NTL broadband performance degradation

[rchadd]

i live in the UK and have had broadband internet connection for approx 2 years. My ISP is NTL and i have 512Kbps download (128kbps upload) cable connection.

When I first signed up i remember the performance was great, but over the years as broadband has become more popular here in the UK i have noticed a slow degradation in network performance. But recently (eg last month or so) it has really become noticable that the download speed is much worse.

in windows it reports the connection as being 12Mbps.

before i call NTL tech support (which i dont look forward to - as they are BAD).

how can i realistically measure the speed of my connection and compare to other users or ISPs.

I would consider moving to another ISP (ADSL) if they offered a significantly better network performance.

the problem is, i suspect that NTL tech support will simply say 512Kbps is only a theoretical maximum speed and suggest that i update to their 1Mbps connection at twice the price.

i personally know the performance is not as good as it used to be - but im not aware of an way to get objective data to backup my observation.

any ideas how to argue my case?

any other NTL customers here getting the same problem?

is the general issue for all broadboad users?

[tom61]

Cable or DSL? Everyone's been saying to expect cable to slow down as more people on your block get on.

http://www.dslreports.com/ has a great bandwidth tester.

[Tailgunner]

Tom's right, with DSL you get guaranteed so much bandwidth, where in a cable system your neighborhood has so much bandwidth split between all the subscribers in the neighborhood.

The downside is you'll notice a decrease as more people subscribe, but if the ISP upgrades their equipment you can also see an increase.

I'd call and complain, and if you have friends around you experiencing the same issue have them do the same.

[hyiu]

the problem is, i suspect that NTL tech support will simply say 512Kbps is only a theoretical maximum speed and suggest that i update to their 1Mbps connection at twice the price.


if they do say that....

I'll probably tell them....

so... now I pay the price and I get the "theoretical max speed".... well... if I pay double the price... I get a HIGHER "theoretical max speed" ??.... that doesn't make sense to me.....

I am a loyal customer of yours for 2 yrs... and I see your service is degrading.... if you're going to play word games with me like this... I would like to speak to your manager... or better yet.... I'll simply tell your manager because you guys play word games with me... I'm going to cancel the service and simply move to another company...

make sure you get their names and id before speaking to anyone.... I always do that....

whenever talking to these people... you need to hold your manner... (don't yell or any bad language...) but be very firm...

if they can't help... then move up the ladder... talk to their managers... but if it simply doesn't work... maybe its the company that is having a pblm... then it doesn't matter who you talk to....

[Cave]

NTL's 512Kbps service is now 600Kbps and has been for a while now, I'm getting 584kbps using this test
http://specials.zdnet.co.uk/misc/band-test/speedtest500.html

Cave

[rchadd]

must admit the connection seems to have become quicker recently. perhaps have done something

i get 575.1 Kbps with the speed check link.