Speed Test Query

First off I'm about as technically minded as a rather stupid amoeba so bear with me. I've recently done a speed test via the test on this website and here's the linke to my results... http://www.thinkbroadband.com/speedtest/results/id/119812391919776725783.html

I'm with Newnet am on a 8mb connection although I think the area i'm in only allows for about 5mb am using XP and have an old ZyXel 630 Prestige modem. I do have a BT router but it's attached to my 360 in another room. I had a lot of problems with it on the PC losing connectivity and have never had a problem with my modem so prefer that.

Looking at the speed test it seems a little low for an 8mb connection (even if it is only 5mb), infact it seems it's running about 2mb is that right? I probably need to offer a lot more info but most of you on here are far more technically minded than me.

I'd appreciate any opions.

Thanks

Gav

Start by reading this. Especially point 3 about getting your SNR/Atten and post the figures here.

Yes I did read that but don't know what a snr/noise margin is. I'll have a read of the Kitz's helpful page....

Ok confused now. I checked out the Kitz link and selected my router and it says To access the advanced Features

Hold down Left Shift + Left Ctrl and then click on the ZYXEL logo.
Click the Advanced Button that appears to get a window showing your line stats

What Zyxel logo?

Hi,

Thanks for the posting - I have taken a look at the line statistics for your circuit and have checked the BT performance estimate to see how they compare.

The BT checker shows that your line is connected to the Morecambe exchange and predicts a line performance of 2500 kbps. The Sam Knows Wholesale checker picks up the same data (go to http://www.samknows.com/broadband/checker2.php and enter your phone number and postcode - then follow the links) and suggests a line length of some 1.8 Km straight line - probably means that the actual line length is around 2Km.

Line performance is dependent on distance from exchange to customer - the longer the length the lower the speed.

The speed test that you have quoted is entirely in line with the BT estimation for your circuit. I have also looked at the historic trends on the BT Broadband Customer Reporting site - and this shows that the line profile is set to ADSL2500 - and that this is a consistent figure. Interleaving is set to ON (it is in Auto mode) which does suggest that there have been errors on the line and that interleaving is helping to resolve this.

We do advertise the NewNet service as 'up to 8Mb' - and it is priced at a flat rate whatever speed you achieve (pricing is based on usage and not on speed). There is information on the ADSL FAQ page to tell you about the limitations and the order checker will pull data from the BT system and display this.

The result of the TB Speedtest is entirely in line with the BT estimate. Please remember that each circuit is checked and data shown on an individual basis - you cannot compare with other circuits in the area as these may have different cable runs or even different cable.

On the basis of the information that we have it appears that the circuit is running as expected. If you have some data for attenuation, signal to noise ratio (noise margin) then this may help to determine if you could possibly expect any inmprovement.

Best regards

Peter Milford
NewNet

Well that's wierd as a friend of mine who only lives round the corner but is on the same exchange gets over 5mb with BT Broadband so that doesn't sound right!? If this is correct though surely there's a 2 meg service which is cheaper. It hardly seems fair that some customer are paying the same price as me for a 8mb line when I'm only getting a 2mb line. I'll investigate further but thanks for the reply.