Download Speeds

[20-20vision]

I have Unlimited which I think gives download speeds of 8MB, but no matter what I try to download I am capped at 2MB, what is going on? Thanks for any ideas.

[iniltous]

Unless you are on FTTP , then download speeds are limited by the product you have bought and the line itself,  ADSL and FTTC ( VDSL) are  rate adaptive, basically the rate provided is dependent on the line , mainly the line length….unlimited normally applies to the bandwidth consumed , like on a mobile where it could be 5Gb before you start to pay for anything over that, so 2Mb on an unlimited broadband are not incompatible if the line is only capable of 2Mb due to line length.
Without knowing what product you are on ( ADSL or FTTC ),  what speed profile you pay for  , and most importantly the predicted speed for your location , (and your router stats to see the actual performance of your service ) , it’s impossible to offer an opinion on ‘what’s going on’
Access your line stats on your router and post them here , and use this checker and post the results for your phone number and also post the results 
https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL

[20-20vision]

This did not post to well but here it is:

ADSL Products Downstream Line Rate (Mbps) Upstream Line Rate (Mbps) Downstream Range(Mbps) ADSL Availability Date Left in Jumper
WBC ADSL 2+ Up to 18.5 -- 17 to 20 Available --
WBC ADSL2+ Annex M Up to 18.5 Up to 1.5 17 to 20 Available --
ADSL Max Up to 8 -- 7 to 8 Available --
WBC Fixed Rate 2 -- -- Available --
Fixed Rate 2 -- -- Available --
SOADSL Products Downstream Line Rate (Mbps) Upstream Line Rate (Mbps) Downstream Range(Mbps) WBC SOADSL Availability Date Left in Jumper
WBC SOADSL 2+ Up to 18.5 -- 17 to 20 -- --
SOADSL Max Up to 8 -- 17 to 20 -- --
SOADSL Fixed Rate Up to 2 -- 7 to 8 -- --
Observed Speeds ADSL
Max Observed Downstream Speed 19.72
Max Observed Upstream Speed 1.14
Observed Date 2022-03-14
Other Offerings Availability Date
ADSL Multicast Available
Premise Environment Status
Bridge Tap U
VRI N
NTE FacePlate N
Last Test Date 21-04-2022
Exchange Product Restrictions Status
FTTP Priority Exchange N
WLR Withdrawal N
SOADSL Restriction Y
The exchange is not in a current fibre priority programme

WLR is currently available at the exchange

SOADSL is restricted at the exchange

FTTP is not available.

For all ADSL and WBC Fibre to the Cabinet (VDSL or G.fast) services, the stable line rate will be determined during the first 10 days of service usage.

Actual speeds experienced by end users and quoted by CPs will be lower due to a number of factors within and external to BT's network, Communication Providers' networks and within customer premises.

The Stop Sale date for IPstream is from 31 Jan 2013. The Formal Retirement date for IPstream is from 30 Jun 2014.

In order to be eligible for handback, downstream speed should be less than Downstream Handback Threshold values.

Mildenhall exchange:Only single order products are available and ADSL and ADSL2+ products are not shown as available.However for premises that can only be served by SOADSL, BT will continue to accept ADSL and ADSL2+ orders until SOADSL is available.

Thank you for your interest

[imjolly · Accepted solution]

Are you able to post stats from your router?

From dslchecker results you had a connection speed of 19mb on 14 march which was well within your expected speed range 

What did you use to check download speed?  Try https://speedtest.btwholesale.com/

Are you getting bits and bytes mixed up?

[Keith_Beddoe]

Observed speed 19.72 Mbps = 2.465 MB/s

Allowing for overheads, that would be quite close to 2MBs.

Use the BT Wholesale Performance Tester, that should give you a better idea, but you need to use an Ethernet connected device.

https://speedtest.btwholesale.com/

[20-20vision]

You are right, the speed checkers are using Mbs, the downloaders are using MBs.
So can I get a faster speed from BT?

[Keith_Beddoe]

You are right, the speed checkers are using Mbs, the downloaders are using MBs.
So can I get a faster speed from BT?

You only have ADSL available, so you will not be able to get a faster connection from BT Retail, or any other provider that uses the Openreach network.

If you can specify which cabinet number and exchange you are connected to, it may be possible to give you more information.