Comparing broadband deals at the time of renewal can be confusing. There is a plethora of information available online, with providers guaranteeing superfast broadband speeds, different usage allowances, phone and line options and contract lengths. At Structured Communications, we look to answer the common questions we are asked by our clients below:
What impacts the type of broadband connection I can have?
The broadband connection available at your UK address is limited by a variety of factors such as the type of services installed at the local exchange and subsequent street cabinet. The speeds of the connection will also depend on the distance you are from the street cabinet and exchange. Often this is out of your hands and you are unable to change this part of your connection due to availability and or financial restrictions.
How do I know what broadband is available to me?
Structured Communications can tell you what types of connections are available to you and what the expected speeds will be. The potential speeds will be quoted the same by all UK Internet Service Providers (ISP’s). Often you will be given similar information by ISPs and most will offer the same products, simply packaged a bit differently. For example, if Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) broadband is available to you, then all providers will tell you this and that you can get up to 80mbps download and up to 20mbps upload. However, this doesn’t mean you will get the same speed regardless of the provider you go with.
I have FTTC available to me but I don’t get 80mbps download and up to 20mbps upload, why is that?
The maximum FTTC speeds are 80mbps download and 20mbps upload. Due to the local exchange and the distance you are from the cabinet, you might only have the potential to get a maximum speed of up to 40mbps download and up to 10mbps upload speed. Other factors could mean that you could only end up receiving a speed of 20mbps download and 5mbps upload but still having an FTTC connection that is advertised with speeds up to 80mb download.
How will I know if I can get the full “up to” speeds or not?
There isn’t really a way of knowing exactly until the service is installed and then we can see what it syncs at. This is the downside to this type of broadband connection; it is never guaranteed and will probably fluctuate in speed from day to day. Running a speed test from your connection is the best way of knowing your current speed and you can do this here.
Your speedtest results will differ largely depending on if you are running the test via Wi-Fi or a wired connection. You will probably find the wireless connection to broadband gives you a slower result than the wired connection. No ISP should estimate a speed on a Wi-Fi connection.
We always recommend using a wired connection to get faster speeds and a more reliable connection when possible and limiting the amount of Wi-Fi enabled devices to ensure you get the best from your Wi-Fi. Read our blog on how to improve your broadband speed here.
Structured Communications will always do their best to provide you with all of the correct detail so that you can make an informed decision.
If you would like more information on ways to improve your internet connection then please contact Structured Communications on 0203 301 4000 or email hello@structuredcommunications.co.uk.
