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View Full Version : download speed issues (yes another thread)


trebor
06-09-2006, 21:43
what have NTL changed in the stoke area (baguley proxy) in last two weeks or so.
browsing isn't to bad but downloads are cr*p in the evenings.
during the day and after midnight all is fine, download speeds are what they should be for my 4mb connection, but during the evening they drop to levels like these.
Downstream 1,370.9 Kbps ( = 1.3 Mbps )
Upstream 372.9 Kbps ( = 0.4 Mbps )

Wed, 6 Sep 2006 20:30:18 UTC
1st 128K took 1921 ms = 68231 Bytes/sec = approx 568 kbits/sec
2nd 128K took 875 ms = 149797 Bytes/sec = approx 1246 kbits/sec
3rd 128K took 1515 ms = 86516 Bytes/sec = approx 720 kbits/sec
4th 128K took 1766 ms = 74220 Bytes/sec = approx 618 kbits/sec


any suggestions or is time to downgrade and only pay for what they providing

Zee
06-09-2006, 22:37
Im having the same problem.

Im in the "brnt" area, browsing for the last week and downloads are really bad lately.

After midnight its fine i get an average of over 10Mbps, its about 10.30pm and i'm getting an average of 1Mbps on the speed test (im on 10Mbps service)

They need to sort this

murfitUK
06-09-2006, 22:43
Have you tried reporting the problems?

I'm in Stoke (ST4) and during the day things are fine. After 5pm though the service is almost non-existant. Started happening about 3 weeks ago.

I have contacted them but they said there was nothing wrong with the network as no one else had complained.

My BT line is being reconnected on Monday so I'll be saying goodbye to ntl.

scoobydoo[uk]
07-09-2006, 09:22
Got exactly the same problem here in Stoke.
During the day everything is fine, come 6pm ish and it all comes to a stop.
Getting about 2mb from my 10mb connection.

Read on other forums that other people in Stoke are having the same problem, typical NTL they say they dont have a problem.

Somethings happened because before VOD came live everything was fine.

Ive reported the problem, and emailed them twice regarding this but just got the standard reply, just firewall, anti virus etc etc.

Sent them another email telling them to stop reading from their computer screens and get a network engineer to look into this.

---------- Post added at 09:22 ---------- Previous post was at 09:20 ----------

Ive suggested they are traffic shaping from 6pm - midnight..
Cant get this confirmed though, but something is happening for sure come 6pm, its like they flick a switch..

If thats not traffic shapping, i dont know what is!.

Zee
07-09-2006, 10:26
I'm in the North West London area (brnt, edgware) but around 8-11 when im online it goes dead slow, usually below 1Mbps on speed test, at the moment i've come on to test the speed, average around 9-11Mbps on speed test but browsing is still very slow so i changed to a cardiff proxy and its slightly better.

trebor
07-09-2006, 17:21
today at 17:16
Downstream 2,461.8 Kbps ( = 2.4 Mbps )
Upstream 290.7 Kbps ( = 0.3 Mbps )

how do you convince NTL they have a problem when they say they don't?

the current pipex deal looks good, has anybody got any pipex horror stories

Zee
07-09-2006, 17:24
At 5.24pm:
(I am happy with this speed)

Thu, 7 Sep 2006 16:23:28 UTC

1st 512K took 687 ms = 745.3 KB/sec, approx 6141 Kbps, 6 Mbps
2nd 512K took 485 ms = 1055.7 KB/sec, approx 8699 Kbps, 8.5 Mbps
3rd 512K took 718 ms = 713.1 KB/sec, approx 5876 Kbps, 5.74 Mbps
4th 512K took 797 ms = 642.4 KB/sec, approx 5293 Kbps, 5.17 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 6502 Kbps, 6.35 Mbps

I'll post another speed test after 6pm and see what happens...

