I had a different thought:

If the ISPs were to be concerned that customers might try to leave because of poor performance when they were not entitled to, they could supply routers that would allow a speed test to be initiated from the router's web user interface. The router could ensure that only its speed test traffic was sent, perhaps to a special ISP IP address that would record the results. That way there should be no arguement as to whether the customer is getting the service that the ISP has contracted to supply, what ever that might be. The router could also report the connection speed at the same time just in case that was the cause of a customers poor performance.

What does the Checker say here?

https://www.btwholesale.com/includes/adsl/adsl.htm?s...

When you say Vodafone have a reputation for quality? What do you mean? Bad quality? Vodafone by far have the lowest 3G coverage, along with O2. They also have fairly sparse mast coverage even for 2G, but this has improved since the cornerstone agreement with O2. Either way, both O2/Vodafone are a long way behind in terms of data coverage. VF are also are the most complained about provider.

Edited by ukhardy07 (Mon 17-Oct-16 14:52:56)

Cost wise doing that does not make much sense as it will definitely add to the price of a router. Further, it does not guarantee anything as someone else in the home may be running uTorrent as the test is occurring.

Nothing 100% proves congestion without a shadow of a doubt, but ISPs in my view are decent at releasing customer who have congestion once an official complaint is logged. BT are also very good at dealing with congestion if you get to their high up team, with many users here citing they have been put on less congested routes and within a few days their congestion has gone away.

In reply to a post by mikejp:

Indeed, Icaras - facts sometimes don't.

Settle down. I'm not saying you're lying, im just saying it sounds odd. As I say Openreach manage FTTC connections, the router syncs with an Openreach DSLAM. Thats not how ADSL works, so the sync speed won't change beteeen providers.

Most likely explanation being something like a change in how G.INP or Vectoring is running on the line and the change in VDSL modem at the consumer end. But as ever without masses more data its hard to draw a line.

Essentially its all about making the consumer kit actually managed hardware, and thus providers having the same visibility and monitoring as they do on core network kit.

What is going to be interesting is how will public handle seeing the buffer symbol on FTTH connections, while the issues over xDSL are removed with FTTH, the problems of capacity and congestion arise just as much, e.g. look at fixed connection speed service from Virgin Media

The checker link you provided says:
:
VDSL Range A (Clean) 42 31.4 7.7 6 -- Available -- --
VDSL Range B (Impacted) 30.8 15 7.1 3 -- Available -- --


WBC FTTP Availability Date
FTTP on Demand 330 30 -- Available -- --

ADSL Products
ADSL Max Up to 8 -- 7 to 8 Available -- --
Fixed Rate 2 -- -- Available -- --

I did use the past tense with regard to Vodafone quality! They have been slow to roll out 4G.

The ISP routers I have seen are built to order. I suspect the hardware could do what I suggest and there would be an additional cost to develop the firmware. The router could ensure that only its speed test traffic is passed to the ISP, whilst the test is taking place.

If I do move to Vodafone, and it won't be for some months, I will try and get some thing from the to say I can leave without penalty if the performance is bad, but I am reassured by your comments anyway.

In reply to a post by Michael_Chare:

they could supply routers that would allow a speed test to be initiated from the router's web user interface. The router could ensure that only its speed test traffic was sent, perhaps to a special ISP IP address that would record the results.

Which sounds like a great idea.

Till you then think that each isp would have to design their own firmware for the router (major cost) and that you would not be able to use your own router etc in house. As the router would have to be locked down to stop and tampering.

Add in which speed tester are they going to use? As we know just how these can vary.

The routers for many ISPs are customized to order. There would need to be additional work done to provide the facility. There would no doubt be some cost for this work, but spread over many units this might not amount to very much. If customers want to use their own router they just could not use the facility.