PlusNet FTTC

Just ordered Plusnet FTTC, Very happy the date for my cabinet has changed so often, I hope its been worth the wait! The estimated speed is 11.4, any ideas how much better than this it could be, as I know the BT checker gives very low estimates! Plus its a new ish estate so the line should be good quality! Anyway 11.4 is so much better than the 1.3 we get with SKY!

Hi,

Lots of people have posted estimate vs actual figures in this forum. Mine was a similar estimate to yours, when I went live I got 32 Mbps, it's been down to 20, now back up to 26. Am about 950 metres away from my PCP. My estate is 10 years old, so similar to you I think the line quality is pretty good (all underground).


Mike.

I would be very happy with 20+ the cables are all underground here, its around 800m or so the cabinet. Are you happy with Plus net Mike?

I'm about 900 meters from the cab, and my estate is 10 years old I was told I would get 8mb. But I ge a solid 27mb so I'm really happy with mine.

I just checked the thinkbroadband coverage map and a house about 100m away has a speed test of 33meg, thats pritty good

James, yes happy with them (been with them 4 months now on Value Fibre package with PRO add-on).

I've raised a few tickets and has good responses from them.

Got an engineer appointment for next Tuesday! Counting down the days til the end of super slow broadband lol!

Good luck, fingers crossed for a speed better than 11.4.

The FTTC instal hasn't gone well, basicly it hasn't worked. I have called Plusnet more times than I care to count...Apparently there is a fault, but I think the OR engineer did something wrong I know he connected the wrong telephone number to us @ 1 point and had to go back and change it..The engineer left knowing I couldn't load any web pages! Anyways OR are comming back tomorrow to sort it! Ohh and a nice message if its an internal fault you will be charged! Not a happy FTTC customer so far! The good news that the modem did sync at 31meg apparently ! I don't think its PlusNet fault but If I never have to phone them again it will be to soon! Next update 2morrow

Edited by deleted (Wed 12-Oct-11 17:01:32)

Could be a different cabinet

Initially ours was something like 16mbit and we got 27mbit. Gradually it's decreased but seems settled at about 23mbit

Edited by orly (Wed 12-Oct-11 18:03:36)

I don't think they really know what the problem is because the tech guy from Plusnet could read the router stats etc and said the line to the cabinet was fine, it just no data would move in either direction. Maybe its a faulty OR modem, will find out 2morrow! We arn't connected to the PCP that I thought we were it must be almost 900-1000m away. The copper is less than 10years old 31meg sync seems abit high?

Have you checked your login details? both the username and the password.

I know this is teaching Grandmother to suck eggs, but I had a similar problem (not with Plusnet). When I rang the help line they found they could see the modem fine. They could also see the login attempt. I was told the account had not been set up at their end properly and to wait a couple of hours.

The actual fault was the small size of the screen on my netbook and me leaving out a critical "i" in the login name. The account had been set up, it was all working perfectly, the trouble was with my fingers. Happily the ISP spotted the fault on my second call, before it got even more embarrassing.

It was 1 of the first things they checked and checked about 20times lol....The call centre said it seems to be a genuine fault..Engineer is booked for this afternoon! Lets hope they get it sorted ASAP its not fun being stuck with no internet @ home! It means the family has to talk to each other to pass the time! LMFAO

I was right the OR engineer connected to the wrong port! Anways sorted now, its sync is around 31meg and we are geting between 28-29meg! Much better than the 11.4 the line checked said! Happy now!

In reply to a post by James8282:

I was right the OR engineer connected to the wrong port! Anways sorted now, its sync is around 31meg and we are geting between 28-29meg! Much better than the 11.4 the line checked said! Happy now!

HI James8282,

Don't count on being able to sustain those speeds, & don't be so surprised that OR engineers occasionally c0ck things up..

Plusnet have just told one guy that FTTC speeds start high & then diminish, following the training period.
Apparently the guy got 33Mb at first on a line that could be anywhere between 600m & 1100m.
From memory, his estimated speed was 14 or 15Mb.
He seems to have ended up with about 20 - 21Mb

The entire thread is here, but be warned, it is now 24 pages long:-
Plusnet FTTC

The BT modem as installed is locked, so you can't obtain any connection stats.
However, asbokid (also subscribed to TBB) has provided "unlocking" firmware & graphing scripts here:-
Unlocking instructions & scripts

It would be very interesting to see your connection stats following your new installation & then compare them against your stats a few weeks later.

I wan't able to collect my stats when I had FTTC installed, but I do know that my throughput speeds have been substantially reduced.

If you did decide to unlock your BT modem, but are unable to produce the graphs, just send me a PM & I could produce them for you.

