Broadband Connection Speed

Donnie

bingo_bango wrote:

Which are??

BT make no secret of the fact that while the line may support a speed of 5+Mbps, environmental factors will dictate what you actually get. If you live next to the exchange, then you'll likely get close to the maximum advertised speed. If you live four miles away, then you won't.
BT have capped the lines for an 8Mbps limit, so that no-one gets faster than that. If you are next to the exchange, there will be no-one between you and the exchange, so you get 'first bite' at the bandwidth. In theory, you should get 8Mbps dowstream speeds. If you live miles away however, there will be quite a number of users (depending on how built up you are in your area) before you, who are all eating into this bandwidth allowance to an extent. Think of it like a tree, with branches sub-dividing continuously. If you live at the end of a branch rather than on the trunk, you're going to get less of what the tree sucks up from the ground.

As for BT's tricks...they don't advertise an 8Mbps service. They advertise an 'UP TO 8Mbps' service. They do explain that the above factors can affect your ability to get this top speed. Tricks noramlly require sleight of hand and subterfuge. Neither of those going on there.

Have to second T4i's cable call though....as long as it's available in your area that is.

I live 1km away from the exchange. My speed is much the same as it was before ADSL Max.
I'm told I have a good line. I expect better.

Rex_Mundi

I've seen this complained about a few times with users of MAX. Although 'up to 8Mbps' is advertised. ADSL MAX is very dependent on distance from the exchange, and line quality.

There has been a specific issue with users stuck at 2Mb speeds (which both Grumpy_Old_Duffer, and Donnie seem to be). There have been quite a few cases where the BRAS profile for the connection has been stuck at 2Mb. There are a couple of things you can do before you contact your ISP.

Unplug, and switch off your router for 30 mins or so. Then reconnect. Try this for a couple of days.

Try a few speedtests at different times of the day.

I would normally recommend the BT speedtest at this point (connected to there own network), but I know there were problems with this, and I'm not sure they've been fixed yet.

If you still get 2Mb speeds. Contact your ISP with the results of your speedtests.

Only do these if you have had Max for more than 10 days. In the first 10 days, BT will run tests on your line to find the maximum speed it can take. During this time, speeds fluctuate.

Donnie

I'm discussing that very problem with my ISP.

At first I thought it was my USB modem, though after I installed the High Speed Driver, there was no change.
ISP are sending me a router, so that's the next step.

I'll post details of the outcome.

Thanks for your concern.

Jolly_Roger

I have just had my line speed upgrade to a possible 8Mbps, although the test revealed that at 17.30 I am working at 4.7Mbps. However, I have only been connected at this speed for a few days and, as noted above, the line speed is supposed to build up to a possible 8Mbps over a period of several days.
The really annoying thing about Virgin ISP is that with each line speed upgrade I completely lose my internet and email access. I have to ring up on a 25m/minute help line and ask them to reset my account. They always say that shouldn't happen, but always does. Pillocks!