Confused about my broadband speed/noise margin

My broadband has been stuck with 15 dB noise margin for at least a couple of months. I don't mind it but I thought I should get around to resolving it.

Before this change to 15 dB it was mostly at 6 dB for a couple of years although occasionally it would drop to 3 dB but it would increase again to 6 dB due to overnight it can drop by ~2 dB.

I posted on the BT forums but I'm still clueless about it.

I did the 17070 option 2 quiet line test and I could hear a faint shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh sound. The test was performed with a corded telephone. An ADSL filter was plugged into the master socket, the corded phone plugged into the ADSL filter, and the broadband RJ11 cable plugged into the ADSL filter.

So I am told that the noise could be the problem because the quiet line test should be virtually silent.

I dig out a couple of the BT ADSL filters (comes with the HomeHub 3) and plug one into the master socket with only the corded phone plugged into the ADSL filter and the quiet line test is completely silent. Great, it's fixed I think!

However, I also plug the RJ11 and do the quiet line test and I am hearing shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh again so after more testing including ADSL filter plugged directly into the test socket the shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh sound remains when the broadband RJ11 is plugged in. There is no extension wiring.

It was suggested to try an ADSL filter plugged into another ADSL filter and doing so results in the quiet line test being completely silent even with the RJ11 cable connected.

Here is what it looks like with a Home Hub 3:

ADSL Line Status
Connection Information
Line state: Connected
Connection time: 0 days, 00:02:06
Downstream: 6.617 Mbps
Upstream: 1.101 Mbps

ADSL Settings
VPI/VCI: 0/38
Type: PPPoA
Modulation: G.992.5 Annex A
Latency type: Fast
Noise margin (Down/Up): 15.2 dB / 6.1 dB
Line attenuation (Down/Up): 30.6 dB / 16.4 dB
Output power (Down/Up): 20.4 dBm / 12.2 dBm
FEC Events (Down/Up): 0 / 0
CRC Events (Down/Up): 0 / 32
Loss of Framing (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Signal (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Power (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
HEC Events (Down/Up): 0 / 7
Error Seconds (Local/Remote): 0 / 0

It was at 10 to 11 Mbps when running with a 6 dB noise margin.

Sounds like a dodgy Home Hub or it's power supply.

Re the 15dB itself, if your double-filtering has indeed fixed the problem, that is supposed to fall by 3dB each 10-14 days of stability. Great - Not !

Alternatively you could try to get BT to do a reset on the line, which would set it to the 6dB default and rerun the 10-day initial period. They might want to monitor it for a few days before doing that, or they might not have a clue what you are talking about.

I haven't checked thoroughly; but about two months back, I read something which suggested that with the typical Phone/BB Filter, the BB side is straight through, ie NO Filtering, whilst the Phone side does have either Audio pass-through filtering or HF (BB) Rejection Filtering.

If that is the case, then theoretically, I would expect there to be virtually no reduction/attenuation to the BB signal as it passes through multiple filters in series, apart from any due to multiple luugs and sockets etc inherent in any equipment.

You're right, but the filter is bi-directional. Not only does it remove the broadband signal from the phone side, it also prevents non-audio frequencies getting back onto the line from attached devices - i.e. it stops noise feedback from local kit.

Sky boxes sometimes need double filtering, (not as often as in the past), due to the strength of their non-audio feedback being greater than the filter can cope with. I was extrapolating from that, that perhaps there is a fault on the HH or its power unit having a similar effect.
_{Edit - apostropheitis cured.}

Edited by RobertoS (Mon 31-Dec-12 23:00:49)

Thanks for the fast reply.

To clarify, what do you mean by "Sky Boxes"?

If it is the typical Sky Satellite Box, are you referring to its phone connection for updates etc, that responds I think tothe CLI rather than the Ring Tone?

Or is it the Sky Modems/Routers etc?

Right first time, Sky Satellite Boxes.

Again my thanks.

We have an elderly Sky Satellite Box from around 2000.

Fortuitously, it is rarely connected to the phone network as we don't use the additional services; but it is occasuonally plugged in when checking for firmware updates.

