And here:

Download speed achieved during the test was - 13.75 Mbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 4 Mbps-21 Mbps.
IP Profile for your line is - 18.62 Mbps

Upload speed achieved during the test was - 832Kbps
Additional Information:
Upstream Rate IP profile on your line is - 832 Kbps

Both our Download speed achieved are atrocious, particularly yours.

So I got me a speed test here: Which is more believable?

Also my Upload speed achieved = Upstream Rate IP profile?

?
I'm lost now.

You've replied to me, quoted a speed test from somewhere, (which I think is the OP), and say my download speed is atrocious?

I think you're catching my "loss of concentration" problem .

Let's see what transpires.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

@Trishah, please can your copy and paste the actual contents of the download and upload text boxes from your next BT speed test?

The BT test completed fairly quickly this morning:

Download Speed
6.75 Mbps
0 Kbps 7.15 Mbps Max Achievable Speed
Download speed achieved during the test was - 6.75 Mbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 2 Mbps-7.15 Mbps.
IP Profile for your line is - 6.88 Mbps

2. Upstream Test: -provides background information.
Upload Speed
969 Kbps
0 Kbps 832 Kbps Max Achievable Speed

Upload speed achieved during the test was - 969Kbps
Additional Information: Upstream Rate IP profile on your line is - 832 Kbps

Still got the wacky result on the up speed.

Three weeks ago, you advised: "leave it alone for a fortnight and see if it drops the SNR back to 3dB"
Well it hasn't - this is right now:
Upstream 1095
Downstream 7799
SNR Margin(Upstream) 5.8
SNR Margin(Downstream) 6.3
Line Attenuation(Upstream) 22.7
Line Attenuation(Downstream) 46.0

It's now a very stable connection though - never dropped for almost 23 days and speed has been consistent all day/night.

The drops to 3dB target margin as with other margin drops look at error rates as well as up times.

So it is by no means a certainty.

The speed is perfectly ok for that attenuation, if it was me I'd just get on and use the connection.

Thanks MrSaffron - I'm happy with the connection - moving to Zen was a good thing.
With the terrific help I've had here and from their tech support in pinpointing a router and perhaps an internal wiring problem, I have a better connection than I've had for a long while.
I still think about FTTC - just not sure I can justify getting it.

Yes I was disappointed at not getting a higher ADSL2+ speed, but I understood why once the attenuation was explained, so that's OK

Until a couple of days ago, I'd never seen the BT tester report a higher up speed than the 'max achievable' speed though.

When I say OUR achieved speeds were atrocious, i'm talking pro rata; what else?

Yours was only 65% of IPP; mine 74%.

Have a reread and see if you can get my point.

Yes, I think we have to accept your ADSL2+ as it is now. Might be worth asking Zen if they can explain the IP Profile but it clearly isn't doing anything anyway. Maybe not worth the hassle.

As for FTTC, very much a question of need or not, or just the warm feeling of having it. There are cheaper ways of getting a warm feeling. Woolly hats and bedsocks fro instance.

Actually, my wife now swears by the microwave "Hottie" I recently got her!

Thanks - my connection is great compared to how it was last October before I migrated and got the issues sorted out.
The better up speed means it does website updates fast enough, and Outlook emails a 2MB image file in around 18 seconds, so it's fine for my work needs.

FTTC is still a bit tempting ..likely because I got a great computer last year, now a new ISP, good router, new master socket - suppose it's only natural to want the best connection
I'll see how it goes for a few months. Always an option.

As for a microwave hottie ...I often work until 2am plus, so that's a great idea - as I get more tired, I can get cold!

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

.... Actually, my wife now swears by the microwave "Hottie" I recently got her!

OT but I got the wife these a couple of years ago along with battery operated heated gloves.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hotties-Microhottie-Microwav... Leaves hot-water bottles for cold.

Excellent.

Maybe you would prefer http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intelex-Cozy-Plush-Microwave...

Anyway, lots at Amazon.