Zee
07-09-2006, 19:40
Right, as i said i'd do another one after 6pm and here it is:

Thu, 7 Sep 2006 18:38:06 UTC

1st 512K took 5297 ms = 96.7 KB/sec, approx 797 Kbps, 0.78 Mbps
2nd 512K took 1828 ms = 280.1 KB/sec, approx 2308 Kbps, 2.25 Mbps
3rd 512K took 6453 ms = 79.3 KB/sec, approx 653 Kbps, 0.64 Mbps
4th 512K took 5156 ms = 99.3 KB/sec, approx 818 Kbps, 0.8 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 1144 Kbps, 1.12 Mbps

It'll get worse then that between 8-11pm then shoot up

DiGi
07-09-2006, 20:24
same here im in stoke

Thu, 7 Sep 2006 19:23:40 UTC

1st 512K took 4204 ms = 121.8 KB/sec, approx 1004 Kbps, 0.98 Mbps
2nd 512K took 6218 ms = 82.3 KB/sec, approx 678 Kbps, 0.66 Mbps
3rd 512K took 5110 ms = 100.2 KB/sec, approx 826 Kbps, 0.81 Mbps
4th 512K took 2375 ms = 215.6 KB/sec, approx 1777 Kbps, 1.74 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 1071 Kbps, 1.05 Mbps

DiGi

scoobydoo[uk]
07-09-2006, 20:35
Same here ... 4.30pm and all was fine in stoke 1100k/sec

8.30pm and im just getting 250k/sec pushing it....

It gets worse and worse from now on in..

Its been like this for a week now, any word from NTL no.
I saw on another forum that someone spoke to technical support today and they said that they were aware of the problems in Stoke and it would all be sorted by 4.30pm today.

Well at 250k/sec downloads on my 10mb line at 8.30pm somehow I dont think they've sorted it.

trebor
07-09-2006, 20:53
and an all time worst..... now wheres my old 56k modem
Thu, 7 Sep 2006 19:48:10 UTC

1st 512K took 15453 ms = 33.1 KB/sec, approx 273 Kbps, 0.27 Mbps
2nd 512K took 17484 ms = 29.3 KB/sec, approx 241 Kbps, 0.24 Mbps
3rd 512K took 16485 ms = 31.1 KB/sec, approx 256 Kbps, 0.25 Mbps
4th 512K took 4640 ms = 110.3 KB/sec, approx 909 Kbps, 0.89 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 420 Kbps, 0.41 Mbps

and this is what NTL call a normal 4mb connection

jingleman
07-09-2006, 22:24
As I'm usually the first Stokie to moan about network issues in these parts, I'm wondering why I'm not suffering any of these major problems (tempts fate :Yikes: ).

Maybe the problems can't climb up Ash Bank ;)

Of course billing is another issue, but as they've given me a free month each time they cock it up, I've only paid £4.40 since April for 10Mb :cool:

Fleetwood Mac
07-09-2006, 23:26
This is not just a Stoke issue. I am in Bromborough and I'm getting the same rotten downloads. They won't believe me when I say I've got a problem. I will give them another call tomorrow.

Zee
07-09-2006, 23:45
This is not just a Stoke issue. I am in Bromborough and I'm getting the same rotten downloads. They won't believe me when I say I've got a problem. I will give them another call tomorrow.

Yes, its not just a Stoke issue, i'm in North West London and having these same issues, they tell me there is no fault in the area and all the other bull****...

tuggy
09-09-2006, 08:41
As I'm usually the first Stokie to moan about network issues in these parts, I'm wondering why I'm not suffering any of these major problems (tempts fate :Yikes: ).

Maybe the problems can't climb up Ash Bank ;)

Of course billing is another issue, but as they've given me a free month each time they cock it up, I've only paid £4.40 since April for 10Mb :cool:

Im at the top of Ashbank and its climbed to my dizzy heights!.
All last night i wasnt getting about 250k/sec on my 10mb line.

scoobydoo[uk]
09-09-2006, 17:44
That magical 5pm has come and things just get worse and worse.

ITs getting beyond a joke now....

Sat, 09 Sep 2006 16:42:57 GMT

1st 512K took 8110 ms = 63.1 KB/sec, approx 520 Kbps, 0.51 Mbps
2nd 512K took 1390 ms = 368.3 KB/sec, approx 3035 Kbps, 2.96 Mbps
3rd 512K took 1969 ms = 260 KB/sec, approx 2142 Kbps, 2.09 Mbps
4th 512K took 5766 ms = 88.8 KB/sec, approx 732 Kbps, 0.71 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 1607 Kbps, 1.57 Mbps



To repeat this test from the source server click here.


On a 10mb line..

mcmanic
09-09-2006, 18:54
lol thats nothing i'm on 4meg and only getting 33kbps! -thats if i can even get the speed test to finish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

somthing is seriously wrong

Fleetwood Mac
09-09-2006, 20:12
8 pm Saturday evening and my 4 meg service gives the following:

Sat, 09 Sep 2006

1st 512K took 1734 ms = 295.3 KB/sec, approx 2433 Kbps, 2.38 Mbps
2nd 512K took 2362 ms = 216.8 KB/sec, approx 1786 Kbps, 1.74 Mbps
3rd 512K took 3756 ms = 136.3 KB/sec, approx 1123 Kbps, 1.1 Mbps
4th 512K took 1385 ms = 369.7 KB/sec, approx 3046 Kbps, 2.97 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 2097 Kbps, 2.05 Mbps

Oh well, at least Everton won!

trebor
11-09-2006, 20:52
I got fed up with it and have just signed up with pipex

Sherlock614
11-09-2006, 21:21
Poop for me at the mo (Cheshire).

Have noticed pings have been bad last 3 days or so. Just did a speed test and it was one of the sub 1mb varieties :erm:

MatTman
12-09-2006, 04:15
im in surrey and my speeds as of this morning have been aweful, im lucky if i can get half my pages to load today and still no sign of improvment.

scoobydoo[uk]
12-09-2006, 09:51
9.50am and i get this.

Tue, 12 Sep 2006 08:50:25 GMT

1st 512K took 735 ms = 696.6 KB/sec, approx 5740 Kbps, 5.61 Mbps
2nd 512K took 437 ms = 1171.6 KB/sec, approx 9654 Kbps, 9.43 Mbps
3rd 512K took 469 ms = 1091.7 KB/sec, approx 8996 Kbps, 8.79 Mbps
4th 512K took 500 ms = 1024 KB/sec, approx 8438 Kbps, 8.24 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 8207 Kbps, 8.02 Mbps



To repeat this test from the source server click here.



Which isnt too bad, because web speed tests are 100% and i can get my full 10mb from newsgroups.
But come 5pm tonight and ill be down to 1.0 mbps

The network is seriously up **** creek

Comfortably Num
12-09-2006, 21:03
20:32 and I'm on 10 meg in Colchester

Downstream 354.8 Kbps ( = 0.3 Mbps )
Upstream 474.1 Kbps ( = 0.5 Mbps )

how can ntl say that there is no problem? :(

Blade187
12-09-2006, 21:14
Experiencing the same problems in S-o-T as the other guys. 4Mb cable just comes to a standstill in the evenings for me recently. Currently getting a download speed equivalent to about a 256k line. :(

Anarki
12-09-2006, 21:36
ditto most others im wirral, baguley i think its called.
terrible in evening.

murfitUK
12-09-2006, 21:44
Well, I had the BT engineer out yesterday who did a line test. He says that it is poor quality and the most I can expect to get is a max of 1meg broadband and nowhere near the 8meg that I wanted!

Looks like I'm stuck with ntl as doesn't seem any point in moving from one sh*t service to another.

There's obviously a problem. I can't understand why no one at ntl seems to be able to admit it.

taylorig
12-09-2006, 22:48
Same here in Bolton, Lancs. 4mb choppy all round :(

And quite a few friends around this area have been getting disconnected. Not got the full info on this if it's a modem fault or the actual service:shrug: But only seems to have started happening over the last few weeks.

Zee
12-09-2006, 22:51
Its been happening for the last week and a half here, its not just an area issue, its an issue in the whole NTL network, it must be if loads of people are complaining now...

trebor
13-09-2006, 14:46
Well, I had the BT engineer out yesterday who did a line test. He says that it is poor quality and the most I can expect to get is a max of 1meg broadband and nowhere near the 8meg that I wanted!

Looks like I'm stuck with ntl as doesn't seem any point in moving from one sh*t service to another.

There's obviously a problem. I can't understand why no one at ntl seems to be able to admit it.

1 meg :D thats better than NTL are providing to some people.

murfitUK
13-09-2006, 14:58
1 meg :D thats better than NTL are providing to some people.

Yes - but at least BT didn't lie and tell me I'd get a speed that they weren't capable of delivering!

trebor
13-09-2006, 16:51
Yes - but at least BT didn't lie and tell me I'd get a speed that they weren't capable of delivering!

I don't know if you've agreed with me or not :confused:

adsl has always been advertised as upto...... (I have always considered it so)
NTL has only recently started advertising its speed this way. could this be a reflection of the fact they knew their network couldn't cope or their intended actions or policy's would have a speed implication.

