Infinity won't work wirelessly with Ubuntu OS

Question

I'm running Ubuntu Netbook Edition and upgraded my BT broadband to Infinity on 28.12.11, using the same HomeHub3 that worked perfectly well with the old Total service.
It doesn't work, wirelessly. I can get an apparently strong connection, but its agonisingly slow. At the same time, an ethernet connection works well, When I switch from one to the other and test the speed, I can watch the bandwidth fall away (i.e.: it isn't immediately disconnected.)
Nobody at BT can or will help, telling me that Ubuntu is 'unsupported' (i.e.: it's my problem). I reported this problem to BT - ref: xxxxxx-xxxxxx - via its complaints form on 28.12.11, but have had no response.
I've spent much time this past week on internet help forums. It transpies that BT has known about this issue with Ununtu for six months, but has apparently done nothing about it and cannot suggest a solution.
Suggested workarounds from other Ubuntu users involve manually reconfiguring one's connection, but my netbook won't allow me to apply the changed settings, or to change the router settings from N to G tech., but that only worked temporarily for me and, besides, my netbook is only a couple of year old.
When I was sold Infinity, nobody mentioned that it doesn't work with Ubuntu. Frankly, I feel it was mis-sold as I intended to increase the bandwidth of my Total account and was persuaded to take Infinity on the grounds that it's a superior service for the same price. Not from where I sit, it isn't.
The only solution I can see is to get BT to switch me back to their Total service, which suited me fine. I'm going to get their engineer to come back and uninstall Infinity. I will also complain to Offcom, as this situation could easily have been avoided had the BT sales person told me that Infinity won't work wirelessly with Ubuntu.

Answer 1

Firstly your negotiating skills with BT are far better than mine....
"....Total account and was persuaded to take Infinity on the grounds that it's a superior service for the same price"
I was on BT Total BB and had to pay an extra £2 pm for Infinity and then an extra £4.75pm uplift of the calls package to give me the same anytime calls I had previously.... And had to re-start another 18month contract!!! Ohhh well.
Right onto the problem... Webby's suggestion of making sure your on a clear or least used wireless channel is good advice.
Here is the link to the free software http://www.metageek.net/products/inssider/
Have a look at a demo,- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf2kZCfYTxI
To be honest I would move your HH3 from the Automatic setting to a fixed wireless channel as they seem to work better like that.
If your Operating System won't work with Inssider I would then just try a different channel starting at 1 and work up... seeing how things go.
Regarding setting your HH3 to wireless g, that is a very backward step as the most you'll get over that would be around 20Mbps depending on your distance from hub etc.
Couple of pics comparing my speed test over wireless g and n in THIS POST.
Another thing I would try is a wireless n USB adapter... just in case your m/c is only g 
Links of how to identify what yours is and pictures of the difference in the "Network Sharing Centre".. 54Mbps being g and anything above is wireless n....
Wireless n gives the best speed assuming your Infinity download IP is more than 20Mbps. Also wireless n signal is more robust penetrating walls etc.
There are links to the type of wireless n adapters I use... Picture of one HERE, (Don't need the extender cable shown in that picture).
wwwebber's post was very useful.-
"I use Ubuntu on my laptop with BT Infinity & HH3 with no problems at all. BT is not at fault here - they do not support Ubuntu."
Confirming Infinity and Unbunto do work... 
You say ".....but my netbook won't allow me to apply the changed settings, or to change the router settings .... but that only worked temporarily for me......"
As changing settings worked temporarily you must have been able to log into your HH3. 
If you really can't log in can you borrow a friends netbook running windows to get logged in perhaps? 
Log in,- http://bthomehub.home/html/home/home.html go to Advanced settings, wireless. and change Channel settings from Automatic to a channel number then click on Apply.
I would place your laptop near to the HH3 and move the HH3 wireless channel to a clear channel or start at channel 1.
Try to get a good wireless n speed..... example of mine 37Mbps  over http://www.speedtest.net/
Then when you have a reasonable speed move your laptop away... you will notice a drop over distance that's normal.
I am 20' away from my HH3 and get 37Mbps through a plasterboard wall.
Regarding other routers people have used http://community.bt.com/t5/BT-Infinity/List-of-Routers-to-replace-Home-Hub-3/td-p/298203
And see Ady's msg #21 and #25 in THIS THREAD.
"'ll try the netbook in different locations over the w/e and hope from a solution from Ubuntu before remonstrating further with BT".
Please let us know how you get on.
Please Click On any Text in Blue as that automatically links to information.
PC (NDEGR)