Broadband rip off?

Lesley998 · 30 March 2007 at 9:16PM

I recently upgraded from 2 meg to 8 meg, with unlimited downloads (within reason) Six quid a month difference. Obviously, I was told 8 meg was available on my line. I noticed absolutely no difference in speed, but forgot about it till I started having random disconnection problems. After a very long story involving many phone calls to their Technical 'Support' (ha) it turns out that my line will not support 8 meg, and this could have been causing equipment issues. The supplier did not tell me this, I phoned BT to enquire what my line could support. After a few speed checks online it seems to be confirmed that speed is around 2 meg.

I have emailed and phoned my supplier to ask for a refund of what I have paid and a request to go back to my original fee, but, strangely enough, have heard nothing from them.

It seems to me that many people could be paying for something they just are not getting, and never find out.

Any one else have any similar experience?

Vashti · 30 March 2007 at 10:25PM

So if you had never had the connection problem you would never have found out you were being charged for something you were not getting?

Did BT say that trying to get speeds on a line that wont support it will always cause problems? Just wondering cos I upgraded months ago and have never had any problems, but would hate to think I was paying all this extra for something I am not getting.

Perhaps I shoud do some speed tests. Trouble is, I wouldn't know how to interpret them if I did! Lol

normanmark · 30 March 2007 at 11:19PM

I'm presuming you selected a package which said up to 8mb? If so theres a small bit (which all providers put) that the '8mb' is dependent on the line quality & whether it can handle it!

Lighthouse_2 · 30 March 2007 at 11:52PM

Have you tried an independent speed test? I've used Dan Elwell's testing tool a few times now, and it seems to be pretty accurate. I've just tried http://www.broadbandspeedtest.net/download/ - and can honestly say I have no connection with it or him when referring you to it! It seems very accurate for the last two Blueyonder accounts I have had - when they are working!!