Originally Posted by Paul

Having recently worked for BT Business Repairs I can only agree with Bill. ADSL speed on BT network based telephone lines is indeed equipment, line quality and distance related.
If you are very lucky and your line is good and all equipment between you and the exchange is working well then you will get a good speed. If any of the many things that can go wrong between you and the exchange does go wrong then you will get speeds which can slower than dial up.