Master socket problem

My partner has recently moved to the Utility Warehouse for her broadband and phone and it is playing up with the router losing the connection quite often.

In all fairness when she was with Talk Talk it was just as bad.

There is a slight crackle on the line when using the phone, would this be enough to affect the broadband ?

If so I assume that the Utility Warehouse would arrange for a BT Openreach engineer to call but the question is would she get charged for the visit ?

Her master socket looks very old and I'm also wondering if BT would replace it for a more modern version free of charge ?

Am grateful for any advice on this matter.

Is the phone corded or cordless, have you done the test from behind the face plate on the master socket.
if it is a corded phone then buy a cheap one to make sure its not just the phone its self. If its cordless then you will get noise from them kind of phones.

Please post router stats.

In reply to a post by iwish:

Is the phone corded or cordless, have you done the test from behind the face plate on the master socket.
if it is a corded phone then buy a cheap one to make sure its not just the phone its self. If its cordless then you will get noise from them kind of phones.

Both phones are cordless so I assume that is the cause of the noise ?

In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

Please post router stats.

I was over there today, will post router stats when I next go over there which will be sunday now.

Cheers.

Cordless -as in DECT? The noise may come from the phones and not be present on the ADSL at all, hence why router stats are important, both with and without phones base stations attached, and also from the test socket

In reply to a post by iwish:

If its cordless then you will get noise from them kind of phones.

I just thought.

I am using a BT Freestyle cordless phone and I don't have any noise on my line at all and also no problem with my broadband connection !

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

Cordless -as in DECT? The noise may come from the phones and not be present on the ADSL at all, hence why router stats are important, both with and without phones base stations attached, and also from the test socket

Sorry I had to google DECT !

I am not sure of her cordless phone model but will check it out on sunday.

Thanks

In reply to a post by iwish:

If its cordless then you will get noise from them kind of phones.

Not "will"; possibly "may", but I never have with BT or Panasonic cordless.

You can get a cheap corded phone from lots of places, like Argos and Comet. Far safer for this purpose, now and in the future.

You may find her master socket is so old it doesn't have a test socket. Make sure it is the master though. See the LJ2/1A on this page, with the capacitor. The ones without the capacitor are not masters.

The quiet line test is 17070 option 2.

In reply to a post by CurlyWhirly:

Her master socket looks very old and I'm also wondering if BT would replace it for a more modern version free of charge ?

If it is an LJ2/1A as per my previous post, then if BT come out on a fault call where a line fault has been agreed by them to exist during remote testing, then yes, a modern NTE5 will be fitted for free.

If called simply to replace the master with an NTE5 then that would be very expensive.

In reply to a post by iwish:

have you done the test from behind the face plate on the master socket.

I'm over there now and have taken the front cover off and discovered that there is no test socket so the unit must be quite old ?

On a more modern master socket (like mine) there are more components and a test socket.

Does anyone know if she can get BT Openreach to come out and replace the master socket for a more modern version that is more compatible with a broadband connection ?

You try this DIY solution: http://www.clarity.it/telecoms/nte5.htm

In which case are you able to disconnect any extension wiring, easy if plug in, but if using the IDC connections you'll need a tool to put them back on.

A older master socket with no extensions should perform just as good as a modern one, unless faulty. Even if you cannot disconnect extensions, then removing the ring wire (pin 3) will usually help improve things.

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

Even if you cannot disconnect extensions, then removing the ring wire (pin 3) will usually help improve things.

Will removing the ring wire (pin 3) mean that she will no longer get a ring on her phone when someone rings her ?

Is it easy to remove the ring wire or do I need a special tool ?

In reply to a post by 4M2:

You try this DIY solution: http://www.clarity.it/telecoms/nte5.htm

I don't see how adding your own NTE5 line box would help ?

I have a faceplate fitted to my master socket which negates the need for an (unsightly) ADSL filter but with her master socket it is different as the front face isn't divided into two sections like mine is - I have a modern master socket with a test socket inside.

Given the phones should be using a microfilter anyway they should all still ring

Special tool, fingers or a cocktail stick or similar thing to lift the wire from the connector is all that is needed

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

Special tool, fingers or a cocktail stick or similar thing to lift the wire from the connector is all that is needed

Thanks. I will try that when I next go over there which will be thursday.