Wow thanks for replying!

I will leave it for the 2 weeks hopefully it'll lower.

Downloading for last 10 hours+:

Data Transmitted/Received (GB): 1.7 / 4.3

Connection Information
Line state: Connected
Connection time: 0 days, 10:27:34
Downstream: 7.273 Mbps
Upstream: 1.101 Mbps

ADSL Settings
VPI/VCI: 0/38
Type: PPPoA
Modulation: G.992.5 Annex A
Latency type: Fast
Noise margin (Down/Up): 14.6 dB / 6.2 dB
Line attenuation (Down/Up): 30.4 dB / 16.4 dB
Output power (Down/Up): 20.4 dBm / 12.3 dBm
FEC Events (Down/Up): 0 / 0
CRC Events (Down/Up): 405 / 12
Loss of Framing (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Signal (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Power (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
HEC Events (Down/Up): 1425 / 6
Error Seconds (Local/Remote): 148 / 9

Is this ok?

It looks fine. Error seconds a little higher than I like to see, but probably nothing to worry about.

You should be getting 15 Meg sync speed @ 6dB NM. Even @ 15 dB NM you should be getting more than 12 Meg.

To me your ESs are fine.

Thanks for your advice.

I'm in a rural area so 11 Meg was a big shock and 15 Meg would be unbelievably good.

Here is latest stats after I did house keeping around the router (moving electrical devices further away and using different wall sockets for the devices near the TV):

ADSL Line Status

Connection Information

Line state: Connected
Connection time: 2 days, 06:55:37
Downstream: 7.742 Mbps
Upstream: 1.133 Mbps

ADSL Settings

VPI/VCI: 0/38
Type: PPPoA
Modulation: G.992.5 Annex A
Latency type: Fast
Noise margin (Down/Up): 13.6 dB / 6.4 dB
Line attenuation (Down/Up): 30.6 dB / 16.4 dB
Output power (Down/Up): 20.4 dBm / 12.6 dBm
FEC Events (Down/Up): 0 / 0
CRC Events (Down/Up): 2150 / 193
Loss of Framing (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Signal (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Power (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
HEC Events (Down/Up): 4554 / 180
Error Seconds (Local/Remote): 1694 / 110

I had all other electrical devices unplugged except for the Home Hub 3 so it connected at the 7.7 Meg rather than the usual 15 dB induced ~6 Meg but then after I finished the house keeping and plugged everything back in the noise margin dropped ~2 dB more than it usually does and it seems it is because of the electrical usage nearby.

Also I remember it having a lot of error seconds like that even when the noise margin was at 6 dB.

I'm hoping it automatically lowers the noise margin now because I have good news at least for my wallet it is good news! I received an offer from EE and it's too good to refuse so it's unlikely I will be receiving help from BT should the high noise margin turn out to be a cause for concern.

For the same unlimited broadband and calls package the monthly cost drops from BT's £29.40 to EE's £5 as I have a T-Mobile mobile contract.

BT were great about it and I received the MAC code over the phone after 5 minutes chatting and EE have already sent me a welcome email and are doing their thing with the MAC code.

I know it's a risk to switch but I think I'm making a good decision.

In reply to a post by akawtu:

Also I remember it having a lot of error seconds like that even when the noise margin was at 6 dB.

That's not a lot of ESs! It's not how many there are that matters but their proportion of your Uptime. I generally reckon on about 1 ES per min. Uptime as being acceptable on Fast Path.

Switching to EE may not solve your issue and getting help from their support may be more difficult than BT.

I didn't mean to imply it was too many was just I remember the number increased consistently like you are saying.

I don't really mind if it stays at ~7 Meg now it's costing much less and it's still a fast connection to me but obviously the faster the better if I can.

Currently I have a WDS setup for the kids upstairs (Xbox and PCs) and while it's reliable I occasionally run into an article suggesting wireless use isn't good for us so I've been thinking about a new line for upstairs so the kids have their own broadband and now with the cost reduction I should still be saving compared to a single BT broadband package!

