Broadband Speed Query

erb

I have been trying to get my broadband speed increased but my ISP who is AOL say it is not possible and have quoted the following from the BT Wholesale Broadband checker.

"Your exchange is ADSL enabled, and our initial test on your line indicates that it is VERY UNLIKELY you will be able to receive 512Kbps or 256Kbps broadband service due to the very long length of your telephone line."

I used the checker myself and indeed it does say this today.

However, it use to say I should be able to get up to 2mbps. So I tried using my next door neighbours telephone number and the checker reported that the line should be able to get up to 2mbps.

This seems strange to me that two houses next door to each other get different results and I am wondering if the BT checker is wrong. I am actually getting 300 to 450kbps but paying for a service up to 2mbps.

Has anybody an explantation or comments on this?

sco0ter

erb wrote: »

However, it use to say I should be able to get up to 2mbps. So I tried using my next door neighbours telephone number and the checker reported that the line should be able to get up to 2mbps.

This seems strange to me that two houses next door to each other get different results and I am wondering if the BT checker is wrong. I am actually getting 300 to 450kbps but paying for a service up to 2mbps.

Has anybody an explantation or comments on this?

Not really... Maybe your line is longer, worse condition, or just older than your neighbours. The line checkers have been known to be wrong (I was told 5Mb was my max but I am on 13Mb). however if they are supplying you with 2MB and you are only getting 450Kbps then I would say the estimate is correct.

erb

sco0ter wrote: »

Not really... Maybe your line is longer, worse condition, or just older than your neighbours. The line checkers have been known to be wrong (I was told 5Mb was my max but I am on 13Mb). however if they are supplying you with 2MB and you are only getting 450Kbps then I would say the estimate is correct.

By length of line are you refering to the distance from the exchange in which case we are both about 3 miles from it - ok I am perhaps at the most another 20 yards but I wouldn't have thought that would make that much difference.

sco0ter

erb wrote: »

By length of line are you refering to the distance from the exchange in which case we are both about 3 miles from it - ok I am perhaps at the most another 20 yards but I wouldn't have thought that would make that much difference.

Depends if your extra 20 yards is sitting in a rain soaked pipe. The matter remains that no 2 phone lines are the same.. Your neighbour could have had a repair done that included a newer length of wire being installed or a different type. There are loads of factors that could effect it. There are people on here who have had line speeds of 8 MB reported but no chance of ever reaching them. AOL will not be restricting your speed. They will be making the whole 2MB available but your line will be restricting it.

There are tests you can do to see if internal wiring is at fault or you could try a different router (although if its the netgear then you probably have one of the better ones as these connect at near 0 SNR).

You could always try to change ISP but sometimes this could be worse. You are getting what you pay for just now (up to 2MB) and if you upgrade to a higher speed (8MB) you could still only be getting the same speed but they wont be at fault because they supply "UP TO 8MB" and therefore you have no grounds for complaint and could be held to the full term of your contract.

BTW I get a sync speed of 12772Kbps and my neighbour can only sync at 7441Kbps but he was allowed to downgrade to 8MB.. both of us use the same ISP.

erb

sco0ter that was a very comprehensive reply, thanks.

Looks like I am stuck with my approx 400kbps unless I move house or BT improve the line.