Obtaining mobile broadband to enhance broadband speed?

I'm an older person. My part of London has no fibre broadband. I work remotely and my ADSL wifi speed is inadequate for my work (VOIP calls and so on).

Present speeds are typically:
Download Mbps 16.21

Upload Mbps 0.70

Ping ms 32 70 99

To work, I need a minimum of 15 download and 10-15 upload.

I have wondered if perhaps mobile broadband (or a similar solution) might enhance my broadband speeds to the level I need. I will need it for only 20 hours weekly.
Of course, I use Ethernet and do not have Bluetooth engaged when working. I have made sure nothing is lowering my wifi speeds.

Am I barking up the wrong tree? (or just barking? LOL) I realise there would be a cost, but I do need to stay in work! I'd really appreciate guidance.

Edited by sallysw1 (Sun 15-Sep-24 20:39:54)

In reply to a post by sallysw1:

Of course, I use Ethernet and do not have Bluetooth engaged when working. I have made sure nothing is lowering my wifi speeds

Well done for using ethernet, but why are you telling us about wifi speeds? To clarify, your working computer is connected to your router with an actual ethernet cable?

As for your pings, what do you mean by:

Ping ms 32 70 99

Is this minimum 32ms average 70ms and max 99ms?

Who is your ISP? And what do you need to do on the internet apart from VOIP calls? Loads more questions to come, I suspect, but let's deal with those to start off with.

4G/5G is certainly capable of much better than what you get on ADSL, although they tend to focus on the download performance. I can get over 250Mbps down on 5G, but only <30Mbps up. Still, that is far higher than ADSL is even capable of, and it works fine for VoIP calls.

The issue here is that you don't really know if it will work until you test it! For example, Three have a decent 5G network in some locations; I can get speeds of several hundred Mbps, but people in some areas (including London) report that the Three network is heavily oversubscribed and so it is simply not a viable option for them. The availability of different networks in your area, the distance from their mast, obstructions between you and the mast, and how many other people you are sharing it with will all have an impact, and the only way to really figure this out it by trial and error.

Fortunately SIM cards with short term data packages can be obtained cheaply for testing, but 4G and 5G modems can be quite expensive to buy.

When you say there is no fibre, are you referring to VDSL (FTTC) or FTTP? If you do have VDSL available then that might be worth an upgrade over ADSL.

You could tether off a mobile phone as a starting point to try out different networks.

If you post a screenshot from broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com (with your address blanked off) it will answer quite a few of the questions that have been raised and might identify some other options.

Thank you for taking an interest and responding. I do appreciate it.

Sorry that I inadvertently typed wifi, not broadband. I was tired.

Yes, my working laptop is connected to the router by the yellow ethernet cable, using a USB-to-Ethernet adapter,

My ISP is Plusnet. They've apparently done all they can, having sent numerous engineers who have identified no way of fixing the problem. They've engaged with me over this for many months.

To my regret, I can't explain the PNGs. I just reproduced the speed assessment that I accessed online but I don't know what they mean or their relevance, if any. Plusnet said PNGs were irrelevant and they say my broadband speeds are what they'd expect with ADSL.

I will send another speed assessment with PNGs if that would help you.

I work as a market research interviewer, so I make calls to people who answer questions. I enter the data in my company's online questionnaire. I also access Skype to communicate with other agents. There has been a lot said by my employer about latency and other technical things that I admit I don't truly understand, but these things are apparently adversely affecting my work. The upshot is that I'm out of work if I can't fix this. That's why I hoped perhaps using mobile broadband might help.

Good wishes and thank you.

A lot to unpack here

In reply to a post by sallysw1:

Sorry that I inadvertently typed wifi, not broadband. I was tired.

Yes, my working laptop is connected to the router by the yellow ethernet cable, using a USB-to-Ethernet adapter,

Ethernet via USB can be quite variable, I believe. There are many different levels of USB and the highest will not overcome the limitations of a legacy ethernet adapter. My order of preference is

1. Ethernet
2. Wifi
3. ethernet over USB

So could you try wifi?

My ISP is Plusnet. They've apparently done all they can, having sent numerous engineers who have identified no way of fixing the problem. They've engaged with me over this for many months.

Aye right. ISP's only do so much.

To my regret, I can't explain the PNGs. I just reproduced the speed assessment that I accessed online but I don't know what they mean or their relevance, if any. Plusnet said PNGs were irrelevant and they say my broadband speeds are what they'd expect with ADSL.

I will send another speed assessment with PNGs if that would help you.

If I have interpreted your pings correctly, they are quite variable, which is indicative of too much traffic on the ISP's circuits, in which case the fix might be another ISP.

I work as a market research interviewer, so I make calls to people who answer questions. I enter the data in my company's online questionnaire.

Do the problems reproduce on normal web browsing?

I also access Skype to communicate with other agents. There has been a lot said by my employer about latency and other technical things that I admit I don't truly understand, but these things are apparently adversely affecting my work. The upshot is that I'm out of work if I can't fix this.

How do you make your phone calls? Old style public phone? Digital Voice? VOIP? Is your ADSL wired correctly in the house?

That's why I hoped perhaps using mobile broadband might help.

It might help. It might not. It is pot luck at the moment. As you can see there are lots of things to look at and if for example the problem is your USB adaptor or your USB, you might be no further forward.

At the moment, [potential] solutions on the table include

• Mobile broadband
• Fix your ADSL wiring
• Change to wifi and ditch the USB adaptor
• Change ISP

but without pinning down what the actual problem is, we don't know which solutions are going to help. We are not even sure that the problem is not with your employer's server connection. Are you up for a protracted bout of investigation?

I have read about the mobile phone option, but it looks daunting to someone inept/inexperienced like me.

I attempted (several times, using full address and postcode and so on) the Broadband Availability Checker. The "wheel" onscreen turned, but nothing happened. Flummoxed!

Looked online and it seems others have encountered this. Looked instead on alternative
https://www.openreach.com/fibre-broadband

which shows this:

Build planned between

now and Dec-2026

Ultrafast Full Fibre Broadband

Up to

1800 Mbps

download speed

Up to
120 Mbps
upload speed

Keep me updated
Learn more
Available now

Standard Broadband

Up to

24 Mbps

download speed

Up to
1 Mbps
upload speed

Does that help you with your assessment, or shall I do something else? I'm very grateful - thank you.

