Download speed down to 300kbps :(

During BT's testing period I could download at up to 580kbps but the line was very unstable with frequent short disconnections. Now I can't get any faster than 300kbps but the line is much more stable with only one or two very short disconnections per day. What has happened? Is it that the BT tests have given me a lower maximum line speed or may the issue be with IDNet?

MAX adsl is a rate-adaptive service that starts out during the 10 day testing period with an indicative line-speed it thinks it can sustain throughput on at an 'acceptable' error level. Your initial speds were obviously unstable and too high on the error count, so the BT back-end downgrades your speed until it's found a happy medium...well happy for them (errors vs speed trade-off !) but not necessarily happy for you - end result for the user is a more stable, less twitchy connection with fewer disconnects but at a lower speed.

Here's a good FAQ

Thanks for that. Right now I can't get any faster than 130kbps and I can only get above 200 at silly times like 0400 in the morning. I'm wondering if I would be better off switching to Home 2000 - IDNet's 2 meg offering.

If you have finished the training period i would suggest calling customer support and ask about the possibilty of down grading, im sure they will be able to give you the right advice.

As phooey said there is a trade off to give you a stable connection which results in slower speeds was just thinking that if its a contention issue the 50:1 ratio that home 2000 give you maybe the right move.

What was the previous speeds that you could obtain?

Like Stevie says let the 10 training period lapse, exhaust all technical avenues with CS (they will do their best to sort you out) and then I guess your last recourse will be a downgrade...be aware this will cost (upgrades free, downgrades

The training period lapsed about a month ago. I think I'm going to have to contact ID.