Forum Discussion

Rogward's avatar
Rogward
On our wavelength
31 days ago

Advertised versus reality

My contract is coming to an end. I have had 500 Mb Broadband for 18 months. During that time I have sampled the download speed at random intervals a total of 233 times. The average download speed over 18 months is 198 (Megabits per second). Less than 40% of the advertised speed. The average upload speed is 43. 

Same router throughout. Modern laptops both PC and Apple used. All measurements taken about 4 metres from the router, unobstructed line of sight,  with WiFi at around -75 dB or better. 

Why on earth should anyone buy 500 Mb from Virgin when it only delivers 200?

  • goslow's avatar
    goslow
    Alessandro Volta
    31 days ago

    Any quoted connection speeds are for wired connections. Too many variables to try to guarantee wireless speeds.

  • cje85's avatar
    cje85
    Trouble shooter
    31 days ago

    It should easily be possible to at least reach (if not exceed) 500Mb on the M500 service, so it's likely you have a fault of some kind.

    Are you able to do a test on www.samknows.com/realspeed/  this will show the speed between VM and your router, along with the speed between the router and your device and may help determine if the problem is on VM's side or yours. 

    Just for an example i'm getting 540 down/50 up. 

     

    • Rogward's avatar
      Rogward
      On our wavelength
      31 days ago

      Thanks for that. I will give it a try. Appreciated. 

  • carl_pearce's avatar
    carl_pearce
    Community elder
    31 days ago

    This is what VM use, which is the speed to your HUB over the VM network:

    https://samknows.com/realspeed/

  • Client62's avatar
    Client62
    Alessandro Volta
    30 days ago

    Do share a screen shot of the Full Test results from the link above.

    For iOS + Android mobile devices try the free app : "Samknows Realspeed".

    The average of 198 (Megabits per second) are the speeds at which your kit is drawing data over Wi-Fi & not the speed at which the service is being delivered to the VM Hub.

    If you are looking for more speed & stability on modern slim laptops that lack a network socket, look for USB 3 or USB C to Gigabit Ethernet adaptors.  Costing about £10, these perform just as rapidly as an inbuilt network socket.

  • Adduxi's avatar
    Adduxi
    Very Insightful Person
    30 days ago

    And lets not forget Wifi speed guarantee is  only 30Mb ...