Any broadband experts? Speed issue.

[rf065]

I've stumbled on a problem regarding my broadband speed and need someone who knows how these things work for some advice.

Basically, I moved to a new house 7 years ago, no fibre optic in the area, only your normal BT phone cables and some distance from the nearest exchange too. BT said 1Mb/s was my maximum speed and it was at first but gradually got faster over the next couple of years, not sure why that would be but even after I moved to Sky broadband a couple of years ago it had now reached a heady 2.4Mb/s.

Now it's time to change again and looking for a faster service, EE told me after checking the line that I could get at least 7Mb/s as they use ADSL 2 compared to Sky using ADSL, but their customer reviews are horrendously poor. Plusnet get the best reviews and are supposed to offer fast speed but they say I can only get 1Mb/s, which is the speed listed when checked with BT Wholesale speed check.

So, If I can get 2.4Mb/s at the moment, how come I'm told 1mb/s is my best option and EE claim 7Mb/s? Do any of them even know for sure?

Russ

 

[Giantvanman]

I am no expert but when it comes broadband providers I have noticed that they can claim whatever they like, no matter how theoretically plausible a speed could be available. They all say "up to" and then shrug when you get a fraction of that.

At the lower speeds you are encountering, it may be worth looking at 3G/4G connection from phone companies.

 

[grober]

How about Review of Bonded ADSL From Evolving Networks (Part 1) | Increase Broadband Speed

 

[rf065]

I am no expert but when it comes broadband providers I have noticed that they can claim whatever they like, no matter how theoretically plausible a speed could be available. They all say "up to" and then shrug when you get a fraction of that.

That's my view as well, but EE are saying 7Mb/s is the minimum I would get from them, and up to a max of 17Mb/s. I don't believe it for a minute but I also don't believe the others could only get 1Mb/s, very diificult to change to a faster provider when you cannot get any real idea of their speeds.

Russ

 

[rf065]

I should have added that BT has just completed their "fibre to the cabinet" in this area. When I asked Sky if this would speed up my connection they said no. So would BT offer a faster service now? Not according to their speed check.

Russ

 

[grober]

BT Infinity= fibre to the box in the street should definitely improve your speed. [ in an urban environment I reckon at least a x10 increase in your speed- less perhaps in the country depending on how far you are from the fibre cabinet and the quality of your line] Its still limited by the last link in the chain being the old copper cable to your house. That said SKY are also using this BT fibre system to provide their ultra fast broadband- provided! they rent the fibre capacity from BT. It may be they have decided its not economic to provide this for your location-- or BT are keeping amonopoly for now? AFAIK Plusnet are owned by BT.Don't know if they have an equivalent to Infinity? KEY QUESTION is where is your nearest fibre cabinet in relation to your house and the local exchange? You can identify the fibre cabinet by its ventilation slots and a high voltage symbol on the side as they have to be powered. This may or may not give local cabinet locations. http://www.superfast-openreach.co.uk/where-and-when/
here's atypical cabinet note the little yellow voltage symbol on the end and the multiple ventilation slots for the fans.

 

[kingdave]

Fibre to cabinet won't do anything to your ADSL speed.
It does mean however that you may be able upgrade to one of BT's infinity products. Should you do that you should get a decent boost to the speed of the connection.

Edited to add ^^^ Grober above comprehensively beat me to it and gave more detail.

 

[John]

I once used to be with TalkTalk for phone and Nildram for Internet at the time when TalkTalk were buying Nildram.

Around that time, TalkTalk phoned me up and tried to tell me my (1Mbps) line (with ADSL faceplate which I fitted, high quality cables and the router in the BT Master socket) was capable of 16Mbps and they would guarantee it would be faster.

I did have a "discussion" with the guy but it was clear he didn't know what he was talking about.

I promptly switched to Plusnet after hearing that because if your line is only capable of 1Mbps, that is all you will get assuming that is a measured performance rather than BT-estimated - regardless of ADSL product.

I would move to fibre when you have the chance...

 

[rf065]

I would move to fibre when you have the chance...

Apparently BT were proud to advertise fibre to the cabinet would be complete in my area by Spring 2014, and all visible signs of any outside work has long passed, it is still not available to me yet. Hopefully that will change soon.

Russ