and was very frustrated with not getting what I was paying for. However, the problem you are seeing is due to a combination of slow upload speed AND a second factor.

This second issue is that Fairpoint/Consolidated uses ZyXEL, Comtrend and Westell modems have firmware that is inadequate and unoptimized for the slow upload in their DSL networks. If they had better firmware that acknowledged and properly treated their slow upload speed, there wouldn't be anywhere near as many angry customers of theirs out there.

So here's the fix. Routers that run OpenWRT/LEDE can install Smart Queue Management (SQM), which contains several bufferbloat mitigating protocols. There's also the IQ router that was developed by people who live with crappy DSL in Georgia. These act as a traffic cop to manage the packet traffic so that now you can have both your slow upload and "fast" download streams going at the same time without one killing the other.


I don't claim to have the best solution, but after seeing hundreds of angry posts about crappy Fairpoint/Consolidated service on my town's listserv, a few of us got tired of this impotent pounding of sand, gave a presentation (link)) to several dozen people at our local library, and then went out into the town and got the new or upgraded routers running in people's houses. It has worked very well.


If you want, let's figure out a way for you borrow the loaner IQ router (which reduces bufferbloat) I have, so that you can test out if such an option would work or not. I'm in the Upper Valley and can mail out the router if you want to give it a shot (but please mail it back when you're done!) Send me a PM if you want to try. You can also try flashing your own router with OpenWRT (list of supported devices here) and then install SQM, or buy the router that is optimized for dealing with bufferbloat on DSL networks. If it doesn't work, just return it to Amazon for free.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WP5GTS8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

LOWEST!? THE LOWEST!? you also want "SQM" like in this video,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-g2P3R84dw

https://www.reddit.com/r/homelab/comments/9k2tqn/i_wonder_what_kind_of_routers_are_there_besides/

https://www.bufferbloat.net/projects/bloat/wiki/What_can_I_do_about_Bufferbloat/

visual representation

https://wiki.untangle.com/index.php/Bufferbloat


EDIT: you'd in theory need cabled Ethernet as well and good router with SQM like

https://www.amazon.com/IQrouter-Self-Optimizing-router-improved-quality/dp/B06WP5GTS8

http://evenroute.com/

or like what it's the youtube video i linked.

Your problem is bufferbloat. It's when there isn't enough bandwidth for small packets (gaming) to get through at the same time as large ones (Netflix). If I was in your situation I'd buy the iq router:

IQrouter – IQRV2 Self-Optimizing router with dual band WiFi (AC1750) adapts to your line for improved quality https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WP5GTS8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_kcV1CbZY4TP0R

I haven't used it myself but the reviews are really good. Good luck.