Author Topic: UK broadband speeds to increase (Read 4224 times)

Clive · « **on:** March 02, 2006, 13:25 »

March 2, 2006
Quentin Reade

BT is rolling out new technology that will see three-quarters of UK homes able to get broadband speeds of at least 4Mbps.

Software and technology at 5,300 exchanges is being upgraded to support BT's ADSL Max and ADSL Max Premium services.

BT says the new technology means that 78 per cent of lines should support line rates of 4Mbps and above; 42per cent should support 6Mbps and above; 25 per cent 6.5Mps and above; and 93 per cent 2Mbps and above.

The new, faster services should be available by the end of the month, but it will be up to individual service providers to upgrade customers, and this could take several months.

BT Wholesale chief executive Paul Reynolds said: ?The UK now boasts the highest level of broadband availability in the G8.

?Our approach in getting the most out of ADSL technology means we get higher speeds to a national footprint as quickly as possible ? making sure the opportunities are not just restricted to the urban centres, nor those service providers who operate their own networks.?

Michael Philpott, analyst at technology company Ovum, said:

"Overall, this is good news for UK ISPs and even better news for broadband customers, who can expect higher speeds to become available as the rollout commences. Higher speeds will also lead the way to greater availability of premium broadband services and applications such as video and gaming."

Web Users can check their potential line speed at www.bt.com/broadband

Clive · « **Reply #1 on:** May 12, 2006, 08:46 »

Mine is being increased from 2Mb to 4.5Mb today. Apparently I live too far away from the exchange to get a faster connection. I wonder if I will actually see any difference in surfing speed though?

Simon · « **Reply #2 on:** May 12, 2006, 09:45 »

You lucky bugger! Is that for no extra cost, Clive? My line check also limits me to 4mb, but at the moment I am still tied to Poopex, on a measly 1Mb, which half the time, doesn't reach anywhere near that.

Clive · « **Reply #3 on:** May 12, 2006, 10:02 »

They are actually reducing the cost from £29.99 to £26.99 a month Simon.

Camstop · « **Reply #4 on:** May 12, 2006, 10:07 »

:blahh:

Mine was done on the 19th of April with plusnet but took about 10 days to fully kick in due to a software glitch with BT which should only take up to 3 days.

Plusnet and other isps had the usual complaints and people leaving due to the "bad service" :roll: which was a bit unfair in my books but worth it for those who had the patience to wait a whole whopping 10 days :twisted:

Clive · « **Reply #5 on:** May 12, 2006, 10:26 »

You are the newly crowned Speed King Cammy!

Yes, I've been told that it may take up to 10 days to settle down and that there may be outages during that period. Apparently they will be continually testing the line to make sure I get the optimum speed. I'm just praying that they don't screw it up altogether!

Camstop · « **Reply #6 on:** May 12, 2006, 10:50 »

Quote from: "Clive"

You are the newly crowned Speed King Cammy!

Oi!!! That's enough about my sex life ta

:wink:

Btw Plusnet are £21.99 pm for their premier package

DJ · « **Reply #7 on:** May 12, 2006, 11:16 »

Quote from: "Camstop"

Btw Plusnet are £21.99 pm for their premier package

Thats exactly the same as me. I'm just waiting for Plus Net to upgrade me - says it will be before the end of June.

DJ

Rodders · « **Reply #8 on:** May 12, 2006, 14:26 »

I was 'upgraded' about a month ago, after BT told my ISP that my line was capable of sustaining 6.5MB of Oomph. Despite being charged another fiver for it last month, I'm still only getting 1.8MB and am now bitterly regretting my decision to be an early adopter.

Watch this space!

Simon · « **Reply #9 on:** May 12, 2006, 14:35 »

Is that with NDO, Rod? Gulp!

Clive · « **Reply #10 on:** May 12, 2006, 15:53 »

Mine started off at 4.42 then hours later fell to 3.97. Now it's just 3.28

If it continues to decrease at this rate I will be back down to 56K by the end of the day.

DJ · « **Reply #11 on:** May 12, 2006, 15:58 »

This was off an email from Plus Net about upgrading my broadband...

Quote

In the ten days following your upgrade, you may see your speeds vary. This is perfectly normal, as tests are carried out during this period to see what speed your line can support. It's important that you stay connected during this ten day period so that these tests can take place. After ten days you should see your speeds stabilise at the fastest speed your line can support.

Maybe it will stabilise soon Clive?

DJ

Clive · « **Reply #12 on:** May 12, 2006, 16:15 »

It seems to have stabilised at 3.34 at the moment DJ. Just as I thought, surfing speeds are no better.

Camstop · « **Reply #13 on:** May 12, 2006, 16:36 »

Here's another good up and down speed tester..>> http://www.speedtest.bbmax.co.uk/

It's not as a consistent speed as as it was on the lower speeds but you do notice a big difference on downloading

Rod: I'm sure there would be some useful help on the NDO forum and it does seem you may have to tinker with it to get it to work :wink:

Rodders · « **Reply #14 on:** May 12, 2006, 16:57 »

Quote from: "Camstop"

Rod: I'm sure there would be some useful help on the NDO forum and it does seem you may have to tinker with it to get it to work :wink:

It's a BT screw-up, and here is the procedure I need to follow to give them a kick up the exchange. My problem is finding the time to accrue a valid set of results, as I'm constantly flitting between my place and the girlie's. Don't worry, it'll happen just as soon I take a vow of chastity.