Is there a difference between all BT Providers?

I understand that Plusnet/BT/Zen/Talktalk/Sky all operate under the BT Network apart from Virgin Media. Does that mean that speeds will always be the same between these providers? Are there any differences?

The quoted ISP's all use Openreach's physical network to the exchange so in terms of sync speed, there should be zero difference between the providers (some modems however can perform better than others, some ISP provided modems may perform worse or better than others).

Sky, Talk Talk and a number of others use their own backhaul network though beyond the exchange. Where as BT and PlusNet, amongst others, use BT Wholesale's backhaul network.

This CAN make a difference depending on how much capacity each ISP has, or has "bought" for exchange areas. I usually only affects peak speeds but almost every ISP will suffer "hot VP's" in different areas from time to time.

In reply to a post by AstroBenny:

I understand that Plusnet/BT/Zen/Talktalk/Sky all operate under the BT Network

That's not correct.

ISPs also have their own networks and interconnects to the Internet - these can run hot as well.

Any ISP can also, I believe, choose how much backhaul bandwidth they buy so any ISP could be running the backhaul hot no matter where they buy it from.

And, on some products ISPs can choose characteristics of the line (eg ADSL) and therefore sync speeds can be different between ISPs on those products.

In reply to a post by BatBoy:

In reply to a post by AstroBenny:

I understand that Plusnet/BT/Zen/Talktalk/Sky all operate under the BT Network

That's not correct.

Would help if you would elaborate...

In reply to a post by ian72:

And, on some products ISPs can choose characteristics of the line (eg ADSL) and therefore sync speeds can be different between ISPs on those products.

Being on the fibre board I just assume the OP was referring to FTTC/P from Openreach.

I agree with all of your other points too

For FTTC, Openreach own the Local Loop, i.e. the connection from your house to the exchange. From the exchange to the ISP, the ISP can either use BT backhaul, or their own backhaul, or some 3rd party's backhaul.

In reply to a post by BatBoy:

For FTTC, Openreach own the Local Loop, i.e. the connection from your house to the exchange. From the exchange to the ISP, the ISP can either use BT backhaul, or their own backhaul, or some 3rd party's backhaul.

Fair enough, same thoughts I was having then.

There is also 3 different DLM profiles, not all these isp's may use the same one, the DLM profile affects how aggressive DLM is when there is line instability.

That was the case for 21CN DLM I believe but for Openreach's FTTC that's not the case. I think Openreach only have 1 mode for DLM.