How to speed up your broadband service

If your broadband speed is lower than you expected, your ISP
should be able to give you advice. Some broadband services can be
affected by electrical interference and your ISP should be able to
recommend ways that this can be reduced (e.g. fitting additional
filters to your telephone sockets);

You may find that your broadband speed is a lot slower at some
times of the day. Like the roads, internet speed depends on how
much other people are using it. At peak times (usually afternoons
and evenings) your broadband speed may be slower;

Your speed might be being cut by your ISP if you have breached
their fair usage policy. If your speed has been cut in this way then
you may want to contact your ISP and ask them why and how you
can avoid being affected in this way in the future. If your ISP has
signed up to the Code, they should tell you this automatically;

Moving to a faster broadband package can help but you may not
always be able to get the higher speed because of where you live.
Your ISP should be able to let you know whether you can get a
higher speed package, and what the maximum speed your
particular line can get; and

Switching your ISP may improve speeds. Comparison websites and
‘best buy’ guides can provide consumers with an indication of ISPs
with good speed performance, and also let you know whether
other customers are happy with that ISP.

said by LiamJunket :

If this is what they see as a helpful guide to the consumer on "How to speed up your broadband service", they sound as about as effective a regulator as the FCC.

»www.ofcom.org.uk/advice/guides/bbspeeds.pdf

said by pandora :

This brings up a point about comparing broadband speeds and access by country. Do we compare the actual broadband speed subscribers get, or are we comparing the speed ISP's claim to be providing?