My Line Is BT Wholesale WBC (21CN) Enabled - What Now?

emzino · Mar 28, 2009, 02:14:29

Hi all.

I just checked on Samknows Broadbands website to see whether my Sanderstead exchange had been BT 21CN enabled and it has, but what do I do now?

Shall I switch over to it yet or not & if I should, shall I call up IDNet to request it?

Many thanks in advance.

Colin Burns · Mar 28, 2009, 02:18:07

lucky you.....

someone with more information should be along sometime today. But As far as i know Idnet don't have any 21CN packages set in stone yet. though i do believe they are starting testing soon.

(Dang i need to learn to sleep at night)

Ann · Mar 28, 2009, 06:58:50

They said when they were ready they'd email people with information. Mine's dated for Tuesday.. woohoo.

Rik · Mar 28, 2009, 09:24:45

They are still testing, Emzino, there are problems with the BT end, so the system won't go live until IDNet can be sure that their customers will have a pleasurable internet experience from it. Hopefully it won't be too long, like Ann, I'm scheduled to go live on Tuesday.

Gary · Mar 29, 2009, 08:10:33

21CN WBC status: Not available and 21CN PSTN switchover target: Q1 2011 for me, deep joy

the price for living in the back of beyond

Glenn · Mar 29, 2009, 08:23:51

Mine doesn't have a date, not that I would get any benefit from it.

BT Wholesale information
ADSL status: Enabled as of 31/03/2000
ADSL Max status: Enabled as of 31/03/2006
SDSL status: Not available
21CN WBC status: Not available
21CN PSTN switchover target: Q2 2009

Noreen · Mar 29, 2009, 12:03:18

Sam says that my exchange will switch on Tuesday too.

Rik · Mar 29, 2009, 12:07:48

I just hope we all have connections afterwards.

bobleslie · Mar 29, 2009, 12:12:59

Well, once the BTbugaroos have been worked out, it looks as if we'll ~~all~~ mostly be on ADSL2+.

How cool is that?

Rik · Mar 29, 2009, 12:14:21

We won't - although the exchanges will be enabled, we won't be moved to WBC until IDNet are happy that it's reliable and then only if we want to. For me, there's little or no benefit in making the move.

Noreen · Mar 29, 2009, 12:19:02

How will we know know if we'll benefit, Rik?

Rik · Mar 29, 2009, 12:22:30

Roughly speaking, if you have a sync speed of 3Mbps or greater, you'll benefit significantly. 2-3Mbps may see a marginal improvement, slower speeds will see nothing.

bobleslie · Mar 29, 2009, 12:29:52

Quote from: Noreen on Mar 29, 2009, 12:19:02
How will we know know if we'll benefit, Rik?

There are several ADSL2+ calculators which can give you a rough estimate.

Just Google for 'ADSL2+ calculators'.

David · Mar 29, 2009, 12:31:44

If I don't watch TV and don't game will I see any great difference.I think stability even if somewhat slower is more relevent for me at this early stage.....

Rik · Mar 29, 2009, 12:34:20

Same here.

bobleslie · Mar 29, 2009, 12:38:18

Anything to boost my speed will be welcome.

I'm fed up ambling along in the slow lane.

Now I've got my connection back to its correct potential, after it had been so rudely O2ed, I want to fly!

Rik · Mar 29, 2009, 12:39:07

Red bull?

David · Mar 29, 2009, 12:40:42

Little white one perhaps

Simon · Mar 29, 2009, 21:43:39

Mine should be enabled on Tuesday!

David · Mar 29, 2009, 21:58:23

Phone home bt ............................. phone home

LesD · Mar 29, 2009, 22:05:52

Quote from: Simon on Mar 29, 2009, 21:43:39
Mine should be enabled on Tuesday!

It's OK for some!

I have just consulted Samknows and this is what it says for me under Exchange History,

Quote19/10/2006 BT have set a target date of Q4 2011 for the switch to 21CN for the Milford exchange

My exchange is,

QuoteExchange name: Milford
Exchange code: WMMFD

and

QuoteServes (approx): 4,494 residential premises
93 non-residential premises.

and the likelihood of a 12 day reboot even with my BT firmware is imminent

QuoteSystem Time: Sunday, March 29, 2009
10:00:56 PM
GMT Daylight Time
Time Since Last Boot: 11 days 10: 56: 09

Ah well.

David · Mar 29, 2009, 22:15:59

Mine went live about 6 weeks ago

Colin Burns · Mar 30, 2009, 02:28:55

I think people will be on fibre before i see ADSL 2

emzino · Mar 31, 2009, 00:59:16

I do hope IDNet allow users to go with 21CN or else it may push away customers to rival companies

Rik · Mar 31, 2009, 08:20:00

They will when going onto it won't drive customers away. Hopefully soon now.

emzino · Mar 31, 2009, 13:30:32

Hope I didn't sound like I was threatening. I do love the Customer Service with IDNet and the dedication.

