Just got an email today from Telewest saying my Blueyonder Broadband has just been increased from 1MB to 4MB with upload up from 128k to 384k for the same £25 charge.

I know that there are some slightly cheaper ISPs out there, but its not bad for an unlimited service - and its been very reliable since I've had it over the last 2 years.

Having played with it, it does seem noticeably quicker - so I'm well happy

Thats really good going! I'm on 1MB still, but that seems low compared to many offerings now.

Can you get sustained 200k/s downloads?

I'm on a 2Mbps line with seriously internet about a month now, so I can't really say if they are top notch, but so far so good... they are supposed to be upgrading to 8Mbps and members will get that for free, BUT.... (always a BUT) I assume that would be for London and whatever exchange has the facility... (might be an idea if asked them I suppose )

Here in Northern Ireland we are almost 100% Broadband enabled (we might already be 100%) so everybody who wants it can get it.... and not surprisingly, not everybody wants (or can afford) it. And I know of at least 3 or 4 customers of mine on dial up who are finding it more and more difficult to get on line, and when they ring up BT to find out whats up, they get the sales pitch...

I don't know anybody with faster connections, as the cable companies don't come out to us in the sticks, and BT have all the lines here. still... I look forward to whatever speeds I can get, but am happy enough with the 2Mbps as I can get steady downloads of 230Kbps with a good connection..

Are you with Blueyonder Ian? - if so they are rolling out this upgrade nationwide now so you will have it soon...

Forgive me for being ignorant, but how can I tell if I'm getting sustained 200k/s downloads?

Ah sorry, I should have been clearer - I'm with NDO (BT Line).

The easiest way to check for 200k/s downloads is to just look at the download speed next time you download any file off the net, or this page might do it.

I've just downloaded a couple of Nero Updates to test - first one was 32.6mb and took 1min 20secs at a steady transfer rate of 482 KB/sec, the other was 35.7mb and took 1min 30secs at the same steady transfer rate.

Does that sound right, and is it any good Ian? - seems pretty quick to me....

Sorry for the late reply, just seen this update!

That is a REALLY good speed!

No problem Ian - I know your always busy on here!!