Best/fastest broadband for me?

muddyl

I'm currently with Sky for broadband and I'm sick of all the trouble I've had with them.

Been with them about 4 years and ended up on the top package.

I know it's rare you get the speed you pay for, but this is rediculous. Pay for 20meg, usually get about 2meg but right now getting about 0.5meg.

Whenever I complain they test the line, say it can handle unto 3.5 and it speeds up for a week or two, then gradually drops again.

Is there a way to test to see what would be the best provider for me? And is there a way to test if there is a problem with my modem without going to the expense of buying another? (tried wired instead of wireless but no difference and replaced the filters).

Many thanks, Mark

notbritishgas

The 2 main things that affect your speed are distance from the exchange and condition of your internal wiring.

If you can tell us your router stats mainly the down attenuation that will help us decide on your possible speed.
If you do not know how to access the info then tell us your make of router and someone will help.

It is quite possible that changing your ISP will not increase the speed

muddyl

Theses are what ive just got.

Its never been this bad/slow before.

Connection Speed
Downstream
510 kbps
Upstream
415 kbps

Line Attenuation
Downstream
66.5 db
Upstream
38.7 db

Noise Margin
Downstream
7.8 db
Upstream
16.0 db

notbritishgas

Well at 66db attenuation you are quite a distance from the exchange and unless you go onto fibre which I guess is not available you will never achieve anywhere near the max with any ISP, 2 meg will be about your limit.
Also at that attenuation any line problems will affect it substantially.
How many extensions do you have in the house and where do you plug the router in.Have you got an NTE5 with the removable bottom, if so unscrew the bottom plate and plug your router into the test socket revealed, see if that helps.

It perhaps looks as if something has changed recently for you to go from 2 meg to 1/2 meg, what is your phone line like, have you any noise or crackles on it.
Have you a filter on every socket with a phone, try unplugging every socket except the one with the router in, see if that helps.