You are confusing SNR and Interleaving/Fastpath. There is nothing wrong with being on fast path if you have a decent line. TalkTalk by default use 9db SNR I think. BT Wholesale are usually 3 or 6. This has the biggest effect on line sync speed.

I have no idea how the engineer proved you were being throttled. I would have thought they would only be able to see line stats.

In reply to a post by huwwatkins:

You are confusing SNR and Interleaving/Fastpath. There is nothing wrong with being on fast path if you have a decent line. TalkTalk by default use 9db SNR I think. BT Wholesale are usually 3 or 6. This has the biggest effect on line sync speed.

I have no idea how the engineer proved you were being throttled. I would have thought they would only be able to see line stats.

He simply said I would be better off with Interleaving and 6db instead of Fast and 10db. But not being an expert on these matters, accepted what he said including comments on throttling. My only regret was not taking picture[s] of the diagnostic reports on has very complex and bulky testing equipment. My view was that he was a very competent and knowledgeable engineer on all things relating to the internet. He was a OR employee and said he spent most of his time sorting out problems that contractors created.

Line speeds suggest that if this is a TalkTalk connection it is on IPStream Connect service and that is well known for having poor peak time throughput issues

If there is not LLU presence from talktalk at the exchange where the fibre will terminate I would be very surprised if they even let you order FTTC.

In reply to a post by huwwatkins:

You are confusing SNR and Interleaving/Fastpath. There is nothing wrong with being on fast path if you have a decent line. TalkTalk by default use 9db SNR I think. BT Wholesale are usually 3 or 6. This has the biggest effect on line sync speed.

I have no idea how the engineer proved you were being throttled. I would have thought they would only be able to see line stats.

Maybe wrong, but I have always been of opinion OR could bypass ISP connection.

If Openreach bypass the provider, then there is an ADSL connection. Openreach does not own any ADSL based hardware.

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

Line speeds suggest that if this is a TalkTalk connection it is on IPStream Connect service and that is well known for having poor peak time throughput issues

If there is not LLU presence from talktalk at the exchange where the fibre will terminate I would be very surprised if they even let you order FTTC.

The exchange is Elstead, Surrey. Sam Says there is no LLU presence but the information on that site is not always accurate. The Village Electronic Newsletter has reported that FTTC orders have been accepted by TalkTalk and Sky. Zen were quite happy to take my order as well. Only on Wednesday will we know of any technical issues that prevent the installation from proceeding.

The comments about the Talktalk service not being LLU based was based on the upstream speed for the connection.

TalkTalk LLU free runs the upstream so should see a connection speed above 448 Kbps, and also has used ADSL2+ since 2006.

So lots of signs indicate that there is no LLU presence from TalkTalk.

On the fibre, Zen don't care if the exchange has LLU. Does Sky have a LLU presence on the exchange, as if they don't then suggests a change of policy, as they've previously only done FTTC on lines where they could also unbundle the telephone. Less certain of the TalkTalk policy on this.

Looking at speedtests so far only ADSL type showing up and at speeds suggesting no LLU at all

In reply to a post by trolleybus:

I guess TalkTalk will try it on but as I am on the verge of being a Zen customer my TalkTalk DD has been cancelled, so we have headed off potential issues there. However the engineer's notes said "uplift carried out". What actually does this mean?

So while my situation has improved a little for the moment and with FTTC being installed in my home on Wednesday using Zen, then perhaps I have side stepped a troublesome issue.

Sorry I don't know what "uplift carried out" means but if your line to the cabinet and your home wiring is now in good shape then FTTC from Zen should prove to be excellent

What does BT BROADBAND AVAILABILITY CHECKER say for your phone #?

@ MrSaffron: Above will be definative for FTTC. While OP's exchange has no LLU, WBC nor FTTC, it is possible that his cab diverts to another FTTC'ed exchange.

I think you mean to say:

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

If there is not LLU presence from talktalk at the exchange where the fibre copper will terminate I would be very surprised if they even let you order FTTC.