TalkTalk to PlusNet

Hi all

My parents are with TalkTalk (ex Tiscali) incuding phone and my Dad has finally had enough of their support
He's looking at migrating to PlusNet Value with phone before the end of August to get the 3 months free
I've pointed him towards Quidco and TCB and also got him downloading TbbMeter to install on 2 laptops to give an indication of bandwidth usage.
They are fairly light users mostly just browsing, email, IM and 1 hour listening to The Archers each week

I know some of the perils of migrating from Tiscali and TalkTalk particularly with LLU MPF which they are
Anyone got any tips or anything to watch out for? Any other suggestions on ISP's including phone?

It's a Market 3 exchange (Dringhouses) ,but a very very long line

Thanks

Edit: Got the stats

DSL Status
Driver Version: 1.75
API Version: GS_API_626
Firmware Version: E.25.41.18 A
Dsp Version: 0x000000e1
Status: ON
US Trained Rate: 351 kbps
DS Trained Rate: 987 kbps
Current US data rate during last 30 sec: 0 kbps
Current DS data rate during last 30 sec: 0.038 kbps
Local Line Attenuation: 70.5 dB
Remote Line Attenuation: 40.0 dB
Local SNR Margin: 7.00 dB
Remote SNR Margin 7.00 dB

Edited by nredwood (Wed 14-Jul-10 22:51:02)

Plusnet claim they can convert LLU lines back to BT - http://www.plus.net/support/phone/home_phone/phone_f... so in theory should be no problem. Dunno if that's the case in practice though
Idnet also claim to be able to do it.
As long as they contact Plusnet first there there shouldn't be an issue. When I left TT I contacted them first so they ceased my line before the transfer and kept my number.

Thanks

Just what I suggested
Advised him to get a rough figure of usage over the next week and then give PlusNet a call
Put their number in the checker and looked as if they can transfer the lot - certainly didn't do the usual "computer say no"
Most I know on PlusNet always seem quite happy with pre-sales advice and support (and my Dad is from Barnsley, so likes the idea of UK support based in Sheffield)

The exchange has got o2 llu, if your parents have got an o2 mob payg or on contract the you could always go with them.

I would check prices, but their site is down for maintenance.

If it is a long line a filtered faceplate and forcing the modulation to adsl2 will help, adsl2+ will probably perform badly.

Edited by deleted (Thu 15-Jul-10 00:35:07)

No O2 mobiles and both have 2 mobile devices each with Orange, so not willing to go to O2

Have tried connection from the test socket and made no difference. It really is a stupidly long line - nearest exchange is Acomb, but line is routed to Dringhouses with the York bypass and East Cost Main Line between them in a village outside York and exchange

Also believe there is a line fault, but lost count of the number of times Openreach have been out now. My Dad put in a high level complaint to BT and the line was measured as over 7km. I've seen the attenuation hit 73dB on occasion

Therefore O2 would only accept a manual order via phone and they would lose out on any cashback, Being on BE, I had considered suggesting that. They'd also need to go back to someone like Post Office for phone first and O2 only do Home Phone for customers with existing BT lines - would work out more expensive and cheap as possible is the main decider. Also though about suggesting Tesco, but I do think PlusNet is likely the best option for them

FTTC would be great for them, but with such a long line, not much chance of that even

With a line like that , there really going to get the proverbial kicked out of them by BT brass profile system .
Are you sure a move back to resold BT is in there best interest as every kb of connection speed will help and as i have seen so many time whilst being a member of these forums BT brass profile system and long lines are not a good place to be .

TalkTalk with out any doubt have truly appalling telephone support , which is why any TalkTalk user will tell you to use there members forum for support needs and avoid contacting them by phone .
But what TalkTalk can offer is a custom line profile which is so valuable on a ridiculously long line and easily arranged through there support forum ( not over the phone ) .

As a matter of interest did Plusnet mention any charges at all for the migration?

Ok, shame it's such a long line! What router have you got connected atm, my line is nearly 60db and I have a mates who is on an even longer line.

If they really wanted to try and use the best router the ones I have found to achieve the highest sync out of about 6 trialled are:

1) Netgear DG845GT (with DGteam Firmware)
2) Thomson Speetouch 585v6 (with DMT tool)
3) BT Business hub tweaked for any isp

The first 2 you can tweak modulation and SNR settings, the last one doesn't have that option, but on longer lines can really help squeeze every last kb out of a lines potential.

How do you tweak the BT Business Hub for any isp?

You can only tweak the 585v6 on firmwares 6.1.4.3 and earlier. I found 6.1.4.3 gave too many errors for comfort.