Up until a few months ago I was getting 3.5 Mbps download and 0.5 Mbps upload. This gradually deteriorated down to 0.8 Mbps download and 0.2 Mbps second upload.
Emailed orange about this and they gave me all the guff about connection set up, connecting to the main phone socket (it is) etc. They then state that having done a line test they have found they need to alter my broadband speed either up or DOWN(!!) So what is likely to be causing this problem?

I am serious thinking of jumping to o2 or Sky which from the reviews seem to offer a better service than Orange (especially o2)

One thing of note is that I am on the old £5 unlimited broadband with my Orange phone. I got a phone call from Orange a few months ago asking me if I'd like to 'upgrade' to the select package. I pointed out to the person on the phone that I wasn't going to upgrade as I'd pay more for less (£9 and no phone calls via Livebox!) He told me the 'select' service would offer more 'reliable' broadband.

The speed has slowed markedly since. Is it possible that my connection is being throttled in order to get me to upgrade?????

If it doesn't improve in 7 days then I'll be asking for my MAC code and it'll be bye bye Orange

Wrong section....

Sorry!!

Hi nedchester.

Similar thing happened to me (only it lasted for about 4 weeks); it was horrible, considering every single day was a nightmare; seemed like 6 months, lol.

I gave Orange too much benefit of the doubt, and in the end, I'd had enough. Asked for my MAC; received it in about 3-4 days (via e-mail), signed up with 02, and never looked back since.

Getting over 17 meg every day, regardless of the time of day; brilliant

Still very slow and I'll be asking for my MAC code tomorrow evening and then off to o2 like yourself.

Do you switch your router off, or leave it on all the time?

What's your synch speed?

BTW, make sure your exchange is LLU-enabled. You don't want to go for 02's Access product.

Make sure it's not that before you sign up. Type in your location here to find out if you can get 02 LLU :

http://www.samknows.com/broadband/exchange_search

It's usually on all the time. I have switched it off and then on, moved it around and still no difference.

How do I find my synch speed?

Yes it is LLU enabled for o2

Try resetting the router, or give Orange the benefit of the doubt and call their technical support. You might not find them amazing but they need to do what you ask to rule out anything from your end first... at the end of their diagnostics they can run a line test for you.

Have reset the router. Moved it around the house etc.

Orange have done a line test and say the is a problem and will try and alter the speed (upwards or downwards (!!)). Was told it would take 48 hours last week!

I will give them a call tonight when I get back home from work and if not satisfied will get my MAC

Well still very slow. Rang up tech support (in India) no date for when the problem will be resolved.

Rang for MAC code and now awaiting email with said code in a few days time and then I'll be off!!

Woo-hoo ! - another satisfied customer (for all the wrong reasons)

Make sure you sign up to O2 via Quidco for £50 cashback.

http://www.quidco.com/o2-home-broadband/

Oh Thanks for reminding me about that. Will use that link as soon as I get my MAC code.

Will report back once my o2 is up and running.

Another disatisfied Orange customer here - also waiting for MAC code before moving.

In short Orange have been the worse company I have ever dealt with. We have been effectively without broadband for a month owing to slow speed problem. I have spent hundreds of hours on the phone to them to no avail.

I will be putting up a separate thread on my experiences once I can access broadband at home again..

A terrible company with massive service delivery and customer service problems.

Well my o2 connection just went live and here are the results.

At 8am this morning (Orange connection):

http://www.speedtest.net/result/884338695.png

A few minutes ago with o2:

http://www.speedtest.net/result/884485478.png

How come you're still with Orange and 02 at the same time ? - have you got 2 separate telephone lines ?

And which package are you on for both ? - and you also need to give it about 10 days for 02 BB to settle down. You might see a higher speed than what you're getting at the moment.

At 8 am was before I was cut off from Orange. I was disconnected round 9am and back with o2 on the same line around 1130am.

Just the one line.

Ah, I see.

Well, report back in about 10 days; after that, you'll get your true speed.

And which package are you on ?

Will do. I'm on the Premium Package.