Her ISP is the Utility Warehouse and she rang them the other day and they said that they ran a line check and said that her line is fine but I don't believe them as only BT Openreach can do that surely ?

Personally I don't think they can be bothered with the problem of her broadband connection dropping intermittently.

There is definently line noise on her line but it is only faint and I even took my BT Freestyle cordless phone over there and connected it up and there was still line noise and on my line there is no line noise using that particular cordless phone.

I think that as the line noise is not affecting the telephony side of things (apart from an irritating background noise) then BT Openreach will charge her if they send out an engineer as BT Openreach are only obliged to make sure that her telephone line works for telephony not broadband which is considered an accessory service ?

UW if their wholesale provider (they just buy from various wholesalers at best price in area) exposes the testing can run tests, but I doubt they have much in the way of real tech staff who understand the nuances of ADSL.

To see if noise is affecting the ADSL what you can hear is irrelevant as humans cannot here noise that affects ADSL. If it is exceptionally bad some may bleed down into the audible range. Router stats are the key

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

UW is their wholesale provider (they just buy from various wholesalers at best price in area) exposes the testing can run tests, but I doubt they have much in the way of real tech staff who understand the nuances of ADSL.

Agreed. She said that there was an Asian guy on the phone and he didn't really get what the problem was.

I had a similar experience when I was with AOL a few years ago.

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

To see if noise is affecting the ADSL what you can hear is irrelevant as humans cannot here noise that affects ADSL. If it is exceptionally bad some may bleed down into the audible range. Router stats are the key

I don't know the URL for her router - it is a Gateway router which I have never heard of before.

[EDIT: I may be wrong on this. I will email her tomorrow and find out for sure what the name is on her router]

Edited by deleted (Sun 09-Sep-12 22:48:31)

In reply to a post by CurlyWhirly:

In reply to a post by 4M2:

You try this DIY solution: http://www.clarity.it/telecoms/nte5.htm

I don't see how adding your own NTE5 line box would help ?

I have a faceplate fitted to my master socket which negates the need for an (unsightly) ADSL filter but with her master socket it is different as the front face isn't divided into two sections like mine is - I have a modern master socket with a test socket inside.

I thought you were considering replacing the old master socket with a "modern master socket" (a NTE5 with perhaps a filtered faceplate) and maybe getting Open Reach to do it...

In reply to a post by 4M2:

In reply to a post by CurlyWhirly:

In reply to a post by 4M2:

You try this DIY solution: http://www.clarity.it/telecoms/nte5.htm

I don't see how adding your own NTE5 line box would help ?

I have a faceplate fitted to my master socket which negates the need for an (unsightly) ADSL filter but with her master socket it is different as the front face isn't divided into two sections like mine is - I have a modern master socket with a test socket inside.

I thought you were considering replacing the old master socket with a "modern master socket" (a NTE5 with perhaps a filtered faceplate) and maybe getting Open Reach to do it...

Oh thanks I see now.

That will only be an option if she doesn't have to pay or pay much.

There was a comment earlier on in the thread saying that it would be expensive.





Just thought, she uses wireless so I will take a spare ethernet cable up there and get her to use that to see if she still keeps getting disconnections as in most cases ethernet is better than wireless I think !?

In reply to a post by CurlyWhirly:

Just thought, she uses wireless so I will take a spare ethernet cable up there and get her to use that to see if she still keeps getting disconnections as in most cases ethernet is better than wireless I think !?

Is the computer (laptop?) generally used in the same room that the router is in then? Or will you be taking the ethernet cable for testing purposes only?

In reply to a post by 4M2:

In reply to a post by CurlyWhirly:

Just thought, she uses wireless so I will take a spare ethernet cable up there and get her to use that to see if she still keeps getting disconnections as in most cases ethernet is better than wireless I think !?

Is the computer (laptop?) generally used in the same room that the router is in then? Or will you be taking the ethernet cable for testing purposes only?

She has both a laptop (downstairs) and a desktop upstairs.

The router is downstairs and so yes she generally uses the laptop in the same room as her router.

I will be taking the ethernet cable for testing purposes only.

Get router stats as a first step. Also model of the router may help.

