poor % max speed imo

[rizzla]

these are the speeds i would typically get on the various packages i have been on in the last 5 years.
i started on 2mb, then 4, 10 and 20mb.

2mb = 1.8mb = 90%
4mb = 2.6mb = 65% (for one whole week i got 3.6 mb)
10mb = 4.6mb - 5.8mb = 46% - 58%
20mb (255 modem 2 days ago) = 12.5mb = 65%

i have never "maxed" on any service, even at 5.00 am
never used or d/loaded p2p software.
my pc is clean/defragged/optimised for 20mb as per the links in the forum.
adware and spybot used regular.
connecting direct to modem instead of router make no diff.
router has intergrated 10/100 4 port switch, its a belkin 54g wireless cable/dsl gateway router (F5D7230-4) latest firmware.
op is xp home, fully updated.
athlon 64 3400 proc
1 gb ram
radeon 256mb graphics.


i know speedtests are not fully accurate, rather i use them as a guide to show the trend in my connection speed.
i use diff sites to compare (paul marsden, speedtest.net, speedtest.bbmax.co.uk)

im in northampton (nn4)
this area is lots of streets of victorian terraced houses)

i wonder if maybe this area is oversubscribed
or am i one of the small minority of customers who will only be able to get 16mb ?
can i find this info out ?
i know its an "up to " service but why i should i pay the same as someone who i getting 18/19/20mb ?

[Toto]

It is possible you have a very busy network in your local area I suppose.

But even here in South Wales, where I have been assured its not that bad I sometimes only get about 60-75% of my 20MBps and not at peak times either. Still though its generally pretty good. I suspect though that you need some more examples from folks in your area.