I check the SamKnows stats most days (sometimes several times a day) and as I had experienced similar drop outs in performance that last for a few days, I waited a few days before getting motivated to start doing something about it.

I do actually benefit from the higher speed as I download quite a bit of data averaging about 40GB per month sometimes higher sometimes lower. I like to see it arrive as soon as I see that the data is available - I do not want to spend all day downloading a 20 diskette update of an operating on a dial up connection as I had to in 2000 and earlier.
The current technology suppliers have an expectation that all users have near instantaneous connectivity and tough on you if you do not.

Regardless of whether I truly need the speed I would subscribe to a faster service if and when one becomes available via PN.

In reply to a post by Stevenage_Neil:

.....and before the "I am paying for 78Mbps download speed" people get up in arms, I would ask why are you paying for such speed when, in over 75% of cases, you do not need it? (Or is it a "macho" thing?)

With some ISPs, including Plusnet, an "unlimited usage" goes with the 80/20 option, but the 40/10 option tends to have a usage allowance, which in the case of Plusnet also brings speed capping on some traffic.