Slow Origin Broadband

Hi all,

I'm new on this forum, so I apologise if this topic has been covered.

I need help. I'm on Origin Broadband VDSL(FTTC). Origin are using BT infrastructure to sell their services. My normal download speed is 17Mbps & upload speed is around 2Mbps. Two weeks ago the download speed dropped down to 10Mbps. The upload was unchanged. From Origin told me that everything was fine and the problem is in my house and a BT engineer must come to inspect it but this will cost me £108.

Now, nothing has changed on my end. I had a bitter experience with BT many years ago and I decided to replace my router instead. I bought BiPAC 8800NL R2 and installed 2.52.d15 firmware straight away.

My download speed is still 10Mbps. So, nothing has changed at all. Has anybody had a similar experience? Do I need to tweak some of the settings? Any help will be highly appreciated!

Best regards,
Cal

Please describe the set up at your property, what�s connected to where and such, extensions connected ?

I wonder if their tech support got an �internal bridge tap� test result when checking your service ? This can cause a gradual slow down.

Hi Zarjaz and thank you for replying.

The router is plugged in BT MK4 face plate.
My PC is connected to the router with a LAN cable.
The telephone cable is unplugged in case of noise related issues(I don't use landline anyway).
WI-FI is disabled as I don't use it. No other devices plugged in or near by.
I've always had this set up. The guys from Origin didn't say what tests they have done.

Best regards,
Cal

How are you measuring that it is 10Mbps? Is that a speed test or is that the stats from the router? What we need really is the stats from the router to see what might be happening with the line.

Hi Ian and many thanks for replying.

I always do an online speed test.

I'll upload the screen shots soon.

Best regards,
Cal

Edited by deleted (Mon 03-Feb-20 09:37:53)

We need the stats from the router - they not only tell us the sync speed but with the other stats give us an idea of whether there is more speed to be rung out of the line.

Hi Ian,

I've uploaded the screen shots of the router stats & the speed test. The previous links from google drive didn't work.

https://ibb.co/kx8Sx6t
https://ibb.co/F5tqF6f

Best regards,
Cal

OK, so it looks like your line doesn't have spare margin to make up for the gap.

You could try plugging in to the test socket with a dangly filter to rule out any issues with the faceplate. If you still get similar stats and speeds then it would suggest that it is probably something external to you - but this could just be increased cross talk or natural degradation of the line - neither of which would likely be fixed by Openreach.

Hi Ian,

I've already plugged it in to the test socket and the result was the same. Sorry I didn't mention this earlier.

I guess there's not much I can do.

Thanks again for all your help.

Best regards,
Cal

It suggests it is probably not a problem on your property - but that doesn't mean that if Openreach came out they would find a fault and therefore if no fault found they might charge for the visit.

Hi Ian,

I guess I'll have to risk and call them. No other choices. Where I live, is only FTTC or ADSL. No mobile broadband either. Dead spot.

Best regards,
Cal

Your downstream sync rate is capped/banded at 11.4Mb.
There's only 1dB SNRM to spare worth about another 1Mb if it wasn't capped.

To have have such a big drop in sync you either have a new crosstalker (neighbouring line with FTTC causing interference) or the DLM had acted on your line dropping the target SNRM from 3dB and also applying the cap.

You could ask the ISP for a DLM reset but they can refuse this.
It's also likely to temporarily slow you down while DLM reapplies G.INP.

Any drop in sync rate over 25% in 14 days used to be considered a fault automatically on FTTC.

Edited by j0hn83 (Mon 03-Feb-20 14:33:18)

Hi John and thank you for replying.

I can't tell if there's a neighbouring line with FTTC. I know that the neighbours near me have ADSL only.

I'll ask Origin for a DLM reset but I don't think this would happen soon. They say that their tests didn't find any faults and a BT engineer must come to my property to check.

Is it worth cancelling the contract with Origin and taking a new one with BT? After all, it's BT's infrastructure.

Best regards,
Cal

Openreach is an arms length organisation from BT and must treat all resellers (including BT) in the same way. BT are unlikely to be any better (and possible less good) at getting it resolved.

There are a small number of ISPs that bend over backwards to try and get issues resolved but you may just not have an issue - it may just be that is the way your line is now. If you wanted to change ISP to get this resolved then Andrews and Arnold may be your best bet - they do come at a more premium price though.

What's your estimates from the BT Wholesale checker?

https://my.btwholesale.com/includes/adsl/adsl.htm?s_...

Use the address check if your landline number gives no results.

Hi Ian,

I agree with you. That's why I've been with Origin for almost 3 years. I just thought that switching over to BT might improve things. I'm getting a bit desperate...

For what is worth, the guys from Origin are really trying to help. The complication comes when BT appear in the picture. BT are the ones insisting on the visit, not Origin. I should've made that clear.

I'll see what will happen in the next week or so, and then I may move to Andrews and Arnold as you suggest.

Best regards,
Cal

Hi John,

Here's a screen shot of the BT checker:
https://ibb.co/h2cNLWL

I've run the checker before and these numbers have always been the same or very similar.

Best regards,
Cal