How can I check the maximum download speed available on my phone line?

Question

I currently have an AOL Silver package 2MB and my online tests show about 2.1 - 2.5 MB. I am thinking of changing to another provider who offer up to 8MB but I know this depends on my telephone line. Is there any way I can check the line speed before committing to another provider?

Answer 1

Hi,

Yeah thats easy to do.

Open up internet explorer and type the following 192.168.0.1

then go

Look for "DSL Line Speed (Kbps)" in the table. It will display the highest upload + download speed possible for you phone line.

Answer 2

http://www.productsandservices.bt.com/co... if you have a bt line just follow the instructions on screen hope it helps

Answer 3

do a ping test @ www.speedtest.com

you may only show what ur current provider allows on tests like this tho.

go with sky broadband - £5 pm for 4MB

I was payng £10 pm for upto 8MB but did the ping teat and best i could get to the xchange was 4.1 MB even tho was payin for 8

Happy days and £60 a year saved !

Answer 4

Use the BT Broadband Speed Checker which is available at the following url:

http://www.btbroadbandinformation.com/br...

The speed available depends on a number of factors, including how far away you are from your exchange and the contention ratio, which is the maximum number of people that share the bandwidth.

For example, I am on an '8MB maximum' tariff but as I live over 5 miles from my exchange, the maximum I can get is 1.5MB.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Not that I am aware of. But I get what you are asking.. and it does sound like a good idea.  It would tell you if there are problems between you and the central office, like water in the lines, degraded lines, or possibly your distance from the central office, which migth preclude you from getting the maximum thruput you are paying for.

Most likely, 2.1-2.5Mbs is the CAP or limit that AOL puts on your service.. your lines can probably handle more.

Most internet service providers have a 30-day money back.. so you could always sign up and THEN test it. If your email is already setup with Yahoo or Gmail - then switching between AOL and another internet provider is easy, since your email won't change.  However, if your email is thru AOL..then I can see your hesitency.. changing everything and then possibly changing it back.

I know a couple of sites use to tell you the distance to the Telephone company's Central Office but a quick search of them, seems like most are down.

Farther then about 3 miles and your connection speed drops.

Answer 6

just google it, type maximum speed on my land line, and it will direct you to a site that will tell you. i did mine and it told me 4.5MB from my local phone exchange.