gr - 'Speed tests' in themselves are a bit of a waste of time, although useful indicators - there are so many things that can bring the 'perceived' speed down, including your PC performance/modem-router/memory size etc. The only real 'fact' is the speed delivered to your router and then it is up to you to try and dribble that into your network.
What exactly is an 'overhead'? There is significant pressure to get restrictions on using 'overhead' delivery relaxed which MIGHT happen this year if OFCOM and HMG get their fingers out of their ****.and stop protecting 'last generation access'.
Extract from 'Planning' Dec 11
"Government consults on lifting overhead broadband line restrictions
By Mark Wilding Friday, 02 December 2011
Proposals to lift restrictions on installing overhead broadband lines are being consulted on by ministers.
The government said the proposals are intended to reduce the cost of rolling out broadband across the country and create the "best superfast broadband network in Europe" by 2015. Currently, broadband lines must be buried underground unless there is no viable alternative.
Ministers have stressed that lines will only be installed where existing infrastructure cannot be shared. Planning permission will also still be required in national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty and sites of special scientific interest.
But the plans have caused concern in some quarters. Tony Burton, director at charity Civic Voice, warned that the government risks alienating the public in a mistaken attempt to cut red tape.
He said: "We’re disappointed by the decision to look at lifting what we call safeguards and the government calls restrictions. We see no evidence that there are unnecessary restrictions that exist.
"No-one is questioning the benefits that broadband can bring, but we want Broadband Britain to be beautiful as well. That will only happen if we are careful about introducing the infrastructure to support it."
The consultation closes on 21 February 2012."