Yes, I will do ANYTHING to remain in work. This has trundled on for two years so far (with two different employers, who both said my calls were dropping). My work's good - the technology is what's causing the difficulty! Urghhh

What about A&A ? They still do ADSL and will also take on problems other ISP's have not, with a money back guarantee. They might be able to get more out of your ADSL line ?

https://www.aa.net.uk/broadband/why-choose-aaisp/#:~...

In reply to a post by sallysw1:

Yes, I will do ANYTHING to remain in work.

Then you could start by answering my questions in the post you are replying to ...

So could you try wifi?

Do the problems reproduce on normal web browsing?

How do you make your phone calls? Old style public phone? Digital Voice? VOIP? Is your ADSL wired correctly in the house?

Are you up for a protracted bout of investigation?

Oh, thank you for suggesting A&A. I will pursue this right now. I am ashamed to admit that, because of my ignorance, I tended to think that if (say) Plusnet can do no more - and I think they HAVE made efforts - that nothing more remains as a possible solution (except, possibly, mobile broadband). Maybe they can help ...

I do apologise for annoying you. I didn't realise I had missed these questions. I did review what I'd written, but clearly I failed. I'll redouble my efforts.

The problems do not reproduce on normal web browsing. I can view films, play YouTube, browse the internet, all with no difficulty, no buttering, no delays.
However, I do not think my employer's system is at fault. My colleagues all have fibre broadband and encounter no difficulty.

I make work calls using the company's VOIP., from my laptop I make my own calls using my smartphone. I have a landline but I never use it.

I believe the ADSL is correctly wired. To date eleven engineers have attended. Each has removed the front of the ADSL unit (which is the latest one). None has found any reason for the slow speeds.

I am up for a protracted investigation. Indeed, I said Yes, I am willing to do ANYTHING to remain in work.

I do hope this is complete and more helpful to you. I am extremely grateful for your expertise and wisdom.

*sorry, buFFering.

Are we perhaps torturing the OP unnecessarily if we get too technical on USB/Ethernet/Wifi/internal wiring/ISP investigations etc etc. On the face of it the requirements for the job seriously outweigh the abilities of ADSL2+. It sounds like there is too little bandwidth on the upload side for a decent VOIP call to be made.

So from those more knowledgeable than me on the mobile broadband options. What suggestions do we have to keep the OP in work?

-check mobile providers for signal strength in the local area
-ask local people you know if anyone uses mobile broadband and how fast it is? Perhaps get a speedtest completed to know for sure
-If you already have a decent smartphone, tether the laptop to that using hot spot and see if that makes your working life better?

Thank you for your compassion.

Presently, I am not working. I very much need to work.

In reply to a post by fguk:

are we perhaps torturing the OP unnecessarily if we get too technical on USB/Ethernet/Wifi/internal wiring/ISP investigations etc etc. On the face of it the requirements for the job seriously outweigh the abilities of ADSL2+. It sounds like there is too little bandwidth on the upload side for a decent VOIP call to be made.

Really? So your working hypothesis is that ADSL2+ is not good enough? Despite the OP telling us

The problems do not reproduce on normal web browsing. I can view films, play YouTube, browse the internet, all with no difficulty, no buffering, no delays.

and you wouldn't investigate further?

First off, OP's critical use case on which her job hangs is to run a VOIP conversation and fill in a form simultaneously. VOIP is not particularly demanding of bandwidth and neither is running a webform. Doing the 2 together should be well within the capabilities of ADSL2+

Second, I have just quoted her telling us that she can do other things which are far more demanding than the critical use case.

So, now, with a dubious hypothesis, you want to avoid 'getting too technical'?

Edited by DFScale (Thu 19-Sep-24 19:19:43)

Yes, I put out a notice to all the residents in this building a month ago. No one responded. Most of the flats are now Air B'n'B so it's transitory traffic and no one needs to work from here. Few industries work remotely any longer (there's much pressure for employers to stop allowing it.) That is why I really, really need to fix this.

While I wouldn't say my smartphone is positively indecent, it is very low-end. It's a Motorola G32. Stop laughing.
Not wealthy. That is why I work in a zero hours contract!

The people at AA Broadband (recommended by another kind panellist) say: The speeds will be down to the physical length and quality of your copper line to the exchange.
A VoIP call audio uses 100k in each direction, a small amount of even your bandwidth.

They asked the address, so perhaps their plan is to check mobile providers for signal strength in the local area.

So ....

In reply to a post by sallysw1:

I do apologise for annoying you. ...

Don't because you didn't

The problems do not reproduce on normal web browsing. I can view films, play YouTube, browse the internet, all with no difficulty, no buffering, no delays.
However, I do not think my employer's system is at fault. My colleagues all have fibre broadband and encounter no difficulty.

Actually the whole connection between your laptop and the wider internet looks OK. It looks like the connection from your ISP to your employer which is struggling. Although your speeds are slow, if you can watch films and do Youtube, I don't think that slow speeds is the root of your problem.

I make work calls using the company's VOIP., from my laptop I make my own calls using my smartphone.

What is the quality of your VOIP line like?

I have a landline but I never use it. I believe the ADSL is correctly wired. To date eleven engineers have attended. Each has removed the front of the ADSL unit (which is the latest one). None has found any reason for the slow speeds.

May be there is some scope to cut your landline to the minimum [beyond what the technicians have the remit to do] and squeeze out some more performance. Can you tell us what is connected to the land line and what sockets you have?

I am up for a protracted investigation. Indeed, I said Yes, I am willing to do ANYTHING to remain in work.

Were this my problem, I would try the connection to the employer with wifi rather than the usb adaptor, just to eliminate that as the problem and take a look at cutting the landline to the minimum, just to do the best I could within my premises.

But given that the problem looks to be between the ISP and your employer your choices seem to be:

• Change ISP to a higher quality outfit
• Get mobile broadband

The only other issue is my assumption that you are simply filling in a webform. But is that the case? Do you access your employer through a web browser or are you running some kind of a fancy all singing all dancing "desktop app" or framework which integrates all of your interactions with the employer? If this is the case, it may be that your laptop is the actual problem. What are its memory and processor specs?

In reply to a post by sallysw1:

While I wouldn't say my smartphone is positively indecent, it is very low-end. It's a Motorola G32. Stop laughing.
Not wealthy. That is why I work in a zero hours contract!