I just hope EE doesn't have problems although from light reading EE appears to be pretty much the same as my BT package including the same peak time priorities and slow downs for downloads etc.

Re your idea about a second line, what does samknows say about your exchange? (Best is if you post the URL of the result).

Edited by RobertoS (Sat 05-Jan-13 00:41:28)

It's ok, I've read about the LLU options and C&W is likely my choice.

You can't go direct to C & W. It really would be better to let us see and interpret the exchange data.

I'm not that clueless. I know I can't go direct.

Thanks for offering to look but really there is no need unless you consider Tiscali or AOL a viable alternative!

OK maybe it's not so simple.

Is there a forum for options about ordering a new phone line? I am thinking I need some advice!

I phoned BT to order a second line but they aren't able to supply one because I am considering a LLU broadband supplier which takes over the line. The BT rep also talked about my current line and for a long while he tried to convince me to cancel the EE broadband package which he said I can do so up until the last day.

Why has it become so difficult to order a new line that isn't locked into a phone package?

I'm starting to think the BT rep was correct and I should cancel the EE broadband and go for a LLU broadband supplier on that line. I would also order WBC broadband on a new line and the WBC supplier will be able to order the new line at the same time as broadband and calls package.

This is not as simple as I thought it would be!

Oh and unknown to me the BT rep said we are heavy users so maybe we will have problems on EE broadband!!!

In reply to a post by akawtu:

BT rep said we are heavy users so maybe we will have problems on EE broadband!!!

Why? EE is an unlimited provider, with some throttling on P2P during peak.

I didn't ask him. I was trying to order a new line not find out about why I shouldn't switch to EE!

In reply to a post by akawtu:

OK maybe it's not so simple.

Is there a forum for options about ordering a new phone line? I am thinking I need some advice!

I phoned BT to order a second line but they aren't able to supply one because I am considering a LLU broadband supplier which takes over the line. The BT rep also talked about my current line and for a long while he tried to convince me to cancel the EE broadband package which he said I can do so up until the last day.

Not all LLU takes over the line. And there is nothing to stop you getting a second line from anyone you like even if you already have an LLU line.

He was clearly trying to persuade you to stay with a BT line and is clearly only semi-informed about LLU lines.

Why has it become so difficult to order a new line that isn't locked into a phone package?

It's dead easy. As above, you weren't getting a correct story from him.

I'm starting to think the BT rep was correct and I should cancel the EE broadband and go for a LLU broadband supplier on that line. I would also order WBC broadband on a new line and the WBC supplier will be able to order the new line at the same time as broadband and calls package.

That seems to directly contradict what you said earlier.

This is not as simple as I thought it would be!

True. But I'd still like to know the exchange. It may be irrelevant, it may not, but you don't know enough to know . Then I and others can come up with suggestions for a suitable combination of services for you. There's no danger in saying what exchange you are on.

Thanks for the response but I've decided I should move to a different supplier on my current line (not EE) before ordering a new line with broadband for upstairs.

With Xilo LLU a phone number is required to move to C&W LLU although I don't know if they take over the line yet.

I've added a static IP requirement which limits my options and I'd also prefer the new supplier takes over the line too.

It might be dead easy for you but for me it isn't happening as when I tried it says I can't order a new line unless I phone up so I dial 150 and the BT rep tells me the only way BT can supply a new line is if I sign up for 18 months of their phone package.

Actually I am becoming quite angry about all this now the more I think about it.

I didn't think to check prices and I'm sure many others don't either so I only found out how cheap broadband has become because of the EE letter.

The joke is on me when BT have been taking £29.40 every month and yet they are giving others the same package for MUCH less. When I called to get the MAC code the guy offered me the same package for £13.75 per month. BT can offer a significantly reduced price so why are they charging their loyal customers a considerably higher amount for the same package???

It has been really good of BT to charge me £29.40 for years HAHA what a joke it's been on me when they are providing others a reduced price of £13.75 for the exact same package! Oh and wait for it, I called BT again today to ask about cancelling the EE migration and I was also told the £29.40 is changing, it's going up! It's going to be £31.x soon! HAHA that is so nice of BT to do that for me.

