Question

How can I find out the max speed I can get in my area?

BT says that for my postcode I can get up to 20MB, but in reality I only get around 0.20mb

I don't want to purchase a 20MB contract just to "see" and find out that I can't get above 0.5MB

My current ISP is AOL, I use a BT phone line and live in a reasonably large town (pop. around 25k) and I'm still in doubt that 200 kbps is the best I can get

EDIT: I live in the UK, Sudbury(Suffolk) to be precise.

Checked google maps, I live 2.0 miles from the exchange, but thats by road so it'd be less "as the crow flies" so to speak.

I used to get 0.5mbps, but for the past 6months I've struggled to get above 0.2mbps on any speedtest (tried the top 5 google results)

Answer 1

.20mb seems awfully low!

You may also want to give the Sam Knows checker a test - click map for the distance to your exchange and BT ADSL section for speed information.

I have seen people who live far away from their exchange and rated for 6MB but get around 4MB.

Personally, I was rated at 18MB and get 14...

For you to get rated that high but receive that low would say to be that you have other problems with your line - Ring wire problems, bad extensions, very old cable or a number of other things.

If you are using a standard BT Line, start by dialing 17070 (Free) and select option 2, this is the "quiet line" test. It does no sound. If you hear any crackling, popping or any other weird noises, it is something wrong with your line as this should be perfectly quiet.

Just to make sure it is not an error in the lookup database that says you should get 20MB - How far away are you... if it is less than 1KM, don't worry?

Also your micro filter may be faulty, make sure it is working and/or that EVERY other device that plugs in to the telephone socket (Faxs, answering phones, games consoles etc.) has a micro filter.

Lastly, If you did hear anything on the above tests, it may be worth unplugging everything other than the modem /router and seeing if your speed improves. Also, make sure you are plugged in to the master socket as this can take away a number of problems.

On the above if you have a new-ish line, see if you can unscrew the panel and connect to the test socket as this should temporarily disconnect any extensions (as they should be wired in to the front part)

If you are still getting slow speeds and live within 2.5ishKM of the exchange, I think the problem is with BT and you need to call them out - should be free. I get my speed living around 2KM from the exchange.

I hope this was helpful, but still I have to say it - BT are one of the worst ISP's out there and I would not recommend them to anyone - but I will still help anyone with problems!

Answer 2

BT lied to me they said I would get 5MB. I only get 2MB in Droitwich Worcester.

You could test your current connection with Speedtest

Here is my thinking: The other providers use BT's actual hardware. If other providers give x as determined by Speedtest, then if you 'go with BT' there is a good chance you will get the same speed.

Ask someone in your area? Let us know your area, if not your actual address.

Answer 3

Go to SpeedTest.net. That will allow you to test your current actual speed.

Towards the bottom of the page, click on View World Results. That will give you real-world, tested connect speeds of different companies from actual customers speed-tested in your area. That will give you a place to start.

Unfortunately, the actual connect speed any company can provide varies from neighborhood-to-neighborhood, even house-to-house. I would suggest finding the "reported-fastest" providers in your area and then call to make an appointment. Ask about speed guarantees and ask what your recourse is if the system does not meet your minimum expectations.

Have it installed and test it while the technician is still there. If the speed in unacceptable, there is often "tweeks" they can do on-site to improve the signal strength. I had an in-line amplifier installed on my cable line which increased my speed from 1.5MBPS to over 6.5MBPS.