Fixed-rate compared to MAXadsl with capped rate

I am currently on a fixed-rate 2mbps connection. I tried MAXdsl when it became available but found it very unstable on my line and reverted to a fixed-rate connection. Stability is much more important to me than speed. It is now very stable and I am happy with it but for unconnected reasons I am now considering moving to an ISP who do not offer a fixed-rate service. However, they have offered to get BT to cap the rate at 2mbps if I take their MAXdsl service. So, here is my question: what are the technical and practical differences between a fixed-rate service and a MAXdsl service with a capped rate? Is MAXdsl intrinsically less stable because of its rate-adaptive nature? I assume that the fixed-rate service is not actually just a capped MAXdsl service!

what are the technical and practical differences between a fixed-rate service and a MAXdsl service with a capped rate?

none. Both put the same fixed speed profile on the DSLAM. 2272 / 288 for 2M.

MaxDSLhas a faster upstream, most people are better off by getting their issues sorted rather than using fixed speed. Some routers allow you to either cap the downstream speed or set your own SNR margin in favour of greater stability (or faster speed, as you prefer).

Yarwell: Thanks for the clarification. Very helpful.

My line is deemed unstable for MAX and the advantage of the 2 Meg connection I use is I don't have any hassle from BT's IP profile system >>> KITZ link

Too many re-syncs would be bad news and result in very slow download speeds etc. etc.

So... there isn't a consensus view on this then. Anyone else have experience of the consequences of going from a fixed-rate service to capped MAXdsl?

Could you post your router stats? See http://www.dslzoneuk.net/adsl_line_stats.php

They would help re the issues you might experience.

Also the issues in the sense of BT profiles and line management largely disappear if you move to LLU.

I haven't got a great line with 60DB attenuation at about 4.5km from exchange, I found ADSL2+ quite unstable and susceptable to disconnects etc.

If you have got up to adsl2+ on your exchange and you want to try maxing your line out, if you can get your ISP to change the modulation to ADSL2 it does help with the stability. Whereas with the BT profiling system I was only getting 1-1.5mb, I now get a consistent 2.1mb download speed, which makes a difference.

ADSL2+ is not MAX by the way.

ADSL2+ will struggle on 60dB line, and should not be in use, at best a bit of ADSL2 may be kicking in. For some people forcing the modem to ADSL standard can do better, i.e. the difference in modem hardware is a lot more important with ADSL2+

I should of recognized it was Max as opposed to 21cn, on my line of 60db adsl2 performs better than adsl, adsl will only get me about 1500-1700 but adsl2 gets around 2200-2600.

I know each line is specific to each dwelling as no two lines will be the same, but in my situation adsl2 is the best option, even with a line of that higher att.

Both offer good stability, like you said, adsl2+ is about the same speed as adsl2, however it becomes very intermittent and disconnects frequently.

adsl will only get me about 1500-1700 but adsl2 gets around 2200-2600.

Handy to know, seen similar on 70 dB+ lines.