Speed variation in the evenings?

woooshuk · Mar 28, 2009, 22:32:03

Hi folks,

I recently migrated in and I am on the Home SuperMax package.

I read many comments and reviews prior to joining. I have a concern that I am seeing speed drops during the evenings.

Don't get me wrong, I am getting great service. But I decided to pay that little extra as others had said speeds didn't vary.

I am 200m from my exchange and have a good spec and full profile 8meg line. Most of the time I see 7meg speeds but in the evenings this falls to about 4meg. This is not a major issue. My exchange has plenty of capacity (about 200 in my village).

Any ideas?

Thanks

Paul

kinmel · Mar 28, 2009, 22:44:08

It is probably congestion within the BT network.

Carry out some tests using the BT Speedtester; a couple when speed is normal and a couple when speed is slow.

Idnet Support has access to these test results and can then discuss your problem with them next week.

woooshuk · Mar 28, 2009, 22:53:24

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

The BT test is presenting this error.............

"Unexpected result received when querying the network to find your services connection details. Please try again shortly, but if this problem persists raise the issue with your service provider."

It worked on my previous provider.

Sebby · Mar 28, 2009, 23:42:53

Keep trying; perseverance is often required with BT speed tester!

Lance · Mar 28, 2009, 23:52:09

Hi Paul.

This sounds very much like BT congestion. Although there are only 200 in your village, it is likely that your exchange feeds of another one. Also, not all exchanges are made equal, and therefore if yours doesn't feed from a bigger exchange, it will have a smaller link then a bigger exchange anyway.

You can check the status of your exchange here but the data is often mis-reported.

Rik · Mar 29, 2009, 00:51:22

I have to agree with everyone else, Paul, I haven't seen any significant variations in a month now.

David · Mar 29, 2009, 00:54:49

For what its worth Paul, Ihave been testing most of the day and everything is fine here in London....I hope it may help you isolate any issues,

Ann · Mar 29, 2009, 06:15:06

Don't bother believing what it says about whether your exchange is congested. Mine always says it's not when BT have now admitted that it is and they will not do anything about it. You could try asking them but I had to go to the top and email the Managing Director to find out.

Gary · Mar 29, 2009, 07:51:58

AS most people on here have said I see very little variation, I'm on a 7150 profile, and in the evenings still get speeds into the high 6mbps so its not IDNet, BT are like the CIA accountable to know one but themselves and never tell you anything without a fight.

bobleslie · Mar 29, 2009, 12:22:50

I regularly see speed drops in the evening to the mid 4000 kbps, even with my 7150 profile, but these are only temporary and, I'm sure, are caused by my local cr*ppy congested exchange.

It is still world's apart from the O2 evening rush hour rate of 400 kbps if you're lucky!

David · Mar 29, 2009, 12:25:26

Im lucky.....................Im not with them

bobleslie · Mar 29, 2009, 12:31:43

So am I.

woooshuk · Mar 29, 2009, 13:34:39

Thanks for your comments everyone.

Before bedtime but after wine last night

both the BBMAX tester and the BT tester were providing results around 4meg.

Just now (Sunday lunch) they are showing............

BBMAX = Download Speed: 6669 kbps (833.6 KB/sec ) Upload Speed: 697 kbps (87.1 KB/sec )

BT = Your DSL connection rate: 8128 kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 832 kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP profile for your line is - 7150 kbps
Actual IP throughput achieved during the test was - 6351 kbps.

As some of you say, 4meg is still much better than other ISP and really only effects me if I sit here doing speedtests

Thanks

Paul

David · Mar 29, 2009, 13:36:20

Speedtests are addictive and should be taken in moderation imo

Rik · Mar 29, 2009, 13:37:53

Keep an eye on it, Paul. Do repeated BT tests in thee evenings (you can only do them at 3 hour intervals), and if the pattern remains, let support have them. They may, and I emphasise it's only may, be able to do something - but if BT won't spend the money at the exchange, it's not something an ISP can fix.

bobleslie · Mar 29, 2009, 14:37:44

Quote from: badpianoplayer on Mar 29, 2009, 13:36:20
Speedtests are addictive and should be taken in moderation imo

They are addictive. We should really get a life!

David · Mar 29, 2009, 14:40:18

Been there and it drive you mad.....

bobleslie · Mar 29, 2009, 14:48:38

Well I'm mad...and I've just now found out the cause!

David · Mar 29, 2009, 14:50:39

Going to share it with me ?

bobleslie · Mar 29, 2009, 14:52:01

Speedtests.

David · Mar 29, 2009, 14:55:05

Jill will be along soon,but Rik has the power to authorise repeat presumptions...allow 24 hours for collection

I prefer to see the nurse first

Rik · Mar 29, 2009, 15:27:35

Speedtests!!! With my line I only do them when I must.

David · Mar 29, 2009, 16:01:44

Good job you dont live on a kitchen sync estate Rik

Rik · Mar 29, 2009, 16:04:16

David · Mar 29, 2009, 16:09:20

Good to see you are paying attenuation

Gary · Apr 03, 2009, 10:56:56

I noticed the last few nights a drop in speed to about 4meg from 6 in the day, hardly a major concern and probably BT as said, but since most people I have met in my village look blank at the word Computer and smile at the word Abacus I'm not sure there are enough PC users here to cause congestion, in fact the only congestion I have seen would be cured by vapour rub

Rik · Apr 03, 2009, 11:01:31

Are you on a 'fed' exchange, Gary?

Gary · Apr 03, 2009, 11:06:55

Quote from: Rik on Apr 03, 2009, 11:01:31
Are you on a 'fed' exchange, Gary?

what, Sudafed?

Not sure what you mean Rik

Rik · Apr 03, 2009, 11:09:21

It might help.

Some rural exchanges are really sub-exchanges of a bigger, urban, exchange, so the congestion can be occurring there. If you're concerned, have a word with support, they'll be able to take a look for you.

Gary · Apr 03, 2009, 11:14:33

Cheers Rik, we are an exchange in our own right I believe, the nearest big exchanges is 5 miles away so I very much doubt it, its just a small rural one with a population that's older so BT and most other ISP's see no need to upgrade here, if things get worse I'll contact support,but as its only been a few days I'll bide my time speed testing, its like a hobby now, a bit like fishing but with out getting cold and wet, but as always you still find a snag on your line now and then

Rik · Apr 03, 2009, 11:28:14

I don't - it's always slow.

Gary · Apr 03, 2009, 11:30:55

Quote from: Rik on Apr 03, 2009, 11:28:14
I don't - it's always slow.

at least you will get WBC and 21CN this side of the year 3000, unlike here

Rik · Apr 03, 2009, 11:38:11

It'll make little or no difference on my line, though, Gary.

Gary · Apr 03, 2009, 11:40:54

Quote from: Rik on Apr 03, 2009, 11:38:11
It'll make little or no difference on my line, though, Gary.

wait till fibre comes along, that will, you would think by now they could have some sort of hub, instead of people having to be near the main exchange for better speeds

Rik · Apr 03, 2009, 11:45:34

I'm not sure I'll live that long, Gary.

Gary · Apr 04, 2009, 21:36:57

Quote from: Rik on Apr 03, 2009, 11:45:34
I'm not sure I'll live that long, Gary.

The thing what worries me Rik, is at the speed of BT operations nor am I

Rik · Apr 05, 2009, 10:17:15

It's down to the youngsters then.

bobleslie · Apr 05, 2009, 12:24:10

You rang?