FYI, my fairly recent stats graphs are here:-

FTTC connection stats


Pauline.

I wan't able to collect my stats when I had FTTC installed, but I do know that my throughput speeds have been substantially reduced.

My FTTC was installed last November, the line is just over 500m, and I have maintained a steady 40000/10000 sync since day one.

I will keep any eye on them over then next few days and see what happens! I dont understand tho in the info Plusnet sent me it said the speeds often start off low and get better after the 10days?

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

I wan't able to collect my stats when I had FTTC installed, but I do know that my throughput speeds have been substantially reduced.

My FTTC was installed last November, the line is just over 500m, and I have maintained a steady 40000/10000 sync since day one.

Ditto since May (except I am on a 2Mb upload product and mine is just under 500m).

In reply to a post by James8282:

I will keep any eye on them over then next few days and see what happens! I dont understand tho in the info Plusnet sent me it said the speeds often start off low and get better after the 10days?

I think that is simply not true and they should amend what they send out.

In reply to a post by kasg:

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

I wan't able to collect my stats when I had FTTC installed, but I do know that my throughput speeds have been substantially reduced.

My FTTC was installed last November, the line is just over 500m, and I have maintained a steady 40000/10000 sync since day one.

Ditto since May (except I am on a 2Mb upload product and mine is just under 500m).

Another ditto. Solid 38717/10000 IP Profiles, (engineer test sync was 39999 at a reported 600m), since installation on 18 Feb, despite half-a-dozen modem switch-offs and several thunderstorms - which used to kill ADSLx.

In reply to a post by James8282:

I will keep any eye on them over then next few days and see what happens! I dont understand tho in the info Plusnet sent me it said the speeds often start off low and get better after the 10days?

Hi James8282,

I am the guy from the Kitz forum (also with Plusnet).

Would you be able to copy & paste that info?

PLusnet's Alex Rolls who has been looking at my issue only yesterday told me something completely different:-

"We are aware that the early life speed of a fibre connection (post install) is usually higher than the in life speed of the connection (following training) as we see this phenomenom with most of our fibre lines. As such the post install speed is not an accurate measure of the overall line performance. We also saw this throughout the FTTx trial. This also happens with ADSL based connections as the initial default SNR margin levels are set low (6dB) to give the highest rate possible. Whether this remains in place is dependent on the lines capability to hold the sync with no errors at that SNR margin. Usually Errors or Retrains (drops in sync) occur causing the SNR margin to increase and the in life speed to be lower than that of the early life high speed."

I too was under the impression that MSR (Maximum Stable Rate) & FTR (Fault Threshold Rate) were "set" during, or at the end of the 10 day training period.

It has also taken Plusnet more than 2 months of grief, physical (BT CAUSED) external line faults, & low speeds before issuing the statement about the FTTC lower speeds phenomenom.
I have not previously seen it anywhere in Plusnet's information pages or advertising blurb.
That's "Good Honest Broadband From Yorkshire" for you.

However, my pre-install estimate was only 14.6Mb (a little higher than yours).

Now that various BT engineers' incompetence & stupidity has completely ruined my actual speeds (that were higher than 30Mb right through the training period), I am continually being referred back to my pre-install estimate as the benchmark & FTR.

My current download speeds are around 21Mb i.e. a 12Mb reduction from the originally solid 33Mb.
They do occasionally drop to as low as 9Mb for a few days at a time (when the modem has resynced at around 12Mb-13Mb).

Good luck with your continued high speeds.
Hopefully, nobody will ruin them for you.

Paul.

Edited by deleted (Fri 14-Oct-11 09:59:07)

Alex Rolls was the guy thats been sorting out the problems I have been having! In one of the messages on the help assistant it did say the sync speed was set at 22meg. Yet BT said 31meg maybe thats what the speed will go down to! Anyway as on ADSL we were only getting 1.3meg and the estimate was 11.4 for fttc getting 20mg plus is great. As we are about 900-1000m away from the PCP it maybe unrealistic to expect speeds of up to 30meg? Who knows I dont really understand the whole thing lol! If im rite there is gonna be a speed increase next year? Maybe you will get a better speed then?

Would you be able to copy & paste that info?

It came with the netgear router, I will try and dig it out...its said something like please dont be disapointed if speeds start low as we have to manualy adjust speeds ...this will improve within 48hours and contact us after the 10day training period if speeds are slow

I also had a text saying...Your order is complete, your speed should stabilise over the next 10days. If you hare experiencing speed issues after this time please call and we can investigate

In reply to a post by James8282:

Would you be able to copy & paste that info?

