It sounds like the common problem of a copper fault somewhere along the line. You get great speeds sometimes, but it craps out frequently and generates loads of errors. Large downloads randomly stall. It works fine if the wind is blowing in the right direction.
The fault could be anywhere between the exchange and the router.
Is the phone line clear from noise and crackles?
The first test is to rule out internal factors. If the BT socket is one of the newer ones where the bottom half unscrews, take it off to reveal the test socket. This is the BT Openreach demarcation point. Try the router plugged directly into the test socket with no other equipment connected. Use a new filter, cable and router. Disable the wireless. Test with a single good working laptop connected directly by Ethernet.
If you still get rubbish performance, report it as a fault. If it's a BT connection (looks like it is) then run speedtests on the BT speed tester and put your phone number in when requested. Do this several times over the course of a day:
http://www.speedtester.bt.com/If it's fine connected at the test socket, then you'll need your internal wiring fixed.
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