135 kbps IP profile? WTF I pay for BT Broadband option 3 unlimited 8G? Speed not much more than dial up!?

Question

the BT speed tester gives me this result

Your DSL connection rate: 768 kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 448 kbps(UP-STREAM)

IP profile for your line is - 135 kbps

Actual IP throughput achieved during the test was - 87 kbps

Why have BT set my IP profile for only 135 kbps????

Im on BT option 3 unlimited speed up to 8Gigs

Usually I only get a PATHETIC 500kbps but atleast i can watch things like youtube, BBC and Channel 4 online without any trouble.

But this crappy speed im getting its taking hours waiting to watch just one little thing

Why have BT set my IP profile for only 135 kbps????

Answer 1

Many customers have fallen into the trap of assumiong they will be getting 8 meg plus. The problem is, 8 is the maximum that you can have, that doesn't mean to say that is what you will get as that depends on the line quality available.

So if you tell them you want to pay for 8 meg then they will happily let you do so.

Answer 2

lol

Answer 3

A friend of mine had the same problem last week and spent hours on the phone over 5 days. She was being throttled but now she isn't, it just takes a bit of persistence.

If BT said that your line was capable of fast speeds and you had it but now don't, then I'd imagine that you are being throttled [restricted]. Call them on 0800 707 6044 and ask them if you are.

I've been told by them that their unlimited 'limit' is 100GB per month but it is no where near that I can assure you.

Ask how much bandwidth you have been using and maybe change to another option if they can't supply you with the speeds they say the can.

The new limits as from July 1st 2008 are:-

Option 1 - 10GB [used to be 5GB]

Option 2 - 15GB [used to be 8GB]

Option 3 - Unlimited [chuckes]

If you have never had the speeds you hoped for call the help line and they will ensure you have connected everything properly and check your line for any faults.

If you want to monitor your bandwidth usage download this free tool - http://www.rokario.com/

Answer 4

This can be due in a large part becuase of how your signal gets to you. Depending on th age of the technology and the distance from the source. Try finding an isp closer to you and ask them how dated are the wires and if they have upgraded to fiber optics. If not your screwed, all I can say is move! lol Good luck!

Answer 5

If you read the terms and conditions, there is a clause against these home services that if you continuously download large amounts, especially at peak times (evenings and weekends) they will cap your service. Viewing of TV on line, and Utube videos does create a large download. Most ISPs run this kind of capping on the home (and therefore cheaper) provisions.

Answer 6

Even if your actual downloads are only 7.6gb your traffic may be a lot higher, this could cause the issue - be aware that downloading a lot of files generates a lot of network traffic and your actual usage could be triple this amount or more.

Also your actual speed will depend on many things, how far you are from the local exchange, your internal network, the age of the wiring etc etc.

If your not happy then unbundle and switch to an alternate supplier or change your package.

Also note that speedtests are very subjective, if for example you go to speedtest.net and try Paris you normally get a fast link - I get 19.89MB/s on Virgin i.e 20MB.

If you link to other towns and cities the link may not be as good so you can be drawn into false conclusions so get a good average.

Also bear in mind 8gigs is not a great deal - some people can use that just by checking their email frequently - not the best account package if you download a lot.