As for noise on the line that's not good. It certainly shouldn't be making MUCH audible noise.

Utility warehouse are probably not the best one to get this kind of thing resolved. Personally if the lines intermittent and dropping I would log it as that.

Out of interest are there any other sockets in the household? Often you find a 'secret' master in the loft / garage / understairs. If possible take photos of the master socket unscrewed. Then we will be able to see if it's a master or not.

In reply to a post by CurlyWhirly:

She has both a laptop (downstairs) and a desktop upstairs.

The router is downstairs and so yes she generally uses the laptop in the same room as her router.

I will be taking the ethernet cable for testing purposes only.

Is the dropped internet connection due to a loss of the wireless link between the router and the computers or a dropped DSL link between the router and the exchange? Maybe she loses an internet connection more often on the desktop upstairs? If the laptop rarely drops the internet connection when used in the same room as the router then perhaps taking an ethernet cable for testing downstairs will not prove much other than that throughput may be faster than using wireless.

In reply to a post by ukhardy07:

Get router stats as a first step. Also model of the router may help.

I can't get router stats until I go over there.

I just emailed her and she said that it's a Technicolour router - not heard of that make before ?

In reply to a post by ukhardy07:

As for noise on the line that's not good. It certainly shouldn't be making MUCH audible noise.

It's only faint but still noticeable.

In reply to a post by ukhardy07:

Utility warehouse are probably not the best one to get this kind of thing resolved. Personally if the lines intermittent and dropping I would log it as that.

Agreed.

The best ISP I have ever been with for getting problems resolved is Zen, I left them as I found cheaper deals like Sky who I am with now.

Out of interest are there any other sockets in the household? Often you find a 'secret' master in the loft / garage / understairs. If possible take photos of the master socket unscrewed. Then we will be able to see if it's a master or not.

Yes I think there is another socket upstairs, I never thought of that.

I will take a photo of both of them when I go up there next.

Thanks.

In reply to a post by 4M2:

In reply to a post by CurlyWhirly:

She has both a laptop (downstairs) and a desktop upstairs.

The router is downstairs and so yes she generally uses the laptop in the same room as her router.

I will be taking the ethernet cable for testing purposes only.

Is the dropped internet connection due to a loss of the wireless link between the router and the computers or a dropped DSL link between the router and the exchange? Maybe she loses an internet connection more often on the desktop upstairs? If the laptop rarely drops the internet connection when used in the same room as the router then perhaps taking an ethernet cable for testing downstairs will not prove much other than that throughput may be faster than using wireless.

It could be the wireless I don't know which is why she is going to use ethernet cable for a while to see if it's affected.

Both the laptop and desktop lose the connection quite frequently.

Technicolor - just the latest name for Alcatel/Thomson devices

I don't know the URL for her router - it is a Gateway router which I have never heard of before.

Type IPCOFIG in a DOS window, this will reveal the routers home gateway IP address, then put this in the browser. Most likely unaltered out of the box, so admin and admin, or admin and password to get in to the nitty-gritty of the router.

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

Technicolor - just the latest name for Alcatel/Thomson devices

Oh right.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

I don't know the URL for her router - it is a Gateway router which I have never heard of before.

Type IPCOFIG in a DOS window, this will reveal the routers home gateway IP address, then put this in the browser. Most likely unaltered out of the box, so admin and admin, or admin and password to get in to the nitty-gritty of the router.

Thanks. I will try that when I go over there next.

It's all sorted now.

It was the 2 cordless phones, they were too close together and caused interference.

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

Technicolor - just the latest name for Alcatel/Thomson devices

Sorry to come back to this thread but she is still having problems with the router.

On your website there used to be a section that told you the router homepage as I wanted to check out the SNR margin to see if it is below the default 6 db setting.

Her router is a Technicolour router and I'm hoping that the Alcatel/Thompson settings will work.

I'm posting from her router and it has taken me nearly 20 minutes to be able to post this - a nightmare !

http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/frogstats.php

In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/frogstats.php

I can't see any reference to a Technicolour router and the alternative Alcatel/Speedtouch either.

Handy link though, cheers.

