In reply to a post by RobertoS:

Or it's kiloBytes per second.

True, but usually speedtests don't; it's data downloads that do.

It originally started as the NTL ADSL offering, they now use C&W.

Tesco sit their ADSL on the (VM) NTL platform, on C&W as the IPs confirm.

Matt

I tried The BT speedtest and it doesnt like my phone number. It needs a "service ID"
Is that displayed by the router or do I have to ask Virgin for it?

Here is my thinkbroadband result:
http://www.thinkbroadband.com/speedtest/results/id/1...

andhere is the routers status report:
ADSL Link Downstream Upstream
Connection Speed 7456 kbps 576 kbps
Line Attenuation 30.0 db 18.0 db
Noise Margin 9.3 db 18.0 db

any use?

You sound like you know what you are talking about XRAYSPEX.
I used to get 5 or 6 Meg until Virgin did something at the exchange, something to do with cable and wireless. Now I never get more than 1meg. and the connection can be completely lost in the evening, round about 8 o'clock it just goes dead.
I will try some other tests as you suggest. If I can find my Service ID I'll do that BT test that Roberto suggested.

Thanks! I'm not the only one; all the contributors here are authorities

In reply to a post by monkey_shoulder:

I tried The BT speedtest and it doesn't like my phone number. It needs a "service ID"

Did it just head this by "Test Error"? That means you are not on a BT system but on LLU. You have no "service ID"!

EDIT: Ah! It sounds like when you got those higher speeds you were on BT IPStream, then the "something at exchange" was to switch you to C&W LLU, as uno suggested. This must be very congested. Do you have lots of big Tescos in your area?

Edited by XRaySpeX (Mon 30-May-11 19:47:41)

Yep. I called Virgin and they told me my service I.D. was "LLU ### ###" ( I'll not post the number.) This is not a Valid Service I.D according to BT.

Izzit coz I am on C&W?

I live in Cowley, Oxford. There is a Tesco and a Sainsbury nearby. Why is that important?

Yes - the BT Speedtester does not work with LLU and C&W is LLU

It was a joke based on uno saying Tesco mount their BB on the C&W LLU platform.

You have a number of LLU providers there, quite a few of which would be better than Virgin ADSL2+ LLU

BE or Sky would be good alternatives

Do you know if you are within contract?

In reply to a post by nredwood:

You have a number of LLU providers there, quite a few of which would be better than Virgin ADSL2+ LLU

BE or Sky would be good alternatives

Do you know if you are within contract?

Or even uno! I would be pretty sure they would provide a far better service than VM.