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Plusnet is on my short list for FTTC. Estimates suggest full speed as I can see the cabinet from my window. Unfair question I know but how good is PlusNet FTTC compared to BT or an independent ISP? Thanks
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I had a year with IDNet with full 40/10 connection, absolutely no trouble.
Been on Plusnet now since 13 Feb, to save money, and perfectly happy. Speed test speeds (down) are the same as IDNet, upstream of course I now only have a 2Mbps connection.
The traffic management doesn't affect me. I assume you have the details.
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My broadband basic info/help site - www.robertos.me.uk
My domains,website and mail hosting - Tsohost. Internet connection - Plusnet Value Fibre.
"Where talent is a dwarf, self-esteem is a giant." - Jean-Antoine Petit-Senn. |
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Thanks. I am with IDNet but I am slightly concerned that 50GB a month may not be enough when the wider family visits as they did at Christmas. PlusNet look to be good value but I wouldn't' want to jump from a stable 14Mbps connection to an unstable 40Mbps. Up speeds and traffic management are not a concern for me either.
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Register (or login) on our website and you will not see this ad.
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Any reason why you haven't asked to go on to the 80/20 trial?
jelv
Plusnet user since November 2001
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No problems with Plusnet FTTC either for me. I was getting maximum speed on the 40/2 product (about 400m from the cab) and am getting around 60-65 down and 15 up on the 80/20 trial. The Plusnet packages are 40GB a month (not 50) or 120GB for an extra £5.
Kevin
plusnet Extra 80/20 trial
Using OpenDNS
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Don't need it jelv  , and not much benefit on downstream. Under 52Mbps maximum showing on the modem stats. I forget the upstream, and can't read them right now. Been messing around and lost the LAN2 connection to the modem.
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My broadband basic info/help site - www.robertos.me.uk
My domains,website and mail hosting - Tsohost. Internet connection - Plusnet Value Fibre.
"Where talent is a dwarf, self-esteem is a giant." - Jean-Antoine Petit-Senn. |
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I joined Plusnet just over a month ago now, and am very pleased with their service so far. I went onto their full 120GB allowance Fibre Plus package because I've been used to Unlimited with O2 for so long, but in reality I need not have worried. I would like to see them implement larger allowances though, just for peace of mind.
Service wise everything has been fine and it has proved to be a reliable service. I'm regularly getting 37 Mbps downstream and 1.8 Mbps upstream. I haven't gone onto the 80/20 trial yet, but may ask to do so very soon. I took the £5 a month Pro add-on meaning a priority connection at peak times, but whether it is actually necessary, I'm not sure. I may try a month without it and see what happens. But even at peak times I am getting very nearly full speeds right now.
Plusnet staff have been very helpful on the phone, and you can choose a quiet time to ring them by checking their customer support stats webpage, which will tell you how long you are likely to have wait in the queue at any time. The staff are good at answering queries via Twitter, on these forums and in their own forum and do go out of their way to try to be helpful.
I'm very pleased and will likely move my phone line to them too soon. I haven't done it yet because I've liked having the BT TotalCare package for quick response to faults, but I'm no longer sure that's worth it anyway.
I can see why Plusnet came out top in Which magazine's recent survey.
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Thanks to everyone for your helpful responses. All too often, these forums are filled with problems and negatives and it is easy to forget that most customers are happy with their telephone and broadband providers. PlusNet is now most certainly on my short list.
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Let us know what you do .
(Did you pick up on kasg, re Value is 40GB, not the 50GB you said?).
____________________________________________________________________________
My broadband basic info/help site - www.robertos.me.uk
My domains,website and mail hosting - Tsohost. Internet connection - Plusnet Value Fibre.
"Where talent is a dwarf, self-esteem is a giant." - Jean-Antoine Petit-Senn. Edited by RobertoS (Sat 31-Mar-12 10:19:27)
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I've been on Plusnet Extra FTTC since, I think, June last year and it had worked without a problem.
It's was so good I was reluctant to accept the modem replacement (if it ain't broke....) but having signed up for the 80/20 trial I finally relented.
Pre 80/20 I was getting around 37Mbps down and about 1.6Mbps* according to TB speed check. (*may be getting my figures wrong but that sounds about right)
Post 80/20 with the original modem my speeds peaked one day at 53Mbps but since then it's fallen to 26 down / 16 up and the modem replacement has made no difference. I've raised a ticket and am awaiting the outcome.... (it's a trial after all)
But overall, yes, I'd recommend Plusnet's fibre package.