SNAKEKIL
13-09-2006, 18:23
Ok its 1825hrs in the BN area, and yet again:td: Iam on 4mg.:confused:


Your Connection

Speed Test Results
Downstream2,299.6 Kbps( = 2.2 Mbps ) Upstream375.1 Kbps( = 0.4 Mbps )

Blade187
13-09-2006, 19:33
I'd be delighted to get that. This is my *4Mb* at 19:33 in S-o-T:

Speed Test Results
Downstream 64.9 Kbps ( = 0.1 Mbps ) Upstream 375.6 Kbps ( = 0.4 Mbps )

Trying to do get some work done over VPN is excruciating :s

Druchii
13-09-2006, 19:46
Donny, 4Mb TW

Download Speed: 1209 kbps (151.1 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 355 kbps (44.4 KB/sec transfer rate)

Deathmaker
13-09-2006, 20:00
Wed, 13 Sep 2006 18:51:47 GMT

1st 512K took 10922 ms = 46.9 KB/sec, approx 386 Kbps, 0.38 Mbps
2nd 512K took 6328 ms = 80.9 KB/sec, approx 667 Kbps, 0.65 Mbps
3rd 512K took 6344 ms = 80.7 KB/sec, approx 665 Kbps, 0.65 Mbps
4th 512K took 7219 ms = 70.9 KB/sec, approx 584 Kbps, 0.57 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 576 Kbps, 0.56 Mbps


It's been like this in the evenings for the last week or so. :td:

Zee
13-09-2006, 20:32
1st 512K took 6141 ms = 83.4 KB/sec, approx 687 Kbps, 0.67 Mbps
2nd 512K took 4406 ms = 116.2 KB/sec, approx 957 Kbps, 0.93 Mbps
3rd 512K took 3188 ms = 160.6 KB/sec, approx 1323 Kbps, 1.29 Mbps
4th 512K took 4859 ms = 105.4 KB/sec, approx 868 Kbps, 0.85 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 959 Kbps, 0.94 Mbps

hopefully after the planned works and upgrades are over tomorrow it will go back to normal

Fleetwood Mac
13-09-2006, 22:05
Just done a quick check:

Wed, 13 Sep 2006 21:03:08 GMT

1st 512K took 1208 ms = 423.8 KB/sec, approx 3492 Kbps, 3.41 Mbps
2nd 512K took 1132 ms = 452.3 KB/sec, approx 3727 Kbps, 3.64 Mbps
3rd 512K took 1129 ms = 453.5 KB/sec, approx 3737 Kbps, 3.65 Mbps
4th 512K took 1114 ms = 459.6 KB/sec, approx 3787 Kbps, 3.7 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 3686 Kbps, 3.6 Mbps

This is the best result I've had in ages. At last. Let's hope they keep it up. Anyone else looking better this evening?

Nick_15
13-09-2006, 22:14
I also are having problems in stoke, Just ran a trace route to a game server I use after having problems and got this back.

|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| WinMTR statistics |
| Host - % | Sent | Recv | Best | Avrg | Wrst | Last |
|------------------------------------------------|------|------|------|------|------|------|
| 10.137.228.1 - 0 | 392 | 392 | 0 | 10 | 78 | 15 |
| bagu-t2cam1-a-v114.inet.ntl.com - 0 | 392 | 392 | 0 | 14 | 63 | 15 |
| bagu-t2core-a-ge-wan62.inet.ntl.com - 1 | 392 | 391 | 0 | 31 | 641 | 16 |
| man-bb-a-so-310-0.inet.ntl.com - 1 | 392 | 391 | 0 | 17 | 125 | 16 |
| lee-bb-b-so-700-0.inet.ntl.com - 0 | 392 | 392 | 0 | 17 | 110 | 16 |
| lee-bb-a-so-130-0.inet.ntl.com - 2 | 392 | 387 | 0 | 16 | 156 | 16 |
| pop-bb-b-so-100-0.inet.ntl.com - 1 | 392 | 391 | 15 | 17 | 156 | 16 |
| tele-ic-2-as0-0.inet.ntl.com - 1 | 392 | 390 | 15 | 21 | 313 | 31 |
| linx-gw1.enta.net - 1 | 392 | 390 | 15 | 29 | 328 | 15 |
| vlan43.telehouse-east.bdr.enta.net - 2 | 391 | 387 | 15 | 28 | 687 | 16 |
| th-router1.titaninternet.co.uk - 1 | 391 | 388 | 15 | 21 | 219 | 31 |
| 217.77.191.4 - 2 | 391 | 386 | 15 | 21 | 235 | 16 |
| rb-2-switch.titaninternet.co.uk - 2 | 391 | 387 | 15 | 18 | 157 | 16 |
| 85.232.32.199 - 1 | 391 | 388 | 15 | 18 | 109 | 31 |
|________________________________________________| ______|______|______|______|______|______|
WinMTR - 0.8. Copyleft @2000-2002 Vasile Laurentiu Stanimir ( stanimir@cr.nivis.com )
looks like hop 3 is struggling and It seems a lot of hops inside NTL as well.

