Many internet users complain that after performing a broadband speed test they do not receive the download speeds they were expecting. This section will examine why.

What affects the broadband speed you receive?

Surveys suggest that a lot of users who paid for a package offering speeds up to 8Mb actually only receive speeds in the region of 2-3Mb after a broadband speed test. For many more users, the situation was more frustrating with their internet speed tests revealing broadband downloads were only marginally faster than dial-up.

The reason you are not necessarily receiving the speeds you are paying for is down to a number of factors.

Distance from the exchange – This is the biggest factor affecting the speed you receive. The closer you are to the telephone exchange, the faster your broadband connection may be. Only people living close to an exchange will be able to receive speeds up to 8Mb with BT estimating that around 78% of users on its lines can enjoy speeds up to 4Mb or higher. Bear in mind this does not apply to cable broadband – only broadband through a phone line (ADSL).

Exchange contention ratio – If your telephone exchange is busy, or is being used for a lot of heavy downloads, your connection might be slow. Many internet service providers (ISPs) use a contention ratio which caps the number of people that can share the exchange – normally around 50:1. Other ISPs, such as Eclipse, prioritize your bandwidth based on the package you buy – customers on more expensive packages will be given priority.

Number of connections in your home – Though wireless broadband has many advantages several people being connected to the internet at the same time can slow down your broadband speed.

Quality of cables/modem – If your broadband cables or modem do not have a high capacity you will not receive fast download or upload speeds. Many internet service providers will replace your modem and cables for free as part of their package.

Weather conditions – Heavy rain and extreme weather conditions can affect your speed and your connection.

Disconnections – If you have suffered a bad connection or a complete disconnection, perhaps due to bad weather or a power cut, your broadband speed could suffer as a result. Generally it is recommended that you disconnect and reconnect on a daily basis for several days to resynchronize your browser with your broadband provider. However, consult your individual provider first to see what action it recommends.

Viruses/spyware/adware – Any form of infection on your PC can seriously slow down your connection. Download anti-virus protection and remove any spyware/adware on your PC.

Time of day– Unsurprisingly, the internet is used by more people during ‘peak’ hours – 6pm-11pm. Consequently download speeds can be slower during these periods. When the US wakes up, the internet takes a distinct hit on speed. America is around 5 to 7 hours behind the UK so bear this in mind.

Website capacity – If a lot of people are attempting to access the same Web Page at the same time, this will create slower downloads.