Madasafish to Plusnet initial connection fast now slowing

I was first on Freenetname and eventually was transferred to Madasafish but the connection became much slower over the years initially at 4.16 Mbps in 2008 but decreased to 1.13 Mbps in December 2014, which needed to be improved.

Contacted Plusnet regarding moving over to them and was informed it was an easy transfer and my existing email accounts could remain under Madasafish which was one of my main concerns.

Made the change in February 2015 with Plusnet unlimited service on ADSL2+ with all going well and seamless email change.

My initial connection download speed was 7.51 Mbps, which was a great improvement but as the months have draw on this has decreased to my current connection speed of 5.49 Mbps, there has been no change so far as I am aware to my plug in connection so I must assume there is a restriction of traffic at my telephone exchange.

I have used the BT Wholesale Broadband Performance Test and the results are 5.59 Mbps download and 0.87 upload Ping at 44.75 performed at 3.00pm 13th February 2016.

I have recently exchanged the Thomson router for an ASUS DSL-N55U, which I hoped, would improve the speed but no difference except for a solid connection with no reboot for the last three days

I wonder if any of the Plusnet workers could look into my connection speed as I feel the line requires a reset or what ever you do to improve it?

Should any other members have any advice it would be appreciated but no technical gobbledygook as I am no computer wiz kid?

John

What do you get from the "Further Diagnostics" on the BT Wholesale test? This will give you your IP profile (IP Profile for your line is - xxx Mbps). What do you get for your Current Line Speed - https://portal.plus.net/my.html?action=data_transfer... (login required)

Hope this is what you wanted?

1. Best Effort Test: -provides background information.

Download Speed
5.58 Mbps

0 Mbps 7.15 Mbps
Max Achievable Speed

Download speedachieved during the test was - 5.58 Mbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 2 Mbps-7.15 Mbps.
IP Profile for your line is - 5.87 Mbps

2. Upstream Test: -provides background information.

Upload Speed
0.84 Mbps

0 Mbps 0.83 Mbps
Max Achievable Speed

Upload speed achieved during the test was - 0.84Mbps
Additional Information:
Upstream Rate IP profile on your line is - 0.83 Mbps

Sorry you requested this as well.
Plusnet information
Estimated line speed:
There's no speed estimate currently held on your account.
Current line speed:
5.8 Mb

OK, that all confirms that the download speed you are getting is what you would expect from your IP profile (which is derived from your sync speed) so the question is why has it reduced? Have you tried connecting directly to the test socket behind the lower part of the faceplate (assuming you have one)?

In reply to a post by kasg:

OK, that all confirms that the download speed you are getting is what you would expect from your IP profile (which is derived from your sync speed) so the question is why has it reduced? Have you tried connecting directly to the test socket behind the lower part of the faceplate (assuming you have one)?

Thanks for your understanding of the connection info I have sent.
I am connected directly to the test socket, which is in my upstairs office wired by BT in about 2007 so reasonably new.
I feel the problem is at the exchange connection, as my wiring has not changed
John

OK, you'll probably have to get onto Plusnet then, you might get a response here but certainly not at the weekend. It's probably worth going through the troubleshooter at https://portal.plus.net/apps/kbdfaults - most of it is tedious but at the end of it all you get to raise a fault.

Thanks for your help I should have posted this query on Monday with a better chance of a Plusnet guy to read I will leave it until Monday to go through the trouble-shooter and hopefully get help there.
John

In reply to a post by planman:

I am connected directly to the test socket, which is in my upstairs office wired by BT in about 2007 so reasonably new.
I feel the problem is at the exchange connection, as my wiring has not changed
John

Hi there.
This may seem a bit pedantic, but were you connected to the test socket when the drop in speed occurred? This could be significant. If you weren't, and plugged into the normal socket, do you have any other extension sockets, or connect the modem/router with any phone extension leads?
Could you also post the DSL stats - sync speeds, noise margin (SNRM) & attenuation and preferably including any CRC and ES error figures.
Can you also do a Quiet Line Test 17070 option 2, see if you can hear any crackles or other noises on the line.

