Confirming Internet Speed

Paul_01

From my experience, the BT site estimates have always been a very reliable guide.

If the estimate is 7.5Mb then you can expect 4-5MB actual speeds at worst. Way above the 2MB or so that you need.

I rely on my connection too, and mobile broadband is a viable alternative. I have an iPhone with Three and using that as wireless hotspot has always proven a very good back up when needed - I get 6-8Mb at home on this.

If I was you, I'd be quite relaxed about the BT estimate but would also check the mobile data speeds at the property too - easy to do with a smartphone.

Ivana_Tinkle

Paul_01 wrote: »

From my experience, the BT site estimates have always been a very reliable guide.

Yes, that's been our experience, too. When it's been significantly slower, it's always turned out to be the fault of our equipment.

But if you just need to know that you can get broadband and aren't too bothered about the speed, surely any broadband provider would be able to tell you?

artbaron

The actual figure won't be far from the BT estimate, certainly not 2Mb / 7.5Mb far.

Paul_01

Ivana_Tinkle wrote: »

Yes, that's been our experience, too. When it's been significantly slower, it's always turned out to be the fault of our equipment.

But if you just need to know that you can get broadband and aren't too bothered about the speed, surely any broadband provider would be able to tell you?

I think the source is the same irrespective of the provider.

The distance from the exchange being the key piece of information.

molerat

Paul_01 wrote: »

From my experience, the BT site estimates have always been a very reliable guide.

BT state that broadband is available on a relatives number out in the sticks so they had bb installed. Not a thing on the router, engineer came out and immediately said "won't get broadband on this line" and went away. So no, their estimate is not reliable :mad:

Paul_01

molerat wrote: »

BT state that broadband is available on a relatives number out in the sticks so they had bb installed. Not a thing on the router, engineer came out and immediately said "won't get broadband on this line" and went away. So no, their estimate is not reliable :mad:

I think examples like this are very rare. The cause is probably lack of line quality, which is going to be difficult to gauge prior to set up.

olly300

Paul_01 wrote: »

I think examples like this are very rare. The cause is probably lack of line quality, which is going to be difficult to gauge prior to set up.

They are not.

Even people in towns and cities have difficulty with getting broadband and broadband speed.

Unfortunately if you don't have any nearby neighbours with broadband you are a bit stuck, and to be honest as someone who often works from home I wouldn't buy a property in the middle of nowhere unless I knew I could get broadband.

chris_m

molerat wrote: »

BT state that broadband is available on a relatives number out in the sticks so they had bb installed. Not a thing on the router, engineer came out and immediately said "won't get broadband on this line" and went away. So no, their estimate is not reliable :mad:

The estimate is based on the line length because the losses in signal transmission can be calculated from that. What it doesn't, and can't, take into account is the line quality and the effect of any external factors, that can only be assessed by trying it.

EmmaHerts

I live in a tiny town and we have BT Infinity- they upgraded the area a month after we moved in.

You could check if the area you are looking at has any future upgrade plans.

dj.boz

Could you not simply speak with the neighbours and ask about there broadband speeds? Speed test apps are available for smart phones, as well as easily accessed by a PC, so not too difficult to confirm.

Also, is this property in a fibre enabled area (BT or Virgin)? That always helps!

Boz