@ Weaver - i can only imagine what it must be like to live with a slow connection, especially if you are a heavy user like myself, i use about 400GB a month with streaming services etc and downloads, currently I get 62Mbps (66,000k sync) on tests, with 17Mbps up (20,000k sync), so I consider myself lucky.
It was the full 80/20 for the first 8 months, then a 4-hour dropout from 12-4 am (on the dot 12-4 too, as per DSL-stats) led to my connection suddenly being synced 17,000k slower, I've had 3 engineers out that declare there is no fault or change to my line, just that its 'probably' uptake of higher speeds by neighbours causing more crosstalk.
Im not convinced, because I im pretty sure it doesn't happen in one large chunk like that in a 4-hour window, then remain that way for 3+ years on. In fact, since turning my router off at night this last month, after a few days I've pulled 3,000k back...somehow...from 63,000k to 66,000k
The last engineer brought a manager, as Openreach were testing a new piece of "testing kit" that tests from both ends or something? and they were trying it to see ...IF THE KIT WAS STILL FAULTY!! lol... bring working gear to test lines, not half-baked new inventions...they left, came back and said yeah the new gear is working and there are no issues we can find on your line.
Then BT Wholesale and Plusnet bring down my MGALS (Minimum Guaranteed Access Line Speed) from 61,000k to 51,000k mid-contract which im pretty sure OFCOM would have something to say about that, between contracts yes! otherwise, you could be widdled down to much slower, but told your still within your MGALS whilst paying the premium!
My third 18-month contract with Plusnet ends in December, and I am looking to BT possibly for FTTP, or other ISP on FTTC.
@ CarlT - I also had to look up DAC and SFP+ - why is that better than ethernet?