Eugene's observations

To get the best possible speed follow these suggestions.

1. Connect your router/modem/hub to the master socket - the one where the line first enters your property.
2. To connect the router/modem/hub to your computer use Ethernet cable by preference, failing that use adaptors to hook up with the mains electrical circuit, failing that use wireless.
3. If you have more than one working phone socket and do not have your router/modem/hub connected to the master socket, and you do not have a socket looking like this
   
   then get a broadband accelerator (iPlate) to filter out possible interference from the bell wire.
4. If your master socket looks like this
   
   Then get a modern one fitted that will have an isolation socket behind the fascia and possibly microfilter embedded. It may look like this:
   
5. You may share your line to the exchange with up top 20 other households so contention may slow you down. Try to avoid the busy evening period if possible.
6. You may share your connection with other family members who may have computers, wirelessly connected smart phones, games consoles, Internet connected TVs etc. Your speed will be reduced by such activity.
7. Position your router/modem/hub off the floor and at least a meter away from electrical interference from devices such as cordless phones, lamps, speakers, dimmers, TVs & power cords. Try to minimize the masonry any wireless signal has to pass through and remove white goods, radiators and reflecting surfaces from the path between router and computer.
8. Ensure you have a microfilter (either embedded in the master socket or externally) on each of your in-use telecoms sockets used for phones, faxes, security alarms, ringers, Sky TV boxes & answer machines. Also, do not have more than 4 such devices on a single line.
9. If you use wireless make sure that your router/access point is modern enough to use the 802.11n standard. If you are on an ADSL2+ line (rather than ADSL Max) make sure your router/modem/hub is modern enough to handle the line speed you receive.
10. Ensure your computer is modern enough to utilize the speeds the router/modem/hub (with the latest firmware update) is delivering. Have the operating system, browsers and network related device drivers patched to the latest version available.

After all that check that your line speed (available from your ISP) is similar to the received speed as measured by websites such as:
http://www.speedtester.bt.com/
http://www.broadbandspeedchecker.co.uk/
http://www.speedtest.net/
Or run a program to automate periodic tests available free from
http://www.gmwsoftware.co.uk/