That is what I have. It is a good choice for a budget and you probably wouldn't get double the performance for 10 times the price. But you probably don't really need top performance, an uplift from your ADSL line might be good enough. Or if the problem is really the connection between your ISP and your employer, an equal performance might be good enough

The people at AA Broadband (recommended by another kind panellist) say: The speeds will be down to the physical length and quality of your copper line to the exchange.
A VoIP call audio uses 100k in each direction, a small amount of even your bandwidth.

As I have already said, VOIP is not demanding of bandwidth or speed. It just requires a reasonably stable connection in terms of consistent ping. Although it is your employer's VOIP, I believe I would be right in saying that the service is provided by a VOIP supplier, not by your employer, so if it works fine, then your real problem probably lies with the connection between your ISP and your employer.

Just to check when you make work calls using VoIP you aren't turning on your video are you? Sending video on a low upstream would pretty much kill your connection (receiving video would probably be ok on your downstream connection).

Whilst on a call and filling in a form you could use windows task manager (just hit the start button and type task and it should be listed) and have a look at the network to see how much bandwidth you are using - this could show if there is something more intensive going on than expected that might be swamping your upstream bandwidth.

Thank you so much. No, I absolutely avoid ever engaging the video on my laptop (!) Anonymity is good. I felt it might be helpful for everyone if I outline a few of the basic things about my work.

The first thing to emphasise is that before being engaged, applicants are told to check their speeds using Ookla. They have to send a screenshot demonstrating that the speeds demanded are being reached. Only then is the applicant offered work. This is the case right across the industry, for all companies. (Not all use Ookla). There are no exceptions; they must demonstrate that they have the speeds.

My own work has provided 100 per cent scores when my interviews are recorded by my employer, so this isn't a way of weeding out unproductive workers.

The telephone system used is often Zoiper. Some companies have another system, but Zoiper is common.

There are quite sophisticated checks involved to ensure that workers really are working. I do not understand them (sorry) but certainly co-workers have been asked if they're ok because the team leader can see they aren't using the keyboard.

Zoiper automatically dials a number. When someone agrees to be interviewed, the interview questions are shown on screen (the script). The worker reads the questions, enters the answers. At the end, the "score" is somehow collected by the company and the calls resume for another round.

Similarly, the system recognises how many calls a worker makes in so many minutes - and how many of those calls lead to an interview. (There are many refusals).

Much has been said to me by my employer about things like latency (no idea, sorry) and calls "dropping" (again, no real understanding) leading to lower "stats" (statistics). (no, I don't understand it, sorry.)

Call quality for me has apparently been as clear as a bell, sound wise. Similarly, I can hear my interviewees. (NOTE: I use FX Sound, which enhances sound quality on laptops which is notoriously very very poor. I use it whenever sound is involved, such as watching films, as well as for work.)

This scenario has happened to me with two employers. With both, everything was fine until the speed was checked, then I was fired.

I hope that assists. I will answer other queries raised in detail, soon.

A further note, to clarify: The problem showed up for me (with this employer) when my screen went blank and no new call was presented for me to make. Team leader asked for Ookla reading. Extremely low, as you know. Whereupon I was out of work.

Hi Sally

To help those trying to help you can you explain what actions are you going to take from all the comments you have already received in this thread??

My comment now won't get the OP far, for which I can only apologise, but I feel its worth clarifying.

I was being pragmatic DFScale, I do not disagree with anything technical you have said, and I was basing my hypothesis on the fact the OP had referenced very high upload and download speed requirements from her employer(s), much higher than ADSL2+ is capable of (on the upload side).

I was also basing my judgement on how much information you were getting back from your questions, and wondering whether as OP admitted to being an "older person", if it was going to be more beneficial for everyone to focus on the mobile broadband side of things. It seemed like the easy win.

Anyway, I will leave you and the other posters to your work, and good luck to the OP in getting your connection up to scratch and back into work.

In reply to a post by sallysw1:

...

The telephone system used is often Zoiper. Some companies have another system, but Zoiper is common.

There are quite sophisticated checks involved to ensure that workers really are working. I do not understand them (sorry) but certainly co-workers have been asked if they're ok because the team leader can see they aren't using the keyboard.

Zoiper automatically dials a number. When someone agrees to be interviewed, the interview questions are shown on screen (the script). The worker reads the questions, enters the answers. At the end, the "score" is somehow collected by the company and the calls resume for another round.

Similarly, the system recognises how many calls a worker makes in so many minutes - and how many of those calls lead to an interview. (There are many refusals).

Much has been said to me by my employer about things like latency (no idea, sorry) and calls "dropping" (again, no real understanding) leading to lower "stats" (statistics). (no, I don't understand it, sorry.)

Call quality for me has apparently been as clear as a bell, sound wise. Similarly, I can hear my interviewees. (NOTE: I use FX Sound, which enhances sound quality on laptops which is notoriously very very poor. I use it whenever sound is involved, such as watching films, as well as for work.)

...

Thanks for the description. I have just tried Ookla and your initial ping stats become clear if they were from Ookla.

Ping ms 32 70 99

is idle latency 32ms, download latency 70ms and upload latency 99ms. Latency just means 'delay until something happens. For comparison I am getting Ping ms 21 44 176 and that is on full fibre.

From your description of your work system, it is now fairly clear that this is no ordinary web form - do you have to download software? I begin to think that supervisors probably have access to your screen etc, particularly if they can see whether the keyboard is active [although they could have inactivity measured by other means and just be bluffing about seeing keyboard activity].

But let's follow through on the hypothesis that the employer has effectively continuous monitoring of your screen. If implemented poorly in software, it could easily swamp your upstream and cause your problems. This suggestion looks good

In reply to a post by ian72:

Whilst on a call and filling in a form you could use windows task manager (just hit the start button and type task and it should be listed) and have a look at the network to see how much bandwidth you are using - this could show if there is something more intensive going on than expected that might be swamping your upstream bandwidth.

It might also be interesting to see any total upload stats for a day, a week or a month.

From your Opening Post

Present speeds are typically:
Download Mbps 16.21

Upload Mbps 0.70

and checking the spec of ADSL2+

The maximum throughput (speed) for ADSL2+ is 24Mb/s download and 1.3Mb/s upload.

it looks like you are getting about 50% performance, which is not bad for ADSL, even if it is not the best. You might have some scope to improve the upstream a little, but this might only give a marginal improvement on your work capabilities

The whole situation is perplexing, but with the details you provide it is looking like the employer's upstream requirement may be the problem in that it is not just VOIP plus a few webforms, but a whole suite of supervision spyware, which really is stretching the upstream capabilities of ADSL2+.

