IP Information Question

I live in a town in Dorset and use BT, if I trace my IP it shows up as Bath (an hour away from my house). A friend of mine, also using BT, in Cornwall shows up as being in Torquay, Devon (just under 2 hours away from their house). It shows the IP and then a range and then "btcentralplus.com" after it.

What does all this mean ? Why would our locations show up 1 to 2 hour drive from where we live ? Does it come from the nearest BT junction box address or something ? Also what does the range part of the info mean ?

Sorry if this is the wrong forum by the way, wasn't sure of the exact one to use.

Thanks for any info.

Edited by BlizzardUK (Wed 27-Jun-12 17:51:50)

Location of the IP address assigned to your router, or where bits of BT kit on the tracert are showing as being located?

Is it not more specifically the address the ISP has declared that belongs to the IP address when they publish WHOIS information?

My IP location shows Rochdale afaik.