MatTman
14-09-2006, 05:03
my connection has been utter crap for the last 6 days now too, very erratic speed tests and my Download speeds are half what they used to be.

have rebooted my STB countless times.

Paul
14-09-2006, 05:09
I also are having problems in stoke, Just ran a trace route to a game server I use after having problems and got this back.

|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| WinMTR statistics |
| Host - % | Sent | Recv | Best | Avrg | Wrst | Last |
|------------------------------------------------|------|------|------|------|------|------|
| 10.137.228.1 - 0 | 392 | 392 | 0 | 10 | 78 | 15 |
| bagu-t2cam1-a-v114.inet.ntl.com - 0 | 392 | 392 | 0 | 14 | 63 | 15 |
| bagu-t2core-a-ge-wan62.inet.ntl.com - 1 | 392 | 391 | 0 | 31 | 641 | 16 |
| man-bb-a-so-310-0.inet.ntl.com - 1 | 392 | 391 | 0 | 17 | 125 | 16 |
| lee-bb-b-so-700-0.inet.ntl.com - 0 | 392 | 392 | 0 | 17 | 110 | 16 |
| lee-bb-a-so-130-0.inet.ntl.com - 2 | 392 | 387 | 0 | 16 | 156 | 16 |
| pop-bb-b-so-100-0.inet.ntl.com - 1 | 392 | 391 | 15 | 17 | 156 | 16 |
| tele-ic-2-as0-0.inet.ntl.com - 1 | 392 | 390 | 15 | 21 | 313 | 31 |
| linx-gw1.enta.net - 1 | 392 | 390 | 15 | 29 | 328 | 15 |
| vlan43.telehouse-east.bdr.enta.net - 2 | 391 | 387 | 15 | 28 | 687 | 16 |
| th-router1.titaninternet.co.uk - 1 | 391 | 388 | 15 | 21 | 219 | 31 |
| 217.77.191.4 - 2 | 391 | 386 | 15 | 21 | 235 | 16 |
| rb-2-switch.titaninternet.co.uk - 2 | 391 | 387 | 15 | 18 | 157 | 16 |
| 85.232.32.199 - 1 | 391 | 388 | 15 | 18 | 109 | 31 |
|________________________________________________| ______|______|______|______|______|______|
WinMTR - 0.8. Copyleft @2000-2002 Vasile Laurentiu Stanimir ( stanimir@cr.nivis.com )
looks like hop 3 is struggling and It seems a lot of hops inside NTL as well.
I don't think 10 lost icmp replies out of almost 2,800 sends could be classed as struggling.

Deathmaker
14-09-2006, 13:03
As usual, in the day time speeds are what they should be:
Thu, 14 Sep 2006 11:57:26 GMT

1st 512K took 1094 ms = 468 KB/sec, approx 3856 Kbps, 3.77 Mbps
2nd 512K took 1093 ms = 468.4 KB/sec, approx 3860 Kbps, 3.77 Mbps
3rd 512K took 1079 ms = 474.5 KB/sec, approx 3910 Kbps, 3.82 Mbps
4th 512K took 1093 ms = 468.4 KB/sec, approx 3860 Kbps, 3.77 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 3872 Kbps, 3.78 Mbps

Give it until 5 or 6pm, then watch those speeds plummet.

Druchii
14-09-2006, 13:06
Ah, 4Mb TW in Donny... That's actually working :O

Download Speed: 3984 kbps (498 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 351 kbps (43.9 KB/sec transfer rate)

scoobydoo[uk]
14-09-2006, 19:25
Thu, 14 Sep 2006 18:24:16 GMT

1st 512K took 484 ms = 1057.9 KB/sec, approx 8717 Kbps, 8.51 Mbps
2nd 512K took 594 ms = 862 KB/sec, approx 7103 Kbps, 6.94 Mbps
3rd 512K took 406 ms = 1261.1 KB/sec, approx 10391 Kbps, 10.15 Mbps
4th 512K took 422 ms = 1213.3 KB/sec, approx 9998 Kbps, 9.76 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 9052 Kbps, 8.84 Mbps



