Computeractive readers have responded angrily after using our broadband speed checker to discover they get significantly less speed than advertised by their ISP.

Most said the results of their tests come as a shock. While many realised the speeds quoted by their ISPs are a theoretical 'up to' maximum, they were surprised at the size of the discrepancy.

David Godfrey, whose ISP is Sky, lives around half a mile from his local exchange; in theory this means he should be getting very close to the speed he is paying for, so he was less than impressed by the results our speed test delivered.

He said: “The results were disappointing. I’m paying for up to 16Mbits/sec but it showed I was only getting an average of 9Mbits/sec. I haven’t spoken to Sky about this but I think it’s unfair.”

However, the tests show some more encouraging results. Mr J Halfhead who says lives "very far from the exchange" is with ISP, Namesco.

“We are paying for 1Mbit/sec and the speed test showed we were getting between this and 1.5Mbits/sec, which is pleasing considering we live out in the sticks," he said.

“However, something needs to be done to help those not receiving sufficient bandwidth and this falls down to Ofcom. ISPs will not regulate themselves.”

Some readers on our forum have pointed out that speed tests can vary. One forum poster, Penguin, said: "There is lots of hysteria concerning speed test figures. These tests only show the results for small packets of data, a more realistic measure of how your connection performs is to download a large file and see how long it takes."

The Computeractive test downloads a 10MB file.

The fact remains that many readers find they are getting far less than they bargained for with scant explanation given by their ISP as to why.

If you want to help to chang this situation, sign our petition on the 10 Downing Street website.