Speed Checking Problems

[bbMc]

After 11 months Telkom finally installed my ADSL last month. I have a 1024 subscription, but NOT a 1024 connection! Using various speed tests the max I get is around 400-500. I have had Telkom out numerous times and they attach some sort of handheld computer/measuring device that always seems to show around 1Gb on the line. If I use their speedtest on their website it also shows the same download speed, but no one else does.
Can anyone tellme what the problem might be? Could it also be something to do with my ISP (MWEB)?
P.S. the new ad for free automatic trial upgrading to 4GB speed sends me into convulsions..... how can people lie like this?

 

[ziglet]

Well you COULD be very far away from the exchange, have a real *** line and thus you are not syncing at a high speed. What does your modem/router show as your sync?

 

[Wolfling]

Read your user agreement. It says 1024 is the max speed. However this is a max effort network. Thus they (telkom) will put in its best effort to get you 1024, however if that is not what you get then it is your problem...

Begs the question, what the hell is this new 4M service worth...

 

[bbMc]

Not being very technical (4G/4M!) these are the readings I took off the router (a Belkin):
Data rate: Down= 1152, Up=384
Noise Margin: Down= 30.3, Up=31.0
Output Power: Down= 12.4, Up=11.9
Attenuation: Down=14.0, Up=6.5

Presumably the Download rate of 1152 is realtime and pretty good? Why do the speed tests show around 400, overseas connections just too busy?

 

[Nameite]

The sync rate is just the max speed u get from ur router to the exchange.
The rest depends on the telkom's networks itself, to the SAT3 cable then to the rest of the world.
So ur sync just basically shows the max speed u could get from anywhere else thru ur line to ur router to ur pc