Slow speeds -think this might be BT rather than IDnet but could someone confirm?

Becs21 · Mar 13, 2009, 14:48:20

Hello

Noob to the forums here but hoping you kind people can help.

Over the past few weeks I've noticed my connection speed getting slower and slower. I've run numerous speed tests and has tried connecting through ethernet instead of wireless as well as using master and test sockets. This has made very little difference and I'm still getting the same results which are generally:
Your DSL connection rate: 224 kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 448 kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP profile for your line is - 350 kbps
Actual IP throughput achieved during the test was - 172 kbps

My exchange is ADSLmax enabled and I live approx 3 1/2 miles away from it.

My connection speeds are generally OK for surfing the net as long as I'm the only one connected but my download speeds are 24kb/s at best when a month ago I was getting up to 200kb/s

I've looked through various forum posts and the IDnet support pages but my broadband knowledge and understanding is still fairly limited. Does anyone know if this is this more likely to be an issue with IDnet or BT and how I can get it resolved?

Many Thanks

Becs

Rik · Mar 13, 2009, 14:53:26

It's an issue between the exchange and your router, Becs, your sync speed is really low, hence the very slow throughput.

Can you get at your line stats? I need to know your downstream sync speed (seems to be 224k), attenuation and noise margin. If you're not sure how to get that information, let me know what router you use and I'll try to help.

Becs21 · Mar 13, 2009, 14:57:15

Sorry, not sure how to find my line stats. My router is a Linksys WAG54GS ver 1.1

Becs

Rik · Mar 13, 2009, 15:02:53

I had your line tested while you were posting.

Currently, you're syncing at 1M, with a 61db attenuation (expected for a long line) and your noise margin is 13db, which means you have a target margin of 12 or 15db, indicating that BT's line management software has cut in to try and stabilise the line. The fact that you're dropping the connection so frequently indicates a problem, possibly with the line, but most likely with the equipment you have connected to it in the house.

Can you tell me what you have connected, please, eg router, phone, Sky box etc. Also, is the router connected via an extension lead? Do you have an NTE5 master socket, the type where the bottom part of the faceplate can be removed. If you do, can you remove that and connect the router into the test socket which is revealed. If you can, let me know and I'll get IDNet to test again (or call them on 0800 0267237 option 2, and ask them to run the test. James is aware of your problem following my call.)

Rik · Mar 13, 2009, 15:06:16

There's a photo of an NTE5 and test socket here, Becs:

http://www.idnetters.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=1904.msg31528#msg31528

Becs21 · Mar 13, 2009, 15:28:40

Thanks Rik

Have run a test with James on the test socket and seems to be capable of speeds up to 1.5 megs so looks like the problem's in the house. Have just connected back to master and unplugged all other equipment and will run the test again to try and figure out what in the house is causing the hassle. Doesn't help that the line length up to the house is apparently very long!

Becs

Rik · Mar 13, 2009, 15:30:58

It is, about 6km I would say. I don't do a lot better with 56db attenuation, but my line is reasonably quiet, so I sync at 2800-3200.

What do you have connected to the line?

Becs21 · Mar 13, 2009, 16:01:45

Right then. After a couple of phone calls to the very helpful James and a bit of DIY with my trusty screwdriver might have things sorted!

Max speed possible on the line is around 1.7 megs which I only got through the test socket. Saw a pretty big drop when in the master socket and another drop when extension socket used.

After a bit of snooping and following wires around the house we only have two sockets in use. The master socket in the kitchen which the phones work from and a socket in the study with an extension running out of it to the living room and which we also had the router plugged into.

Turns out we no longer need an extension to the living room as we don't have sky anymore and there's no reason the router can't be in the kitchen where the master socket is. So have now unscrewed face plate and am plugged directly into test socket so should see things start to pick up.

Apparently I could also get a new face plate which should hopefully cut out some of the losses when plugging into the master and means I won't have to have the wires exposed by using the test socket. Would this need to be replaced by a pro or is it a fairly simple job?

Guess all I can do now is wait and see what happens to my connection speed!

Rik · Mar 13, 2009, 16:06:34

It's a simple job, Becs, remove the existing face plate, gently pull the wires out from it, re-connect them to the new faceplate, screw faceplate back onto NTE5. You will need to buy an IDC tool to 'push' the wires in, but a disposable one will be fine, at about £1. I recommend ADSL Nation units:

http://www.adslnation.com/products/xte2005.php

I'm glad you're getting somewhere so quickly. Once your line stabilises, BT will gradually reduce your target noise margin and you'll gain even more speed.

Rik · Mar 13, 2009, 16:11:50

Where are my manners, in concentrating on your problem I forgot to welcome you to the forum.

Becs21 · Mar 13, 2009, 16:14:15

Thanks very much for your help (and the welcome), both you and James have been great - and speedy!

Such a difference from my old ISP with it's premium rate phone lines, unhelpful staff and forums full of people bemoaning the service!

So glad I made the switch

Becs

Rik · Mar 13, 2009, 16:18:28

So are we, Becs. We're a generally happy bunch around here, with good reason - I'm sure you'll find IDNet a much better experience. (It's a sad reflection that this problem dogged your connection with your previous ISP, but they didn't spot the obvious issue and help you resolve it.

) All being well, you'll end up with a profile of 1.25M or 1.5M, depending on exactly what your sync speed is. If you maintain that for 14 days, BT will decrease the target noise margin by 3db, gaining you another 500k or os of sync, and that will repeat until the NM reaches 6db, or the line becomes unstable. With luck, you'll end up with a 2M connection.

Lance · Mar 13, 2009, 16:55:47

Welcome to the forum, Becs! I'm glad you've already made massive progress with your problem!

Ann · Mar 13, 2009, 16:58:15

Simon · Mar 13, 2009, 16:59:05

Becs!

Becs21 · Mar 13, 2009, 17:24:07

Thanks everyone.

Seeing a difference already. Here are the results of two BT speed tests run today.

The first at 13:40:
    Your DSL connection rate: 224 kbps(DOWN-STREAM),  448 kbps(UP-STREAM)
    IP profile for your line is - 350 kbps
    Actual IP throughput achieved during the test was - 172 kbps

And more recently at 16:48:
    Your DSL connection rate: 1280 kbps(DOWN-STREAM),  448 kbps(UP-STREAM)
    IP profile for your line is - 350 kbps
    Actual IP throughput achieved during the test was - 309 kbps

Becs

Rik · Mar 13, 2009, 17:27:02

When that profile changes, Becs, which could take anything between 4 hours and 5 days, you'll see a massive increase in speed. Your current profile was actually too high in the first test, and your sync speed was limiting throughput. Now, it's the profile which is doing it. When it adjusts, it will go to 1M if you maintain that sync speed.

Sebby · Mar 14, 2009, 00:43:47