I think it's just BT covering themselves.

The DSL Checker also now says something similar, "Throughput/download speeds will be less than line rates and can be affected by a number of factors within and external to BT's network, Communication Providers' networks and within customer premises".

In reply to a post by BatBoy:

There are other ways to get fast Internet http://www.aa.net.uk/ethernet-prices.html

What is this? 80/20Mb/s TT EoFTTC

In reply to a post by adslmax:

What is this? 80/20Mb/s TT EoFTTC

Well whatever it is, those quoted speeds would be nowhere near fast enough for you!

You have to use vague wording as explaining the different commit rates and other possibilities would mean a page of figures that would mean little unless you understand how the network is laid out.

As the access speed from home to network increases the network capacity that is already fibre becomes even more important.

I mean what does TT EoFTTC do?

Ethernet over FTTC

i.e. uses GEA-FTTC but at exchange you get handled as per other Ethernet customer traffic, so closer to a leased line without the costs of installing one to the premises.

Do plusnet selling TT EoFTTC MrSaffron?

Yes, they sell Talk Talk products...

In reply to a post by bowdon:

I guess the pace of progress seems slow in this country, especially when talking to european friends, scandinavians in particular who seem to have very high speed connections. One thing I've noticed that a lot of those countries invested in cable networks.

And yet we have long had one of the highest rates of take-up and use of the WWW. Speed isn't everything. Widespread availability and low cost seem to be better things to work toward based on international league tables. Last time I looked (a year ago) we were still in the top 10 and number two or three compared to our peers.

In reply to a post by bowdon:

The install prices are 'ok', if seeing broadband as a house investment, which its increasingly being seen. But wow, the monthly fee's.. why so much? I thought when the work is done then what else is being charged for?

Nope, you've got it completely the wrong way round there

Bandwidth is the expensive bit a bit of old copper or even new fibre in the ground is cheap in comparison.