Just a little thought, Jessica.
I couldn't understand why you always got 7616 from Pipex (not that I know anything about such things!)
My throughput speeds have always been well under that sort of figure. However, today I made a discovery! Instead of using a 'Speedtester', I invoked my ADSL equipment's own data, and , lo and behold, my line status (ADSL Speed. download speed) was...guess what? 7616 !
So, ....I reckon that this figure of 7616 is the official 'maximum' for the line, BUT the reality of actual tested throughput speeds will differ from that figure (invariably less, for all the reasons given elsewhere by the technical bods).
So, when you were with Pipex, perhaps you were always looking at the 'official' line rate, but not actually testing the throughput speeds you yourself were getting! Maybe?
Another factor in 'achieved' speeds is: how busy the line is. The system (BT Max?) has a maximum capacity as to how much it can handle. If there are many users, i.e. during busy periods, the broadband facility is 'contended' (their words, not mine!), and users logging on will be allocated, or will experience, slower speeds due to the demands on the system.
As a side point, normally my broadband is 'permanently' logged on, even though my PC may be turned off.
(I used to switch off my ADSL router after every session, or at the end of every day, but I don't do that now. The idea is that it is a permanent connection. It is not costing anything to leave it on, well, apart from the miniscule 'usage' by the system which is continually monitoring itself. And, as my PC is swithed off, there are no security issues. Even so, even when my PC is switched on, the ADSL router has its own security system to prevent hacking, apparently!)
If I ever find that the speed is a bit sluggish when I start a surfing session, then, I was advised, one could switch off the ADSL router, and then switch it on again. When it re-connects, then there is a possibility that the sytem will allocate me a different 'pathway' with, perhaps, a faster speed! Yes, I've tried it. And, apart from the time it takes to re-boot itself, I have experienced a zappier line!
All the best.