Having got this far, I too would be looking at mobile. But I would be wary on the data limits being bust by the upload requirements and also whether you do get a good upload quality or whether the available speed might dip below what is required, according to the demands of other users.

In reply to a post by fguk:

I was being pragmatic DFScale, I do not disagree with anything technical you have said, and I was basing my hypothesis on the fact the OP had referenced very high upload and download speed requirements from her employer(s), much higher than ADSL2+ is capable of (on the upload side).

I was also basing my judgement on how much information you were getting back from your questions, and wondering whether as OP admitted to being an "older person", if it was going to be more beneficial for everyone to focus on the mobile broadband side of things. It seemed like the easy win.

Yes, I caught the understandable reluctance to get involved in tech, but I also could see that neither OP nor I could articulate what the underlying tech issue might be. So, without understanding the problem, the prospects of mobile as an easy win solution appear to be at best pot luck.

Now, with some understanding of what seems to the problem, I have come reluctantly to the conclusion that mobile is the next thing to try [see my previous post]. But at least we now have some idea of what to look for in mobile and some idea of where the pitfalls may be - eg blowing a 10GB/month allowance in a week, mainly on upload.

Can you please describe in as much detail as possible how you go from your computer being off to being ready to work at the start of your day? I just want to make sure there's not something like a VDI session involved.

The quality of the VOIP line (Zoiper) is good. Respondents hear me clearly. I hear them clearly (using FX sound booster).

Nothing is connected to the landline socket except the wire leading (I think) to the modem. It has OPENREACH MK 4 on the front. I disconnected the (physical) landline telephone as it was just taking up space.

I note what you've said about using wifi. I am quite willing to ask my (former) employer if I may experiment with wifi. However, the very first thing anyone has asked through this whole palaver is: Are you using the Ethernet? They emphasise that that will enhance things. (ha!)

I hope the earlier information that I posted will assist you, too, to envisage the work and what's involved.

Are you using the Ethernet? They emphasise that that will enhance things.

In 99.9% of situations that is the case but if there is an issue with the ethernet cable/card/drivers then trying an alternative like wifi could make that obvious.

However, as is becoming clear and posted by DFScale it appears your employer is using software to monitor your usage and the combination of that and the VoIP could be swamping your upload. The task manager graph for the network adapter would help to see if that is the case.

Yes. I can certainly ask my former employer's permission to sign in and attempt the task manager graph. It's tricky, because technically I have been fired, but they may allow it.

Certainly. I am relying on memory, though, as presently I am not working.

a) Sign in to Zoiper
b) Sign in to Nebu (Nebu is an integated survey suite that includes modules for web, CATI and face-to-face data collection; dialing solutions, fieldwork management, statistical analysis and data processing.)
c) Nebu is driven by Orga, which (probably among other things) records shifts planned/worked and so on
When closing down, after ending a shift, the agent signs out of the Nebu system and also from
the MR Agent Orga control tool.

I believe that is all.

Yes, I see. From my viewpoint I need to balance the cost of mobile broadband against my potential earnings (which are far from high). However, being out of work completely is doing me no good at all.

I don't think there is spyware as such. When necessary, we have used Team Viewer when it has been necessary for them to see what I (or any other agent) is having difficulty with.

It's a reputable and ethical company, in my view. Market Research interviewing is often a first choice for students and while I'm not suggesting they would all want to pretend to work while not really working, the company does have to (somehow) make sure people put in a decent day's effort. I am not clear how that's done.

Inter-office communication, btw, is by Skype.

Yes, I used the term spyware as a pejorative. This is to the point that your employer seems to be using bandwidth to monitor what you are doing and whether you are doing it. So it was tongue in cheek, but the main point is that your employer has a whole level of functionality to do with monitoring you over and above the core business requirement of the data you collect.

In reply to a post by sallysw1:

Nothing is connected to the landline socket except the wire leading (I think) to the modem. It has OPENREACH MK 4 on the front. I disconnected the (physical) landline telephone as it was just taking up space.

OK, a socket like this https://www.run-it-direct.co.uk/adsl-vdsl-faceplates... in which case as long as there are no other sockets in the house, there is not much improvement to be made. Slightly surprised you have a modem rather than a router - could you tell us the manufacturer and model?

In reply to a post by sallysw1:

I note what you've said about using wifi. I am quite willing to ask my (former) employer if I may experiment with wifi. However, the very first thing anyone has asked through this whole palaver is: Are you using the Ethernet? They emphasise that that will enhance things. (ha!)

Already addressed in part by ian72. I would always advocate using wired ethernet before wifi. But as you say you are using a USB adaptor, trying wifi will give us another data point and ideally eliminate the adaptor as being a player in this problem. [Well, perhaps if it did implicate the USB, we would be further forward]

From your opening post

In reply to a post by sallysw1:

To work, I need a minimum of 15 download and 10-15 upload.

At the outset I didn't take the upload requirement too seriously, but understanding more about how your employer's system seems to work it may be a valid indication, albeit with plenty of headroom to allow all of your upload services to run without contention [ie conflict].

I think you are now left with waiting for fibre or getting mobile broadband. I'll leave it to others to advise on setting it up as I have no experience of this. My Motorola G32 is dual sim, you might be lucky and have dual sim too, so you could use a data only sim and leave your personal mobile unaffected. Companies like smarty do unlimited data and you can change plan month by month, so you could take an unlimited month and then trim to what you need.

So the upshot of this is:

• Disappointed that we couldn't fix this with what was available
• A feeling we might have pinned down what the actual problem is
• The thought that we might at least have identified to some extent what the mobile or any other solution will have to do to resolve the issue

In reply to a post by sallysw1:

Yes, I see. From my viewpoint I need to balance the cost of mobile broadband against my potential earnings (which are far from high). However, being out of work completely is doing me no good at all

How much per month are you paying for your ADSL2+, and are you still in (minimum term) contract?

From 28/04/2024 - £19.99 for 24 months.
I chose Plusnet because they really do have good customer service - can't fault them on that. They've made considerable efforts over this whole problem, over many months. I've looked at other providers and their customer service and many of them are a complete shambles, apparently.

