Check possible broadband speed before signing up

Is there a way to check how fast the internet would actually be at my
address before signing up to one. On BTs website there is a checker,
but for other companies you seem to need to have a phone line/number
to check the connection speed. I don't have a phone line and it would
be nice to know the speed before getting one (in case i don't need
one, ie use Virgin, or Bulldog).

"chris_huh" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:455b41fa-b368-409c-b001-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Is there a way to check how fast the internet would actually be at my
> address before signing up to one. On BTs website there is a checker,
> but for other companies you seem to need to have a phone line/number
> to check the connection speed. I don't have a phone line and it would
> be nice to know the speed before getting one (in case i don't need
> one, ie use Virgin, or Bulldog).

No.

On 6 Jan, 14:47, "Sergeant Stiffy" <s...@spam.com> wrote:
> "chris_huh" <chris....@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:455b41fa-b368-409c-b001-(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> > Is there a way to check how fast the internet would actually be at my
> > address before signing up to one. On BTs website there is a checker,
> > but for other companies you seem to need to have a phone line/number
> > to check the connection speed. I don't have a phone line and it would
> > be nice to know the speed before getting one (in case i don't need
> > one, ie use Virgin, or Bulldog).
>
> No.

Brief but to the point, thanks, i will have to just choose one.

Cheers

"chris_huh" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:5735bd8c-98ec-4d73-9b74-(E-Mail Removed)...
> On 6 Jan, 14:47, "Sergeant Stiffy" <s...@spam.com> wrote:
>> "chris_huh" <chris....@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:455b41fa-b368-409c-b001-(E-Mail Removed)...
>>
>> > Is there a way to check how fast the internet would actually be at my
>> > address before signing up to one. On BTs website there is a checker,
>> > but for other companies you seem to need to have a phone line/number
>> > to check the connection speed. I don't have a phone line and it would
>> > be nice to know the speed before getting one (in case i don't need
>> > one, ie use Virgin, or Bulldog).
>>
>> No.
>
> Brief but to the point, thanks, i will have to just choose one.
>
> Cheers

Have a read on these forums before you make a choice.
http://bbs.adslguide.org.uk

chris_huh wrote:
> Is there a way to check how fast the internet would actually be at my
> address before signing up to one. On BTs website there is a checker,
> but for other companies you seem to need to have a phone line/number
> to check the connection speed.

BT do a postcode-based checker which will tell you approximately what
you could expect from any company who provided ADSL via a BT line.

> I don't have a phone line and it would
> be nice to know the speed before getting one (in case i don't need
> one, ie use Virgin, or Bulldog).

If you're getting ADSL you /need/ a phone line. The actual performance
of this line can only be determined once its in place I'm afraid !

Note that even after all that, the *actual* performance will depend on
your chosen ISP's backhaul as well as your phone line.

--
Mark McIntyre

CLC FAQ <http://c-faq.com/>
CLC readme: <http://www.ungerhu.com/jxh/clc.welcome.txt>

On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 15:35:26 +0000, Mark McIntyre
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>chris_huh wrote:
>> Is there a way to check how fast the internet would actually be at my
>> address before signing up to one. On BTs website there is a checker,
>> but for other companies you seem to need to have a phone line/number
>> to check the connection speed.
>
>BT do a postcode-based checker which will tell you approximately what
>you could expect from any company who provided ADSL via a BT line.

Yes and BT told me I should be able to get a 6 meg service
4 days after my BT service started their speedchecker and distance
checker surprisingly changed to say I could only get a 3 meg service
>
>> I don't have a phone line and it would
>> be nice to know the speed before getting one (in case i don't need
>> one, ie use Virgin, or Bulldog).
>
>If you're getting ADSL you /need/ a phone line. The actual performance
>of this line can only be determined once its in place I'm afraid !