Simon
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Post 80/20 with the original modem my speeds peaked one day at 53Mbps but since then it's fallen to 26 down / 16 up and the modem replacement has made no difference. I've raised a ticket and am awaiting the outcome.... (it's a trial after all)
Yes, quite a few people on the community forum seem to be suffering from this. Mine's OK, apart from gradual reduction since the trial started from around 70Mbps download speed to around 60 now, due I believe to the infamous DLM, which only seems to know how to slow things down, not make them faster again 
Kevin
plusnet Extra 80/20 trial
Using OpenDNS
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Yes, quite a few people on the community forum seem to be suffering from this. Mine's OK, apart from gradual reduction since the trial started from around 70Mbps download speed to around 60 now, due I believe to the infamous DLM, which only seems to know how to slow things down, not make them faster again
Are your sync speeds also fluctuating regularly, or is it just throughput speeds?
I'm on the 80/20 Plusnet trials as an experiment with a sub-40Mb service, but as my connection has been flaky for months, it re-syncs regularly anyway.
That's why I haven't really provided any 80/20 feedback just yet.
I have an engineer's visit booked for Saturday that MIGHT fix things once & for all.
DLM has recently capped my connection at 24999 k sync speed & I currently get NOTHING from the D2 & D3 bands.
Edited by deleted (Thu 05-Apr-12 11:48:02)
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Are your sync speeds also fluctuating regularly, or is it just throughput speeds?
I'm on the 80/20 Plusnet trials as an experiment with a sub-40Mb service, but as my connection has been flaky for months, it re-syncs regularly anyway.
That's why I haven't really provided any 80/20 feedback just yet.
I have an engineer's visit booked for Saturday that MIGHT fix things once & for all.
DLM has recently capped my connection at 24999 k sync speed & I currently get NOTHING from the D2 & D3 bands.
It's the sync speed that fluctuates and the throughput is mostly consistent with this, apart from occasional dips. I'm syncing at 63217 today, after a power cut this morning forced a resync, yesterday it was 62914. I started off on over 75000.
Kevin
plusnet Extra 80/20 trial
Using OpenDNS
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It's the sync speed that fluctuates and the throughput is mostly consistent with this, apart from occasional dips. I'm syncing at 63217 today, after a power cut this morning forced a resync, yesterday it was 62914. I started off on over 75000.
Any ideas as to what may be causing the re-syncs?
e.g. noisy line, SNRM dropping massively when the phone is used etc.
Does attenuation vary & is there any pattern to the re-syncs such as weather conditions, time of day etc?
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Any ideas as to what may be causing the re-syncs?
e.g. noisy line, SNRM dropping massively when the phone is used etc.
Does attenuation vary & is there any pattern to the re-syncs such as weather conditions, time of day etc?
It isn't constantly re-synching and tends to hold steady for up to a week. Phone usage doesn't seem to affect it (although the landline is rarely used). I haven't really monitored attenuation as it's not on the GUI, noise margin hovers around or just under 6dB. The one thing that does seem to vary a lot is the attainable rate, which can be anything from just over 70 to 80 (currently 75332 with sync 63251). I haven't noticed the weather making a difference, although it did when I was on ADSL. Similarly with time of day.
Edit: what's the most useful xdslcmd - I can't remember!
Kevin
plusnet Extra 80/20 trial
Using OpenDNS
Edited by kasg (Thu 05-Apr-12 19:22:00)
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Edit: what's the most useful xdslcmd - I can't remember!