Yes, I agree because (quite apart from the need to eat), I would really like to know what's causing this. I'm curious. I still hope we might pin it down and I will be everything possible to assist that, including asking my employer's permission to sign on and conduct the experiments recommended. I hate being defeated after so many long months of difficulty and upset.

Waiting for fibre is certainly not an option. It would be more sensible for me to sell my flat and move. I must find a source of income - ideally remote.

The socket has MASTER SOCKET 5C along the top edge.

There are other sockets in the flat, but unused and not the latest model.

I think I may again have fallen foul of using terminology incorrectly. I thought modem/router were interchangeable terms. I realise now they're not. I have the router provided by Plusnet. I don't think I can send a picture on this site, can I?
Again, my apologies for using the wrong word.

The time worked by each agent is automatically collected by the system(s) used, so pay is calculated automatically. That's a big improvement on the technology used by some other MR companies, which require a sort of pen-and-paper note from the agent - very time consuming. So the technology does have a point (beside no doubt ensuring that people don't shirk.)

If doing the Task Manager graph would elucidate things, I think it's quite likely I could do it next week. I am not on bad terms with my (former) employer. I'm just in limbo, as I can't be offered work. But there is no ill feeling on either side.

In reply to a post by sallysw1:

I chose Plusnet because they really do have good customer service - can't fault them on that. They've made considerable efforts over this whole problem, over many months.

I agree, they seem to have tried hard to resolve this for you, beyond what many would do.

In reply to a post by sallysw1:

Yes, I agree because (quite apart from the need to eat), I would really like to know what's causing this. I'm curious. I still hope we might pin it down and I will be everything possible to assist that, including asking my employer's permission to sign on and conduct the experiments recommended. I hate being defeated after so many long months of difficulty and upset.

Wanting to eat is a good motivator lol. But beyond that, pinning down the problem is central to fixing it. Too many things are under suspicion to guess at a fix and what you learn about the issue will help you sort out what you need to fix it

In reply to a post by sallysw1:

The socket has MASTER SOCKET 5C along the top edge.

There are other sockets in the flat, but unused and not the latest model.

Ah, that is the one I linked to. If the other sockets are unused, then you can disconnect them easily which might result in an improvement, particularly if the extensions have been done in burglar alarm cable. [Years ago I bought a house where the owners had a new line installed because the ADSL was not working. When I investigated the old line, I found it was not working because they had installed an extension to the garage about 40m away using burglar alarm cable.]

To disconnect extensions, pull off the front plate, note the colours for the terminals in case you ever want to put it back and pull the wires off the front plate.

In reply to a post by sallysw1:

I think I may again have fallen foul of using terminology incorrectly. I thought modem/router were interchangeable terms. I realise now they're not. I have the router provided by Plusnet. I don't think I can send a picture on this site, can I?

A modern router consists of some or all of the following things

• A modem which relays the data from and to the outside line and logs you on to your ISP
• A router which decides which traffic to route outwards or inwards
• A switch which connects one or more ethernet lines together
• A wifi interface which acts as a switch for wifi devices and allows ethernet and wifi devices to act as though they were on the one switch
• Probably something else which I have forgotten

For a single ethernet connection, a modem can be enough, but more than likely you have a router.

You can't post pics on this site, but you can link to a photo elsewhere, even facebook or instagram. But best to look on the back or underside for a label which should show the maker and model

Underneath it says Plusnet Hub One
Online I found this: What is a Plusnet hub one router?
Plusnet Hub One latest router for broadband : Amazon.co.uk ...
Description. The Plusnet One Hub provides a faster, more reliable wireless connection throughout your home. Using brand new superfast ac wireless technology and with 4 GigE ports customers can further exploit the superfast speeds of fibre broadband. Additionally, the Hub features an integrated VDSL modem.

I don't think burglar alarm cable was used. Of the eleven technicians who have attended so far, presumably at least one of them would (??) have pointed it out. Flat was last modernised in mid 1980s, when the telephone sockets would have been provided (along with about three electrical power sockets, which is all you apparently needed in those prehistoric days).

Unless they're a really likely Villain of the Piece, I don't think I want to rip out the wires. There's a very high likelihood that I shall indeed have to sell up, in which case the next owner of the flat may be just wild about telephone sockets and want them like mad.

In reply to a post by sallysw1:

Unless they're a really likely Villain of the Piece, I don't think I want to rip out the wires. There's a very high likelihood that I shall indeed have to sell up, in which case the next owner of the flat may be just wild about telephone sockets and want them like mad.

I am not suggesting ripping the wiring out. It is a 5 minute job to pull the wires to the secondary sockets off the front plate and put the front plate back and a 10 minute job to reconnect, although you would need a tool to put them back. [In passing, it might be relevant if the secondary sockets were not connected to the front plate, but to the back plate instead.]

It will have zero effect on the value of the flat and cost you about 99p on ebay for the tool to put it back.

I understand. I will do as you say, to eliminate (or identify) the unused telephone sockets as the cause of the slow speeds. Thank you.

I was hopeful about AA ISP. Their website was impressively confident that they could solve virtually any problem and would be friendly and approachable. I sent a Chat message but having received no response in three hours, I sent an email alerting them to the Chat. I received a somewhat grumpy response, asserting that the slow speeds would be attributable to the length and condition of the copper wires. They asked the address, which I presume was to determine my distance from the exchange. I have had no response, though. This is just to update .... and thank you for suggesting them. (I did indicate that I'm perfectly willing to change ISP to AA ISP, but this apparently had no bearing on their lack of enthusiasm).

In reply to a post by sallysw1:

I was hopeful about AA ISP. Their website was impressively confident that they could solve virtually any problem and would be friendly and approachable.

AA ISP are way out in front when it comes to helping customers resolve issues but a legacy broadband connection like yours has many factors which determines the customers connection speed, those factors are not necessarily issues. If you have checked the DSL Checker for your property and are getting within the low and high suggested speeds then there is little anyone can or will do to make it any better. Hopefully your suggested speed is way higher than what you're getting as then there may be something they can do.

Edited by PCJM40 (Sat 21-Sep-24 09:49:59)

In reply to a post by sallysw1:

I was hopeful about AA ISP. Their website was impressively confident that they could solve virtually any problem and would be friendly and approachable. I sent a Chat message but having received no response in three hours, I sent an email alerting them to the Chat. I received a somewhat grumpy response, asserting that the slow speeds would be attributable to the length and condition of the copper wires. They asked the address, which I presume was to determine my distance from the exchange. I have had no response, though. This is just to update .... and thank you for suggesting them. (I did indicate that I'm perfectly willing to change ISP to AA ISP, but this apparently had no bearing on their lack of enthusiasm).