Is the router a Technicolor TG585n?

http://www.technicolorbroadbandpartner.com/dsl-modem...

or a TG582n?

http://www.technicolorbroadbandpartner.com/dsl-modem...

Edited by Apprentice (Sat 17-Nov-12 09:38:54)

In reply to a post by Apprentice:

Is the router a Technicolor TG585n?

http://www.technicolorbroadbandpartner.com/dsl-modem...

or a TG582n?

http://www.technicolorbroadbandpartner.com/dsl-modem...

It's a Technicolour TG582n

In reply to a post by Apprentice:

or a TG582n?

http://www.technicolorbroadbandpartner.com/dsl-modem...

I found the homepage but can't see any info on SNR margin.

I'll continue to check the interface out.

The router was accessed from http://192.168.1.254

In reply to a post by CurlyWhirly:

In reply to a post by Apprentice:

or a TG582n?

http://www.technicolorbroadbandpartner.com/dsl-modem...

I found the homepage but can't see any info on SNR margin.

I'll continue to check the interface out.

The router was accessed from http://192.168.1.254

Well after checking out the router configuration setting page(s) I have failed to find the SNR margin section.

Unusual to say the least - oh well

Can you use Telnet and the command set? ADSL then INFO

Can't you follow the Thomson TG585 v7 or Speedtouch Routers - Other (they are same)?

Can you get this page up on the GUI:-

http://oi50.tinypic.com/2zz13cg.jpg

You will need to click on the Details (beside Overview) top right of page to get full stats/details

In reply to a post by Apprentice:

Can you get this page up on the GUI:-

http://oi50.tinypic.com/2zz13cg.jpg

You will need to click on the Details (beside Overview) top right of page to get full stats/details

I will try it when I next visit tomorrow.

I am back at my PC now.

I will also try the other 2 suggestions, thanks guys.

In reply to a post by CurlyWhirly:

I will also try the other 2 suggestions, thanks guys.

Mine is same as this.

I have managed to get the full router stats up and they don't look that good with all the loss of signal and framing reports !


Link Information

Uptime: 0 days, 3:55:54

DSL Type: TU-T G.992.3

Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 762 / 1,711

Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [MB/GB]: 77.40 / 1.09

Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]: 12.8 / 0.0

Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 26.4 / 44.0

SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 12.2 / 8.1

System Vendor ID (Local/Remote): TMMB / ----

Chipset Vendor ID (Local/Remote): BDCM / IFTN

Loss of Framing (Local/Remote): 1,648 / 0

Loss of Signal (Local/Remote): 196 / 0

Loss of Power (Local/Remote): 0 / 0

Loss of Link (Remote): 0 / 0

Error Seconds (Local/Remote) 7,471 / 186

FEC Errors (Up/Down): 350 / 3,773

CRC Errors (Up/Down): 58 / 298

HEC Errors (Up/Down): 116 / 485



Also I have a longer line than hers at 54 dB (I'm posting this from her laptop) and I can get around 3 Mbps from my line compared to little more than half that on her line so something must be up with her line ?

No, and that must contribute to the low sync. She should be getting about 7.5 Meg.

ES are also very high.

Be sure that those error stats are taken from last reboot. A discon or resync doesn't always zeroise them.

EDIT: It's running on ADSL2 only not ADSL2+.

Edited by XRaySpeX (Mon 19-Nov-12 01:06:22)

In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

No, and that must contribute to the low sync. She should be getting about 7.5 Meg.

ES are also very high.

Be sure that those error stats are taken from last reboot. A discon or resync doesn't always zeroise them.

EDIT: It's running on ADSL2 only not ADSL2+.

The trouble she has got is her ISP (Utility Warehouse) doesn't want to know.

She only moved from them to get savings on her gas, electricity, phone, broadband, etc

I think she would have been better off going to a dedicated ISP mind you she was with Talk Talk before and the line was just as bad.

She has one of the old type of master sockets (without a test socket inside) which is smaller than a modern master socket and she doesn't want to pay for BT Openreach to replace it so it looks like she is stuck with an unstable slow connection.

It's an absolute nightmare.

I'm not even sure if her (old) master socket is to blame but there is definently something wrong with her line as her attenuation is 'only' 44 dB and she only gets around 1.7 Mbps where as my line is substantially longer at 54 dB and I have a stable 3 Mbps connection.


