How do ISPs estimate Internet Speeds before you buy?

cepheus

I have recently changed to O2 broadband. My Internet speed from my last provider was always poor due to the distance from the exchange (Distance Direct: 1.93 km By Road:6.92 km) typically 1.7 mps. Whilst I didn't expect a lot better from O2, their estimate of 3.2mps sounded slightly better with part of the line on their LLU network.

After installing the router, I'm now getting slightly worse on average, and sometimes as low as 1.1 mps according to various test sites. I have complained and tried everything on my end. O2 have offered to send me another router but I doubt if that is the problem.

According to various sites my speed from other providers could be improved substantially, but are they exaggerating as well? How do they get their speed estimates? They must be allowing for distance in their estimates since near the exchange since I know people on O2 who get 20mps.

penrhyn

Hi, post your router line statistics and we can see if there is room for improvement.

BTW are you plugged into your master telephone socket?

http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/frogstats.php


BTW estimates are based on your distance from the exchange. e.g.

Attenuation.............Approximate Line Length............Potential Connection Speed
32db.......2.3km.....16000kbps
35db.......2.5km.....14500kbps
40db......2.9km.......11800kbps
45db.......3.2km.........8500kbps
50db........3.6km........6500kbps
55db........4.0km.........4500kbps
60db........4.3km.........3200kbps
65db........4.7km.........2000kbps

cepheus

I have tried using the master socket , it makes no difference.

I have just been through those passwords for the O2 box,
this morning with O2

non of them work. I may set my own Belkin one up.

Unfortunately those distances don't tell me how long the line is. As indicated it could be anything between 2 and 7km, presumably nearer the latter!

penrhyn

Bit of a bummer that.
Not much that can be done without line stats info.
Did O2 not have any bright ideas about logging on to the router, like sending you a new one?
The next step would normally be to plug into the test socket behind the master socket faceplate, only applicable if you have extensions wired to the back of the faceplate.
If the later case is true then the advice is to remove the bell wire (pin 3).

cepheus

Yes they will send me a new one if requested. I have asked by Email but not sure if the message got through. Problem with the O2 routers is that I have no control over them. After resetting yesterday, I have been surfing unsecured until earlier this morning when they managed to disconnect the wireless option from their end. I asked them to do this to start with before wasting half an hour sending me duff passwords.

asbokid

o2 are moron's the lot of them.

penrhyn

Whats changed with O2, until fairly recently posters used to say how good they were?

moonrakerz

penrhyn wrote: »

Whats changed with O2, until fairly recently posters used to say how good they were?

I think that depends whether you have "ordinary" BB (O2 are rubbish) or LLU (O2 are V good).

spud17

penrhyn wrote: »

Whats changed with O2, until fairly recently posters used to say how good they were?

Classic business model, great packages/prices to start, rope 'em in, then price increases/traffic management.

Must say that I have not had a single problem with the service (LLU).

But I've seen them slip right back on

http://www.dslzoneuk.net/isp_ratings.php#

I moved over from VM (couldn't get decent renewal).
I get around 6mbps, which is fine for most things, but for the occasional times I use iPlayer/youtube, their traffic management makes it almost un-watchable at 800Kbps.

moonrakerz

spud17 wrote: »

Must say that I have not had a single problem with the service (LLU).

Likewise, been with them for 3 yrs now. Even with their recent price hike I think what I am getting is excellent VFM.
My speeds hardly vary at all - I am on the 16mbs package:

KillerWatt

cepheus wrote: »

I have just been through those passwords for the O2 box,
this morning with O2

non of them work.

Username = Administrator
Password = the WEP key printed on the sticker underneath.

If you wish to log in as the superuser, use the details below

Username = SuperUser
Password = O2Br0ad64nd


Note that the login credentials are case sensitive.