BTs speed estimaes

Does anyone know why the speed estimates for my line change on a daily basis?

I had a brand new line installed on Monday. There is not, and never has been, anything connected to the line, no telephone, nothing.

On Monday, the BT checker said I may be able to get up to 1Mb broadband but they could also try a 256Mb connection.

On Wednesday it changed to fixed 2Mb, 3Mb Max and 5.5Mb ADSL2.

Today it says 1.5Mb Max and 2.5Mb ADSL 2.

I don't understand why this is fluctuating so much??? I have to admit to being a bit worried if the line stats are so variable before it has even been used!!!

Rate adaptive service, means the line speed changes based on the length/quality.

The checker site makes an estimate based on the line length, however it is just a guess, but when there is ADSL on the line, it also includes the actual achieved speed as part of the estimate.

For the first 10 days you go through stabilisation, your line rate will be changed to find what is stable, then once its deicded, it will fix itself and you will get a fault threshold rate and everything else....

At this point, the line chcker should also stabilise.

So, wait until 10 days from install is over then it should be good

Thanks for your reply, but...

I don't actually have any broadband service activated on the line yet, so nothing has ever connected or report a speed etc. As it's a new line, it has never had anything activated on it. It's actually a new build so not even any previous occupiers.

With this in mind, should it still fluctuate so much?

It is possible, remember it is just an estimate though and you will never really know until service is on it.

You could have a partial aluminium line, meaning a lower speed.

Until there is broadband on it, you wont really know for sure what you can get!

This is the issue with a rate-adaptive copper based service, until some serious investment is made and everyone is on 100% Fibre, this is how it will be.

BT are spending £2.5 Billion to do viable areas at the moment, but gov funding will be needed to get other areas done.

OK, thanks. Fingers crossed!!!

Thats the attitude!

Could go with a provider that offers a two week testing period and a guaranteed speed...

Also, order online, you are allowed a 7 day test period as per distance selling regulations, meaning, you get 7 days to decide if its ok or not and then cancel.

It is supposed to be 7 days from placing the order (and ADSL takes 7 days to get provisioned) but you could argue that and get out of contract if the speed is shockingly bad and not worth it.

Remember, if it is really low, you may be quicker with 3g and also, all providers use the same line regardless who you are with, so the speeds will be identical/similar with all.

All this different is additional products, pricing and helpdesks.

To be honest, on my exchange (Poplar!!) nothing is going to be quick! That and the fact I have a long line means I'm really not expecting too much, although I would at least like a stable connection, hence the worry with these figures changing so much.

I am currently using a 3G dongle connected to a wireless router (which is OK, and works far better than when the dongle is connected straight in to my laptop) but am hoping for something better...

Poplar has LLU installed, lots of it:

http://www.samknows.com/old/broadband/exchange.php?e...

Go with one of those providers, compare them on thinkbb site to see who offers best deals.

LLU will mean they control the network, will likely be able to give you a bit higher speed (not much) and also are much more 'lax' with the restrictions and caps, its usually a bit chepaer too.

Perosnally, out of them, Pipex rings good for me, I used them a few years back and was very happy, got knows how they are now though. Some folk may say to avoid like the plague...

Well I placed an order for an LLU connection yesterday. Lets see how far the order goes before being cancelled!! Unfortunately this exchange is apparently the most congested in the country and all the ports on the LLU equipment are used up, believe me, I have spent days phoning ISPs including the likes of Orange, TalkTalk, Sky, BE and usual ISPs who offer LLU connections. My only stipulation was an LLU connection, anything as long it was not a BT based connection. It is a nightmare trying to get a connection on this exchange. Some ISP offer a service where they keep re-checking for availability. It is purely based on whoever is the first to check when someone cancels their service and frees up a port. The general consensus is place the order but it may take up 3 months until a port becomes free. There is (unfortunately) plenty of talk about on this forum, if only I had read before moving in! I would have seriously considered not getting this flat had I known... I have an estimated connection date of next week but I'm not holding my breath!

Poplar has huge congestion problems which have been compounded by the presence of asbestos and an inability to physically expand the premises.