h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi Winnoch,

I noticed your tag-line and wondered if you're having the same problems as me. I just got a BT Home Hub and I was told my line would support 6.5MB. At initial start-up, it showed 7.9MB but now, a few days later I only get 2.3MB. Mrs SWL is only getting about 0.44MB on her laptop.

There doesn't appear to be anything i can do either When i do the BT broadband speedtest the results usually come back between 1.8-2.5mbsec. They have a disclaimer saying that for 8mb broadband, anything upwards of 1.5, they consider to be in the 'normal' range

I raised the issue with Virgin customer support and they gave me their speedtester page and login details, with the instructions to carry out the tests at various times of the day, then after i've run a few tests to get back to them. I can't see any point in bothering getting back to them if they're just going to say "ah, your speed is in the normal range"

Of course, whenever i do a speedtest on an independant site such as the one on adslguide.org, it says i only have speeds of 0.3mp... am i to call BT liers?

Hmm.

I have to say that I've noticed a big difference in download speeds, especially youtube etc, but I'm a bit upset that I don't appear to be getting what I paid for. What's to stop them saying "Speeds up to 2000MB" if they have a cop-out clause? I don't understand why my laptop gets a quicker speed than the missus either.

This is the site I use to check:
http://www.broadbandinfo.com/got-high-speed/tweaks/lan/default.html

Thanks I'm just assuming it's my line quality here or something. I seemed to have a faster connection in a previous house with the same computer (but different ISP)... and it was only a 1MB connection.

All the ISP's do have lots of asterixes and disclaimers about their potential speed.. i do tend to wonder how many people *really* do get 8mb/sec speeds. Am i being silly or does an 8mb/sec download speed, mean that theoretically an 8mb file should download onto my PC in one second? (file-holders servers permitting).

I'm sorry but i've never seen a file download that fast on any machine i've used I might post that question on 'ask'...

Definately a question for someone more computer-savvy than me. I'd be interested in the reply.

The upshot seems to be that i got my bits mixed up with my bytes

But at any rate, my connection is still s l o w. Let me know if you get anywhere with yours

No problem

BTW, don't take it personally on the shop service thread. I've a lot of experience on the untidy side of the counter and I *know* that small independents give far better service. The large chains take advantage of customers not making a fuss and I strongly feel that if enough people kick off about it, firms will change their customer service policies.

Oh none taken

Talking of customer service, i think i'll get back in touch with Virgin anyway, even though i know i'll be spun the "it's within acceptable range" reply, they might be able to suggest something...

Traveller in Time bumping in
"For what I know of broadband modems is that they negotiate the speed at boot time. Any 'channels' that are bad will be ignored thereafter, resulting in a smaller bandwith. Have you tried power cycling your modem ?

(I will never learn to keep my mouth shut, better look like a fool then not trying to help out )"

Yes I power cycled it. I'm sure I did. But it was a veeery long time ago