Should I move?

Hello,

For the past 4 years I've been with BT for my broadband service, however I'm now looking at ADSL2+, specifically the ISP Be.

I'm currently getting 2mb speed on BT's unlimited package. I don't upload much so Be Unlimited sounds like the best plan.

Can you guys give me an idea on the speed I'd be looking to receive from Be with the below line stats please? Be sales staff believe I'd get 0.5mb but seen as my current broadband (ADSL) is 2mb I doubt it would be less.

BTW. I've never really had any problems with BT. I'm just after more speed. Because of how long I've been with them I pay �20 a month for option 3). Seen as I don't get the full 8mb from BT atm, will I even see a speed increase?

Link Information

Uptime: 0 days, 3:31:59
Modulation: G.992.1 annex A
Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 448 / 3,040
Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [MB/MB]: 19.45 / 153.08
Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]: 11.5 / 18.0
Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 31.5 / 58.0
SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 16.0 / 12.0
Vendor ID (Local/Remote): TMMB / ALCB
Loss of Framing (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Signal (Local/Remote): 1 / 0
Loss of Power (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Link (Remote): 0
Error Seconds (Local/Remote): 1 / 0
FEC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 2,313
CRC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 0
HEC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 0
Line Profile: Interleaved

Thanks for your help.

Edited by Harrison88 (Thu 03-Apr-08 16:58:57)

Those stats indicate you may have a problem with your equipment or home phone wiring. You need to fix that before you think of moving.

Your down attenuation is high at 58dB, you can't do anything about that - unless you are connected to a socket at the end of poor quality wiring. In fact the sync of 3040 isn't bad for that attenuation, but could probably be improved.

The SNRM of 12dB is high, as though you have had noise problems in the past. If you could get the stats immediately after a re-sync we can see the noise margin at that point, which is important.

Straight after the resync, try plugging the filter into the test socket revealed when you open the master socket. Then get the stats again immediately. See here, and while you have it open do what it says re the ring/bell wire.

Put it all back together and try again. Don't re-sync more than 4 or 5 times in an hour, it can make things worse.

WIth a sync as low as 3040 the only ADSL2+ packages worth going for are Be Value 8Mbps or O2's 8Mbps one as well, I forget what it is called, which is basically the same service with goodies and cheaper.

How do I resync?

So basically,

1. Resync and write down stats.
2. Move router and filter to master socket, resync and get stats again.
3. Post stats here and moan at my dad to rewire the cable from the master socket to upstairs where we have the router?

To resync switch modem off and then on again

Be tends not to take orders from lines as long as yours, and ADSL2+ is not going to make much difference at 58dB attenuation

The easiest way would be to switch the router off, wait a few seconds, then switch it back on. There are other ways but without knowing what the router is I wouldn't know. Also the other ways can be more complicated.

Not just move to the master socket, but open the socket up as shown in the link in my earlier post. Take the faceplate off carefully as the extension should be wired to it. You will see it plugs into an internal socket - that's the test socket. This is perfectly legit - the Phone Book even tells you to do that if you have a phone fault.

Then you plug the filter with no phone into the test socket and switch it on. As soon as you are connected to the internet get the stats.

The switch it off and check the wiring on the inside of the faceplate as in the earlier post. There should only be wires on 2 and 5. Remove carefully anything on 3 or 4, make a note which is which and don't lose the note! Then put the socket back together, making sure any loose wires can't touch any others or any connectors!

Then you can take the router back upstairs and connect as usual, get the stats a third time and post all three sets, making sure it is absolutely clear which set is which. From those we can tell you whether to moan or whether the job is done.

Is it a DIY extension then - you imply it is? And is it hard-wired into the master socket, or just a plug-in long lead?

"Is it a DIY extension then - you imply it is? And is it hard-wired into the master socket, or just a plug-in long lead?"
-----

After talking to my dad and looking at the socket it's the master socket. Apparently there were two lines when we moved in and the business line (upstairs) was the one BT activated. The other, non active, line is down stairs with nothing plugged in to it.

The photo I took was of the box we've been using. I guess I need to take the whole thing off instead of just the two screws to see the wiring.

I'll have a look tomorrow and post back.

What photo?

And do not take the whole master socket off. That is not allowed and isn't safe either!

If it's an NTE5 where the bottom half comes off, that's all you can do - and just check for anything on pins 3 or 4 on the inside of the faceplate. You must not do anything to any connections that BT have made on the back of the socket. You must not take the test socket off the backplate to get behind it (IIRC how the bits come off inside).

But still get the stats when plugged into the test socket.

Oops. I posted the photo in the Be forums and forgotten to post it here.

Here's a pic of the box.
http://seanharrison.co.uk/img/uploads/IMG_0010.jpg

There was no wiring, just that face plate come off when I undone the screws.

That's fine. Just try using the test socket that you see on the backplate there . There are no wiring changes you can do.

You don't really need to do a re-sync before you use the test socket. Figures using the test socket immediately after connect are fine, and then immediately after you put it cback together.

Both to be done without the phone connected.

Is the router next to the socket, or a distance away?