Problems with ADSL2

Hello, I had ADSL Max for years, completely stable and max speed possible. 8128 off the top of my head.

I have just(10 days ago) switched to the newly available ADSL2+ and it has been nothing but problems since day 1.

I first noticed we were on around 17500~ sync speed which was great, with around 3dB SNR Downstream Margin. However I quickly noticed whenever we received or made a phonecall we would immediately disconnect from the internet.

I contacted my ISP about this issue and they raised the SNR Margin to 6dB which has now had the effect of making the problem less consistent, but still there.

Oh and every time I lost connection my sync speed dropped, so here are my stats.

DSP Firmware Version A2pB025f.d22k
DMT Status No Defect
Operational Mode ADSL2+
Upstream 1035
Downstream 14910
SNR Margin(Upstream) 6.8
SNR Margin(Downstream) 6.8
Line Attenuation(Upstream) 14.1
Line Attenuation(Downstream) 27.5

I am really frustrated at this point as obviously my line is incredibly unstable. I do not believe the issue is our filters as we replaced them.

I am connecting the router to an extension socket.

I suspect a HR (High Resistance) fault has occurred or other line fault, this will need to be discussed with your ISP to raise with Openreach for a possible home visit.

Do you hear any hissing on the line and are you plugged into the test socket?

Nope no hissing on the line, and it's using an extension socket as the master socket is too far away, again though we haven't had any issues with this setup before the switch to adsl2

In reply to a post by Kiggs:

I suspect a HR (High Resistance) fault has occurred or other line fault

I suspect that such fault has always been there, but the higher speeds and frequencies of ADSL2+ has taxed it more.

The OP can always downgrade his ADSL mode to ADSL2 or even the old ADSL(1) by a router setting if he is really hacked off by it.

Thanks for the suggestion but that doesn't really appeal to me, I was pleased to receive ADSL2 for the increased speed.

If using microfilters then disconnect the ring wire.
http://www.thinkbroadband.com/faq/sections/radsl.htm...

ADSL2+ is more prone to interference due to the extra frequencies used. So while extensions were no issue before if they are not reasonable quaility twisted pair then they can be a problem.

Testing for an hour or two at the test socket that is part of the master socket will reveal if the problem is internal or external to your property. Until then I would not be entertaining worries about a HR fault.

What type and make of phone do you have

using bt synergy 4500 quad phones

I was only suggesting that until the fault gets fixed. If it is an HR fault it could take some time to shuffle responsibility between ISP & line renter. It may be a fault in the copper phone line but it only becomes apparent with BB.

Hi, this is quite spooky as I have had exactly the same problem and spent the weekend trying to find out what is going on.

Your set up sounds very similar to mine, I have an extension cable running from my phone point to my router which is upstairs. We are only a short distance from our exchange and achieved 8128 on ADSL Max, rock solid. When we were able to get ADSL 2+ our speed went up to 18000+ with over 1000 up. This is rock solid and never drops until the phone rings or we make a call when it drops completely. Fortunately we hardly use the landline so it hasn't been a problem but with the poor weather we have had need to work from home so a solution had to be found.

To cut a very long and frustrating story short, I discovered that my broadband would drop if the extension cable was still carrying any kind of phone signal, just removing the ring wire had no effect. I already had a Clarity ADSL adapter faceplate so I was able to use that to provide my router with just broadband. I then ran another extension for the phone and now everything is fine.

I also tried to use the same cable, one pair for phone, the other for broadband, as this is how I've used this before for ADSL Max. I guess there isn't enough screening in the cable as although the broadband was fast and the phone clear, they wouldn't work at the same time.

I hope this helps.

Mark

Hi guys, quick update here. Just had the openreach engineer visit and wanted to post my experience.

----
11:45~ engineer arrived
13:15 engineer left

Engineer rewired the master socket to be upstairs(connected to the router) and tested the back plate directly after he rewired it. The test was with his own router device, during this testing he experienced a disconnect when receiving a phone call through the land line.

He said that as this was not an issue with anything internal(as it passed his tests) that we would not be responsible for any charges.

He said that I should leave the line alone and see if it stabilises, if not then he suggests I ask my ISP to raise the SNR value some more for stability, but the issue is not internal.

---

So far I have tried to phone the house on my mobile to see if it disconnects and it seems to be holding up. In your experience, will openreach try and charge us for this?

You would hope you wouldn't be charged if that's what the engineer said to you

BUT - I have a friend that had to go to the trouble of retrieving a BT phone recording (and pay for this) when BT said work would be free and then went on to charge around £200! They got their money back in the end but it was quite a struggle.

So keep an eye on your next bill as I'm afraid with BT anything's possible...

NB. If you are saying the line disconnected when receiving a call for the BT engineer then that doesn't sound good!? Usually a line fault when this happens.

yeah the engineer told me he was sure it was a fault at the exchange, we're still consistently disconnecting and got notified that BT have levied a charge against us for the engineer visit.

I think we received about 5 phone calls today and disconnected each and every time

Reply - not good


Who's your ISP (sorry if I missed it) as they will need to fight your corner?

with xilo isp, they are great and have disputed it for me, it's just frustrating that openreach didn't even fix the problem regardless of the charges.