Edit: spelling

Edited by deleted (Mon 19-Nov-12 10:44:35)

In reply to a post by CurlyWhirly:

I think she would have been better off going to a dedicated ISP mind you she was with Talk Talk before and the line was just as bad.

She has one of the old type of master sockets (without a test socket inside) which is smaller than a modern master socket and she doesn't want to pay for BT Openreach to replace it so it looks like she is stuck with an unstable slow connection.

It's an absolute nightmare.

I'm not even sure if her (old) master socket is to blame but there is definently something wrong with her line as her attenuation is 'only' 44 dB and she only gets around 1.7 Mbps where as my line is substantially longer at 54 dB and I have a stable 3 Mbps connection.

You said earlier in this thread that she has an extension socket upstairs - I think it is quite likely that she has a home wiring problem.

Personally I would fit a NTE5 (with filtered faceplate) adjacent to the socket that she is using downstairs and connect the extension to the back of the filtered faceplate - I mentioned the possibility of fitting a NTE5 yourself earlier in this thread.

If you decide to tackle this job then you need to establish that the incoming pair are going directly to the socket that she is using downstairs, i.e. that there are no junction boxes feeding other sockets in the house prior to that socket, and then link the NTE5 to the socket as I described earlier http://www.clarity.it/telecoms/nte5.htm

If the home wiring is definitely made OK and the adsl connection is still poor then an Openreach SFI engineer will be needed to check the line between the property and the exchange.

If it is an old style master, then how are the extension sockets wired? They should be from a plug into the master - but may have been wired directly in. Can you remove the extension sockets from the wiring?

In reply to a post by MHC:

If it is an old style master, then how are the extension sockets wired? They should be from a plug into the master - but may have been wired directly in. Can you remove the extension sockets from the wiring?

?
LJ 2/1A has IDC connectors for extensions.

I think Curly should just go round carefully removing all ring wires as a first step. (Also checking that the extension(s) is/are wired to the master or daisy-chained). As you said earlier, star wiring would be bad news.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

In reply to a post by MHC:

If it is an old style master, then how are the extension sockets wired? They should be from a plug into the master - but may have been wired directly in. Can you remove the extension sockets from the wiring?

?
LJ 2/1A has IDC connectors for extensions.

I think Curly should just go round carefully removing all ring wires as a first step. (Also checking that the extension(s) is/are wired to the master or daisy-chained). As you said earlier, star wiring would be bad news.

I'll check it out when I next see her on thursday.

TBH I don't think she has an extension socket after all, I may have been mistaken.

I'll keep you updated.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

In reply to a post by MHC:

If it is an old style master, then how are the extension sockets wired? They should be from a plug into the master - but may have been wired directly in. Can you remove the extension sockets from the wiring?

?
LJ 2/1A has IDC connectors for extensions.

I think Curly should just go round carefully removing all ring wires as a first step. (Also checking that the extension(s) is/are wired to the master or daisy-chained). As you said earlier, star wiring would be bad news.

I did a reply earlier - but it seems to have vapourised!

Yes the LJ2/1A does have IDC connectors but they are not there for the consumer to use to install their extensions - they are part of the master and should not be touched.. The extensions kits supplied always specified that the connection should be done using an adapter plug.

In reply to a post by CurlyWhirly:

I'll check it out when I next see her on thursday.

TBH I don't think she has an extension socket after all, I may have been mistaken.

I'll keep you updated.

She doesn't have an extension socket upstairs after all.

She rang Utility Warehouse earlier on today and asked for a line test to be carried out, they said they did this and there was nothing wrong with the line but there clearly is judging by her line stats on the last page of this thread.

When an ISP contacts BT Openreach to run a line test, is this a free service cause if not Utility Warehouse may only be saying they carried out the line test to try and pacify her whilst avoiding the charge.

As she has an old type master socket that doesn't have a test socket behind the cover, could this be the cause of the problem with all the disconnections, errors, etc

If so do you think she would be able to get her old master socket replaced for a more modern one without having to pay ?

There is a definite crackle on the line when you use the phone.

Does anyone know if you can use a different router than the official Technicolour router that the Utility Warehouse provide as the Netgear may work better ?

