Internet connection

[expat]

Broadband connection from BT: McAfee speedometer measures 500k connection speed.
BT's own test suggests, accurately, that we could get 500k connection speed.
There is no cable in our area.
BT upgraded recently, threatened 10 mins downtime, was actually out for 3 days. I don't know which was worse, 3 days out when I'm looking for a job, or the effect on my sanity and blood pressure of calling the support line.
I bought a Vodafone dongle: their maps show good 3G coverage for my house but actually I get mediocre GPRS: speedometer measures 20k.

I live in Bedfordshire, in a town, not in the sticks somewhere. Is there any way I can get some 21st century sort of internet connection, say at a brisk 1M or even a dizzying 2M? FFS

[RichardCranium]

<Yorkshire accent ON>
500kbps? Thee jammy bugger. We dream of 500kbps.

We're getting 400k. And that goes dahn when t' rain falls.
<Yorkshire accent OFF>

[DaveB]

Broadband connection from BT: McAfee speedometer measures 500k connection speed.
BT's own test suggests, accurately, that we could get 500k connection speed.
There is no cable in our area.
BT upgraded recently, threatened 10 mins downtime, was actually out for 3 days. I don't know which was worse, 3 days out when I'm looking for a job, or the effect on my sanity and blood pressure of calling the support line.
I bought a Vodafone dongle: their maps show good 3G coverage for my house but actually I get mediocre GPRS: speedometer measures 20k.

I live in Bedfordshire, in a town, not in the sticks somewhere. Is there any way I can get some 21st century sort of internet connection, say at a brisk 1M or even a dizzying 2M? FFS

There seems to be no ryme or reason to it. We are out in the sticks, 5km from the exchange and we can still get a reliable 2Mb+.

[ThomasSoerensen]

I also hate that I pay for a 32mb line and most of the time only get 25 mb when I test on www.speedtest.net

But then again I only pay about 30EUR per month so I guess I canno texpent much.

[RichardCranium]

I also hate that I pay for a 32mb line and most of the time only get 25 mb when I test on www.speedtest.net

But then again I only pay about 30EUR per month so I guess I canno texpent much.

Is it true that Germanian domestic power sockets have RCD breakers built in? I am assured that if you wire up a plug with a lead and bare the wires at the other end, shove the live in your mouth and the neutral up your bum, you will come to no harm.

Do be sure to test that for us tonight, won't you?

[lilelvis2000]

I live in Bedfordshire, in a town, not in the sticks somewhere. Is there any way I can get some 21st century sort of internet connection, say at a brisk 1M or even a dizzying 2M? FFS

As far as I know...not in the UK. Try France.

[expat]

As far as I know...not in the UK. Try France.

I did try France, for quite a few years. Many things did indeed work much better there than in the UK, but I grew tired of other aspects.

[ThomasSoerensen]

Is it true that Germanian domestic power sockets have RCD breakers built in? I am assured that if you wire up a plug with a lead and bare the wires at the other end, shove the live in your mouth and the neutral up your bum, you will come to no harm.

Do be sure to test that for us tonight, won't you?

Will report to you tomorrow that the missus felt during this test.

[VectraMan]

I live in Bedfordshire, in a town, not in the sticks somewhere. Is there any way I can get some 21st century sort of internet connection, say at a brisk 1M or even a dizzying 2M? FFS

Move?

8Mb here, and I'm promised a free upgrade to 20Mb soon. And yes I am in the UK, and no it's not cable or anything daft. Good old BT phone line.

[Zippy]

8Mb from BT. But then I am in the centre of the civilised world

Are you sure your wiring is OK?