I think you may have missed something in the replies you have had. If you absolutely need 10MB upload to satisfy an employer, then ADSL will not do this. The reply from AA ISP is about right, and all you can do is make minor improvements.

I shall ask my employer on Monday if I may sign in to work just to run the task manager graph. I think it's likely they will allow that.

So that I can make sure I do everything that will help you, will you just confirm the point at which I should run the TMG, after signing in to the various bells and whistles required by the company, which I've described? (I would prefer not to actually connect a call to a potential survey participant, if that's avoidable, as I'd then be in an awkward position, but if that's essential I guess I could say I had a wrong number and disconnect the call). I'd appreciate guidance because I don't want to get this wrong.

Thank you.

In reply to a post by burble:

I think you may have missed something in the replies you have had. If you absolutely need 10MB upload to satisfy an employer, then ADSL will not do this. The reply from AA ISP is about right, and all you can do is make minor improvements.

Totally concur with this post, I think had the OP posted in the "Fibre Broadband" section rather than the "Mobile Broadband" section they would have got better advice about what is possible on the existing connection.

Oh dear. I am sorry to have caused confusion.

When I joined the Forum, I was more or less convinced that ADSL simply can't provide the speeds required by employers for distance workers, so I had wondered about mobile broadband. However, because of my shortcomings about understanding technicalities, I plunged in thinking I had joined the right thread. I do apologise to everyone.

With the upmost respect, don't let the members keep drawing you back to talking about ADSL as its not going to help you, you need to try to get advice on what you came here for and thats 'Mobile Broadband'. At this point I can't see anything you have tried regarding that.

I'm not an expert but to get the conversation going

>What mobile phone network are you on?
>is your mobile phone usually on 4G or 5G?
>What speed do you get on your mobile phone network?
>Have you tried tethering to your mobile?

Edited by PCJM40 (Sat 21-Sep-24 10:18:13)

Thank you.
My smartphone network is O2 (to my regret). Migrated there from Virgin, who were ok. O2 are frankly useless.
Smartphone is usually on 4G
Mobile network (Ookla assessment) says Download 15.2. Upload 0.58. PNG Idle 23, PNG Download 185, PNG Upload 182, Packet Loss 3.4
I have not attempted any solution, because frankly I am all at sea over this. Essential information for you will be knowing that I'm an older person (though I was still working for economic necessity and the need to feel I am of some use, somewhere). I am sorry to admit that I know very little about technology. I use what I'm told to use and I AM interested, but I am also aware that meddling where I don't understand could lead me into even deeper water. So no, I haven't done anything beyond hoping somehow that mobile broadband might be viable (bearing in mind that my earnings are low). That is based on my initial assumption that nothing can possibly improve my ADSL speeds.
I have no support network of tech-savvy individuals who can fix things for me.
I hope this assists you and thank you for your interest.

In reply to a post by PCJM40:

With the upmost respect, don't let the members keep drawing you back to talking about ADSL as its not going to help you, you need to try to get advice on what you came here for and thats 'Mobile Broadband'. At this point I can't see anything you have tried regarding that.

While I agree we are probably done with discussing ADSL, by not jumping straight into mobile we have come to understand OP's actual requirement and we are better able to understand what the requirement might be.

In reply to a post by burble:

I think you may have missed something in the replies you have had. If you absolutely need 10MB upload to satisfy an employer, then ADSL will not do this. The reply from AA ISP is about right, and all you can do is make minor improvements.

Therein lies the big question. OP's current line is probably marginal for her requirement and as we know, when things are marginal on networks, they work very poorly. There is actually very little available in the way of services with upload between 2 and 10 MB/s. I doubt that OP actually requires the full 10 MB/s and I would think that the requirement is expressed in the type of line which is available, rather than the data usage.

In reply to a post by PCJM40:

>What mobile phone network are you on?
>is your mobile phone usually on 4G or 5G?
>What speed do you get on your mobile phone network?
>Have you tried tethering to your mobile?

Yes, a good start, although she might have a somewhat inflexible contract with the existing supplier and it might be better to start off with a data only SIM [transfer current SIM to an old phone or I think her phone might be dual SIM] for a period while finding out how much data is required per month.

In reply to a post by sallysw1:

So that I can make sure I do everything that will help you, will you just confirm the point at which I should run the TMG, after signing in to the various bells and whistles required by the company, which I've described? (I would prefer not to actually connect a call to a potential survey participant, if that's avoidable, as I'd then be in an awkward position, but if that's essential I guess I could say I had a wrong number and disconnect the call). I'd appreciate guidance because I don't want to get this wrong.

Run it before and during. Try it now in your down time and watch a bit of youtube to get used to what you need to do and to get some kind of feel as to the values to expect. As for a call participant when you do a dummy run with your employer, ask a friend if they will do a dummy call with you if you can dial independently.

In reply to a post by sallysw1:

I understand. I will do as you say, to eliminate (or identify) the unused telephone sockets as the cause of the slow speeds. Thank you.

Report back if there is no wiring to the front plate, but the secondary sockets give dial tone. That would be interesting

Could you reply with your postcode?

Edited by jpm (Sat 21-Sep-24 11:25:26)

Yes, I will. I am always cautious about personal data, though. Is a PM possible?

To cover the bases as far as mobile is concerned, would you be able to pick up cheap sim cards for the other networks from a local newsagent, store or garage to see if any of them give better speeds than your current provider?

And when we get to to the end of all this just think how much more knowledge you will have and how much easier it will be to talk to prospective employers about the actual capabilities of your location and kit.

Edited by GonePostal (Sat 21-Sep-24 11:37:52)

In reply to a post by DFScale:

In reply to a post by burble:

I think you may have missed something in the replies you have had. If you absolutely need 10MB upload to satisfy an employer, then ADSL will not do this. The reply from AA ISP is about right, and all you can do is make minor improvements.

Therein lies the big question. OP's current line is probably marginal for her requirement and as we know, when things are marginal on networks, they work very poorly. There is actually very little available in the way of services with upload between 2 and 10 MB/s. I doubt that OP actually requires the full 10 MB/s and I would think that the requirement is expressed in the type of line which is available, rather than the data usage.