I've made a new post to try to help me choose a supplier and I'll keep reading to find out more myself to help make a better decision this time.

OK I've been reading more and you're right I don't know much really.

I read about routing/peering being an issue with some suppliers and I have no idea if that will restrict my choices.

Help me make a good decision for my next broadband supplier! My exchange is ESDAL.

Supplier requirements:

Unlimited broadband (don't care if it's shaped at peak times)
Supplier takes over the line rental
Static IP

Add whatever else you think is a necessary requirement for a good broadband supplier!

Current unlimited broadband cost including line rental is £44 per month but hopefully something cheaper but I'll pay whatever for something good. Also I don't care about land line calls.

Edited by deleted (Sat 05-Jan-13 18:30:24)

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

In reply to a post by akawtu:

I phoned BT to order a second line but they aren't able to supply one because I am considering a LLU broadband supplier which takes over the line.

Not all LLU takes over the line.

I think OP is confused about LLU and what BT said to him. The point BT was making was that to take a new line with BT you need to enter a min term (12 or 18 months) contract with BT for the line rental, but that is not suitable for OP as he is considering taking BB (of any flavour) and phone from another ISP who will want to also take over the line rental. Thus conflicting with the OP's proposed line contract with BT.

In reply to a post by akawtu:

I called BT again today to ask about cancelling the EE migration

BT are not responsible for the EE migration; you need to call EE to cancel it.

You really don't know much about this and you would be well advised to listen to Roberto.

Right!

I'm not so angry now and I don't have a problem with BT besides the obvious and I would be fine to return to BT in the future when fibre is available to me.

But yes, I prefer not to have a BT bill for the line rental.

Well there is something that might be useful in there, which is the TalkTalk LLU. Seeing as you didn't mention it, I assume you strongly wish not to go to them.

However there are a couple of ISPs who use the TalkTalk LLU equipment in the exchange, but don't use the TalkTalk network from the exchange onwards, and all the support is by the ISP. I'm also not sure at this stage as to the static IP address availability on those packages.

I'll leave that for the moment as I think we have more than one issue, and I think we need to discuss that. What is worrying me is

I had all other electrical devices unplugged except for the Home Hub 3 so it connected at the 7.7 Meg rather than the usual 15 dB induced ~6 Meg but then after I finished the house keeping and plugged everything back in the noise margin dropped ~2 dB more than it usually does and it seems it is because of the electrical usage nearby.

Also I remember it having a lot of error seconds like that even when the noise margin was at 6 dB.

That does look like something on your premises is playing up. That could seriously affect any service, even on a second line, unless we track it down and eliminate it. That doesn't usually take long.

I'd be very worried about you going ahead with a migration plus a second line, and it was all still a mess. You'd be furious.

Can I also ask a few follow-up questions.

1) Where has the desire for a static IP address come from, seeing as you don't have one already? Do you want it on both lines? I assume you want different suppliers for the two services.

2) Where did you establish that you can't get FTTC? " Fibre is in my exchange but it's only available to those very close ..." is a strange thing to say. A huge numer of people close to their exchnage can't get it, while everyone else on their exchange can. It isn't a case of it spreading out from the centre.

3) The primary use for the second line and service is for gaming for the children. What we don't know is the primary use for the existing one, and that can make a difference. Less than it did a few years ago, but it can still be relevant.

4) What turned you off the EE deal? I don't remember seeing anything concrete. (AH - I see elsewhere it could be the lack of a static IP).

Re routing and peering, yes that can be important. Often though, how important depends on the type of use. Hence my Question 3.

Sorry to present that barrage of questions, but I hope you can see they are all relevant.

In reply to a post by akawtu:

Static IP

Can you get this from BT? If so:

What's wrong with staying with BT on your current package, which I assume is the 10 GB usage ADSL2+ BB + E & W Calls, but at the current price of £13.75 pm?

