FAQ: Index
We’ve prepared answers to some of the most common questions people ask about our services. If you are an existing customer, visit our help and support section in Bulldog Lounge.
» General questions about Bulldog services
» Broadband (all services): General questions
» Broadband: Pay-As-You-Go
» Broadband: Anytime
» Broadband: Unlimited
» DoubleSpeed Broadband: General questions
» DoubleSpeed Broadband: Speed
» DoubleSpeed Broadband: Equipment
» DoubleSpeed Broadband: Existing customers
» Bulldog Line
» Bulldog second phone line
» Billing
» Technical requirements
» Installation and Equipment
DoubleSpeed Broadband: Speed
- How fast can I download and upload with DoubleSpeed Broadband?
- How do I find out what speed I am likely to get before buying DoubleSpeed Broadband?
- How far can I be from my local phone exchange to benefit from DoubleSpeed Broadband speeds?
- What happens if I buy DoubleSpeed Broadband and then find the speed isn't what I was expecting?
- What can I do more to benefit from the full potential of DoubleSpeed Broadband speeds?
- Why does my equipment shows a higher download speed than the actual speed I get at any given time when downloading with different applications?
How fast can I download and upload with DoubleSpeed Broadband?
- DoubleSpeed Broadband offers up to 16 meg download and up to 1 meg upload. The actual speeds you can get, however, depends on the distance from your local phone exchange, interference on your line, quality of your line, internal wiring within your premises, as well as equipment you use including PC, modem / router, and microfilter. For some homes that are very close to a DoubleSpeed Broadband exchange it may be possible to achieve speeds greater than 16 megs.
How do I find out what speed I am likely to get before buying DoubleSpeed Broadband?
- When you type your phone number and postcode into the availability checker, an initial line check is performed. This will provide a download speed estimate your line can support based on the distance from your local phone exchange and quality of your line.
How far can I be from my local phone exchange to benefit from DoubleSpeed Broadband speeds?
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DoubleSpeed Broadband download speed is affected by a number of factors besides the line length (including the equipment you are using and your home wiring). However, as a rule of thumb, the majority of customers within 1km from the exchange can get an up to 16 meg speed; within 2km from the exchange you can expect an up to 12 meg speed. Please remember, however, that speed can vary (sometimes significantly) from the above figures in both directions.
DoubleSpeed Broadband upload speed is comparatively less sensitive to the distance from your exchange, so you can typically expect up to 1 meg upload speed even if you live 2500m away from the exchange and beyond.
What happens if I buy DoubleSpeed Broadband and then find the speed isn't what I was expecting?
- If you are not satisfied with the speed you are getting with your DoubleSpeed Broadband service, you can always downgrade to our standard up to 8 meg service free of charge during the first month after activation. Other than that, the standard service re-grade administration fee applies (£20 via the online ‘My Account’ service or £30 via phone / email with Customer Services).
What can I do more to benefit from the full potential of DoubleSpeed Broadband speeds?
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Try doing the following:
1) Connect Bulldog-recommended equipment to the phone socket closest to the point where your phone line enters your premises (i.e. master phone socket) using a microfilter.
2) Avoid using a USB connection and instead use an Ethernet connection between your PC and Bulldog-recommended equipment. If you are using a wireless connection, please bear in mind that the highest speeds are not always available on wireless, since a number of interfering factors (like walls, electrical appliances, other wireless networks) can limit the actual speed you are getting.
3) Avoid using phone line extensions to connect your modem/router.
Why does my equipment shows a higher download speed than the actual speed I get at any given time when downloading with different applications?
- Your modem shows ‘line sync speed’, which is the maximum speed your line can physically support. By contrast, ‘throughput speed’ is the actual speed you get at any given time when downloading with different applications. This speed is highly dynamic and determined by the performance of the application / Web site you use and sharing of resources within your PC, local network, Bulldog’s network, and the Internet, which varies throughout the day.