The problem the OP has presented is that they must supply a speed test which shows a 10MB upload, this seems way OTT. Tinkering with the line might give a result which improves the upload speed, but it will never come anywhere close to that. If she can show that the line has been improved such that it works, and the employer agrees to deviate from their policy, all well and good, but failing that other options will need to be explored.

Go to www.bidb.uk and enter your number and postcode in the top-right corner, and report back if anything in the Service Providers section comes back as "Live" in green text, and which mobile networks in the Cellular Data section are showing green for 4G and any showing green for 5G.

Yes, you're right. I'm interested in the technicalities, but my great need is to work. I believe that (because the market is full of wannabee market research interviewers) no company will bother being flexible with the rules just for me. I'm good at my work, but so are hundreds of others.

And of course when anyone on this Forum has an unexpected call and someone asks them to complete a survey, they'll say Yes! knowing what is involved (!!)

I am willing to buy whatever you or anyone else suggests (within my creaking budget) if you think it may help.

Nothing shows LIVE in green text under Service Providers. Mobile networks in Cellular Data section showing green for 4G are O2, 3, Vodaphone (hiss!) and EE. For 5G, Vodaphone (double hiss!) and EE show green; the other two show orange.

Following the response advising me: Run it before and during. Try it now in your down time and watch a bit of youtube to get used to what you need to do and to get some kind of feel as to the values to expect. As for a call participant when you do a dummy run with your employer, ask a friend if they will do a dummy call with you if you can dial independently.

I cannot make the attempt in downtime. I must ask permission formally. I can't do a dummy run; calls are automatically dialled using the company's system and the calls are made to real individuals every time. There is no way to call someone I know. Sorry.

I'm really not sure you're in a position to be ruling out mobile networks based on personal dislike of the company. Vodafone's 5G network in London is very good.

OK, I get it. My experience of Vodafone in the past was awful but I agree that I'm in no position to criticise.

My questions regarding her current mobile network was firstly to get a conversation going as it all seems to be about her current ADSL connection which at best would only deliver just over 1 Mbps upload and secondly to get her to do some testing on the mobile network she already has. I wasn't suggesting tethering from her mobile was a long term solution but a starting point for try/testing. This thread has been going nearly a week with over 50 replies so I would have hoped that the fact that ADSL is going to be at best marginal would have been discovered by now as the OP already admits she doesn't think ADSL is up to the job and she admits to not being an expert.

Edited by PCJM40 (Sat 21-Sep-24 15:53:25)

Take a look at Three Home Broadband. I've been on it now for almost six years, having ditched my landline completely. (Which included AAISP).

Use their coverage (link on that page) in your area so check that before you go any further.

Importantly, on that first page:

There’s no setup fee, and we’re so confident in our service that we’re proud to offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. Added peace of mind for you and a bit of extra money saved. Happy days.

That is what I was going to recommend experimenting with, as you don't need to try doing your job on it at first, just some extensive speed tests from different places on every window ledge on your premises. I find even a few inches along mine makes a difference, plus "rotation" between 0 and 180 degrees also makes a difference.

I have had a few routers from them and all have had ethernet connections as well as wifi. If you get a good speed anywhere on ethernet, then if the location is inconvenient also try wifi connection to the router from there.

Finally, if the speed is adequate, the question is whether or not your potential income is sufficient to cover the cost plus the Plusnet cost for the rest of the Plusnet contract. Note that Plusnet used to have a reduced cost buyout option if people wanted to leave early, so it this or any of the other suggestions earlier look good, look into that as well.

This is helpful and sensible. Thank you SO much. I have accessed t he 3 website and having provided my address, it assures me: you're covered with 4G in your area.
So far, so good.
Potential income is very low. However, as long as I cover the cost and make some kind of income, it is well worth my considering this.
I think I should perhaps ask Plusnet if they would "let me off the hook" in view of this long slog. (they may be glad to say goodbye!)
I have to confess that from the viewpoint of technology, I can't really fathom this (sorry). As we know as a dead certainty that there is no fibre on my road in London, only ADSL, how might this realistically improve my speeds to the level I need? I do apologise for being dense, but if you could explain that in a sort of Janet and John type explanation, I'd be really grateful. Call me a sceptic, but Life has taught me that if something looks good, there has to be a catch. (!!)
Also, what's their customer service like? Plusnet really are very good, patient and they made efforts to help over protracted correspondence. Some customer service representatives struggle to make themselves understood to someone dense like me.
Best wishes and many thanks.

Ah, I get it (the technology how do they do that? question I asked earlier). Wonder why more companies aren't offering this, if 3 can? Thoughts??

I also note that this 3 offer provides: Three 4G Hub – ZTE MF286D
For those in areas where 5G is still a distant dream, the Three 4G Hub ensures that you're not left behind. This router comes with:

Peak download speeds of 600Mbps
Peak upload speeds of 100Mbps
Wi-Fi 5 technology with dual-band capability
4 x gigabit ethernet ports
1 x USB port
Slots for external antennae

I've looked up my notes and, weirdly, I see that I contacted 3 two months ago. They were very lukewarm, didn't really sound at all enthusiastic, but the upshot was that they offered unlimited data on a 24months contract for £24.00 a month and as a special deal the first 6 months for half the price. I just wonder why they seemed pretty offhand about it ....

I am in a very small studio flat. I shouldn't think there would be much to obstruct the technology (crosses fingers).

As you know, employers demand a minimum of 15 download and 10-15 upload, I note that 3 express their values in Mbps, so I'm just attempting to make sure this would "fit" ....???

Mobile broadband can be a solution to poor ADSL broadband but like any mobile signal it differs from one location to another like pluralist is indicating. Please be cautious and please don't go and sign a long term contract until you have done some testing and got the results you require, this could be with a cheap 1 month sim in a mobile phone and tethering to a laptop.

As @PCJM40 has noted you should try before you buy if you are thinking about moving to a connection using the mobile phone signal rather than a fixed wire.

At the risk of coming across as mansplaining, have you got your head round what people mean by tethering to your mobile phone? There will be a setting on your mobile phone to turn on a hotspot. This acts in the same way as the Three 4G hub and you can connect your computer by wifi to your mobile phone. This will enable you to try different cheap sims in your phone to see which provider gives the best signal (and if that signal is good enough to meet your employer's requirements) before you sign up to anything. You should test at different times of day because it may be that a provider may give good speeds outside of working hours but the network is busier during working hours and the signal is more congested and slower (or vice versa).

