Scottish Elises

Folks,

I am sure that my broadband is not behaving itself as throughout the evening the speed can be very very slow. I know that it is up to load and who else is using the pipe but wondering if anyone can recommend any Free Broadband Speed s/w to give this info to the ISP to see whether they can do anything - or am I being too optimistic.

I am out in Broxburn so its not as if I am in the middle of the highlands.

Cheers
DMW

I use Line Speed Meter which does the job well, and you can download for free from http://www.tcpiq.com

tut

http://www.thinkbroadband.com go check out the speed tester.

There are two issues - what rate is your line trained at and what throughput do you get.

The rate at which the line is trained is not a function of anyone else using the link, it's just a function of what you've paid for, and how long/good your copper connection to the exchange is. It will be 1mbit, 2mbit or 8mbit typically.

The throughput is a function of sharing with other users both locally (i.e. at your exchange) and further into the network, and how crap your ISP is.

What ISP are you using?

Cheers,
Robin

Robin,

Currently using MetroNet

http://www.metronet.co.uk/broadband/paygo.shtml
with PAYGo Option 2

Cheers
DMW

What does the speed tester tell you?

Have you checked your download usage for this month? It may be that you've blown the limit and are now on the reduced rate:

†You can continue using your service beyond the Usage Ceiling, but speed restrictions will be applied to some peak-time (4pm – midnight) usage – read the Metronet Broadband Network guide for more information.

** Why "up to" 8Mb?
- Broadband is described as 'up to 8Mb' because download speeds will vary depending on your telephone line and location.
- Actual download speeds can reach a maximum of 7Mb, with an average speed of 5-6Mb. BT Wholesale estimates that 78% of customers will achieve download speeds of 4Mb and above.
- It is likely that speeds no greater than 2Mb will be achieved at peak usage times due to contention in our network and our suppliers' networks.
- Download speeds will vary significantly in the first 10 days after connection and then will become more consistent.

How can it be advertised as up to 8 when max is 7? :

Robin,

Already checked my usage limit. Used 571.15Mb this month so I am not even remotely close to my limit.

Obviously not doing enough surfing as my limit on the contract is: 2,097MB

Will not be able to do the speed tester until tonight when I get back home but will let you know.

Cheers
DMW

Robin,

Results are as follows:
http://www.thinkbroadband.com/speedtest ... 5287.html

These results were taken dialled in with the lan connection to the wireless router (Netgear 54Mbs Wireless ADSL Modem Router Model DG834G-2

Try repeating as late at night as you can be ar$ed - 18:00-21:00 is busiest time.

Cheers,
Robin

Tried again:

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/speedtest ... 11988.html

Got the same speed figures

Cheers
DMW

OK, last thing to check is what rate you're actually trained at.

You'll need to look at the status page of your router's web interface and look for something that gives downstream/upstream bit rates, and if you're lucky it will also give you down and upstream SNR noise margin and Attenuation down/up (the first pair is in kbit/second the other two pairs are in dB).

Ideally you'll be trained at something like 8156/447 and better than 20dB noise margin with <20dB attenuation.

If you've got low margin or high attenuation and/or you are trained at <2000kbit/s then your physical line is not working well.

If all that is OK then your ISP is rubbish

Cheers,
Robin

Is this of any use http://forum.zensupport.co.uk/thread/7331.aspx

I changed ISP's recently and have gone from 2MB to 6MB with 0.4mb up and its fast as f&&k . My old ISP was just rubbish.