Unfortunately no change

if you have a phone directory it has a page showing how to get to the test socket, it is part of the master socket

Picture of a modern master socket (Network Termination Equipment - NTE) with the lower part of the faceplate removed to show the test socket

A good provider will talk you through this step too.

In reply to a post by shalebing:

Thanks WWWombat - now bear in mind I am not as technically gifted as you guys so I'm assuming the 'test socket' is the master socket? This was certainly my next step to try. Sorry, I have no idea what NTE is.

The NTE is a fancy TLA (three letter abbreviation) for the master socket...

If you have a relatively modern NTE, then it incorporates both a master socket (at the front) and a test socket (hidden in the back), and comes with a faceplate that is split across the middle.

The wiring theory is that all the extensions are wired from the front faceplate, so removing that faceplate (to reveal the test socket) will also disconnect all the extensions in the home.

Running the modem from the test socket is thus BT's way of finding out whether you have a problem with the extension wiring in the home.

A Plusnet video...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMP0BOwSHKI

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

if you have a phone directory it has a page showing how to get to the test socket, it is part of the master socket

Picture of a modern master socket (Network Termination Equipment - NTE) with the lower part of the faceplate removed to show the test socket

A good provider will talk you through this step too.

OK - have tried using the test socket (I hope) and things are no better so presumably I need to get Fleur to escalate this with BT? I did not have a phone plugged in anywhere, just the router. I have included a link below to a new speed test from the test socket along with stats from the router. I've also included a link to a photo I took of what I reckon was the test socket - can you confirm if I have done this correctly please?

https://www.thinkbroadband.com/speedtest/15047055691...

Software Version: 1.09
ADSL Version: 6.0.2.0
Boot Code Version: 0.01
MAC Address: 00-16-B6-FB-23-F5
DSL Status

DSL Status: UP
DSL Modulation Mode: Auto
DSL Path Mode: INTERLEAVED
Downstream Rate: 2688 Kbps
Upstream Rate: 448 Kbps
Downstream Margin: 14 db
Upstream Margin: 20 db
Downstream Line Attenuation: 48
Upstream Line Attenuation: 56
Downstream Transmit Power: 18
Upstream Transmit Power: 12
LOS Errors: 0
Internet Connection

PPP Login: Up
Internet IP Address: 92.26.111.242
Internet Netmask: 255.0.0.0
Internet Gateway: 92.26.96.1

Photo of socket - https://c.gmx.co.uk/[email protected]/oS-T80K1QYG...

THINGS ARE MASSIVELY BETTER

If you look at the connection speed you have a 2.7 Mbps connection speed, and as you are on ADSL Max if you left the modem in the test socket for the next 5 days the systems would learn and actually let you use that speed, i.e. speed tests in the 2 Mbps region (Its waiting for a setting called the IP profile to improve)

This improvement suggests you have telephone extensions and option is

1) Remove those so you only have one phone socket in home
OR
2) Fit a filtered faceplate e.g. http://amzn.to/2xP1nru which replaces the small front part and you wire the extensions to the filtered connections the tool to use is http://amzn.to/2w6VhAs (Krone Tool)
OR
3) Remove the ring wire from pin on the faceplate, this usually improves things but not as much as (1) or (2) some images of this at https://www.thinkbroadband.com/faq/ordering-and-inst...

If your provider was to do a reset of the target noise margin, its possible that speeds of even higher than 2.7Mbps for the connection are possible, i.e. the 4 to 6 Mbps range

With a downstream margin of 14dB there's scope for a few more meg of sync speed.

Looks like the OP's downstream attenuation and upstream attenuation figures might be wrongly reported by the router: a 56dB downstream attenuation with a 15dB SNRM would perhaps give a sync speed in the region of ~2500Kbps?

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

THINGS ARE MASSIVELY BETTER

If you look at the connection speed you have a 2.7 Mbps connection speed, and as you are on ADSL Max if you left the modem in the test socket for the next 5 days the systems would learn and actually let you use that speed, i.e. speed tests in the 2 Mbps region (Its waiting for a setting called the IP profile to improve)

This improvement suggests you have telephone extensions and option is

1) Remove those so you only have one phone socket in home
OR
2) Fit a filtered faceplate e.g. http://amzn.to/2xP1nru which replaces the small front part and you wire the extensions to the filtered connections the tool to use is http://amzn.to/2w6VhAs (Krone Tool)
OR
3) Remove the ring wire from pin on the faceplate, this usually improves things but not as much as (1) or (2) some images of this at https://www.thinkbroadband.com/faq/ordering-and-inst...

If your provider was to do a reset of the target noise margin, its possible that speeds of even higher than 2.7Mbps for the connection are possible, i.e. the 4 to 6 Mbps range

Thanks Mr Saffron. Now I see good and not so good in your reply though - I have two sockets in living room (one being the master) and one in each of two bedrooms. One of the bedrooms is where my PC resides so I need that one certainly as I don't want the PC in the living room. I don't really fancy doing away with extension sockets or mucking around with rewiring faceplates but the option to leave the router plugged into the test socket for a few days sounds fine - does that really work? If I got anywhere near 2Mb I'd be really happy. Do I just leave the router plugged in on its own - i.e. not connected to PC?

Connect the PC wirelessly?

Or use powerlines/homeplugs.

Something in the internal wiring/setup is having a drastic impact on your connection.

The third option i.e. remove the wire on pin 3 will usually help a lot and let you keep the PC in the other room.

Remember its just the modem you'd have to move even if going for 1 and 2 and on 2 you can install a dedicated data extension usually. So if you have modem by the master socket (best location too) you can run an Ethernet cable through to the other room.

Leaving router plugged into test socket will see the speed tests eventually improve and you can use the connection during that time, just the issue of getting Ethernet from router to the PC.