Broadband Speeds

[Trigger]

I'm on Fibre Optic BB - the lower speed "up to 40". Just ran a speed test:

1. Via WiFi router = 5.73
2. Via Ethernet Cable = 37.53

Purely out of ‘idle curiosity’ can’t help wondering why there is such huge different in the speeds. I have seen speeds using Wi-fi connection of over 30.

[boatbuilder]

I have found the 'Ookla' (speedtest.net) a little unreliable of late. It is saying I am getting about 14 to 18 Meg down and 4 to 10 Meg up.

I have since done a test on BT and got the following results (Wifi).

I have addef a second image from one done on the BT App on my iPhone (through the router) giving similar results.

I have just done another on 'Ookla; and this is the result:

[frankiesays]

Didn't you get a 78Mbt download speed when you first upgraded to fibre BB?

[boatbuilder]

My expected speed when I moved to fibre was approx 64 Meg. That is always the expected speed via ethernet. I did get a couple of speed tests that were unusually high on ethernet, one showed as being over 100 Meg, but I knew they were probably flukes. The speed is always lower on wi-fi than ethernet and there are always other things running in the background like mobile phones which are connected and which could be using bandwidth even though they're not being used, or maybe the mail program on the computer checking for emails. I don't bother disconnecting the devices or close down programs when doing the tests.

[Trigger]

What puzzles me a little re: B/B via WiFi - is how the speed can fluctuate widely. In the past my speed has been as low 3.5.
This morning - 6am-ish - I did a speed test via WiFi and the speeds were almost identical - Ookla was 36 (see below); and near-enough the same on BTW. So, if it can be good on one day - why not the same the next day!

[boatbuilder]

There are so many factors that can affect the speeds. After I read your post this morning I did a test using speedtest.net and was only getting about 14 Meg download, I then tried the BTW one and it wasn't much better at about 18 Meg. I then did one through the BT website where I had to log in to my BT account and it gave me 51 Meg. Shortly after that I ran CCleaner on my laptop and after that Speedtest.net gave a figure of about 36 Meg. Tried it again just now and got 43 Meg down and almost 19 Meg up- and I was streaming music on another device at the same time.

[Trigger]

Thanks BB for that - my question was only out of idle curiosity! If I need a good, reliable speed, for downloading something - then I'll switch over to Ethernet - otherwise Wi-fi is adequate for my everyday usage.

[Trigger]

Earlier this week I ran a Speed Test (Ookla) which, to my surprise, was 37Mb. I’m using Wi-fi which is usually in the mid-twenties – but occasionally is much lower - even below 5Mb! So, a further 3 tests have been done and came back the same; and I’ve just run a BT Wholesale test and its 37.94! Don’t know why it’s suddenly reaching the “top speed” (via Ethernet it’s these speeds). Perhaps my ISP is just in a good mood!

[boatbuilder]

Trigger, have you thought that it might be down to the Wi-fi adapter fitted in your new computer that's giving you the improved speeds.

[Trigger]

Trigger, have you thought that it might be down to the Wi-fi adapter fitted in your new computer that's giving you the improved speeds.

Nope! That hadn't even crossed my mind - although I knew that there was a Wifi doofer in the base unit. I had a Netgear Wireless USB Adapter – which was recommended by the engineer who came and connected up the Fibre Optic Broadband (05/01/16). That could well be the answer! Have just run attest and it’s still 37Mbs!
Thanks for advice!

[frankiesays]

I tested my speed on Monday and the first test I ran showed an average of 65mbt which is probably not possible as I've only ever had 39mbt since I upgraded. I ran 3 more tests immediately one after the other while nobody else was in the house to use the network and they all came out at around 26mbt which is disappointing. I am only 100m from what looks like my local cabinet and only about 800m from the exchange. Virgin Media have just laid cable which will shortly be extended to my house so it will be interesting to see what they can guarantee. Unfortunately it will probably be an "up to" estimate which is totally meaningless as they only have to be able to get that result from 10% of their customers in order to claim it.

[boatbuilder]

Frankie, I am about 130 to 150 Metres from my Fibre cabinet and as you know a fair distance from the exchange (which shouldn't make a difference) and I can achieve up to about 55 Mb/s on wi-fi (usually about 45 but other things are usually connected when I run the test) so you should be getting more than that (if you're on the cabinet you think you are). Is that wi-fi or ethernet?

[morty1753]

I am about 200 metres from my cabinet and I get 70+through my wi-fi. I am with BT if that makes any difference.

When I first got a speed quote from BT I was given a "from" and "to" speed, that is the main reason I went with them as everyone else was quoting an "up to" speed.

[Trigger]

Did a BTW speed test a couple of minutes ago and pleased with the result. This is fibre optic (up to 40 Mbps) - using Wifi connection.

[SL-Dave]

The upload speed is disgusting! Should be 7-10Mbs for fibre.