is there a way to get a good idea of BB speed before you move in?

mlaf

I'm moving flats in a couple weeks and am trying to choose between O2 & Virgin for BB.

I'm with O2 atm, and considering calling for the retention deal, but my current net connection (at old flat) is only about 4.5MB.

The new flat is serviced by Virgin, but I've heard their speeds aren't all they're advertised to be either.

Is there a way or website that might give me a good idea of what to expect regarding BB speed before I sign a contract?

macman

Do an exchange search on www.samknows.com for your LLU options. You can also use the postcode-driven exchange mapping facility to get an idea of speed.
Howver, if there is VM cable but no BT-based landline, then you'll have Hobson's choice, unless you get a landline installed or reconnected. No ADSL broadband without a BT-based landline.

mlaf

ok great. I had to google a lot of what you said but I think I got it!

Broadband
ADSL: check
LLU services: check

BT Wholesale
ADSL status: enabled

Cable Broadband
Virgin Media: check


So looks like the options are available. But what do I do with this information regarding getting an idea of the potential connection speeds?

mlaf

Oh hold on, I think I found where to look.

According to BT Wholesale, houses at your postcode should be able to support:
up to 2Mbps via ADSL
7.5Mbps or greater ADSL connection via ADSL Max
17Mbps or greater via ADSL2+

Although, for O2 and Virgin it doesn't give an approximation, only stating it's available.

bitemebankers

Bang on a few door and ask the neighbours. Everyone has broadband these days so you shouldn't have any trouble getting recommendations. Also, you'll get to meet your new neighbours too - added bonus

kwikbreaks

Don't forget to take minimum contract periods into effect too if you anticipate a possible further move.

VoucherMan

You could have a look here and see if anyone has posted their speed in your area.

mlaf

VoucherMan wrote: »

You could have a look here and see if anyone has posted their speed in your area.

Excellent!

Mostly it only proves speeds are inconsistent as hell in my area, but useful nonetheless!

John_Pierpoint

macman wrote: »

Do an exchange search on www.samknows.com for your LLU options. You can also use the postcode-driven exchange mapping facility to get an idea of speed.
Howver, if there is VM cable but no BT-based landline, then you'll have Hobson's choice, unless you get a landline installed or reconnected. No ADSL broadband without a BT-based landline.

Samknows/thinkbroadband has been financed to install monitoring boxes in peoples homes. So their figures should be more accurate than random ones supplied at random by members of the public.

For ordinary ADSL, especially where extensions are involved, operating off the master socket and snipping the superfluous extras wires to the extensions, should step up the speed by at least one step over the next week. Assuming this simple method of reducing "noise" on the line has not already been done.
Don't do this unless you understand the basics of how a telephone circuit works what your particular telephone circuit is doing.
[Last weekend I removed a bell circuit from my son's recently purchased house., it was a work of art, stamped GPO and dated 1938.]

Alternatively You could buy one of these, which does much the same to reduce interference, and see if it improves the speed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbHbOJIsTPw&feature=channel_page&hl=en-GB&gl=GB