Or upgrade to the Unlimited ADSL2+ BB + E & W Calls for £26 pm? That would satisfy all your requirements and still be cheaper than you are paying now.

I called BT after I called EE to cancel the migration. EE had a problem with the cancellation so I called BT to find out what was showing on their system.

Next time I'll be sure to add a foot note with as much information as you seem to require so you don't feel inclined to post such a rude and unnecessary reply or maybe you can stop being so rude in the first place. :|

What?

Please stop assuming because you got it wrong again. In fact I feel you are insulting me so please go away.

What is wrong with you? Don't you want to be helped? It's like drawing teeth with you!

I just asked you a few simple Qs. We don't know about your situation other than those facts you select to tell us; we may need other facts that may seem obvious to you.

What, in fact, did I get wrong?

In reply to a post by akawtu:

when they are providing others a reduced price of £13.75 for the exact same package!

Where are BT offering Unlimited BB for £13.75 pm?

That's the price for the 10GB usage package. Unlimited package is £26 pm; slightly less than you are paying currently.

BT Retail non-business do not do static IPS. Only their business packages.

In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

In reply to a post by akawtu:

when they are providing others a reduced price of £13.75 for the exact same package!

Where are BT offering Unlimited BB for £13.75 pm?

That's the price for the 10GB usage package. Unlimited package is £26 pm; slightly less than you are paying currently.

I already said above that BT offered to give me my current unlimited broadband package for £13.75 per month..

When I called BT to get the MAC code I was offered the reduced price to get me to stay with them.

Just for you here is the offers I received:

1] I call BT and get through to the people who handle cancellations.
2] Ask the BT person why my broadband costs £29.40 when I can get the same package much cheaper elsewhere.
3] BT person talks about why and offers my current package for £18.x (don't remember the exact amount)
4] I politely decline because EE is £2.50 a month or £5 if I want the anytime calls.
5] Sometime later I once again call BT and get through to the people who handle cancellations.
6] Explain to BT person I'm calling after talking to EE and they need the MAC code so I can move over to EE.
7] BT person is nice enough about the MAC code request and we talk for a while about the EE offer and then he offers the same unlimited broadband package for £13.75 per month and £10.75 for the line rental if I pay it up front.
8] I politely decline again because EE is still a lot cheaper and he goes away for a short time and comes back with my MAC code.

Did I really have to spell it out like that for you???

Right now I don't think I know enough to rule out any suppliers.

I've monitored the noise margin and it's probably more like just over a 1 dB drop because of the electrical usage. I'll list the items in use near the Home Hub 3:

Panasonic 40" Plasma centre of the wall and underneath is a glass stand with two shelves. The BT master socket is near the corner to the left of the TV and a Sky TV cable is coming in just above the master socket and they were both installed at the same time a few years ago.

On the top glass shelf from left to right is:

Home Hub 3
Wii U stood vertically
2 x NAS (2 x 12v PSUs)
Wii U Gamepad charger with Gamepad sitting in the charger
5GHz router (12v PSU)
2.4Ghz router used exclusively for providing internet upstairs (12v PSU)

On the second shelf the Sky HD box is on the left and on the right is a low power computer with a 12v PSU. On a table nearby is an Xbox 360 (175W PSU) and it's often in use but it's playing up hence why it isn't on the second shelf where it usually is.

I used to also have a 4 battery charger on the glass shelf which is quite beefy but I've moved it away.

I have a 6 way adapter and a 10 way adapter. The routers and NAS PSUs are plugged into the 6 way and everything else is plugged into the 10 way.

A Panasonic cordless phone is wall mounted but it's on the other wall to the left of the master socket well away from the TV and other appliances.

All the plugs and cables etc are labelled and as best I could they are tidy and all PSUs plugs are to the right away from the Home Hub 3 and it's RJ11 cable.

The static IP is for the PC under the TV.

I would prefer to go for an LLU supplier and a WBC supplier which I decided from something you wrote somewhere on here so if BT goes down I might still have internet using the LLU supplier and vice versa.