xdslcmd info --pbParams gives:-
| Text | 1
23
45
67
89
1011
1213
1415
1617
1819
2021
22 | # xdslcmd info --pbParams
xdslcmd: ADSL driver and PHY statusStatus: Showtime
Retrain Reason: 0Max: Upstream rate = 6388 Kbps, Downstream rate = 27828 Kbps
Path: 0, Upstream rate = 6254 Kbps, Downstream rate = 24999 Kbps
Discovery Phase (Initial) Band PlanUS: (0,95) (868,1207) (1972,2783)
DS: (32,859) (1216,1963) (2792,3939) Medley Phase (Final) Band Plan
US: (0,95) (868,1207) DS: (32,859)
VDSL Port Details Upstream DownstreamAttainable Net Data Rate: 6388 kbps 27828 kbps
Actual Aggregate Tx Power: 6.2 dBm 10.8 dBm============================================================================
VDSL Band Status U0 U1 U2 U3 D1 D2 D3 Line Attenuation(dB): 8.3 53.8 64.0 N/A 22.0 64.0 0.1
Signal Attenuation(dB): 11.1 52.9 N/A N/A 22.0 N/A N/A SNR Margin(dB): 6.2 6.1 N/A N/A 8.7 N/A N/A
TX Power(dBm): -4.2 5.8 N/A N/A 10.8 N/A N/A |
xdslcmd info --stats gives:-
| Text | 1
23
45
67
89
1011
1213
1415
1617
1819
2021
2223
2425
2627
2829
3031
3233
3435
3637
3839
4041
4243
4445
4647
4849
5051
5253
5455
5657
5859
6061
6263
6465
6667
6869
7071
7273
7475
7677
7879
8081
8283
8485
8687
8889
9091
9293
9495
9697
9899
100101
102103
104105
106107
108 | # xdslcmd info --stats
xdslcmd: ADSL driver and PHY statusStatus: Showtime
Retrain Reason: 0Max: Upstream rate = 6396 Kbps, Downstream rate = 27896 Kbps
Path: 0, Upstream rate = 6254 Kbps, Downstream rate = 24999 Kbps
Link Power State: L0Mode: VDSL2 Annex B
VDSL2 Profile: Profile 17aTPS-TC: PTM Mode
Trellis: U:ON /D:ONLine Status: No Defect
Training Status: Showtime Down Up
SNR (dB): 8.8 6.1Attn(dB): 0.0 0.0
Pwr(dBm): 10.8 6.2 VDSL2 framing
Path 0B: 239 191
M: 1 1T: 64 38
R: 0 12S: 0.3054 0.9743
L: 6286 1675D: 1 1
I: 240 102N: 240 204
Counters Path 0
OHF: 21594927 571428OHFErr: 4576 237
RS: 0 1138163RSCorr: 0 327
RSUnCorr: 0 0
Path 0HEC: 6733 0
OCD: 0 0LCD: 0 0
Total Cells: 792254660 0Data Cells: 9898652 0
Drop Cells: 0Bit Errors: 0 0
ES: 1184 212
SES: 22 0UAS: 22 22
AS: 105952
Path 0INP: 0.00 0.00
PER: 4.88 9.25delay: 0.00 0.00
OR: 47.47 27.65
Bitswap: 10391 3042
Total time = 1 days 5 hours 26 min 16 secFEC: 0 0
CRC: 4576 0ES: 1184 212
SES: 22 0UAS: 22 22
LOS: 0 0LOF: 0 0
Latest 15 minutes time = 11 min 16 secFEC: 0 0
CRC: 0 0ES: 0 2
SES: 0 0UAS: 0 0
LOS: 0 0LOF: 0 0
Previous 15 minutes time = 15 min 0 secFEC: 0 0
CRC: 344 0ES: 16 1
SES: 4 0UAS: 0 0
LOS: 0 0LOF: 0 0
Latest 1 day time = 5 hours 26 min 16 secFEC: 0 0
CRC: 1230 0ES: 191 43
SES: 9 0UAS: 0 0
LOS: 0 0LOF: 0 0
Previous 1 day time = 24 hours 0 secFEC: 0 0
CRC: 3346 0ES: 993 169
SES: 13 0UAS: 22 22
LOS: 0 0LOF: 0 0
Since Link time = 1 days 5 hours 25 min 51 secFEC: 0 327
CRC: 4576 237ES: 1184 212
SES: 22 0UAS: 0 0
LOS: 0 0LOF: 0 0
# |
If you wanted someone to graph a snapshot of your connection, these commands copied & pasted as a block (or entered separately) into PuTTy terminal & saved into a single log file would be everything required:-
xdslcmd info --pbParams
xdslcmd info --Bits
xdslcmd info --linediag
xdslcmd info --show
xdslcmd info --stats
(include the blank line at the end)
The best of all though, to see how your connection changes over a period of time & to possibly see what has prompted a re-sync would be to use the Windows Ongoing graphing scripts.
