If it had been running as its a backup would have expected the upload results to be impacted too

This is just a quick update to say that Cloudscape have been in touch and the problem now appears to have been resolved. I'll leave it for them to provide the technical explanation, but it wasn't anything at my end.

Yesterday we ran a test here via Ethernet after rebooting the router that showed speeds were significantly down on expected results and at one point wireless slumped to just 3mbps at around 6.00pm. It suddenly improved quite dramatically at around 9.00pm last night and by midnight it was nudging 60mbps.

Since rebooting the router yesterday the sync rate has dropped to 66mbps, however it's still in the DLM period so that can be looked at over the next few days. The actual download speed with wireless was tested a few minutes ago and I was seeing 62mbps. http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/6152087498

A huge thank you to everybody here who helped to resolve this.

There isn't a DLM period. DLM is always running - there is no 10 day training on FTTC. DLM will adjust the line as needed for the entire time you have it. If it is reducing then it is probably because of noise (possibly from cross talk). That could change over time and depending on line conditions things like G.INP may kick in.

I've always heard contradictory information on that point regarding a DLM period for fibre, so never known for sure what is right. It should therefore speed up itself over the next few days, since I'll leave it switched on and not touch anything.

ISPs still state it but it isn't true. There is nothing that happens in the first 10 days that doesn't happen during the whole time the line exists. Generally the line will connect as fast as possible when it is first plugged in - and then for the most part it will, if anything, slow down over time. This is DLM adjusting to the conditions it finds during normal running.

However, G.INP if triggered could result in an increase in speed. Other technologies BT are doing could also help (like reducing the noise margin). But, if there is no outside changes then DLM is generally a downward curve.

It used to sync at around 78mbps at this address. We'll see over the next few days how it goes and whether it adjusts itself upward.

The various fiddling may have not helped, but the DLM system generally takes weeks to relent rather than days, so just get on with life rather than watching it expecting it to change suddenly.

Not looked at the test data but will do at some point.

Sure I'm not worried at all while it's like this. Any delays or slowness are more likely owed to badly designed websites or overcrowding on cheap shared web hosts.

It was a real headache when the line kept dropping and speeds were sometimes under 6mbps, but any improvement above the current speed is fairly academic in real terms.

Hi All,

Thanks for the input from everyone particularly Andrew for help with the speed tests and RobertoS for his useful comments.

With the help of our back-haul provider and our cross-link provider in Telehouse we found a fibre link that was incorrectly rate capped, this was then uncapped last night. As this was not in our internal network it did not affect every one, but knowing who was affected helped with the resolution.

So not 'his wifi' then ?

Thank you for coming back and providing clear information on what the actual problem was.