Having two lines is a no brainer considering how little it'll cost once I pay for the new line installation. For example I could go for EE's £2.50 unlimited broadband on the new line. We aren't concerned about land line calls so the £2.50 package is ideal for upstairs.

There has been a lot of fibre chatter online about my exchange so it's well known that only some post codes have access to it and the rest of us won't be getting it anytime soon. Our exchange covers a very big area and it's like they decided to go north only so every other direction isn't getting it. I have no idea why but I have accepted I won't be getting it.

Point 3 is a good one. Low latency should be a requirement. I hadn't thought about usage requirements but now I remember playing online poker was difficult a while back due to high latency which might coincide with the increased noise margin. Latency has been fine for a while though.

Besides the poker there is web browsing and the usual like Netflix and Sky Go etc but I don't mind paying for unlimited so I don't have to monitor the usage. The kids line will have a lot more downloading so until it is installed so will the downstairs line.

I do appreciate your help with this.

In reply to a post by akawtu:

when they are providing others a reduced price of £13.75 for the exact same package!

Yes, I realise that BT had offered you a special reduced retention deal for your current package.

However, I was asking where they had offered others, not you, Unlimited BB for £13.75 pm?

That is a brilliant description. But it is now after eating time and red wine , so too much to take in and think about.

I can see why you have arranged things like that, any normal person would do. But in your case it might need benefit from a bit of adjustment so long as an aesthetically acceptable arrangement can be achieved.

I'd better not say any more as the wine might talk instead of sensible analysis. I'll be around here for a while about stuff I can handle in my sleep, but yours needs a clear head. Back tomorrow some time.

Edited by RobertoS (Sat 05-Jan-13 21:49:42)

Online poker doesn't particularly need low latency. It runs fine on Interleaved. I play it all the time. Low latency and Fast Path is needed more for those highly graphical, fast response, combat games.

You're right. I should have said stable latency is a requirement..

Thanks for correcting me!

Maybe I am the chosen and BT would offer this deal only to me?

HAHA! You crack me up.

Ah, so you made an empty statement

Oh yeah I meant to say earlier, I was online with a 14.4k modem back in the days. We moved to the internet around 1996 from BBS costing us addicts £1000s per quarter in phone bills. I still believe it was worth the money!

HAHA. I was on the internet before you. LOL!

You make me laugh.

Thanks. Looking forward to your suggestions! Have a good night.

Al that time and you still haven't learned a thing about it.

What makes you think I wasn't there from my PDP 11 in 1982?

I'm sometimes unable to remember what I did 10 seconds ago.

I know you couldn't have been because it isn't in your signature. HAHAHA!

I'm intrigued by your posts.
As an outside, impartial observer, it is clear that the tone of YOUR emails is provocative and rude.
People on here want to help - Bob (RobertoS) has gone out of his way to understand you, along with XraySpex and others: the problem is twofold i.e. you not making yourself very clear, and secondly, you take umbrage when others ask more of you.
Many of us over the years have valued the responses from other members, ESPECIALLY Bob, Mr Saffron and others whose knowledge is often greater than our own.
Be a little more generous of spirit, and don't be childish when people ask more of you.
The TBB pages are free - we all value them - so if you feel offended or wounded, without good cause, then perhaps you might look elsewhere for an answer to your problems.
As I say, I am impartial, but I can't, easily, stand by and let you show YOUR ingratitude by being rude!
Les.

Thank you for your confirmation of my impressions of the OP. You have it exactly right.

How do you like?

If you are only talking about how I responded to XRay, I had good cause, but now I got to know him so my later responses to his posts have been humour and I'm sure he knows that. I even thanked him in the EE forum!

If you are suggesting there is more to it than the spat with Xray then I urge you to point out specific infractions. You saying I am ungenerous or childish without pointing out where you believe I acted this way is just that to me so either explain further what you mean else I'll put you in with the trolls and ignore your post..

I wasn't provocative or rude to anyone who didn't deserve it and I haven't been ungenerous or childish. I had a spat with XRay and he deserved it because his intent was to be annoying and I don't suffer that type of annoyance from anyone without giving some back.

