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Hub Download Speed vs Device Download Speed?

MGrieg — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 15:21:57 GMT

I was wondering why the difference between Hub Download Speed and Device Download Speed - hopefully someone can explain? My Broadband was advertised as "49Mb Download speed" but these are the figures I get when I use the BT Speed Test.

Hub Smart Speed Test
Download Speed 51.94 Mbps
Upload Speed 9.24 Mbps

Device Speed Test
Download Speed 39.87 Mbps
Upload Speed 9.05 Mbps
Jitter 2.19 ms
Latency/Ping 23.60 ms

I asked BT support who have said that the "guaranteed" speed is my Hub speed, and that it is impossible for my devices to have the same speed as the hub.

Re: Hub Download Speed vs Device Download Speed?

licquorice — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 15:27:19 GMT

There are several reasons, but mainly it's due to protocol overheads.

Think of the speed to the hub as the envelope and the speed to your device as the card inside. The card obviously has to be smaller than the envelope.

Re: Hub Download Speed vs Device Download Speed?

imjolly — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 15:27:55 GMT

the speed advertised is your connection speed to your hub not the actual download speed to your device are you ethernet connections to device?

Re: Hub Download Speed vs Device Download Speed?

MGrieg — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 15:32:33 GMT

The fact that the broadband plan was advertised as "49Mbps download speed" seems like deceptive advertising to me, fortunately I am still in the 14 day cooling off period.

Re: Hub Download Speed vs Device Download Speed?

imjolly — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 15:38:13 GMT

The BT T&C clarify the download speed is actual speed to your hub

you probably like most just tick the box to say you have read the T&C

Re: Hub Download Speed vs Device Download Speed?

Keith_Beddoe — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 15:42:23 GMT

@MGrieg

You would get closer to the actual speed by using a fast PC connected directly to the home hub, using an Ethernet connection.

You will not find any ISP that will guarantee a speed to a customer device.

Re: Hub Download Speed vs Device Download Speed?

MGrieg — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 16:06:35 GMT

Checking out the Broadband deals page as a new customer (with the same postcode) I get the "49Mb Download speed" claim for Fibre1 with below it "46Mb Stay Fast Guarantee". The important information that this is only the speed to the hub is buried at the bottom of the page underneath the heading "BT Broadband" and the subheading "Important information". So technically, yes, the information is indeed there.

Plus, regarding using an Ethernet connection, would it offer much of an increase over 600/52 (Mbps) wifi?

Re: Hub Download Speed vs Device Download Speed?

licquorice — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 16:10:43 GMT

@MGrieg First read message 2, second your speed is determined by the laws of physics and will be the same whatever ISP you choose.

In the real world, you will never be able to tell the difference between 49M and 46M

Re: Hub Download Speed vs Device Download Speed?

MGrieg — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 16:13:28 GMT

I appreciate that, it is just the deceptive advertising that has "got my goat" in this instance.

Re: Hub Download Speed vs Device Download Speed?

licquorice — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 16:17:55 GMT

It's not really deceptive. An ISP can only be responsible for the speed within in its own infrastructure, and not for the vagaries of items beyond its control.

Re: Hub Download Speed vs Device Download Speed?

chrisjp — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 17:02:37 GMT

BT does indeed make a few misleading claims in its advertising and via its telephone agents who are anxious to earn commission. But I don't think the advertised download speeds are in this category. They are clearly identified as "to the hub" and BT couldn't guarantee a speed to a device because it is not in control of the device that might be used