Richard Lennox

I am convinced I am not getting my money’s worth from Virgin Media’s broadband service! For those who don’t know, Virgin Media is a Cable provider (the only one?) in the UK. They have the adverts with Samuel L. Jackson hinting at the 50 mbps service provided using their fibre optic network! I pay for the full XL package which provides me with TV, phone and Broadband at a reasonable price for the bundle. This is their most expensive package that gets me:

• up to 20mbps braodband
• their full (non-HD) TV package and
• Unlimited anytime calls to UK landlines.

20 mbps, No way!

Ok it says up to, but what would you say is fair? 18 mbps? 15 mbps? At least over the 10 mbps on the next package down, right? Well I am certain I don’t get more than 5 mbps!

So I am going to test this an post my speed test results here for prosperity!

The setup form my test is my standard home setup for my desktop, but removing all other network traffic:

• Computer: Windows Vista Ultimate, Intel Core2Duo 6600 (2×2.40GHz) processor, 4 GB of RAM (32bit Windows only uses and recognises 3.5 the rest is utilised by the hardware!).
• Router: Netgear 54 Mbps Wirelss Router – WGR614 v6 with fully up to date firmware.
• Cable Modem: Motorola – S85100 Surfboard Cable Modem

As many Windows processes as possible have been killed without killing Windows iteself, including for this test the Firewall and Virus Protection. The wireless has been switched off and the only connections are wired and between the computer and the router and the router and the modem (which is obviously plugged into the outside world!).

Day 1 results (21:45):

www.speedtest.net – download: 4508 kbps (4.5 mbps); upload: 678 kbps.

http://www.broadbandspeedchecker.co.uk/ – download: 4912 kbps (4.9 mbps); upload: 577 kbps

This isn’t very scientific but I will continue to post my results as and when I test the broadband speed. Let me know your thoughts.