Broadband Speeds

EmmaT_3

Probaly a thread on this somewher. Apart from cable, anybody actually get the broadband speed they pay for. I've been with virgin (yeah I know, makes you sick) and supposed to be getting up to 8Mbps. What I actually get is .4Mbps midmorning and midafternoon, all other times, just over .1Mbps. Virgin started of by blaming BT Wholesale who don't speak to us peasants. Eventually, the line was tested and verified as being capable of carrying speed of 8Mbps. Now virgin tell tell me to read the small print . Up to 8Mbps means from .1 upwards. All they are legaaly bound to supplys is anything from .1Mbps. What a con job. Oh by the way, I cancelled yesterday, then goy an email saying even though my contract period had ended 6 months ago, I couldn't cancel without having a MAC code. Answer, I sent them a recorded delivery letter and stopped the direct debit.

don_ky01

Urgently choose a new IP provider, and obtain a mac code from virgin (the mac code by law has to be given to within 7 days) if you change your ip service using the mac you will not need to pay any cancellation or connection charges, however if you choose to cancel you may be charged for disconnection. There are lots of good providers out there who will be able to help you, I can give you a personal recommendation, PM me if you want any detail on this. There are lots of speed testing sites and also sites for BT wholesale speed testers available.

But DO NOT shut down your virgin account with out a mac code, if you do you could be without broadband service for over a week depending on BT how they wish to work it. I've known of cases to take longer. Obtain your mac code, transfer this to your new provider and your service will be down for minutes. This is the only way to really do it. Some providers charge a connection fee, if you use the mac code that is cancelled out.


HTH

Satscene

emma,
do you live out in the country?
how far are you from the exchange?
I`m with virgin.net as well on their £10 per month broadband and free evening and week-end phone package.
you may well end up paying a lot more for not much more speed.

It says 8mb comnnection on a lot of isp`s offers but the small print tells it slightly different ;o)
i get approx 1-2mb at 5 miles from the exchange.

Artofdookie

Im with o2 £10 pm and just did a speed test, im getting Download 10368Kbps

don_ky01

I live in Ballymena and get around 6mb the IP should be able to tell you when they test the line what your line can achieve

EmmaT_3

Just asked for a MAC code. BT engineers tell me my line is 122 metres from the exchange and my line will carry up to 8Mbps. Virgin say different and will only supply up to .5 despite charging for up to 8Mbps. Having checked the various offers I just realised the broadband supply industry is quite likely the most crooked industry in existence, bar none. Even more crooked than the banks and that's saying something. If I use wireless I can use my neighbours broadband and get 6Mbps. Don't know if it's legal but he says if I pay £10 a month, he'll let me use it.

Pretani

I'm with BT, l live less than 1/2 mile from the exchange and I get 2272/288 Kbps. It's slow and I pay £60/quarter. They said I can enter a new contract at Christmas for £12.99/month, but if it's going to be at those speeds I'll not bother.

don_ky01, what service provider are you with ?

don_ky01

Try plusnet

yorkie98

EmmaT wrote: »

Just asked for a MAC code. BT engineers tell me my line is 122 metres from the exchange and my line will carry up to 8Mbps. Virgin say different and will only supply up to .5 despite charging for up to 8Mbps. Having checked the various offers I just realised the broadband supply industry is quite likely the most crooked industry in existence, bar none. Even more crooked than the banks and that's saying something. If I use wireless I can use my neighbours broadband and get 6Mbps. Don't know if it's legal but he says if I pay £10 a month, he'll let me use it.

EmmaT,
Put your phone number and postcode into this site :
http://www.samknows.com/broadband/checker2.php
This will tell you your line distance, likely speed and show which providers, including any unbundled ones (Sky, O2 etc) are available in your area.

If you are only 122 meters from your exchange, it must be nearly in your back yard, something you'd surely be aware of. If you are this close tho, there is absolutely no reason that you shouldn't be able to get a full 8Mbps (or even up to 20mbps if you are on an unbundled exchange). The website above will show you on a map exactly where you are and where your exchange is so you will know if it's that close or not.

chunter

yorkie98 wrote: »

If you are only 122 meters from your exchange, it must be nearly in your back yard, something you'd surely be aware of. If you are this close tho, there is absolutely no reason that you shouldn't be able to get a full 8Mbps (or even up to 20mbps if you are on an unbundled exchange).

Spot on Yorkie. Dump Virgin asap.
AOL, BT, F2S will all give you far better transfer rates.
Stay away from the shoddy ones likes Tiscali, TalkTalk & Orange.

guss_2

Try plusnet ( WHICH STRANGELY IS OWNED BY BT) .My parents live in rural co Down.They are a good few miles from the exchange and get a good speed. They were with BT but changed a while back .all phone calls ,line rental and 8mb broadband for £25pm.Much cheaper than BT and good service