Somethings working right tonight, im normally down to 2mbps by 7.30pm...
Lets hope it stays like this

Blade187
17-09-2006, 20:36
Did it stay like that for you? Been running like a 1 legged dog for me at night still.
Particularly bad tonight, speeds tests vary between 33k modem and 256k isdn equivalents (I've got a 4Mb line). Just done a tracert to BBC.co.uk and got this:

Tracing route to www.bbc.net.uk [212.58.224.114]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 1 ms 1 ms 1 ms 192.168.1.1
2 * 832 ms 1002 ms 10.235.32.1
3 839 ms 654 ms 926 ms bagu-t2cam1-b-v137.inet.ntl.com [80.5.163.109]
4 1049 ms 908 ms 992 ms bagu-t2core-b-ge-wan22.inet.ntl.com [195.182.175
.41]
5 1032 ms 1070 ms 911 ms lee-bb-b-so-200-0.inet.ntl.com [213.105.174.73]

6 852 ms 902 ms 581 ms lee-bb-a-so-130-0.inet.ntl.com [213.105.172.89]

7 396 ms 994 ms * pop-bb-b-so-100-0.inet.ntl.com [62.253.185.238]

8 * 738 ms 561 ms tele-ic-2-as0-0.inet.ntl.com [62.253.184.6]
9 1081 ms 826 ms 924 ms ntl-ge2-8.prt0.thdo.bbc.co.uk [212.58.239.217]
10 384 ms 655 ms 783 ms 212.58.238.129
11 1360 ms 994 ms 1055 ms www14.thdo.bbc.co.uk [212.58.224.114]

Trace complete.


Don;t suppose anyone can see if there's anything at my end that's the problem. It's getting really frustrating now :(

Nick_15
18-09-2006, 21:28
Monday night and still no better in fact I would say worst. I cannot look at any streams as they play for a second then stop, Gaming is out of the question. So I though I would come here for a moan. I know it's pointless as NTL dont care.

murfitUK (http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/member.php?u=1619) I know of others who get poor asdl in Stoke, Looks like the phone system is in as bad shape as the pot banks :)

trebor
18-09-2006, 21:53
I've got my pipex adsl running now so should I burn my NTL modem;)
with pipex I get 4mb out of the upto 8mb so I'm now getting what NTL were supposed to be providing and I'm paying £10 less for it.
I'll see how pipex works out but I'll be surprised if it's any worse than NTL.

hatedbythemail
20-09-2006, 09:36
http://media.guardian.co.uk/advertising/story/0,,1876234,00.html ho hum.

trebor
20-09-2006, 15:46
that link gives me
http://media.guardian.co.uk/subscribe

Deathmaker
20-09-2006, 18:25
that link gives me
http://media.guardian.co.uk/subscribe

Use www.bugmenot.com (http://www.bugmenot.com), the top login worked for me.

hatedbythemail
20-09-2006, 18:38
that link gives me
http://media.guardian.co.uk/subscribe sorry, didn't realise you had to be a confirmed red-under-the-bed-pinko-liberal-do-gooder to read that :-)

It reads:

"The advertising watchdog has ruled that companies marketing 8Mb broadband services will have to make very clear that top speeds will "vary significantly" depending on where customers live, following a complaint from NTL against rival Bulldog.

The ruling, relating to a TV and press campaign by Bulldog for a broadband service of "up to 8Mb", is extremely significant in the ultra-competitive market for high-speed internet.
Until now, broadband companies have been allowed to claim in their advertising that they can provide broadband "up to" a particular speed.
With guaranteed cable delivery of broadband to the home, NTL can deliver high-speed 8Mb with little degradation of service. However, rivals such as Bulldog suffer a significant drop in speeds the further customers live away from exchanges.
Following the ruling by the Advertising Standards Authority, ads will have to admit that top speeds "vary significantly".
This is likely to be beneficial to the likes of NTL, one of three complainants, as high-speed 8Mb services are leading to more video streaming, file-sharing and online gaming.
NTL provided figures that showed broadband speed fell as the length of line between a local exchange and a customer's home increased.
The company said broadband speeds of 8Mb could be achieved only by people who lived within 3km from an exchange.
The 35% of people who lived more than 3.8km from an exchange, for example, would get at best a 5Mb connection. In a ruling that will affect many broadband operators, the ASA asked Bulldog to indicate prominently in future ads that top speeds varied significantly, in particular because of a user's distance from their local exchange."