Edited by GonePostal (Sun 22-Sep-24 12:55:14)

I would also point out `it's not just 3 which offers mobile signal broadband, although most people I know (whilst touring in motorhomes) use a standard mobile sim/contract in a mobile router, these can have external antenna which improves signal. Care would be needed to ensure you get the best mobile router, as last time I looked most where older 4g models.

Please DO mansplain. I need explanations for most things liked to technology. I am not attempting to sound like poor-little-old-me, but a lot of it really does leave me completely fogged. I'm of the generation that believed an IBM golfball typewriter was the ultimate in technology and if you had one of those, the world was your lobster. Things have moved on a bit. I'm attempting to move with them, but don't generally succeed although the internet answers quite a lot for me. What you described was intelligible and helpful.

I didn't know any of what you've just described, so I'm extremely grateful. I am researching what I would be likely to have to pay in order to experiment because of course "cheap" is a word that means one thing to one person, but not necessarily to another. Having lost my livelihood, I'm watching every penny, naturally.

Very grateful indeed.

Oooh. This is news to me. More for me to learn. Thank you.

*linked, not liked. Doh.

As a starter for 10, nip into a local convenience store, garage or newsagent and just ask about pre-paid mobile phone sim cards. Most will have a selection and you can see if they fall within your budget. Put the card into your phone and run a speed check. Use the same speed checking app (you can download the Ookla app for Apple and Android) so you are comparing like with like. If it is one of the virtual network suppliers (like GiffGaff or LycaMobile) you need to check which of the 4 networks it uses (Vodafone, O2, EE, Three) so you don't end up duplicating a check.

At the risk of butting in rather late:
I joined this forum to seek help with my 3 Mobile Broadband. I received excellent help (concerning being able to send emails - it's a long story and involves not having a static IP address).
Anyway, it works pretty well for me - after I switched from 5G to 4G (which was easy to do). The 5G was fast but not reliable where I live (GL10).
I can give you speed etc numbers if it's of interest. Right now Ookla gives ping 42 ms, download 66 Mbps, upload 2.8 Mbps
Rob
PS I am an "older" person and not an expert

In reply to a post by kafue:

At the risk of butting in rather late:
I joined this forum to seek help with my 3 Mobile Broadband. I received excellent help (concerning being able to send emails - it's a long story and involves not having a static IP address).
Anyway, it works pretty well for me - after I switched from 5G to 4G (which was easy to do). The 5G was fast but not reliable where I live (GL10).
I can give you speed etc numbers if it's of interest. Right now Ookla gives ping 42 ms, download 66 Mbps, upload 2.8 Mbps
Rob
PS I am an "older" person and not an expert

It's all down to mobile signal, and as GonePostal says it's a matter of trying cheap SIMs to find results, I looked at this some years back, but the phone signals around here couldn't give any better results than a fixed line, but then thankfully we got FTTP.

I haven't looked in petrol stations, but I've never seen pre-paid mobile SIMs in local shops or any supermarket. (At least in the last decade). They all require at least the minimum "top-up" to activate them, on top of the purchase cost of 99p.

This is why I suggested the Three Home Broadband. The supplied router comes with a free SIM. Insert the SIM in the router, plug in, switch on, and after a probable automatic update the contracted service is activated.

If it turns out to be no good after searching for the best place and angle on the best window ledge (speed test results and signal strength lights), then it is easily returned and refunded.

I tend to upgrade my router every now and then, usually at a Black Friday when they often have the first six months at half price and a basic price below what mine had risen to through the annual price hike. One time I accidentally ordered the wrong thing and returning it and re-ordering was hassle-free.

I still pay less than the current advertised price, so sticking what I have at the moment.

In reply to a post by pluralist:

I haven't looked in petrol stations, but I've never seen pre-paid mobile SIMs in local shops or any supermarket. (At least in the last decade). They all require at least the minimum "top-up" to activate them, on top of the purchase cost of 99p.

Bob

Thanks. I'm sure it will be helpful for @sallysw1. I was going off information I found on t'internet not personal experience. As long as we are helping reach the end game of @sallysw1 getting a connection which will enable her to work!

I suppose STARLINK would be out of the question as the OP is living in an apartment?

In reply to a post by trolleybus:

I suppose STARLINK would be out of the question as the OP is living in an apartment?

OP has said they are not technically minded and they are working to a budget so setting up a satellite dish as well as it being expense is probably not a goer.

Thank you so much. I really appreciate this. Invaluable help, because I didn't understand before.

Thank you for this, too. (I've been unable to access this site for a couple of days). It's heartening to know that you, too, are an OP (!) (though I recognise that many OPs are very tech savvy indeed and it isn't always OPs who don't "get" technology. Still, I feel less alone and a bit encouraged because of what you've said about 3G working for you, so thanks.

Gosh, that's worth knowing. So from your viewpoint, just plunging in and taking the 3G offer, without any preliminary "experiments" sounds worthwhile because I can just send it back if it doesn't provide the speeds I need. That's helpful and I appreciate the guidance. I'm thinking carefully about all the information I've been given (for all of which I'm extremely grateful) and after a ponder, I will decide what I must do next. You have all been absolutely WONDERFUL and I've learned so much from y'all. THANK YOU.

I have just looked in my Spam folder and to my dismay there are about 50 responses to this string, which I never saw or acknowledged. I will work my way through them. I apologise wholeheartedly to anyone who has taken the time to give ideas and had no response. I will read them all and will respond. Thanks again.

Careful with "OP". It has a specific meaning in forums, Opening Post(er).

It took me a while to discover you meant older person. A cohort in which you can include me. Many years an OAP and bus pass holder/user.

Edited by pluralist (Wed 25-Sep-24 14:30:16)

In reply to a post by pluralist:

Careful with "OP". It has a specific meaning in forums, Opening Post(er).

It took me a while to discover you meant older person. A cohort in which you can include me. Many years an OAP and bus pass holder.

Glad you clarified as I was confused, most people refer to an older person as an OAP thats probably why I was confused

Ah but !

There are many mentally "older people" in this country well under retirement age. And many over-80s still mentally agile. The OP for instance is clearly fully mentally competent, just relatively ignorant of broadband and mobile technologies. Like the majority of the population.

People may be using broadband and mobile phones, but they know how to drive cars. Little technical knowledge of how they work needed.