adsl speeds how does it work?

Question

if i have a 512 connection how fast should i be able to download files? well i have a 512kbs asdl connection with bigpond and the max download rate i can get is 56kbs is that right or am i getting ripped off?

Answer 1

well, the problem with ADSL is that they can only guarantee this speed between your computer and their main network. Once you leave that network you are at the mercy of the internet.

Some machines may be slow, some fast, all at differing times of day. So in effect your download speed can be limited.

But all in all a 512Kb connection is not that fast.

Answer 2

That depends. If you're getting 56kbps from a single site, it could easily be a slow server on the other end. If you're getting 56kbps during some part of the day, it could be congestion. However, if you're getting 56kbps all the time, no matter where you download from, there's probably something wrong.

There are a number of sites that offer speed tests, you might try one of them. Sorry, don't know of one down under.

Answer 3

Your connection will be measured in kilobits per second.

It is possible that you are measuring your download speed in kilobytes per second (The maximum you will get with a 512 kbps connection is 512/8 = 64kB/s (64 kilobytes per second))

If this is the case then you are not getting ripped off.

Answer 4

ripped off is an understatement. has your downstream rate always been so low or is this recent?

you should log into your router and check the network statistics. find out that the SNR and Attenuation levels are and post the results.

there would have to be some serious impairments on your phone line because 56K is only one channel.

Answer 5

Test here:
http://www.speedtest.net/
from almost anywhere in the world.