Poor broadband speed offers?

SimpleSeeker

HI, At the moment I get almost 30Mbs with current provider, Vodafone. However when using the MSE deals switching tool all providers predict the speed for my property in the mid teens and wont even offer a higher speed deal. Some only guaranteeing as low as 9Mbs.
Anybody else have this problem?

matelodave

There is probably congestion and maybe even a waiting list and if you relinquish your line by trying to swap providers you could end up on an ADSL line rather than a VDSL one from a fibre enabled cabinet.

There is a finite amount of capacity in the cabinets and many are full as there are a lot more people using the internet than there were a year ago. Not all cabinets can be upgrades and ifadditional capcity is required it can take a long time to install another with all its's associated infrastructure (assuming that there is a plant to do it)

Lots of whinging threads from those who've swapped providers to try and save a few bob and ended up with an inferior speed and service and no way of going back.

TBH my advice is probably to stay where you are for a while unitil the situation improves and capacity is increased .unless you want to risk it.

brewerdave

matelodave said:

There is probably congestion and maybe even a waiting list and if you relinquish your line by trying to swap providers you could end up on an ADSL line rather than a VDSL one from a fibre enabled cabinet.

There is a finite amount of capacity in the cabinets and many are full as there are a lot more people using the internet than there were a year ago. Not all cabinets can be upgrades and ifadditional capcity is required it can take a long time to install another with all its's associated infrastructure (assuming that there is a plant to do it)

Furthermore, with the increasing pace of FTTP rollouts and the move away from copper based services, Openreach are unwilling to expand FTTC capacity in order to drive the market to the new products. Certainly happening in my "village".

Buster_Danog

I signed up to Plusnet and got this email.
"At peak times, we estimate that you'll get the following speeds on your line
.......
Minimum Guaranteed Speed: 2.5Mb"

I have never seen that low a minimum guaranteed speed like that to my memory. I can't say I am the type to whinge. I have had an awful year with NOWTV and am hoping Plusnet will be an improvement. I definitely won't be going back to NOWTV but I guess it does make sense to find a provider that is reliable and stick with it where possible. 

brewerdave

Buster_Danog said:

I signed up to Plusnet and got this email.
"At peak times, we estimate that you'll get the following speeds on your line
.......
Minimum Guaranteed Speed: 2.5Mb"

That must be for ADSL service, where you are a fair distance from your local cab. ??

Buster_Danog

It is ADSL. Not sure what CAB stands for but if it is the local exchange I seem to be about 500 metres away. I'm convinced the speeds have got worse over the years. As has been said previously there are more people using the network. I guess that is why these low guaranteed speeds are now mentioned.

wongataa

Buster_Danog said:

It is ADSL. Not sure what CAB stands for

Cabinet - the green street cabinet that phone lines are connected to.  The cabinets are connected to the exchange.

Abcdee

FTTP is here now and is the future. Openreach won't bother with old adsl or fttc in the future it's like comparing black and white tv to colour tv.

brewerdave

Abcdee said:

FTTP is here now and is the future. Openreach won't bother with old adsl or fttc in the future it's like comparing black and white tv to colour tv.

1. It isn't here now - still only available in a relatively small number of properties ~ 23%
2.  Total replacement of copper networks by fibre will not occur for a number of years because a) still many households without any form of internet connection, just a phoneline & b) some areas will never be economic to cable up