In reply to a post by ChrisAO:

In reply to a post by planman:

I am connected directly to the test socket, which is in my upstairs office wired by BT in about 2007 so reasonably new.
I feel the problem is at the exchange connection, as my wiring has not changed
John

Hi there.
This may seem a bit pedantic, but were you connected to the test socket when the drop in speed occurred? This could be significant. If you weren't, and plugged into the normal socket, do you have any other extension sockets, or connect the modem/router with any phone extension leads?
Could you also post the DSL stats - sync speeds, noise margin (SNRM) & attenuation and preferably including any CRC and ES error figures.
Can you also do a Quiet Line Test 17070 option 2, see if you can hear any crackles or other noises on the line.

Chris,

Thanks for your reply and queries and you are not being pedantic.

The upstairs socket is the only BT socket in the house and my connection has been from the plug test socket with the face removed to expose it this has been connected like this since 2007 so no change.

I have done the Quiet Line Test 17070 option 2 and there are no crackles or other noises but if I switch to speakerphone with my ear to the loudspeaker the is a very slight hum.

My DSL stats are as follows taken from the ASUS DSL-N55U ADSL Log below.
Modulation : ADSL2+
Annex Mode : Annex A/L
Line State : up
Lan Tx : 28012341
Lan Rx : 14108431
ADSL Tx : 5521329
ADSL Rx : 10935662
CRC Down : 0
CRC Up : 250
FEC Down : 0
FEC Up : 45681
HEC Down : 2303
HEC Up : 0
SNR Up : 6.3
SNR Down : 6.6
Line Attenuation Up : 23.1
Line Attenuation Down : 44.0
Data Rate Up : 1123
Data Rate Down : 6650

Hope this is what you require if not please ask again.

The decrease in speed is not effecting my browsing that much perhaps a slight time lag in updating a web page and my Netflix still buffers with out reloading but it is that feeling if my original speed has degraded by 2.0 Mbps within one year will it continue to loose connection speed in the future, better to ask now if there is something wrong and get it looked into and fixed.

I have bye the way used the Plusnet Trouble-shooter to register my concerns.

John

Can you run the diagnostic test which as well as the throughput results should also give the current IP profile:-

http://www.speedtest.btwholesale.com/PerformanceTest...


Log in to PN to get their current line speed:-

https://portal.plus.net/my.html?action=data_transfer...

In reply to a post by Apprentice:

Can you run the diagnostic test which as well as the throughput results should also give the current IP profile:-

http://www.speedtest.btwholesale.com/PerformanceTest...


Log in to PN to get their current line speed:-

https://portal.plus.net/my.html?action=data_transfer...

Test results below, thanks for your interest, think I have done this before in previous posts but here is the updated tests.

1. Best Effort Test: -provides background information.
Download Speed
5.46 Mbps

0 Mbps 7.15 MbpsMax Achievable Speed

Download speed achieved during the test was - 5.46 Mbps For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 2 Mbps-7.15 Mbps. IP Profile for your line is - 5.87 Mbps

2. Upstream Test: -provides background information.
Upload Speed
0.7 Mbps

0 Mbps 0.83 MbpsMax Achievable Speed

Upload speed achieved during the test was - 0.7Mbps Additional Information: Upstream Rate IP profile on your line is - 0.83 Mbps


Plusnet

Estimated line speed:
There's no speed estimate currently held on your account.
Current line speed:
5.8 Mb

John

The test results and stats and IP profile are much the same as the set you posted last Saturday.

When putting your stats into MrSaffron's ADSL and ADSL2+ line speed calculator,

http://www.coolwebhome.co.uk/calc/index.php?param=RG...

The result suggests you could get better throughput speeds.

Any signs of congestion when you do a ttb speed test?

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/speedtest.html?utm_sou...


The router is always used wired, yes?

As mentioned earlier by kasg, the throughput speed is pretty much what would be expected.

In reply to a post by kasg:

OK, that all confirms that the download speed you are getting is what you would expect from your IP profile (which is derived from your sync speed) so the question is why has it reduced?

It's not going to improve noticably without without an improvement in sync speed.

Thanks John, those stats are just what was required. If you know what the connection uptime was for them, that would be helpful.

