[Question] Internet connection to overseas websites really slow

Ok, so my Internet at home has been behaving rather weirdly. At night, usually after 9pm, connecting to certain overseas websites will get really slow, and frequently time out (so I only get partially loaded pages or blank pages). So, for example, connecting to Halforums or Reddit will often run into problems. Connecting to all of the Taiwanese websites I've tested so far will work fine. Connecting to Facebook and Google also work fine, generally speaking. The Steam client will sometimes run into problems connecting when I first start it.

I've run traceroutes to Reddit and Halforums, and I find little asterixes appear when it gets to a certain Taiwan-based ISP. That's as far as my knowledge regarding traceroutes goes, though. I don't know for sure what the little asterixes mean, or whether they indicate the cause of the issue.

So, I guess what I'm asking is:

1. Is this something I can solve myself? Or do I need to whine to my ISP?
2. If I do whine to my ISP, is there something in particular I should tell them?
3. Will upgrading my Internet speed alleviate the problem? I've noticed that my ISP has a package deal that will give me faster U/DL speeds at an even cheaper price. But if this is indicative of a crappy ISP, then I'd rather look into dumping them entirely.
 
The asterisks merely signify a "hop" that does not respond to ping requests.
It is possible they could be a reason your service is slow, but unless you can actually see that round trip time, the fact that they aren't responding means nothing, latency-wise.

--Patrick
 
The asterisks merely signify a "hop" that does not respond to ping requests.
It is possible they could be a reason your service is slow, but unless you can actually see that round trip time, the fact that they aren't responding means nothing, latency-wise.

--Patrick
Is there a way for me to see the round trip time?
 
No reason not to. They may have an answer. Or they may tell you it's not their problem. Either way they won't try to kill your family.
Well, first check the small letters in the contracts. And be sure not to talk about Blueberry Waffles. Then you should be fine, probably. But check the fine print if this might be a concern.
 
Kept forgetting to mention:
See if you can't bring another computer/phone/whatever onto the same network as the misbehaving computer while it is misbehaving. If the phone/computer#2/whatever is fast while your problem computer is slow, then it is not a network issue. Any network issue would have them both performing the same and at the same time.

--Patrick
 
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