Is there anything I can do about my lousy broadband speeds?

-pete-_2

Hi everyone,

I recently moved into a new build property and have just had a line installed by BT and -surprise surprise - we have terrible speeds, average is around 1.5mbps and upload of less than 300kbps.

BT did say that this was the case when purchasing and - after looking at the location of the exchange - its easy to see why, we're a couple of miles away from it!

I'm going to complain to our home builder for certain but what else I can do? Virgin are down the road but probably won't cable us up until there are loads more houses in the area, I can't talk to Open Reach as they don't deal with customers directly and BT themselves are completely useless!

kwikbreaks

Sounds like you are pretty much stuffed unless and until BT make FTTC available. Shame that the builder didn't negotiate that with them (if that is even possible). 4G and satellite are both options but I'm betting you won't like like the cost.

lee111s

What's your postcode? I'll have a check.

People are quick to blame BT or Openreach but I'm glad to see that you're going to take up the issue with the developer.

They discuss with Openreach and ultimately decide what they want to pay Openreach to install. If they simply decide to go with copper then you can see the results.

tacpot12

I had some success with replacing the ADSL filter with a higher quality one. I did this by replacing the master socket faceplate with the ADSLNation XTE-2005 faceplate from https://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk.

liloandstitch

We are looking into satellite internet at the moment - there are grants of £350 available if you qualify - its easy to check. We have applied and it has been granted, it took 24 hours! That will bring the installation cost down to less than £100 with the company we looked at .. We are still researching at the moment as to whether it is worthwhile.

iniltous

If you are a long way from the exchange then is there is no one to 'blame' it's just physics , long lines , slower speeds
Quite often , builders add extensions to the master socket using rubbish extension cabling, and connect more than terminals 2 and 5, this can have an impact on your connection speed, Google ADSL bell wire problems if you are unfamiliar with this issue
Try plugging your router ( via a filter) into the master socket test point ( assuming you have a NTE5 type master socket) and see if your speed improves, but if you are getting what OR/BTW estimated your speed would be, then it's up to you to accept it or look for alternatives like 3/4G

AndyPK

I would try and get out of the contract and look at 4G

iniltous

AndyPK wrote: »

I would try and get out of the contract and look at 4G

The potential problem here is that if the speed they are getting is in line with the estimate, the ISP is under no obligation to release them penalty free, assuming the speed is in line with the estimate, if it was never sufficient , then they should never have taken out the contract

AndyPK

Good point.

The problem is that the estimate can be quite wide, between acceptable and unacceptable.

Iain_L

I'd be tempted to look at EE 4g. We had abysmal broadband until taking that, and now get a 50gb package for £34. You won't get close to that on satellite. Average speeds 23.5Mbps download, 4.5 upload, good reliability. May be worth investigating.