The current sync speed is rather disappointing for your line attenuation. Because the SNRM figures are close to 6dB it all suggests that there maybe some sort of interference present. What is slightly concerning is that the stats are showing CRC & FEC errors on the Upstream but not on the DS. I'm not familiar with this ASUS and did wonder if it was misreporting the US and DS errors the wrong way round - other modem/routers have done similar in the past, but it's not common these days.

Leaving that aside, the slight hum on speakerphone might be due to the extra gain in that mode, but it might also be due to slight line imbalance (due to a line fault) - the latter can make the line vulnerable to increased interference pickup. As you've reported a fault to Plusnet, when they pick it up in a couple of days they should run a Copper Line Test (CLT) which might identify any line issues. If they do so your connection will drop for just under 3 minutes whilst the test is conducted (Is your line rental with Plusnet?).

The other things worth checking, is your phone a cordless one?
Is your filter what called a rat's tail type, see this?

If the answer is yes to both, do you have a spare filter? If so, unplug the phone from the first filter (leave the modem/router connected to the first one), plug the 2nd filter into the first and then plug the phone into the second filter. This "double filters" the phone. Some cordless phones can give some interference that affects the line and this can often cure it.
If you do that, then post some new stats.

If the phone isn't cordless, don't bother with the above.

In reply to a post by Apprentice:

The test results and stats and IP profile are much the same as the set you posted last Saturday.

When putting your stats into MrSaffron's ADSL and ADSL2+ line speed calculator,

http://www.coolwebhome.co.uk/calc/index.php?param=RG...

The result suggests you could get better throughput speeds.

Any signs of congestion when you do a ttb speed test?

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/speedtest.html?utm_sou...


The router is always used wired, yes?

The router is wired to the PC

Speed Test info below showing from when it started to decrease.

Date Down TBB Down HTTPx6 Upstream ISP
Tue 16/02/16 11:59 4.78 Mbps 5.48 Mbps 0.80 Mbps Plusnet
Sun 14/02/16 13:04 5.49 Mbps 5.47 Mbps 0.95 Mbps Plusnet
Sat 13/02/16 17:25 5.52 Mbps 5.43 Mbps 0.95 Mbps Plusnet
Sat 13/02/16 12:31 5.49 Mbps 5.48 Mbps 0.94 Mbps Plusnet
Fri 12/02/16 12:41 5.52 Mbps 5.48 Mbps 0.90 Mbps Plusnet
Tue 09/02/16 13:43 5.49 Mbps 5.48 Mbps 0.92 Mbps Plusnet
Tue 09/02/16 12:25 5.50 Mbps 5.48 Mbps 0.95 Mbps Plusnet
Mon 08/02/16 15:10 5.64 Mbps 5.62 Mbps 0.91 Mbps Plusnet
Sun 31/01/16 14:49 5.52 Mbps 5.46 Mbps 0.76 Mbps Plusnet
Sat 30/01/16 13:08 5.37 Mbps 5.61 Mbps 0.93 Mbps Plusnet
Fri 29/01/16 22:28 5.63 Mbps 5.59 Mbps 0.92 Mbps Plusnet
Fri 29/01/16 15:34 5.63 Mbps 5.56 Mbps 0.97 Mbps Plusnet
Thu 28/01/16 12:03 6.25 Mbps 6.32 Mbps 0.92 Mbps Plusnet
Fri 22/01/16 14:56 7.10 Mbps 6.99 Mbps 0.93 Mbps Plusnet
Wed 20/01/16 10:48 7.04 Mbps 7.00 Mbps 0.93 Mbps Plusnet
Tue 19/01/16 13:40 7.17 Mbps 7.14 Mbps 0.95 Mbps Plusnet
Tue 19/01/16 13:07 7.17 Mbps 7.14 Mbps 0.95 Mbps Plusnet
Mon 18/01/16 16:18 7.20 Mbps 7.15 Mbps 0.97 Mbps Plusnet
Wed 06/01/16 12:19 7.26 Mbps 7.20 Mbps 0.89 Mbps Plusnet

I hope a reset at the telephone exchange will solve the speed issue?

