No email and web browsing

[#1]

Is there some sort of network problem at the moment?
I have been unable to send/receive most email or access any web pages since late morning.
I can still play an online game and use an instant messenger so all functionality has not been lost.
No problems at all with any applications using 3 Mobile broadband as this enquiry demonstrates.
I have specified the recommended DNS servers rather than leaving the setting at "automatic" but this
has made no difference.
I don't use PlusNet's SMTP server but a third party's, by the way, and the inaccessible email is sitting on servers
operated by 1&1.  (Connections time out.)
Is BT playing with the network perchance?  (I have powered off the modem-router here several times today and
that has had no effect either.)

[#2]

Fault now traced to router...grrr (second Belkin in 17 months).

[#3]

spend a bit more for a quality router ....the cheap ones often have a brown glue inside that degrades with moisture into acid and eats the circuits (especially with wifi) its a manufacturing defect designed to ensure a steady sales stream, but you get what you pay for