Cable & Wireless have recently increased the upload speed for Sure Broadband users to 384 kbps. This is an increase of 128 kbps from the previous speed.

Although it appears only a small increase, it will be welcomed by many, especially users running devices such as Slingboxes, which rely on fast upload speeds to serve video content. Also people with Home Servers or uploading videos may see an increase in speed.

However, all of this upgrading appears to be having an effect on the C&W network: Download speeds are now frequently in the 3.5 Mbps range, and actual upload speeds appear to be no quicker than around 330 kbps.

It seems odd that although internet speeds are still very slow compared to UK standards (in their ‘up to’ speeds, at least), the network is already starting to show its toll in terms of contention and available bandwidth to end users. I hate to think what might happen if Sure switch to a universal 8 Mbps service. This could see actual internet speeds running a lot slower than advertised.