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Requirement to Change BT SmartHub 2

Flagrag

Pro Member
So I have recently had BT FTTP installed and upgraded from FTTC to the 900Mbps package.

It has been working ok apart from download speeds with a wired connection mostly being around 400-650 Mbps and Wi-Fi around 300-400 Mbps but upload is always spot on 110Mbps so speeds are a way below what I was expecting.

When the Openreach engineer came and installed the ONT he said it was fine to use the SmartHub2 that I have had for 3 years or so and would mean didn’t need to setup whole network again. BT did send me a brand new SmartHub2 but is in the cupboard,

Does anyone know would my speed issues be anything to do with not using the SmartHub2 that BT have just sent me, They look identical and I cannot see that BT have an updated version of SH2 hence why they are bringing out SmartHub3 this year
 
So I have recently had BT FTTP installed and upgraded from FTTC to the 900Mbps package.

It has been working ok apart from download speeds with a wired connection mostly being around 400-650 Mbps and Wi-Fi around 300-400 Mbps but upload is always spot on 110Mbps so speeds are a way below what I was expecting.

When the Openreach engineer came and installed the ONT he said it was fine to use the SmartHub2 that I have had for 3 years or so and would mean didn’t need to setup whole network again. BT did send me a brand new SmartHub2 but is in the cupboard,

Does anyone know would my speed issues be anything to do with not using the SmartHub2 that BT have just sent me, They look identical and I cannot see that BT have an updated version of SH2 hence why they are bringing out SmartHub3 this year
Isn’t this something to do with top speed vs guaranteed minimum speed which I believe is around 450 or so, I’d check your terms and stay fast guarantee speed off BT to confirm.
 
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The reality of consumer broadband is that capacity is shared between many users, so you're not always going to get the top speed. But as Carl says, you should at least be able to get their 'guaranteed' minimum.
 
I have checked and the stay fast guarantee is 700Mbps for my package so speeds are regular below that even on wired connection.

As there does not seem to be any definite replies that I need to use the new router they have sent me I will give BT a call when I am working from home in the next couple of days
 
It has been working ok apart from download speeds with a wired connection mostly being around 400-650 Mbps and Wi-Fi around 300-400 Mbps but upload is always spot on 110Mbps so speeds are a way below what I was expecting.
This may not be router and/or contention related, but down to your own PC or laptop. It should be possible to get headline speed on a 900 Mbps FTTP connection.

What device are you testing with? Many devices (especially unfortunately those running OS products from Mr Gates) are simply are weighed down with the burden if third party AV/firewall software folks are encouraged into using, that can run network-wise like treacle, on a fast internet connection especially if the machine is over 5 years old.

A good test is to run directly wired using a bootable Linux image on USB bypassing windows altogether. Alternatively a recent Mac should have enough oomph and shouldn’t suffer from bloatware.
 
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I have checked and the stay fast guarantee is 700Mbps for my package so speeds are regular below that even on wired connection.

As there does not seem to be any definite replies that I need to use the new router they have sent me I will give BT a call when I am working from home in the next couple of days
Have you also tried a CAT6 or higher Ethernet cable to rule that out? Lower spec can impact the speeds you receive.

Maybe try new if that’s possible.
 
Flagrag. Yes if you have a new Smart Hub 2 I would try it (as provided), test (ethernet) and change back if no different.

Even if they look the same (RED WAN socket) and will each auto update (at their own convenience) the basic router functionality and one connected device should easily cope with the speed and should confirm what the ONT and Router Login is providing.
 
Just be sure your wired device supports the speeds too. I recently got FTTP installed and thought I was having issues but the laptop I was testing on was just not able to handle over 500. Wired direct into Desktop and it shot up past 800.
 
Thank You for the replies I am testing on a 2020 Dell laptop with i7 using Windows 10.

I have used it on parents VM and have been able to get faster speeds so not sure it’s laptop issue. As others have suggested I am going to try other Smart Hub that they have sent me to see if that makes any difference or not
 
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Well I have tried the other SmartHub2 and it has made no difference to the download speeds both wired and Wi-Fi, in fact the 50Mbps upload bug returned on the other router.

I am getting my brother to pop round later with his MacBook Pro to finally rule out laptop
 
Well I have tried the other SmartHub2 and it has made no difference to the download speeds both wired and Wi-Fi, in fact the 50Mbps upload bug returned on the other router.

I am getting my brother to pop round later with his MacBook Pro to finally rule out laptop
Direct into the ONT from the MacBook. Setup a PPPoE client and fire away.
 
Have you also tried a CAT6 or higher Ethernet cable to rule that out? Lower spec can impact the speeds you receive.

Maybe try new if that’s possible.
No need for Cat6, cat5e is fully capable of gigabit up to 100m, and can also support 40Gbit up to 45m. Avoid cheap cables or flat (not circular) ethernet cables. Just make sure the cable is not damaged.
 
No need for Cat6, cat5e is fully capable of gigabit up to 100m, and can also support 40Gbit up to 45m. Avoid cheap cables or flat (not circular) ethernet cables. Just make sure the cable is not damaged.
Yep. If the link is up and it’s showing GigE then you’re good to go. If the cable was duff, then the transceivers won’t auto neg. past Fast Ethernet ie 100 Mbps full duplex.
 
Have you also tried a CAT6 or higher Ethernet cable to rule that out? Lower spec can impact the speeds you receive.

Maybe try new if that’s possible.

I'm running 10Gbit over Cat5e. Albeit for 10 metres.. but still.
 
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Still think it’s worth trying another cable just in case. Rule that out too. Trial and error and all that.
true. Virgin media gave me a cat 6e cable. Stuck it in the router .. oh look it doesn't work. Swap it for a cat 6 . worked.
 
true. Virgin media gave me a cat 6e cable. Stuck it in the router .. oh look it doesn't work. Swap it for a cat 6 . worked.
There’s a worrying amount of cheap, nasty and faulty cables out there. It’s the first thing to swap, never assume a new cable is good. Or for that matter an old one.

5e would still be fine though for the 2.5 GbE LAN port on the newer Virgin Hub 5…though perhaps not from their incumbent fly lead supplier 😎
 
The thing to watch out for and avoid is CCA (copper cover aluminium) conductors in ethernet cables. Unfortunately for consumers a lot (but not all) of what is being sold in online marketplaces like eBay and Amazon is overpriced CCA tat.
 
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