John

In reply to a post by ChrisAO:

Thanks John, those stats are just what was required. If you know what the connection uptime was for them, that would be helpful.

The current sync speed is rather disappointing for your line attenuation. Because the SNRM figures are close to 6dB it all suggests that there maybe some sort of interference present. What is slightly concerning is that the stats are showing CRC & FEC errors on the Upstream but not on the DS. I'm not familiar with this ASUS and did wonder if it was misreporting the US and DS errors the wrong way round - other modem/routers have done similar in the past, but it's not common these days.

Leaving that aside, the slight hum on speakerphone might be due to the extra gain in that mode, but it might also be due to slight line imbalance (due to a line fault) - the latter can make the line vulnerable to increased interference pickup. As you've reported a fault to Plusnet, when they pick it up in a couple of days they should run a Copper Line Test (CLT) which might identify any line issues. If they do so your connection will drop for just under 3 minutes whilst the test is conducted (Is your line rental with Plusnet?).

The other things worth checking, is your phone a cordless one?
Is your filter what called a rat's tail type, see this?

If the answer is yes to both, do you have a spare filter? If so, unplug the phone from the first filter (leave the modem/router connected to the first one), plug the 2nd filter into the first and then plug the phone into the second filter. This "double filters" the phone. Some cordless phones can give some interference that affects the line and this can often cure it.
If you do that, then post some new stats.

If the phone isn't cordless, don't bother with the above.

Chris,
Thanks for the advice and info, yes my phone is cordless and I will try the double filter but the wiring has not changed from 2007 and in February 2015 I was getting 7.51 Mbps so why the change now. I will have a go at the added filter tomorrow when I am fresher and let you know if there is any improvement.
The line check will I hope show any problem.
John

"so why the change now?" - Not an easy one to answer.
It's not just wiring changes that can cause this sort of situation. The simple answer is something has developed a fault - a rather uninformative comment!! From the speedtest results you've posted, it's fairly clear things went downhill quite rapidly. The trick is to look for obvious things and also eliminate as much as possible.

The usual first step is to see if there's any discernible problems with the phone line - any strange noises, problem with incoming or outgoing calls. Some line faults won't always display in that manner. Stats can sometimes give an obvious indication - for example low speed, high SNRM could indicate there's been a burst of interference, static (lightning) or line noise and a controlled resync returns things to normal. Error figures will also help build a picture of what may be happening.

If a user had extension sockets and wiring, plugging into the test socket eliminates that where the wiring might have developed faults or be picking up interference.
When a problem still exists when connected to the test socket, the possible cause can be divided into 3 categories.
Own equipment fault - Modem/Router or Filter, Line fault, or sources of Interference - which may be internal or external.
The double filtering of the cordless phone is a quick easy thing to do, usually without losing sync and depending on any changes to the stats, may give an indication of the first filter being faulty or the cordless phone generating interference because it's developed a fault.

A remote CLT will usually find most line faults, but whilst awaiting that, then the next step would be to try another modem/router. Plusnet's broadband checks on the xDSL Status, the Radius log and WBC Line Profile could also give clues as to what's happened. If all that fails to identify anything, then more detailed checks are going to be needed to look for sources of interference.

Having said all the above, I should have remarked on the DS sync speed in your stats. That looks like it could well be a banded speed. DLM (automatic exchange Dynamic Line Management) may have acted in response to multiple connection drops/resyncs, the cause of which may not be obvious at this point. The speed test results suggest that this may have happened during the last week of January.
If there's been several losses of sync, there's usually loss of PPP session and this will show clearly in the Radius log. If this is no longer happening and the line appears stable, then Plusnet may just try an SNR Reset if no other faults are showing.

In the meantime keep an eye on your sync speeds, but especially the modem/router connection Uptime, your IP Address to see if it changes (but don't post the address) and which Gateway you are on - the latter two usually change as well, if you get a connection resync.

