ADSL able to take more than 3MB/s?

i went to see about sky to day and they said that they use the normal ADSL (the unlimited pack 20MB/s download) but i read a thing on the net and it said the normal ADSL can only go up to 3MB/s. so what would happen, would i only get 2-3 MB/s max?? And i live 2.5 miles, 4000 meeters from my exchange. thanks
P.S any one know any good ISPs good for online gaming i can't get BE

As usual; sales people don't know what they're talking about (or explain things poorly, or were poorly understood).
"Normal" ADSL (which in this country is ADSL1 - Or "ADSLmax" as BT call it) can go up to about 8Mbps downstream connection speed (and around 800-900kbps upstream).
A typical BT Wholesale product will be "upto" 8Mbps down and 448kbps up.
Sky's own version (if you're lucky enough to live in an area where they've bothered to install their own equipment in the BT exchange) will be similar but may have a different upload connection speed.

The "only go up to 3Mbps" is probably referring to your line length data and the estimated speed for the length of line (or at least how long BT think it is - which is often wrong).

As you're 2.5kms from the exchange, your line length could be anywhere from 2.5kms to maybe 7 or 8kms, although a typical figure would be 1.4x the direct distance (so around 3.5kms).
Anywhere between 2Mbps to 6Mbps (depending on the actual length of your line) would be possible.
In practice; you'll automatically get the fastest speed your line can support (it's unlikely to be capped at 3Mbps just because that's what the estimate came out at).

Just so we can check something, what exchange is it?

The message from Sky looks strange to me so I want to see if they have a presence in the exchange or just use the BT Wholesale service like most ISPs.

Ade, if I am reading your post correctly 1.4x the direct line distance?

That would mean the further away you live, the faster your speed? (I'd love that - I'd be 3.6x1.4= - 5mb

Or have I got my Twickers in a Knist?

Edited by deleted (Thu 09-Jul-09 16:48:51)

actual line length = 1.4 * straight line distance