Line rate or Sync speed

For about 8 weeks now, I have been having a problem with my download speed, which Orange, and yesterday, BT have tried to rectify, with no luck.

Living in a village away from the exchange, I was getting a line rate/sync of between 1400-1800 kbps, which gave me a modest 1.0-1.5MB broadband service.

Since the problem started 8 weeks ago, I am now on a 512 speed, with a sync of 928. BT have said there is nothing wrong with there line/system, and Orange say the same, although BT said it could be the number connected to the line, which, I know does have an effect at peak times, not 24/7.

It is my intention, based on good reports, to move to Zen, to see if it is an Orange system problem.

My question is, how does line rate work?

If it is the line rate between my modem, and the BT exchange, then moving will have no effect on my speed or line rate. BUT, if it is the rate between my modem and the Orange network, it may improve when I move to another ISP.

i.e Modem ---<-- (line rate)-->- - exchange - Orange

Or

(Modem -exchange- Orange)
<---------line rate----------->

Stuart

The rate you are talking about is the data rate agreed by your modem and the modem at the exchange. Your best chance of raising your line rate is probably by making sure you minimise noise on your line.

Look at this.

http://www.dslzoneuk.net/socket.php

And this for an overview.

http://www.dslzoneuk.net/adslmax_explained.php

The line rate (the speed at which your modem connects) is between modem and the exchange. Merely changing providers in this case wont make a difference.
http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/troubleshooting.htm

Edited by deleted (Fri 20-Apr-07 22:28:50)

I agree with Rogan8 but ensuring that your internal telephony cabling and equipment is in good order may improve your situation.

These are the stats from my router

Statistics Downstream Upstream
Line Rate 928 448
Noise Margin 14.7 dB 17.0 dB
Line Attenuation 57.5 dB 30.5 dB
Output Power 12.3 dBm 15.9 dBm

These have been constant for around 4 weeks now.

I have only been having a problem for the last 8 weeks, when overnight my speed dropped fron a line rate of 1500, to less than 1000, with my download dropping from a constant 1mb to a 512 speed. Since this initial change, it has been all over the place.

I have been emailed the results of the initial line test from Zen, which stats I should see a line rate of 2000, although I do not expect to get this.

Could it be that Orange have over subscribed? and a change to a ISP with a better reputation may help?

I ma going to change to them anyway, after all, I have nothing to loose. If I change and I get a better connection...EXCELLENT.. if not..OH well:(

I just feel that there is the ISP involved in this somewhere, BT have been and checked everything and say it is all OK.

What do you make of the above stats?

Thanks for the advise

Stu

Those statistics suggest you have a poor line. Perhaps you are quite a distance from the exchange. Based on those statistics there is no point in changing ISP.

It might be worth asking your ISP to find out if your line has fallen below its Fault Threshold Rate, if it has BT might get involved.

In reply to:

---

.... when overnight my speed dropped fron a line rate of 1500, to less than 1000....

---

Those are the key words in your problem. Telephone wiring can act as an aerial for MW radio signals, which show up as noise on the line. These signals are always stronger at night. Your router has a large noise margin to cope with these changes in noise, and not drop the line. If connecting direct to the master socket with all extensions disconnected does not improve things (cause the SNR to improve at night), then there is little else you can do, barring moving closer to the exchange.

Edited by deleted (Sat 21-Apr-07 13:05:32)

Thanks for all your advise/comments.

I still believe that Orange have something to do with this somewhere along the line, BT have confirmed no problem with the line, Orange say I am connected at 2272, If I complain, they seem to fix it for a few days.... From reading posts on ornageproblems.co.uk, it seems a lot have been having the same problem as me, all down to a 512kb speed.. even when the house nextdoor gets full speed.

I am going to move to Zen on Monday, I have just had my MAC code emailed, so I will see how I get on... the worst that can happen... I end up with the same speed as now;) I will let you know what happens..... but fingers crossed... along with a few other things:)

Stu

It'll be interesting to see how your migration goes.

No problem, I will keep you informed... I hope it will solve my problem, although I will nott build my hopes up too much