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vicecity
20-07-2006, 08:30
Hello

Just moved house a couple of weeks ago but stayed on the same NTL 1mb cable broadband service. Howver the speed difference is enormous - so slow in the new house - it struggles to open more than one webpage at the time. Running the speed test I get the following results :-

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 06:28:12 UTC

1st 512K took 15061 ms = 34 KB/sec, approx 280 Kbps, 0.27 Mbps
2nd 512K took 14261 ms = 35.9 KB/sec, approx 296 Kbps, 0.29 Mbps
3rd 512K took 14961 ms = 34.2 KB/sec, approx 282 Kbps, 0.28 Mbps
4th 512K took 14581 ms = 35.1 KB/sec, approx 289 Kbps, 0.28 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 287 Kbps, 0.28 Mbps


Does this seem very slow for a 1mb connection - I used the ZDnet result (almost identical) and contacted NTL and they said this was the normal speed - is this true?

Cheers

Dave

TheNorm
20-07-2006, 08:55
Speeds can vary for a variety of reasons. For example, you might have a problem with your router, or there might be a problem with NTL in your area. To help forum members help you with the problem, I would suggest that you state your location. I live in Cambridge, and these are the results of my current speed tests (1 meg service paid for):

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 06:46:33 UTC

1st 512K took 4296 ms = 119.2 KB/sec, approx 982 Kbps, 0.96 Mbps
2nd 512K took 4356 ms = 117.5 KB/sec, approx 968 Kbps, 0.95 Mbps
3rd 512K took 4306 ms = 118.9 KB/sec, approx 980 Kbps, 0.96 Mbps
4th 512K took 4327 ms = 118.3 KB/sec, approx 975 Kbps, 0.95 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 976 Kbps, 0.96 Mbps

Another possibility is that ntl have planned maintenance work in your area. To determine this, click on the "NTL Status" link at the bottom of every forum page, and see if your area is mentioned.

I think you'll find that working like this with members of this forum will help you to identify problems - and, sometimes, to fix them!

Last but not least - welcome to the forum! :welcome:

vicecity
20-07-2006, 10:08
Hi TheNorm - thanks for your feedback.

I'm in Cardiff - now CF23, used to be a CF24 postcode. Before finding this forum i used the ZDnet speed test and over a period of different days/times i came up with the same answer of between 0.28 and 0.29.

I contacted NTL and the reply I got was :-

Hi David

Thank you for your recent e-mail.

From the information toy have provided your download speed would appear to be correct for the Bronze service level that you are currently using.

I hope the above answers your query, however, should you need further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us again.

Regards

Alec
ntl Technical Support Bureau

I am running a network through a Router, However I have tried it from 3 different computers over the network, both wired and wireless and all report the same speed. I have also removed the router and connected the computer directly to the modem - again same results. The modem is an NTL250 - little blue that does a good impression of a radiator! The speed doesn't vary depending on the time of day so I'm guessing that it could be a problem as opposed to network load.

The modem is located 2 rooms away from the actual point entering the house. When NTL came to setup the connection they installed an extension cable - probably about 25 feet of cable - could this cause a problem? Our old house had an extension that was about 50 foot long! Should I try plugging the modem in next to the terminal as I think there is a short cable kicking around the house?

Cheers

Dave

James Henry
20-07-2006, 11:05
Another possibility is that ntl have planned maintenance work in your area. To determine this, click on the "NTL Status" link at the bottom of every forum page, and see if your area is mentioned.

Nope planned works shouldn't affect services after 6am. If they do they become a fault.

vicecity
25-07-2006, 15:47
Hi

Does anyone have any idea as to why my connection is so slow and how I could fix it?

Cheers

Dave

vicecity
26-07-2006, 13:27
Nobody?

I've checked the signal levels and they seem to be ok.

homealone
26-07-2006, 14:12
Nobody?

I've checked the signal levels and they seem to be ok.

I think the only thing you can do is try & get NTL to take ownership of this as a problem. I know they will not 'guarantee' a speed on any tier, but to my mind a constant 30% of what you are paying for is not representative of an 'up to' 1Mb service.

If you still don't get anywhere, I would contact your local CAB about the possibility of taking legal action, as I would assert that a consistent 30% of the expected speed is not a 'reasonable' definition of 'up to 1Mb/s' and NTL are, in my opinion, fobbing you off to suggest otherwise.?