Reflections and Thoughts of Brian
Posted on: January 24, 2025, 5:17 pm
If you’ve ever dealt with slow internet speeds, flaky connections, or ISP drama, chances are you’ve stumbled across DSLReports.com at some point. For years, it was the place to get real talk about broadband services, run speed tests, and hang out in forums with people who at least tried to understand what they were talking about. It’s been one of the sites I’ve cruised for the last 20+ years, so seeing it down hits hard. The site is down, and honestly, it doesn’t look like it’s coming back.
What Was DSLReports?
Back in the early days of broadband, DSLReports was a lifesaver. Whether you were trying to figure out which ISP sucked the least or troubleshooting line issues, it had everything, speed tests, tools to measure packet loss, reviews, and most importantly, the forums.
Those forums were a goldmine. People shared real, no-nonsense experiences about their ISPs, vented about bad customer service, and even helped each other tweak settings to squeeze out better speeds. It wasn’t just a website; it was a community.
Where Did It Go?
No one’s really said anything official that I can find, but it’s not hard to guess why DSLReports has gone dark.
People moved on -- Let’s be real, forums just aren’t as popular as they used to be. Everyone’s on a social media app or in a private group now (see my post about Dead Internet Theory). DSLReports was part of the old-school internet, and while that was great, it also made it harder to stay relevant with newer platforms.
Keeping a site like that running isn’t easy. Hosting, maintenance, and updates take money and lots of time. If traffic and ad revenue started dropping, it’s no surprise they might’ve decided to pull the plug. In an attempt to keep the site running, I reached out to Justin, the owner of DSLReports and I offered him VPS hosting and dedicated servers with DataPacket at no charge, along with any administrative support he might need. Unfortunately, I haven’t heard back from him yet.
Smaller Audience -- DSLReports catered to a specific crowd, tech enthusiasts and people who remember struggling with DSL modems and noisy phone lines. As broadband got faster and easier, fewer people need the kind of in-depth troubleshooting DSLReports was known for.
Competition -- These days, there are plenty of speed testing tools and review sites backed by big companies with big budgets. It’s tough for an independent site to keep up.
Losing A Valuable Resource
Losing DSLReports isn’t just about missing a website; it’s about losing a community and a resource that had a real impact. The site wasn’t afraid to call out ISPs for bad practices, and the user reviews were brutally honest. It wasn’t about paid promotions or corporate spin. It was about real people sharing real experiences.
And let’s not forget the tools. The speed tests, line quality checks, and other tools on DSLReports were some of the best out there. Even ISPs themselves couldn’t deny their usefulness.
What’s Next?
If you’re looking for a replacement, places like ReviewYourISP and Reddit can fill part of the gap, But let’s be honest, it’s not the same. Reddit has largely become a toxic cesspool, whereas DSLReports had a depth and focus that you just don’t see on those platforms.
This is also a reminder that independent sites like DSLReports.com need support to survive. Without them, we lose the spaces where consumers can get unbiased information and actually hold companies accountable.
Goodbye, DSLReports
It’s sad to see a site like DSLReports go. It was a product of a different time, and it stuck around for way longer than most. To everyone who contributed to the site, whether you ran it, posted in the forums, or even just lurked in the background, you made a difference.
DSLReports may be gone, but it won’t be forgotten. Thanks for everything.