Skype and i player problem
Broadband signals on copper wires attenuate with distance leading to much reduced connection speed on long lines. Your connection speed implies you live perhaps 5km (road distance) from the exchange.
The transmission protocols used to send the information from the Internet to your computer have to ensure the data received is correct and these integrity checks use up a significant proportion of the bandwidth (around 13%). For a connection speed of 1248kbps that leads to a maximum useful data speed of 1085kbps (1248 x 0.87). BT round this down to 1000kbps when setting your IP Profile (idealised throughput - useful data - speed).
Next it is necessary for your computer to manage the connection with the data source and confirm all data has been received (nothing missing) - any data packets missed or damaged beyond repair have to be retransmitted. This unfortunately means additional overhead and consequently the actual throughput (useful data) speed will be less than the ideal value. Sadly the actual speed measured by the BT test (856knps) is about right for the IP profile you have.
The transmission protocols used to send the information from the Internet to your computer have to ensure the data received is correct and these integrity checks use up a significant proportion of the bandwidth (around 13%). For a connection speed of 1248kbps that leads to a maximum useful data speed of 1085kbps (1248 x 0.87). BT round this down to 1000kbps when setting your IP Profile (idealised throughput - useful data - speed).
Next it is necessary for your computer to manage the connection with the data source and confirm all data has been received (nothing missing) - any data packets missed or damaged beyond repair have to be retransmitted. This unfortunately means additional overhead and consequently the actual throughput (useful data) speed will be less than the ideal value. Sadly the actual speed measured by the BT test (856knps) is about right for the IP profile you have.