A question about broadband speeds

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GordonG Nov 2018 1:41pm, 28 Nov 2018 7,618 posts	0 GordonG Hi At home I’m supposed to be getting something like 100mbs broadband speed. Checking at various points during the day, I never get more than about 30mbs so I’m thinking about changing. If I was to buy a package of 50mbs would I still get 30mbs? Or given that I’m currently receiving about one third of the advertised speed, if I purchased a 50mbs package would I end up with about 17mbs? Anyone know how it works? ta
um Nov 2018 1:50pm, 28 Nov 2018 618 posts	0 um Hi Gordon Couple of questions .. - do you know how you are connected? (FTTx ?) - how are you doing the speed test? (is it constrained by wifi, VPN or anything else?) It may well be that 30 is the max - and typically, any ISP will use the same core cabling - so switching is unlikely to make much difference. Can you share (or fmail?) your postcode, and I should be able to take a look at connectivity & speeds in that area. Of course, no worries if you don't want to ...
fetcheveryone Nov 2018 1:57pm, 28 Nov 2018 20,340 posts	0 fetcheveryone If you're using Wifi, it's worth trying a wired connection to eliminate it as a potential bottleneck; and worth considering whether anyone else at home might be using it (including your telly box, which might be downloading content / updates at any time). Usually there's small print about whether the advertised speeds are a maximum, an average, or something that they can guarantee for a certain proportion of time.
GordonG Nov 2018 2:21pm, 28 Nov 2018 7,619 posts	0 GordonG thanks both for your replies. UM - don't know, but i'm happy to fmail you my post code (FWIW, according to broadbandchecker, 20 - 30 is about average for my area). have only tested using broadbandspeed checker, and Virgin's recommended app. And i'll give it a go tonight using a wired connection. if 30 is the max i can get then so be it. But if i can pay for "50" and get 30, i don't see why i should pay for "100" and get 30 if it makes no difference to speed or any other aspect.
um Nov 2018 6:24pm, 28 Nov 2018 619 posts	0 um [ Funnily enough, I spent the first 3 years of my life a few 100 yards round the corner from you. My grandparents lived in Nursery Ave from 1930's, I lived there until 1958, and visited regularly until mid 1980's. ] But - internet speed - most of the deals and suppliers seem to offer around 35mb. There are some offering 50-70 ish. I'd check (as Fetch said) a hard wire connection - and a few different servers. Also check no-one is downloading or streaming a film at the same time ... and also ask your current supplier (a) what connection you're on and (b) why do you only get 30 on a 100 contract. Be ready for waffle, but you look to be in a fairly well connected area. I'm assuming you're suing the std BT/Openreach network rather than any special cable/fibre to the house deal? Speedtest - I use Oookla ( speedtest.net ) Good luck !
GordonG Nov 2018 6:54pm, 28 Nov 2018 7,620 posts	0 GordonG small world! thanks for all the advice. re the network, it's Virgin fibre optics, if that makes any difference.