It came with the netgear router, I will try and dig it out...its said something like please dont be disapointed if speeds start low as we have to manualy adjust speeds ...this will improve within 48hours and contact us after the 10day training period if speeds are slow

Ah, I got that with the Netgear router too.
It refers to the manual process where Plusnet have to update your profile in their system on notification from BT that the FTTC installation is completed & working satisfactorily.

My original profile update only took 1 hour to move from around 1Mb actual download speeds to 33Mb.
However, I got 1.67Mb uploads immediately.

My line is really anywhere between 600m to 1100m. Nobody seems to be able to confirm it for me.

One engineer told me 820m & another told me 1100m??????


Paul.

Do you think your problems is with Plusnet or a Openreach 1? I wounder if all FTTC custmomers on other ISP's have the same problem with speeds slowing down?

I think it should be the otherway around speeds start low and get higher as the modem checks for good Sync it would avoid all this dissapointment!

Do you know what the second DSL port on the OR modem is for? I though it could be for bonding 2 lines?

In reply to a post by James8282:

Alex Rolls was the guy thats been sorting out the problems I have been having! In one of the messages on the help assistant it did say the sync speed was set at 22meg. Yet BT said 31meg maybe thats what the speed will go down to! Anyway as on ADSL we were only getting 1.3meg and the estimate was 11.4 for fttc getting 20mg plus is great. As we are about 900-1000m away from the PCP it maybe unrealistic to expect speeds of up to 30meg? Who knows I dont really understand the whole thing lol! If im rite there is gonna be a speed increase next year? Maybe you will get a better speed then?

The problem is that ISPs & BT also don't appear to fully understand it yet either.

AFAIK, the speed increase will be via even higher frequencies than the high frequencies currently used for FTTC.

As people with "longer" lines (say 800m upward) already struggle to get the current high frequencies (BT Profile 8c), I am not sure we/they will see much improvement (if any).

I do believe the higher frequencies (Profile 12a?) will also have a "power" boost compared to the currently restricted power levels on 8c, so there may be a slight improvement for us?

Those living close to the the cabinets will supposedly be able to achieve up to 80Mb or so (no doubt for a substantial additional cost)

Paul.

In reply to a post by James8282:

Do you think your problems is with Plusnet or a Openreach 1? I wounder if all FTTC custmomers on other ISP's have the same problem with speeds slowing down?

I think it should be the otherway around speeds start low and get higher as the modem checks for good Sync it would avoid all this dissapointment!

Do you know what the second DSL port on the OR modem is for? I though it could be for bonding 2 lines?

In my case, I strongly believe that BT engineers caused the problem, & Plusnet can't/won't pursue it any further in their belief that pre-install estimated speeds are the benchmark used by BT, regardless of any undeniable proof that a connection has maintained stability & high speed for a month or so.

From what I have read in other forums, other customers appear to report the fault, get it fixed, & then get their BT Profile reset at 40Mb.
Mine appears to be stuck at 25Mb & Plusnet refuse to even ask BT to try it at 40Mb again.


Paul.

P.S. Did you know that Plusnet are actually owned by BT?
It doesn't appear to add any value to speedy/accurate fault resolution matters though.
I endured 4 days with no phone or broadband service at all after BT's cOck up.

We can always hope lol! Im pritty sure thats it for now mind, I cant see FTTP until about 2050! Even tho the Exchange next to ours is going to be FTTP enabled in December! Anyways this FTTC line is my folks I been sorting it for them! I have VM broadband you dont get any of the distance/speed problems. It runs @ almost 31 meg all the time. The whole install process has been rubish if u ask me its hit and mis! lol! Virgin seem so much better if your lucky enough to live in an enabled area!

How long have you got left on your contract? Next time don't choose Plusnet its rubish if you locked into a contract and the provider doesn't wanna sort your problem!

I have written a complaint about being without broadband for 2 days etc and that not 1 person actually said sorry for the mess up, the OR engineer passed the blame to lol!

In reply to a post by James8282:

We can always hope lol! Im pritty sure thats it for now mind, I cant see FTTP until about 2050! Even tho the Exchange next to ours is going to be FTTP enabled in December! Anyways this FTTC line is my folks I been sorting it for them! I have VM broadband you dont get any of the distance/speed problems. It runs @ almost 31 meg all the time. The whole install process has been rubish if u ask me its hit and mis! lol! Virgin seem so much better if your lucky enough to live in an enabled area!

I would have had VM like a shot if it was available in my area.

BTW, I forgot to mention, the 2nd modem port can be used to install the "unlocking" firmware that allows you to actually monitor your connection stats whilst still using the first port for normal internet access via your router.

You'll get no really useful connection stats from the Netgear router itself.

