Ask Our Expert

When will I get faster broadband?

Our Broadband Expert says...

The first thing you should do is run a broadband speed test to see just how fast your connection is. You should do this a number of times, and at different times of the day to get a more accurate idea of your internet speeds.

Our broadband speed tester works by sending a small file - based on the top “up to” speed of your package - and measure how long it takes to be downloaded.

You'll be given an upload speed as well as a download speed, and a reading of your “ping/latency” which affects things like streaming and online gaming.

To get the most accurate speed test result you should make sure you're not running any online applications, such as Skype, at the same time, or downloading TV programmes or music.

Once your test is complete, you'll see a list of different providers that are available in your area and how their average speeds compare to your own broadband speed results.

What speed should you be getting?

Although you might feel disappointed by your speed test results, you need to remember that you will rarely, if ever, get your advertised top speed.

Although most broadband packages are now advertised as up to 20Mb or 24Mb broadband,consumers actually get less than half of this. Slower-than-advertised broadband speeds are mostly down to the type of technology used in the majority of connections.

ADSL broadband - the type that is delivered over your copper home phone line - is subject to distance from the exchange. This means the further you live from the local telephone exchange, the slower your connection will be.

Broadband providers, the Advertising Standards Authority and Ofcom are currently working together to find an alternative way of advertising broadband speeds.

Ofcom’s broadband map

Although telecoms regulator Ofcom revealed in March 2011 that UK average speeds stood at 6.2Mb, this doesn’t tell you much about where you live; you might be in a big city on a superfast broadband package, or in a rural village struggling to get 2Mb.

But now Ofcom has published the UK’s first interactive broadband map, allowing you to see how your area compares across a number of different speeds and technologies.

You can zoom in and out of the map, using the coloured key to see how broadband in your area is performing.

“Each area has been ranked on how they score on four broadband metrics,” explains Ofcom, “on a scale of one to five, with one the highest or fastest, and five the lowest or slowest.”

The individual scores have then been combined to provide an overall view of broadband in each area.

As well as the overall broadband view, you can also compare the following:

• Average broadband take up
• Percentage of homes receiving less than 2Mb
• Superfast broadband availability
• Average speed to your modem

Improving broadband speeds

Even if it doesn’t look like faster speeds are coming to your area any time soon, there are still some things you can try to speed up your connection.

• Talk to your provider - ask your provider what speed you should be getting based on where you live. If your connection isn’t performing as it should, they might be able to send out an engineer or make some changes at their end to boost your speeds
• Fit an iPlate - if you use your telephone line to get on the internet, you might be able to benefit from an iPlate or Broadband Accelerator, which BT broadband (www.BT.com) says improves connections by an average 1.5Mb. Watch our video on how to fit an iPlate
• Go cable - if cable broadband from Virgin Media (www.Virginmedia.com) is available in your area, then you could boost your speeds by switching. The ISP’s cable packages performed best in Ofcom’s speed research. Alternatively, if BT’s fibre optic service BT Infinity is available where you live, you might be able to upgrade.
• Switch back to Ethernet - if you use a wireless router to share your connection around the house, you could be losing an average 30% of your speed, according to research by broadband analysts Epitiro. While you might not notice this when your speed is good, Wi-Fi could make a real difference for anyone struggling with slow speeds and you might want to consider switching back to an ethernet cable.

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