[Closed] 'Up to 8 meg', but what is your ACTUAL broadband speed?

Well, since moving over to Virgin a couple of months ago, I've noticed that the advertised '8 meg' is a completely mythical figure. Apparently, it's not possible to get such speeds, as I live too far from the exchange (1.5miles). But using [url= http://www.speedtest.net/index.php ]Speedtest.net[/url], I have learned that the average speed seems to be no higher than 2 or 3 meg, usually lower. In fact, at 'peak' times, during the evening, it can drop as low as 1meg. Which makes viewing streaming media a bit of a pain. iPlayer seems to like a connection of at least 1.5 meg to work smoothly. A bit of enquiry reveals this is a common situation, in this particular area. Lower actual speeds than most places, it seems.

So, is this actually false advertising? I am paying the full rate, yet not actually getting the service as advertised. I know the small print says that speeds can be lower during busy times, but to actually get less than a quarter of the much hyped maximum speed, is a bit of a con, I feel. I don't think it's down to Virgin, as apparently only BT and NTL run off this exchange; all the other providers merely rent the service from them. My line is on a BT bit.

So, if I'm not actually getting the 'full' product, should I have to pay the full price? Considering these lying, cheating thieving bastard companies make incredible profits, why shouldn't the customers be able to pay less, if they are getting less?

How about, a system where, if you only get an average speed of 30% of the advertised, you only pay 30% of the price? That would be fair. Or, if you can only get 'up to' 3 meg, out of 8, then you pay a reduced rate.

I understand new regulations are coming in, that should make companies deliver more like the service advertised, but I wonder how effective they'll actually be?

In a time where everyone needs to be watchful of wasteful spending, I think it's time companies like these were made a lot more accountable. Let's face it, most ISPs are piss-poor, and I think everyone would agree, shoddy and inadequate service, in all areas of business and commerce, are virtually the norm, now.

Plus, is failure to deliver a service as advertised, a breach of contract?

For comparison, I had over a year of nightmare grief with BT; the most recent chapter saw my 'broadband' getting no higher than 0.8 meg. I switched to Virgin (better, but still not great; none of 'em are), and have told BT to shove their bill, as they failed to deliver a services 'as advertised' (ie; advertised as being able to provide streaming media, such as video, music, etc, high download speeds- all bollocks).

What think the STW Massive? Power to the People? Time for an uprising? Overthrow the greedy bastard corporations?

Or should I just shut up, and meekly accept the shafting I will invariably get?