Broadband speeds in the UK hovering around 4 Mbps

[Marty_Mcfly]

If you sign up for 8Mb package, it does not mean you will get this speed. This is only the maximum speed you are likely to get, but subject to many conditions.

Recent report from BBC online shows that the average speed that we are likely to get in the UK is around 3.6 Mbps. In Europe, Sweden is the nation where the customers enjoy the highest broadband speeds (more than 10 Mbps)

South Korea gets fastest broadband service as 90 percent of homes there get speeds ranging betwwen 50 and 60 Mbps on average.

To read the artilce>>

[blasted]

Yeah its very weird my mb speed is way out.I mean i have joined the Tiscali 2mb package and i mean 2mb is fairly slow for this day and age.However, to make it worse im so far away from the exchange i only get 1mb.

[sean]

It seems most of unaware of the factors that affect the speed/peformance of broadband services. We complain a lot about the slow, actual speeds Vs advertised speed while the fact remains that the ISPs are a bit slow in doing anything to replace the age-old copper wires with fibre optic or something like that.

So, this problem will continue to exist for some more time.

[blasted]

Yeah its a shame really as its not like a minor problem that we forget about.It annoys me really that we pay for a certain package 2mb however, we don't get this.We may aswell only pay for what we get and our bills could be amended each Month.

[smith]

It is better to be informed over the factors that affect speeds. This will atleast help us to deal this issue.
Before you sign up to a package, let your provider tell you what actual speeds you will get. This link may help you to improve your connection speed:
http://www.broadbandsuppliers.co.uk/...peed-tips.html

[blasted]

Yes thanks for that arcticle i was reading that a while ago on the Broadband suppliers main website.This is the main factor that slows down my connection.

Distance from the exchange
This is the one of the major reasons for the degradation of speed in ADSL. After 1.5 kms, the connection speed tends to fall sharply and after 6 kms your connection is virtually cut off from the exchange.

However, if you are a cable user, you will not be affected by this factor.

[Marty_Mcfly]

I was also able to compare ADSL and cable broadband when I read another article:
http://www.broadbandsuppliers.co.uk/...broadband.html

We also have ADSL+2 which can offer speed up to 24Mbps but it suffers from the same problems that affect ADSL. Only difference being better coverage and the ability to support high-bandwidth applications like IPTV services.
More details>>

[blasted]

Thanks for that arcticle Marty yeah same thing would affect me again with this type of connection.

With ADSL, the connection quality depends upon the distance from the exchange or DSLAM. So, you may experience slower connection or even complete disconnection at times.

They need to have more exchange towers around or strengthen the signal from them.

[Nick]

ADSL+2 can offer better coverage - up to 7 Kms. If you are within 2 kms from the exchange or DSLAM, you will get speed closer to the maximum speed they advertise.

ADSL+2 package is ideal for online gaming and VoIP. I have been with Be for a year. Their Be Unlimited package is excellent and I would recommend it to anyone who can get Be services in their place.

[Marty_Mcfly]

Thanks to all of you for responding to my thread. Now, the hottest commodity in UK broadband market is speed. As all ISPs advertise they can provide 8Mbps or 10 Mbps or more, we need to check the validity of their statements. It seems most of us agree that the existing copper lines do not have capacity to deliver highspeeds over long distances.

What the ISPs are supposed to do then? ADSL+2 is coming up, more and more exchanges are being unbundled by ISPs, still the problem of speed still exists.

Hope the ISPs will find early solution.