Terrible Download Speeds!!! BT

[s_kinton]

Right, I've just moved into a new apartment we got BT broadband Option 2, which is up to 8mb with a 8Gb download limit. According to the router we've used just 2.74Gb so I'm not being throttled.

BT Total Broadband | Option 2 | Personal | BT.com

I've tested the speed using Speedtest.net - The Global Broadband Speed Test and found that I'm getting 330kbps download and 300kbps upload

I'm using the supplied hub and have tried both ethernet and wifi connections to no avail.

Any ideas? I've tried my PC, HTPC, Laptop and PS3 - all get abysmal speeds.

[dangel]

What's you synchronisation speed?

It's possible you're in the first days of BRAS training and it'll slowly increase (or, like me, get stuck until you find the one BT person NOT in india who knows how to fix it)

::. Kitz - How MaxDSL works .::

See this table:

Zen Support Knowledge Base v1.0

[s_kinton]

How do I find the sync speed? Is that the speed quoted when I log into the hub? Because I think that was something like 4800kbps.

[burble]

Yep, that's your sync rate.

[s_kinton]

So I've found my sync rate, I'll double check the figure later.

I dont get anywhere near the sync speed, so what do I do next?

[dangel]

There are two factors - you sync speed and your BRAS profile. The former is how fast your physically connected to the exchange, the latter is how fast the exchange will actually serve you - I was synch'd at 8mbs but my profile was stuck at 2mbs i.e. i got 2mbs download speed.

I'll try and dig you out a link to the profile checker if it still exists.

[dangel]

Here: Test Result

Only do this from the connection in question. It should do a speed test and tell you your profile rate as well - be patient with it (it's tetchy). The line you're interested in is:

"Your configured download throughput speed for this service is xxxx k"


Your profile should end up at about 4mbs judging by your sync speed but it may vary (BRAS is a constant thing, it never stops training).

Sidenote: BT traffic shape regardless during peak hours - usually 6-12 or so but it can vary slightly.

[s_kinton]

This is what my hub shows:


Downstream 5,696 Kbps

Upstream 448 Kbps

[edp33]

For an idea of the download speeds you can expect I would avoid speedtest.net it's known for giving misleading results. Thinkbroadband speedtest is ok, but your better off finding a large file and downloading that from a UK server.

Your maximum sync rate is dependent on how far you are away from the exchange, length of line, quality etc.

This website DSL ZoneUK - Distance to exchange has a handy feature to give you an idea.

In particular the best way to find your possible sync speed is to find out what your line attenuation is. It's usually displayed somewhere in your modem/router configuration alternatively you can find it by downloading the DMT Tool for the modem you have.

There's a graph somewhere that gives the typical sync rate for the line attenuation. I'll see if I can find it.

[dangel]

Unless he knows what his BRAS profile is he won't know the speed limit in place on the line (regardless of sync speed). Chances are it's just in the first 10 days of profile training and will get faster with time.

[s_kinton]

Its not within the first 10 days, this broadband has been in for quite a while - over a month in fact.

There is definitely something wrong with it. The router syncs at 5696Kbps, but I can only download at ~330Kbps.

Any ideas?

It's possible you're in the first days of BRAS training and it'll slowly increase (or, like me, get stuck until you find the one BT person NOT in india who knows how to fix it)

It sounds like I've got the same problem as you had...how did you get it fixed?

[s_kinton]

Bump

[[GSV]Myocardial]

Is that you can only download from speedtest.net at 330kbps? or have you tried any other tests?

It you are using a BT telephone line I would suggest using this speed tester to tell you the information as BT will only really take the readings from this seriously: BT Speed Tester

Post a screenshot of the results

From my reading it doesn't sound like you have a stuck BRAS profile but could be mistaken as that would normally limit you to the rates of 2meg internet

Have a quick read of this page which I've found quite useful: ADSL24.co.uk

[s_kinton]

Is that you can only download from speedtest.net at 330kbps? or have you tried any other tests?[/URL]

That happens when I download anything. The maximum download speed I've had from any website is about ~400.

I'll use that BT speed tester tonight when I get home and post back with the results. There is clearly something wrong with this.

[merdat]

Your sync rate looks ok but as dangel says 'it's the throughput ' that will be the possible problem . Try your tests after midnight avoiding any ' traffic management' and if you are getting bad throughput then ask the broadband people at BT to reset your 'profile' for you. Example : i've got bt vison (not that I use it ATM, but say I were to download one of their films , then in essence the throughput (i'll call it that) will be 'biased' towards the film while it is 'streaming'. Once the film is finished then 'throughput' on computer should go back to normal , but if my 'BRAS' profile gets 'stuck ' then it will have to be 'reset' by BT broadband people. ( this happened to a 'mate' of mine thats how I know).

[s_kinton]

Right, Ive done the speedtester that dangel posted above. The throughput is 718kbps!!! What next??