In that case you have always had some sort of fault, but as well as slowing you down a lot it is now beginning to fail completely.

Just try a quiet line test using the phone as normal. It should be silent.

Post deleted by jdowning640

Definitely a lot of noise on that line.

This line is only used for broadband and we use VoIP so the calls aren't made through copper wire. This is why I wouldn't have noticed the noise but there is definitely a hell of a load of interference or noise or something.

Believe it or not, that is good ! It is easier to cure the problem if you have this happening.

Was it a corded or cordless phone?

The ideal test is a corded phone into the test socket, on the wall at the back in this pic. All other phones should stop working when you have the master open.

You don't have a burglar alarm wired into the phone do you?

Assuming you don't have such a burglar alarm, if there is noise on this test then you simply report a phone line fault to whoever you pay line rental to. Tell them you are getting noise on the line. Do not mention broadband, not even as a point of interest, because if you do they will tell you to go back to your ISP.

As there is a line fault affecting voice, there is a requirement for that fault to be fixed. Get it fixed, and in 99% of cases the broadband is automatically fixed.

For an ISP to get it sorted is always very difficult for many reasons.

Hi Roberto,

Indeed - it was a corded phone. No burglar alarms, nothing else even plugged in except the broadband.

But on the BT Wholesale checker, it says for my neighbour (lives closer to exchange/cab):

Your exchange is ADSL enabled, and our initial test on your line indicates that your line should be able to have an ADSL broadband service that provides a fixed line speed up to 2Mbps.

Our test also indicates that your line currently supports an estimated ADSL Max broadband line speed of 3.5Mbps; typically the line speed would range between 2.5Mbps and 6.5Mbps.

Whereas on the line I'm talking about:

Your exchange is ADSL enabled, and our initial test on your line indicates that your line should be able to have an ADSL broadband service that provides a fixed line speed up to 1Mbps. However due to the length of your line the 1Mbps service may require an engineer visit who will, where possible, supply the broadband service.

Our test also indicates that your line currently supports an estimated ADSL Max broadband line speed of 1.5Mbps; typically the line speed would range between 500Kbps and 2.5Mbps.

And on the line (on the same premises / different line):

Your exchange is ADSL enabled, and our initial test on your line indicates that your line should be able to have an ADSL broadband service that provides a fixed line speed up to 2Mbps.

Our test also indicates that your line currently supports an estimated ADSL Max broadband line speed of 2Mbps; typically the line speed would range between 1Mbps and 3Mbps.

Would there be something wrong with that line aswell?

Jack

And by the way,

I looked at my wiring at the master socket and from this image...

http://www.wppltd.demon.co.uk/WPP/Wiring/UK_telephon...

I can see that I only have the two orange cables going to the ones marked in red (I believe it's like that for some master sockets according to http://www.wppltd.demon.co.uk/WPP/Wiring/UK_telephon... " Usually (but not always) Orange and White are the active pair and go to connections 2 and 5. In some master boxes (such as the type with a removable front section) they go to two connectors marked A and B.".

There is nothing else in any of the other little connectors (1,2,3,4,5,6 etc).

I have scheduled an engineer visit for Tuesday - should I be worried about getting a £130 charge?
I've got a BT friend who works in Openreach, I told him to come around and do some work a few times before (not sure if he fully knew what he was doing but would I be charged? I'm not getting him around again, I booked the appointment online through BT.

Thanks Roberto for your help, appreciate it.

Edited by deleted (Mon 14-Feb-11 01:28:31)

How long have you been with BT as your internet provider?

Been with BT for about 5 years, then 1 year on Virgin Media (not fibre), then was back on BT for about another 5 years.

Same speed all the way.

That's good - you could leave them.

You may be able to achieve better speeds elsewhere, or at the very least, get money off what you pay now.
IF you paid less with BT, it would start a new, long contract.

You ARE a good bit from your exchange, but you should get better elsewhere. Ask around but remember, most users will say that their provider is best.

I don't think I agree there Guesty.

It is almost certainly a wiring or line problem, I'm not sure which. That would be the same with any ISP, as demonstrated by the other line being the same.