You're spot on Jim.

I've been doing a bit of research on this and think I know where its at. The sync speed of your router has a direct bearing on your download speed. What happens is the BT system monitoring your line averages this out over a period of time and bases your download speeds on it. So if you get consistently low sync speeds at your router, you'll get crap download speeds. Another problem with ADSL MAX is that if you suddenly get an improvement in sync speed, you won't see it reflected in your download speed for about 3 days. The system will need to see a stable improvement over the 3 days, otherwise it'll lower your speed.

I think I'm right here with my assumptions, but your sync speeds are low and your download speed will always be below your sync speed. If you're getting 2MB the most you're going to get is about 1.3MB. My sync speed is 6784kbps and that's not brilliant but when I connected my router directly to the BT connection behind the faceplate, I was getting 8MB so that proves that all my internal phone wiring is degrading the signal considerably. Trouble is I can't leave it connected there because I'd have no phones. I'm getting just over 4MB at the moment, but last night at around teatime, I was down to 1MB.

I know there's contention ratios to consider but this ADSL MAX seems to be a naturally fluctuating concept that way it works is a real pain.

I'm gonna keep an eye on things, but as I mentioned in a previous email, I've got a phone line in the house that I'm not using at the moment so I may use that as a dedicated broadband line with nothing else on it. Trouble is BT will want £11 a month line rental which I'm not sure I wanna pay.

One things for sure though ............ Pipex aren't causing this problem. This is good old BT.

Bestest, YC