I have occasionally posted because I am annoyed or angry towards BT because BT are purposely overcharging and they have been doing it for a long time. This isn't my opinion, it is fact, and I know this because they have been doing it to me for a long time and anyone who tries to tell me I am the only one being overcharged will be dealt with as an annoyance.

Maybe it doesn't matter to you that BT charge others a reduced price without informing their loyal customers who are paying significantly more but it matters to me and I have little doubt they are doing it to a significant number of their customers. To me it is like they are stealing from us.

Maybe BT should have a moral obligation to look after their customers and that should include NOT ripping them off with overcharging so perhaps BT need to be more generous of spirit?

When the cost of our package goes up we the customers have to pay it or find another supplier and when the prices go down we have no knowledge of it. BT inform us when the price goes up yet BT is silent when the price go down.

The cost of my unlimited broadband is £29.40 and yet it's going up soon. That to me means a significant number of BT's customers are also going to have to suffer a price rise soon. BT told me on the phone the cost of my broadband package is going up to £31.x. I am not making this up! BT will soon be taking more money from my bank account for my unlimited broadband package but I have learned I can receive the same broadband package from EE for £2.50 so to me it is like they are intending to STEAL even more money from me.

Is my annoyance and anger towards BT not warranted???

An eight paragraph diatribe against all and sundry - me, XRaySpex and BT - is not what I or any normal person would regard as a measured response to someone who suggested you show a little appreciation, and not be such an offhand moaner.
You have problems - we all have - but your behaviour won't cure yours: I suggest a bit of introspection, and see if you could have put your case and your responses to those who would wish to help you, a little nicer and more clearly.
We that post here fall broadly into two categories: those that want help and those that can offer same.
Those that want help need to put their problems as clearly as possible - and don't get "precious" when someone asks for more information, as you clearly have done. Look at your series of posts on this matter, then reconsider whether you have any reason to take exception to the comments of others.
Troll - me?
I think not: my comments over the years on TBB show exactly who and what I am, and it isn't a troll.
Despite your reasonable criticism of BT - I have done so here myself on occasion - you must try to conduct yourself as a mature grown-up, and not someone prone to "hissy fits".
I have no further comment to make - despite the probable, provocative reply that my comments to you will elicit.

You're most welcome "X".
On here it's nice to have a little banter and good-humourdness, but when it gets a bit petty-minded and personal, it makes you take stock and say "this isn't what TBB is about - nor should it be".
Griping against BT is often legitimate - I'm still having problems with my so-called 80/20 Infinity - but behaving like an adult i.e. in a measured way, is the only chance you have of a satisfactory resolution.
Cheers, Les.

So you are defending XRay. I made a good read!!

I had already figured out XRay is a fine member of this community but at the time he deserved my disdain. Enough said.

My new broadband giving almost 11Meg!

ADSL Line Status
Connection Information
Line state: Connected
Connection time: 0 days, 00:56:06
Downstream: 10.97 Mbps
Upstream: 1024 Kbps

ADSL Settings
VPI/VCI: 0/38
Type: PPPoA
Modulation: G.992.5 Annex A
Latency type: Interleaved
Noise margin (Down/Up): 9.1 dB / 9.1 dB
Line attenuation (Down/Up): 30.0 dB / 13.5 dB
Output power (Down/Up): 18.9 dBm / 12.5 dBm
FEC Events (Down/Up): 8285 / 0
CRC Events (Down/Up): 51 / 11569
Loss of Framing (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Signal (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Power (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
HEC Events (Down/Up): 388 / 13714
Error Seconds (Local/Remote): 33 / 5530

All I did was change the HomeHub 3 login details to my new provider login details and 6 Meg BT to almost 11 Meg C&W with a little margin for increasing it further!!!

I didn't change anything else so looks like the months with a locked 15 dB noise margin was a BT glitch/fault.

Also, sorry I didn't engage further the last couple of weeks. I was warned it could be looked upon as spamming for EE!

I still am not happy about the BT overcharging but I'm not going to spend time on it. Maybe XRay is correct again and noone will be able to do anything about it.