I have a spare Netgear DG834GT that I was thinking of trying but I am not sure about the password and username ?

She has just had a modern master socket fitted and her speed has almost doubled but she should still be getting more than 2.8 Mbps on a 44 dB attenuated line but it could be because Utility Warehouse has limited her speed ?

THe BT Openreach engineer said that she won't have to pay as her old master socket is ancient and not up to the job besides she had a crackly line but this problem has disappeared too.

Can you get the router stats? Oh hang on, I see you got them before - again please?
Maybe here? http://192.168.1.254/cgi/b/dsl/dt/?ce=1&be=0&l0=1&l1=0

Edited by deleted (Thu 22-Nov-12 12:14:14)

New stats after the master socket has been upgraded. I just rebooted her router and she now has just over 3.5 Mbps compared to the 1.7 Mbps she was getting with the old master socket.



Link Information

Uptime: 0 days, 0:01:08

DSL Type: ITU-T G.992.3

Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 900 / 3,567

Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [kB/kB]: 17.41 / 15.32

Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]: 12.8 / 0.0

Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 26.2 / 43.5

SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 11.9 / 12.0

System Vendor ID (Local/Remote): TMMB / ----

Chipset Vendor ID (Local/Remote): BDCM / IFTN

Loss of Framing (Local/Remote): 0 / 0

Loss of Signal (Local/Remote): 0 / 0

Loss of Power (Local/Remote): 0 / 0

Loss of Link (Remote): 0 / 0

Error Seconds (Local/Remote): 0 / 0

FEC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 28

CRC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 0

HEC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 0



I still think she should be getting more than 3.5 Mbps more in the range of 7 Mbps still she is happy as at least she has a much more stable connection.

Edited by deleted (Thu 22-Nov-12 12:30:51)

In reply to a post by CurlyWhirly:

DSL Type: ITU-T G.992.3

Still on ADSL2 not ADSL2+

SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 11.9 / 12.0

The SNR Margin is too high. This needs reducing, but as the modem is still unable to get an ADSL2+ connection sounds like there's still a problem.

Edited by deleted (Thu 22-Nov-12 12:28:34)

The 12dB target noise margin is costing speed.

http://www.coolwebhome.co.uk/calc/calculator.php suggests

4706 at 9dB
6210 at 6dB target margins

In reply to a post by BatBoy:

In reply to a post by CurlyWhirly:

DSL Type: ITU-T G.992.3

Still on ADSL2 not ADSL2+

Perhaps her line at 44dB attenuation isn't good enough for ADSL2+ besides even on ADSL2 she could still get up to 8Mbps as the extra frequencies of ADSL2+ are only used to raise speeds above 8 Mbps (I think)

Can you try the other modem?

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

The 12dB target noise margin is costing speed.

http://www.coolwebhome.co.uk/calc/calculator.php suggests

4706 at 9dB
6210 at 6dB target margins

I'm posting from her laptop now BTW.

The thing is it was only when she threatened to leave Utility Warehouse that they finally arranged for a BT Openreach engineer to come out (it was fitted this morning)

TBH iUtility Warehouse don't have good technical support and most of the time she is speaking to an asian guy who doesn't really understand what is going on (a bit like when I was with AOL many years ago)

So to ask them to lower the SNR margin from the current 12 dB to the default 6 dB would be an uphill struggle

In reply to a post by BatBoy:

Can you try the other modem?

I meant to bring over my Netgear router but forgot it

Where are the extensions wired into, now?

In reply to a post by MHC:

Where are the extensions wired into, now?

She doesn't have any extensions, I made a mistake before.

In reply to a post by CurlyWhirly:

So to ask them to lower the SNR margin from the current 12 dB to the default 6 dB would be an uphill struggle

There's a fair chance it will automatically reduce in a couple of weeks now the crackle has gone. Two steps of 3dB, the second after a further couple of weeks.

Best to just wait and see before having a struggle.

That is assuming this is a WBC ADSL2+ circuit and not a TalkTalk LLU Wholesale, or C&W LLU, or even O2 Wholesale one.

Would a tracert to e.g. bbc.co.uk show whose network was being used?

Edited by deleted (Thu 22-Nov-12 13:50:45)

It would give a clue possibly

Ack!