Welcome to Connect - Broadband FAQs

Connect Max Broadband FAQs

Please click on the following links or scroll down to read our FAQs:

What is Connect Max Broadband?
What is the stabilisation period?
What are the benefits of Connect Max Broadband?
What speed can I expect on Connect Max Broadband?

What is the 'potential ADSL Max broadband line rate'?

Will Connect Max run at it's maximum speed all the time?
What does Connect Max Broadband cost?
Can I use my existing modem?
What is the upload speed for Connect Max Broadband?
Is there anything I can do to improve my download speed?

What is Connect Max Broadband?
Connect Max is a new high speed business broadband service. Speeds will range up to 8Mbs. Using the latest technology, the service will automatically provide you with the fastest broadband speed your phone line can physically support, up to a maximum of 8Mbs.

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What is the stabilisation period?
This is a 10 day period from when you first connect to Connect Max Broadband, i.e. login and use the internet for a period of more than 15 minutes.

During this period your line is automatically attempting to establish its maximum stable rate. You may notice some variations in speed and your connection may be intermittent at times whilst your maximum line rate is established.

During this stabilisation period we recommend disconnecting and reconnecting if your line is unstable. This will ensure your line rate is set at its optimum level.

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What are the benefits of Connect Max Broadband?
You will notice a greater quality and reliability when running multiple tasks and faster speeds when downloading files, streaming music or video, sending and receiving large emails and when there are multiple users on the one connection.

Note on broadband filters
To obtain optimum speed it is imperative that you have a broadband filter (or Microfilter) on every BT phone socket including alarm, PDQ and fax devices.

The Routers and Modems we supply include 2 Microfilters.

If you need additional filters please contact Customer Services on 0800 505 3210.

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What speed can I expect on Connect Max Broadband?
Connect Max uses new technology to automatically provide the fastest speed your phone line can physically support up to 8Mbs. The actual speed you will receive depends on a number of factors:

Principally how close you live to your phone exchange (the nearer you are the faster the speed you can expect).
Quality of the actual copper phone line

There are also other things that can affect your connection speed - such as the length and quality of any phone wiring extensions in your home, the age and type of your modem, the speed of your computer, and whether the broadband microfilters you have are correctly installed.

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What is the 'potential ADSL Max broadband line rate'?
This is an estimate of your maximum line rate and is based predominantly on the distance your line is from your exchange.

There are many other factors that can affect your line rate. These are detailed above. Your actual line rate and throughput may vary from this estimate.

The actual ADSL Max line rate supportable will be determined during the first 10 days of use, after which time the highest stable rate possible will be set.

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Will Connect Max Broadband run at its maximum speed all the time?
Your speed may change througout the day. It will slow down during peak times or when other broadband users connected to the same exchange as you.

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What does Connect Max Broadband Cost?
Full details on all our products are available by clicking here.

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Can I use my existing modem?
Yes. Your existing broadband modem will work with Connect Max Broadband. To get the most out of Connect Max Broadband you should us an Ethernet or wireless Ethernet modem/router as these are designed to support the higher speeds.

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What is the upload speed of Connect Max Broadband?
Again upload speed may vary according to line rate. It will typically be up to 448kbps.

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Is there anything I can do to improve my download speed?
There are several ways you can improve your line speed:

To obtain optimum speed it is imperative that you have a broadband filter on every BT phone socket including Sky box, alarm and fax device.
Minimise the phone extension cabling in your home or office.
Ethernet routers tend to perform better than USB so it may be beneficial to upgrade to a router.
Restart your modem/router when experiencing performance issues.

Speeds will vary through out the day. They are likely to slow at peak times.

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