In reply to a post by James8282:

How long have you got left on your contract? Next time don't choose Plusnet its rubish if you locked into a contract and the provider doesn't wanna sort your problem!

I have written a complaint about being without broadband for 2 days etc and that not 1 person actually said sorry for the mess up, the OR engineer passed the blame to lol!

I only had FTTC installed in June with Plusnet's 18 month contract.

I have been with Plusnet & their previous companies, Force 9 & Free-Online for years.
Any other previous issues were dealt with quickly, efficiently & with my complete satisfaction.

I am convinced it is just the lack of overall knowledge of the "new" FTTC technology that is holding matters back.
e.g. after many, many hours of searching I have still not been able to find an "official" speed v distance estimate graph/chart for FTTC that starts off at 40Mb & there is currently so much contradictory advice given by ISPs & BT engineers.

Edited by deleted (Fri 14-Oct-11 10:42:40)

I know the problems that you can have with BT so when moving having VM its 1 of the things I look for! I live in Cardiff and most of the homes seem to get VM. The VM cable goes rite past my folks house but they never cabled any of the area. I always though it was odd. The cable was put down in the 90's mind maybe they had plans but run out of money!

I will check out speeds @ my folks house on Monday and have a ago and unlocking the OR modem and get the stats from it!

Same here with initial high(er) speed (32 Mbps), but my speed reduction happened 3 months later (initially my IP profile was down to 21 Mbps now sits at 26 Mbps, Plusnet have set me at 24 Mbps, my speed tests come in at about 22 Mbps).

I also got the "your estimate was blah, so be happy that you are getting twice that" response when I tried to get the speed reduction looked at.

I suppose lots of factors could be at play with this... 1. The weather???, 2. Street lights???, 3. More and more users coming on to FTTC (cross-talk)???

In reply to a post by James8282:

I will check out speeds @ my folks house on Monday and have a ago and unlocking the OR modem and get the stats from it!

If you do get the relevant stats (Freely downloaded Putty terminal program appears to be the best one to use), but are struggling or don't want to install all the other graphing software on someone else's PC, just as a one-off, you could PM me with your email address & I could generate the graphs for you.

Unlocking the BT modem is unofficial, & has not been approved by BT.
You could read more about it here:-

Modem Stats Info

In reply to a post by mikecrawford80:

Same here with initial high(er) speed (32 Mbps), but my speed reduction happened 3 months later (initially my IP profile was down to 21 Mbps now sits at 26 Mbps, Plusnet have set me at 24 Mbps, my speed tests come in at about 22 Mbps).

I also got the "your estimate was blah, so be happy that you are getting twice that" response when I tried to get the speed reduction looked at.

I suppose lots of factors could be at play with this... 1. The weather???, 2. Street lights???, 3. More and more users coming on to FTTC (cross-talk)???

Hmmm,

Seems to be a bit of a pattern developing here.

Are you sure it is Plusnet that set your profile at 24Mb?
They told me that ALL their FTTC customers' profiles are ALWAYS set at 40Mb, but shown as 37Mb in the High Speed connection page.

I KNOW for a fact that BT reset my profile to 24Mb or 25Mb once over as they said my connection could never NEVER have achieved more than 30Mb.
This was despite them speaking directly to the visiting engineer who was quoting some of my high speed test results over the phone to them.

Another factor could be that an incompetent BT engineer has ruined your connection like one did with mine.

It may just be coincidence, but 24Mb is the max speed for ADSL2+.
It would not surprise me in the slightest if we found out that BT have simply reset our speeds for the wrong broadband mode.

In reply to a post by Bald_Eagle1:

Are you sure it is Plusnet that set your profile at 24Mb?

Yup, Member Center / Connection Settings / High-speed Broadband currently shows my current line speed at 24 Mb.

When I first got the speed drop, at the beginning of September, my BT IP Profile dropped to 21 Mbps, Plusnet set my line speed to 19 Mb. Then when I raised a ticket, they put me back to 37 Mb, sometime after my IP Profile increased up to 26530. In the last couple of days I've noticed that my Plusnet line speed is now at 24 (think it has happened in the last week, it is something I regularly check but dont keep a log of when and what it was).

I cant belive it, just had a call of my old man saying broadband not working! Is it normal to stop working in the 10days? Im sure I read it could stop intermitantly!

I sooo dont wanna have to call the customer services again! I might as well put them on speed dial! This is such a hassle!

Speed is still about the same as last week between 26-28meg! It does say on the Plusnet connection page on the website, Your speed is currently 20meg...I guess thats not to be trusted!

Ok just an update, the speed hasn't gone down at all, its increased to 37.4meg with the new profile