They work on old knackered XP (SP3), Vista & Win 7 machines.
Apparently they also work on a Linux machine with a Windows VM.
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Thanks, here's mine FWIW:
| Text | 1
23
45
67
89
1011
1213
1415
1617
1819
2021
2223
2425
2627
2829
3031
3233
3435
3637
3839
4041
4243
4445
4647
4849
5051
5253
5455
5657
5859
6061
6263
6465
6667
6869
7071
7273
7475
7677
7879
8081
8283
8485
8687
8889
9091
9293
9495
9697
9899
100101
102103
104105
106107
108109
110111
112113
114115
116117
118119
120121
122123
124125
126127
128129
130131
132133
134 | # xdslcmd info --pbParams
xdslcmd: ADSL driver and PHY statusStatus: Showtime
Retrain Reason: 0Max: Upstream rate = 28286 Kbps, Downstream rate = 75332 Kbps
Path: 0, Upstream rate = 19998 Kbps, Downstream rate = 63251 Kbps
Discovery Phase (Initial) Band PlanUS: (0,95) (868,1207) (1972,2783)
DS: (32,859) (1216,1963) (2792,3939)Medley Phase (Final) Band Plan
US: (0,95) (868,1207) (1972,2783)DS: (32,859) (1216,1963) (2792,3939)
VDSL Port Details Upstream DownstreamAttainable Net Data Rate: 28286 kbps 75332 kbps
Actual Aggregate Tx Power: 6.6 dBm 13.7 dBm============================================================================
VDSL Band Status U0 U1 U2 U3 D1 D2 D3 Line Attenuation(dB): 4.3 21.0 30.7 N/A 11.2 26.4 40.7
Signal Attenuation(dB): 8.5 20.0 29.6 N/A 11.2 26.4 40.7
SNR Margin(dB): 8.1 8.1 8.1 N/A 6.0 5.9 5.9
TX Power(dBm): -4.1 -25.0 6.3 N/A 10.9 7.8 6.9
# xdslcmd info --stats
xdslcmd: ADSL driver and PHY statusStatus: Showtime
Retrain Reason: 0Max: Upstream rate = 28297 Kbps, Downstream rate = 75332 Kbps
Path: 0, Upstream rate = 19998 Kbps, Downstream rate = 63251 Kbps
Link Power State: L0Mode: VDSL2 Annex B
VDSL2 Profile: Profile 17aTPS-TC: PTM Mode
Trellis: U:ON /D:ONLine Status: No Defect
Training Status: Showtime Down Up
SNR (dB): 5.9 8.1Attn(dB): 0.0 0.0
Pwr(dBm): 13.6 6.6 VDSL2 framing
Path 0B: 43 26
M: 1 1T: 64 64
R: 12 10S: 0.0221 0.0429
L: 20247 6902D: 1331 691
I: 56 37N: 56 37
Counters Path 0
OHF: 36137512 217331OHFErr: 16 84
RS: 661333054 2858647RSCorr: 297399 11013122
RSUnCorr: 696 0
Path 0HEC: 152 0
OCD: 0 0LCD: 0 0
Total Cells: 1952368344 0Data Cells: 44166982 0
Drop Cells: 0Bit Errors: 0 0
ES: 3 22
SES: 0 4UAS: 27 27
AS: 51376
Path 0INP: 3.00 4.00
PER: 1.41 4.80delay: 8.00 8.00
OR: 135.58 69.95
Bitswap: 11043 1713
Total time = 14 hours 16 min 46 secFEC: 297399 11013122
CRC: 16 84ES: 3 22
SES: 0 4UAS: 27 27
LOS: 0 0LOF: 0 0
Latest 15 minutes time = 1 min 46 secFEC: 307 0
CRC: 0 0ES: 0 0
SES: 0 0UAS: 0 0
LOS: 0 0LOF: 0 0
Previous 15 minutes time = 15 min 0 secFEC: 1607 965
CRC: 0 0ES: 0 0
SES: 0 0UAS: 0 0
LOS: 0 0LOF: 0 0
Latest 1 day time = 14 hours 16 min 46 secFEC: 297399 11013122
CRC: 16 84ES: 3 22
SES: 0 4UAS: 27 27
LOS: 0 0LOF: 0 0
Previous 1 day time = 0 secFEC: 0 0
CRC: 0 0ES: 0 0
SES: 0 0UAS: 0 0
LOS: 0 0LOF: 0 0
Since Link time = 14 hours 16 min 15 secFEC: 297399 11013122
CRC: 16 84ES: 3 22
SES: 0 4UAS: 0 0
LOS: 0 0LOF: 0 0
# |
I'll have a look at the graphing scripts some time.