Even then you wont get the truth

"chris_huh" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:455b41fa-b368-409c-b001-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Is there a way to check how fast the internet would actually be at my
> address before signing up to one. On BTs website there is a checker,
> but for other companies you seem to need to have a phone line/number
> to check the connection speed. I don't have a phone line and it would
> be nice to know the speed before getting one (in case i don't need
> one, ie use Virgin, or Bulldog).

Virgin, yes but I don't think Bulldog do their own subscriber lines now (if
they ever did).

George

On 6 Jan, 15:35, Mark McIntyre <markmcint...@spamcop.net> wrote:
> chris_huh wrote:
> > Is there a way to check how fast the internet would actually be at my
> > address before signing up to one. On BTs website there is a checker,
> > but for other companies you seem to need to have a phone line/number
> > to check the connection speed.
>
> BT do a postcode-based checker which will tell you approximately what
> you could expect from any company who provided ADSL via a BT line.
>
> > I don't have a phone line and it would
> > be nice to know the speed before getting one (in case i don't need
> > one, ie use Virgin, or Bulldog).
>
> If you're getting ADSL you /need/ a phone line. The actual performance
> of this line can only be determined once its in place I'm afraid !
>
> Note that even after all that, the *actual* performance will depend on
> your chosen ISP's backhaul as well as your phone line.
>
> --
> Mark McIntyre
>
> CLC FAQ <http://c-faq.com/>
> CLC readme: <http://www.ungerhu.com/jxh/clc.welcome.txt>

Can i make an estimation based on an 8 meg service will actually give
me 3 (according to BT online checker), so Be's 24 meg service would
give me about 8 (ie a third, a bit like 3/8). Or does it not work that
way?

On 6 Jan, 17:33, "George Weston" <geowes...@NOSPAMgooglemail.com>
wrote:
> "chris_huh" <chris....@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:455b41fa-b368-409c-b001-(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> > Is there a way to check how fast the internet would actually be at my
> > address before signing up to one. On BTs website there is a checker,
> > but for other companies you seem to need to have a phone line/number
> > to check the connection speed. I don't have a phone line and it would
> > be nice to know the speed before getting one (in case i don't need
> > one, ie use Virgin, or Bulldog).
>
> Virgin, yes but I don't think Bulldog do their own subscriber lines now (if
> they ever did).
>
> George

Bulldog do their own phoneline (apparently), it is still and phone
line like bt, you can just sign up at the same time as signing up for
internet, is all i meant. As opposed to getting the phone line first
then getting the internet.

"chris_huh" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:1e76e843-c3f8-4ee6-8625-(E-Mail Removed)...
> On 6 Jan, 17:33, "George Weston" <geowes...@NOSPAMgooglemail.com>
> wrote:
>> "chris_huh" <chris....@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:455b41fa-b368-409c-b001-(E-Mail Removed)...
>>
>> > Is there a way to check how fast the internet would actually be at my
>> > address before signing up to one. On BTs website there is a checker,
>> > but for other companies you seem to need to have a phone line/number
>> > to check the connection speed. I don't have a phone line and it would
>> > be nice to know the speed before getting one (in case i don't need
>> > one, ie use Virgin, or Bulldog).
>>
>> Virgin, yes but I don't think Bulldog do their own subscriber lines now
>> (if
>> they ever did).
>>
>> George
>
> Bulldog do their own phoneline (apparently), it is still and phone
> line like bt, you can just sign up at the same time as signing up for
> internet, is all i meant. As opposed to getting the phone line first
> then getting the internet.

It will still be a line provided by BT.
Other ISPs do similar - i.e. run their own phone service - but they still
have to get BT to install the line - and pass the cost on to you.
Virgin (or some of the other small cable companies) is the only exception,
as they provide you with a co-ax connection from their nearest roadside box.
Cable is only available in the larger conurbations - check to see if it's
available in your area.
If it isn't, you'll have to have a BT line provided, either directly by BT
or via another phone provider/ISP.

George