In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, The Natural
Philosopher <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> Andrew Sayers wrote:
> > The Natural Philosopher <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> >>
> >> download stats.
> >>
> >> Clara say 'unless it goes below 256k for three days in a row, we can't
> >> get BT to take action'.
> >>
> >> Consistently connected at 3Mbps, no packet loss anywhere..
> >
> > Ask for a MAC code and try another more helpful ISP? Newnet are good, and
> > reasonably
> > priced and Zen are excellent if a little pricey.
> >
>
> I do not think this is Claras fault. I think they are being honest
> insofar as the poor support bloke understands things.
>
>
> I am going to try speed tests with other people in the village: I
> suspect its BT's IPStream service that is shagged.
>
> Since there is no LLU here, that probably means no other ISP will do any
> better.
>
> What I need to know is what BT's service limits are, and how far I have
> to go in rubbing their noses in the situation.
For over a year I had similar bad speeds to yours (it averaged less
than 500Kbps for most of the day). Over and over I was told by Nildram
(my ISP then) exactly what you've been told by Clara. That it was BTs
fault and/or that my exchange was congested.
I switched to a different ISP, an entanet reseller, that cost me £10
per month less than Nildram and gave me a bigger download allowance. So
even if Nildram had been correct about exchange congestion and download
speeds didn't improve, at least I'd save money.
The last speed test I did with Nildram , about an hour before the
switchover, I got less than 500 Kbps. The switchover went smoothly and
my first speed test with the new ISP, about an hour after switchover
was over 5 Mbps. Since then (almost a year ago) I often get over 6
Mbps, rarely get less than 5 Mbps even at the busiest times (their
'off-peak' rate times) I never get less than 2 Mbps.
I wasn't on LLU with either ISP. So, either the low speeds were
Nildram's fault or suddenly my exchange became uncongested at exactly
the same time as I switched to a different ISP. I know which
explanation I think is more likely.
Anyway, ask yourself: Is it worth trying another (better) ISP? What do
you have to lose?
Kit
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