In reply to a post by Hallucyn8:

It seems like I would be taking a risk with switching to a BT based supplier then if their methods are different and as it appears the speed I am currently getting is greater than would be expected. I certainly don't want to get myself stuck in a 12 month contract where I could end up losing around 50% of my current speed.

Thanks for the information provided but it looks like I will be staying as I am for the time being.

there is also peak time throughput levels to consider with any service that uses bt back haul .as some areas suffer with it ,and bt are super slow to react and add the needed capacity

I don't know how often ISPs update their estimates (or what could have an impact on the estimated speed assuming no equipment has changed) but Plusnet are now estimating that I would get 4MB (up from 3MB) and the estimated range would be 3MB to 7MB (up from 2.5MB to 6MB).

Still wary of moving supplier though with the uncertainty around what speed I would actually get. Despite TalkTalk not exactly covering themselves in glory over the past few days I have generally had a decent, stable service from them but their prices keep creeping up and there's obviously better deals out there as a new customer with other suppliers.

If you are happy with the service you are getting, now is the perfect time to ring Talk Talk and tell them unless they can match the deal you can get from Plusnet you will be leaving.

Good point! Will give them a call and see what they say.