Edit: Just seen the PM, thanks.
Kevin
plusnet Extra 80/20 trial
Using OpenDNS
Edited by kasg (Thu 05-Apr-12 21:44:21)
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Interesting thread - just as i'm looking into new options post contract with O2 (who's gone down the pan this year), in June.
I'm leaning towards the 'Extra Fibre Broadband' but I took this to mean that this type of package would get priority traffic management. Then I read some people talking of an extra £5/month for that priveledge. So 'Extra' only increases the daytime download limit (120GB) and still doesn't recieve priority traffic management?
edit
Well I came across the table with the various throttling numbers, seems a bit of a large jump between 'Extra' and 'Pro add on' even though it's only £5/month extra - like it's only really costing them £5/month to unthrottle all that traffic? Seems like a bit of a gimmick to me.
http://www.plus.net/support/broadband/speed_guide/do...
Edited by deleted (Fri 06-Apr-12 12:33:37)
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The best way to compare is using http://usergroup.plus.net/prodcomp1.php There are some differences in speeds expected between Fibre Value and Fibre Extra, but the main difference is the allowance.
jelv
Plusnet user since November 2001
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edit
Well I came across the table with the various throttling numbers, seems a bit of a large jump between 'Extra' and 'Pro add on' even though it's only £5/month extra - like it's only really costing them £5/month to unthrottle all that traffic? Seems like a bit of a gimmick to me.
http://www.plus.net/support/broadband/speed_guide/do...
I'm sure that the vast majority of people do not find the "throttling" on Value and Extra a problem; I never even notice it.
Kevin
plusnet Extra 80/20 trial
Using OpenDNS
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I think value fibre users would notice a problem if they had more than one streaming/iPlayer etc. And extra is not much better.
I'm looking at reducing my monthly spend. The 40 MB limit is fine, but the Value package is worthless to me with two kids, as a 40Mbps product with streaming capped at 5Mbps. I think its a bit misleading to be honest. I will still save money on the Pro package but hateful as BT's customer service can be, that comparison chart has just put them back in the frame for me.
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I think value fibre users would notice a problem if they had more than one streaming/iPlayer etc. And extra is not much better.
That has not been my experience, I've had multiple iPlayer and Youtube running with no apparent problem.
Edit: just tried again, three HD Youtube streams on three PCs and an HD iPlayer stream on a set top box, couldn't stress it out at all. OK I'm on Extra, not Value, but no Pro add-on.
Kevin
plusnet Extra 80/20 trial
Using OpenDNS
Edited by kasg (Sat 14-Apr-12 17:59:27)
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Yes, but if as per your sig you are on Extra, you will be getting 10Mbps streaming not 5Mbps?
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Yes, but if as per your sig you are on Extra, you will be getting 10Mbps streaming not 5Mbps?
Yes, as per my edit, but how many simultaneous HD streams would it take to prove the point I wonder?
Kevin
plusnet Extra 80/20 trial
Using OpenDNS
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Anyway, I didn't have to think about BT's call centres for that long for me to change my mind. 
I think its about £38-00p a month, anytime calls/40MB/Pro add on. Thats still a reasonable saving. Whats the story with the 80/20 trial, is it still available?
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If I straem a film at the weekend and the girls sit on iPlayer and YouTube all weekend (as they do!) I would wonder if the 5Mbps may be a bit risky?
Still, if the add on is only fiver its still better than I first thought I guess.
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Whats the story with the 80/20 trial, is it still available?
Apparently so - see here.
Kevin
plusnet Extra 80/20 trial
Using OpenDNS
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If I straem a film at the weekend and the girls sit on iPlayer and YouTube all weekend (as they do!) I would wonder if the 5Mbps may be a bit risky?
Why not suck it and see? You can switch between packages at any time (on a monthly basis).
Kevin
plusnet Extra 80/20 trial
Using OpenDNS
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I think I'll give them a call tomorrow and see. Thanks.
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