Slow speeds from Nildram help

Bunko · 22 Mar 2009 at 19:57

Hi guys, I've been with Nildram (now Tiscali obviously) for a while and the speeds have just started to slow down and it is always changing throughout the day. I was thinking of switching to another provider even though my choices are limited as I live in an apartment block.

I just checked on the BT website and they say I should be approximately getting 4.5Mbps.

We've just tested your line and can confirm your line supports the UK's most complete broadband package, BT Total Broadband. We estimate your maximum download speed to be 4.5 Mbps (Megabits per second).

I have just taken a speedtest

Date 22/03/09 19:43:03
Speed Down 1004.48 Kbps ( 1 Mbps )
Speed Up 372.02 Kbps ( 0.4 Mbps )

I emailed Nildram and they weren't exactly helpful but just basically said that the shared virtual path from the exchange shows it to be a throughput issue and they are currently reducing the load on the virtual path by moving users.

Now would I have the same issue with another ISP as I would with this one or are Nildram now just rubbish now? I'm hoping it's not just because I live in a flat as the speeds are so up and down and would love to be hitting 4Mbps.

Any info welcome

tolien · 22 Mar 2009 at 20:56

The BT estimator is useless, forget about it. What does your modem say it's connected at, and what does the BT Speedtest say your IP profile is set to?

Bunko · 22 Mar 2009 at 21:30

Downstream Upstream
Data Rate(Kbps)
5184 448

Noise margin (dB)
6.0 19.0

Output power (dBm)
19.7 11.9

Attenuation (dB)
47.0 29.0

That's from my router, hope that's what you meant, if not let me know!

Can't seem to get my IP profile from BT speedtester, just tells me my IP, file download speed and browser. Any other way to find out?

tolien · 22 Mar 2009 at 21:38

That's right. Your ISP should be able to give it if you're connected via BT Wholesale at all.

It should be obvious from those that you're connected at >4Mbps too.

Bunko · 22 Mar 2009 at 21:41

So do you think I should change my ISP and the problem lies with Nildram? I have heard a lot of bad things since Tiscali took over. How are BT these days for broadband as it would actually be cheaper than my current rate anyway!

Bunko · 23 Mar 2009 at 11:32

Anyone? Would like to know before I go and order expecting better speeds if it might not happen

Or should I try and ring up first and get my IP profile set higher, Nildram seem pretty unwilling to help

tolien · 23 Mar 2009 at 18:13

BT are fairly awful.
As for whether its Nildram/Pipex/Tiscali to blame, it's impossible to say without knowing your IP profile. It's possible.

namnoc · 23 Mar 2009 at 23:30

Nildram were a first class ISP for many years but have gone steadily downhill since being Tiscali/Pipexed.

I have changed 6 connections from Nildram to Titan since May last year and all have shown dramatic improvements in speed and reliability. Of course that is due to Enta who provide the service, but Titan are really easy people to deal with as well

Bunko · 24 Mar 2009 at 16:54

Thanks mate, I think I will swap over anyway considering it will hopefully be cheaper anyway! I tried phoning up and they don't really seem like they want to help either :/

They have just forwarded on an email to review the case but I guess it is just going to be the same as when I did it with a webnote.

I'm still not sure why I can't check what my IP profile is on the bt speedtester website as it just keeps redirecting me to a speedtest when I enter my telephone number :confused: