Note that almost all speed checker results we have seen in the past have been underestimates, but BT put in place an updated speed-checker last weekend.

The reason for the change (in the checker) was to make allowance for the updates (in the cabinets) that now allow higher speeds (up to 80/20) for those closer to the cabinet - but those same updates also improve download speeds for those further away too (ie better download speeds up to 40/10), though they can also decrease the upload speeds.

The problem is that we haven't got much of a feel (yet) for whether the new estimates are still an under-estimate, or if they have made them a bit more accurate.

My current FTTC line was originally predicted as 29/11 and achieved 40/10. It is now predicted as being 40/18. I think many more people are getting predictions of 40Mbps.

I too used to max out at 2mb but now on fibre i get the full 40/15 due to the cabinet being directly outside my house

In reply to a post by Anonymous:

would it tell me based on my telephone number if I was unable to get FTTC?

The checker will tell you if you can get FTTC when you put the phone number in - and prefixes this with a date in the future if it is still planned. This is the most accurate result.

If you use your address, then it still seems to get things right, but has a clause telling you it might not be accurate.

If you use just the postcode, then the clause is still present, and the prediction is more likely to be a range - and could be wrong (it might tell you that it is available, when it isn't). In addition, it seems to forget about the future date, so makes you think it is available immediately.

The various suppliers all go from the same information as you get with your phone number - so if it tells you that you can get FTTC, then any supplier will accept your order

EXCEPT

BT won't sell you their retail package called "Infinity" if your predicted speed is less than 15Mb. They'll sell you a different package instead, which used to be the same price as Infinity, but I'm not sure now.

Other suppliers will happily accept your order, and won't confuse you about the name

In reply to a post by philippercival:

Someone has an excellent spreadsheet on here with lots of options

It's the spreadsheet link referred to in the reference to my list .

In reply to a post by Moradin:

The link mentioned above is here: -

Fibre Deals

Kindly set up and maintained by Forum members Orly and Yarwell.

And on my page linked to earlier .

I doubt if either my list or the spreadsheet is now really comprehensive, but a good place to start.

In reply to a post by Moradin:

The link mentioned above is here: -

Fibre Deals

Kindly set up and maintained by Forum members Orly and Yarwell.

Not forgetting the FTTC survey either.

Perhaps that needs to be re-run, with the advent of the 17a profiles!

The 40 prediction is usually an ISP set limit as they aren't selling more than 40 Meg yet

unlimited 80/20 packages from 6th February i thought... ? (although still going to be shown as a trial).

perhaps James can clarify ?

not sure what this means (cut and paste)

Following the deployment of EMP R1800, 80/20 will be available to support trial activity. The formal trial communications (including terms and conditions) were made available in December 2011.
The technical trial started on Monday 9 January 2012 A full CP customer pilot will then run for up to 6 months MLC will be updated with the new band plan speed estimates over the weekend of 28/29 January 2012 We anticipate entering full Customer Pilot on Monday 6 February.

Edited by deleted (Thu 02-Feb-12 22:30:56)

Even once its not a trial down to an individual ISP as to when they decide (if ever) to sell that speed.

EMP - the interfaces ISP use to order and get information on services. Basically six months of trials from 6th Feb.

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

The 40 prediction is usually an ISP set limit as they aren't selling more than 40 Meg yet

That would be right on an ISP-based checker, but the conversation was about BTW's checker - the Granddaddy. They have the 40 cap for downstream, but have misplaced the upstream cap.