Big Variations in Download Speed - Suggestions?

[#1]

Evening all. Looking for any suggestions on the cause of some fairly major variations in download speeds I'm getting. I know from reading on here that speed tests aren't the be all and end all but even so, my download speeds are varying between 6.5m (mostly at off-peak times) and nonsense like 800k (mainly at peak times).
The Plusnet guys have run quite a few tests with no joy, I've tried replacing the router, I've tried connecting to the test socket, I've tried changing the filters, etc. etc.
Just as an example, the last few tests I've run have come up with:

Today 19:57 1238 kbps (155kB/s)
Today 19:43 6456 kbps (807kB/s)
Today 19:42 4621 kbps (578kB/s)
Today 19:16 896 kbps (112kB/s)
Today 19:11 1060 kbps (133kB/s)
Today 19:08 4464 kbps (558kB/s)
Today 19:05 2135 kbps (267kB/s)
Today 19:02 1360 kbps (170kB/s)
I don't know - maybe this is just what broadband speeds are like around rush hour? Any thoughts very welcome, especially from one of you top techy types (of which I am most definitely not one!) 

[#2]

Which exchange are you on?

[#3]

Riccall (MYRIC).
Had a look at this and it appears to my untutored eye to be okay?  
For what it's worth, BT Speedtest gives the following:
Download speed achieved during the test was - 1039 Kbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 600-7150 Kbps.
Additional Information:
Your DSL Connection Rate :8000 Kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 448 Kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP Profile for your line is - 6500 Kbps
Think they're working from a different definition of "acceptable" to me.

[#4]

Hi stmirren87,
Are you conducting the tests wireless or wired? Wireless could cause those fluctuations. Are there any other computers on your network? I would imagine if it was down to contention then you would see a more consistent slow speed during peak hours. It could be something in the background using bandwidth as you're conducting the tests. Maybe try a bandwidth monitor such as this one to see if anything else is going on.
Jojo:)

[#5]

The tbbMeter isn't the one I'd recommend.
Some time ago Bob Pullen recommended NetWorX - it's far easier to set up and use.

[#6]

HI jelv,
Thanks for that. I had a feeling there was another one that was preferable but couldn't remember it. I shall bookmark that one for future reference.
Jojo

[#7]

Thanks for the ideas guys. NetWorx dowloaded and installed but at the risk of sounding dumb, what am I looking for on it?
I've been testing the connection both wireless and wired (my desktop is wired and I've been trying it wireless on a laptop).
All Saturday, speeds around the 6mb mark, then...
Today 17:25 1751 kbps (219kB/s)
Today 17:23 1985 kbps (248kB/s)
Today 17:19 1788 kbps (224kB/s)
Today 17:13 1970 kbps (246kB/s)
Today 14:54 5953 kbps (744kB/s)
Today 13:44 6007 kbps (751kB/s)
Yesterday 18:51 2247 kbps (281kB/s)
Yesterday 18:50 2254 kbps (282kB/s)
Yesterday 18:36 3540 kbps (443kB/s)
Yesterday 18:30 1113 kbps (139kB/s)
Yesterday 18:23 2135 kbps (267kB/s)
Saturday 19:52 5422 kbps (678kB/s)
Saturday 19:28 5937 kbps (742kB/s)
Saturday 18:40 5867 kbps (733kB/s)
Saturday 18:13 5956 kbps (745kB/s)
Saturday 17:58 5972 kbps (747kB/s)
Saturday 17:42 5990 kbps (749kB/s)
Saturday 16:15 5906 kbps (738kB/s)
I'm no computer whizz but that ain't right.

[#8]

When you think that there is nothing using the internet make sure the graph shows no traffic - you'll need Ignore local traffic within the LAN enabled.
If you have multiple PCs you'll need to check them all.

[#9]

Gotcha. That NetWorx is a clever wee piece of software.
Well, there doesn't appear to be anything using my internet connection that oughtn't to be (the graph just flatlines when I'm not browsing).
So if it's not that and yet here I am again at peak time with speeds about a 5th of what they should be......
My limited knowledge showing through here but given the time thing, doesn't it sort of have to be either a traffic management or exchange thing?
ETA: Only have the one PC so no confusion there.

[#10]

Hi stmirren87,
Definitely something amiss there. Have a look here for some tips. If they don't help then there's an option further down the page to raise a fault.
Jojo

[#11]

Thanks Jojo. Tried everything suggested on that page already so I've logged a call (39881779 if you're interested) but I've logged this before and the tests they've run haven't shown anything 
Very frustrating.

[#12]

HI stmirren87,
In order for us to gather evidence for this you need to do some speed tests with the BT speed tester during the times it's ok and the times it's not, as we have access to these results and if need be can refer our supplier to them.
Jojo

[#13]

Jojo
Here's one during the problematic peak time (8.30pm).......
Download speed achieved during the test was - 779 Kbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 600-7150 Kbps.
Additional Information:
Your DSL Connection Rate :8128 Kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 448 Kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP Profile for your line is - 6500 Kbps

[#14]

And one from a bit later (10.00pm) when it starts to gradually improve:
Download speed achieved during the test was - 2616 Kbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 600-7150 Kbps.
Additional Information:
Your DSL Connection Rate :8128 Kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 448 Kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP Profile for your line is - 6500 Kbps

[#15]

Hi stmirren87,
That's great. When the faults team pick this up it will really help.
Jojo