Thinkbroadband speed history

Date Down TBB Down HTTPx6 Upstream ISP
Wed 24/02/16 14:08 6.54 Mbps 7.27 Mbps 0.91 Mbps Plusnet
Tue 23/02/16 10:26 6.59 Mbps 7.27 Mbps 0.91 Mbps Plusnet
Sun 21/02/16 16:08 6.57 Mbps 7.31 Mbps 0.91 Mbps Plusnet
Sun 21/02/16 15:50 5.49 Mbps 5.48 Mbps 0.90 Mbps Plusnet
Sat 20/02/16 10:09 5.49 Mbps 5.47 Mbps 0.87 Mbps Plusnet
Thu 18/02/16 13:27 5.49 Mbps 5.48 Mbps 0.90 Mbps Plusnet
Wed 17/02/16 12:32 5.39 Mbps 5.39 Mbps 0.89 Mbps Plusnet
Tue 16/02/16 11:59 4.78 Mbps 5.48 Mbps 0.80 Mbps Plusnet

Plusnet reset my line on the 18th February 2016 and said to wait three days for the connection speed to settle down to my new IP Profile BT test of - 8.76 Mbps.
No increase of speed after three days.
My router was showing Data Rate Up: 1064 and Data Rate Down: 9928 on the 18th.
Decided to switch off the router on Sunday 21st Feb as I had nothing to loose and low and behold an improvement on my connection speed, looks like my problem is solved with a line and router reset.
I did try the Speed at Ookla today and got 8.48 Mb/s down 0.90 Mb/s up

Thanks for your advice and interest, until the next time.
John

Hi John,
well I'm glad you've got an improvement. Did Plusnet do a CLT? I hope there aren't any residual line issues that cause problems in the future.

When you've had an improvement in sync speed, and hence BT IP Profile, but no increase in throughput speed, always check your Current Line speed (Login required) first. If that's not gone up to match the IP Profile then nudge Plusnet. If it's gone up it usually drops the PPP Internet session so that the new profile takes effect.

Sometimes that PPP drop doesn't happen and so you need to do it yourself.
Clearly a reboot of the modem/router will cause this, but it also causes loss of sync on ADSL and that is not generally a good idea on longer lines especially if at the time your SNRM has dropped a bit below the current Target (for example during dusk to daylight when increased noise often affects the connection) you'll then get a slower sync speed.

To just drop the PPP Internet session on Plusnet Modem/Routers (and many others but not all), you log into the modem/router and find the Disconnect button, click it, wait 30 seconds and then click Connect.
If you have the 2704n, the button is on the Homepage in the Connection Status - Internet Status line. If you have a TG582n, it's in the Internet box.
HTH.

Chris,
The Plusnet trouble-shooter reply said that they had done a DLM not a CLT
DLM reset performed...
New Profile: WBC 160K - 24M Medium delay (INP 1) 6dB Downstream, UC Low delay (INP 0) 6dB Upstream (ADSL2+)
Sync : 9927
WP Profile matched to sync.

I have informed Plusnet of my current status and assume they will do another line test and show me their improved results.

The current line speed is,
Estimated line speed:
There's no speed estimate currently held on your account.
Current line speed:
8.7 Mb
The Assus router will allow me to disconnect and reconnect but I wanted to move the mains transformer to a different mains socket so it was switched off and on manually which I assume was the same as doing it in the router login.
Current router connection below,
Modulation : ADSL2+
Annex Mode : Annex A/L
Line State : up
Lan Tx : 8132445
Lan Rx : 3882917
ADSL Tx : 3773228
ADSL Rx : 7752754
CRC Down : 0
CRC Up : 1653
FEC Down : 0
FEC Up : 48173
HEC Down : 23354
HEC Up : 0
SNR Up : 5.5
SNR Down : 6.0
Line Attenuation Up : 23.1
Line Attenuation Down : 44.0
Data Rate Up : 1076
Data Rate Down : 9879

I live and learn and do appreciate your kind advice.

John

In reply to a post by planman:

The Plusnet trouble-shooter reply said that they had done a DLM not a CLT
DLM reset performed...

Sloppy on Plusnet's part. They should have done a Copper Line Test first, but never mind, let's hope it all remains stable.

Considering you wanted to move the mains transformer, then your approach was quite reasonable. It's always better to power down first by the way, rather than just unplug the modem/router or filter from the line if you ever need to do that.