Just that I have a really bad line and with countless calls to BT as well as DIYs to fix it myself, it has come to no avail.

Hoping this "new network" will turn things around.

Patience is a virtue right

David · Mar 31, 2009, 14:11:26

I hope it sorts out your probs

but Bt are not the fastest in the west are they and if you have problem now a new service may not even be able to reach you unless they sort the underlying issues out ...................

good luck with it though

Rik · Mar 31, 2009, 14:55:13

Quote from: emzino on Mar 31, 2009, 13:30:32
Just that I have a really bad line and with countless calls to BT as well as DIYs to fix it myself, it has come to no avail.

Unfortunately, WBC doesn't change the exchange-to-house part of the circuit, and it's there where the problems generally occur. If, however, you're on a congested exchange, then WBC might just do you some good (and give you more speed too).

VaderDSL · Mar 31, 2009, 15:00:54

Hi

Samknows states that today the exchange I am connected to is going 21CN, could a kind person take a look and see if the 21CN bit stated for today is the bit that will allow for higher speeds? on ADSL 2+ I can get around 16mb + as I live quite near the exchange.

http://www.samknows.com/broadband/exchange/MRBLA

Thank you kindly

Oh and if it is 21CN what does this mean in terms of IDnet? will I be able to upgrade to a higher service? Apologies for all the questions.

I often take a walk past and have seen a lot of openreach? Bt vans etc around

Rik · Mar 31, 2009, 15:30:18

Hi Vader

We need to be careful with the terminology here. 21CN is the new voice network, and doesn't affect broadband. WBC is the new broadband (ADSL2+) network and is independent of 21CN. Your link shows it's WBC today (as for many of us). Once it's working, and IDNet are happy with the service (it's been on test for a month or so), then you will be able to move to a new ADSL2+ package with the attendant speed benefits.

emzino · Mar 31, 2009, 16:02:28

IDNet will be offering a ADSL2+ service?!?!?!

Glenn · Mar 31, 2009, 16:11:32

Quote from: Rik on Mar 31, 2009, 15:30:18
then you will be able to move to a new ADSL2+ package with the attendant speed benefits.

Not for you and me

bobleslie · Mar 31, 2009, 17:20:08

There's quite a lot of interesting information about 21CN here.

Glenn · Mar 31, 2009, 17:41:38

I doubt with my current NM of 59.8db I will see much increase over the 2500 - 2800kbs I connect at now. If my line didn't have a 12db target margin then it may connect around 4000kbs, but BT can't/won't fix the issues on the line.

Rik · Mar 31, 2009, 18:44:36

Quote from: emzino on Mar 31, 2009, 16:02:28
IDNet will be offering a ADSL2+ service?!?!?!

They will, but only when testing is complete.

Rik · Mar 31, 2009, 18:44:58

Quote from: Glenn on Mar 31, 2009, 16:11:32
Not for you and me

How true.

Ann · Mar 31, 2009, 19:49:16

I wonder if they've done something to my exchange as I'm getting a decent connection at peak time tonight which is very odd. Maybe they've wacked some new stuff in there for ordinary ADSL at the same time as doing the WBC thing... isn't it exciting.

Rik · Mar 31, 2009, 19:51:48

It's possible, I suppose, that they will use a common backhaul, Ann. I don't know how compatible that bit of the connection is, but if you're making faster connections available at an exchange, it would seem sensible to increase capacity at the same time. He said, hopefully.

Noreen · Apr 01, 2009, 12:44:37

So did the great switchover happen?

Rik · Apr 01, 2009, 12:46:38

It did for me, early as it happens.

Noreen · Apr 01, 2009, 12:58:44

How did you know, Rik?

Rik · Apr 01, 2009, 14:43:03

Samknows...

http://www.samknows.com/broadband/

http://www.samknows.com/broadband/exchange/SMWV

Noreen · Apr 01, 2009, 18:01:15

This is mine. http://www.samknows.com/broadband/exchange/CLBER

Rik · Apr 01, 2009, 18:05:15

It looks like it either hasn't gone live on time, or Sam hasn't updated yet. IDNet might know if you're interested (you would benefit from WBC with your stats).

Noreen · Apr 01, 2009, 18:08:29

To be honest, Rik, I'm not all that bothered. I'm generally happy with the speed that I have, it was interest really. According to the router there hasn't been any break in the connection.

Rik · Apr 01, 2009, 18:11:57

None here either. I think it's when they start the 21CN work that the lines get a bit iffy.

Simon · Apr 01, 2009, 21:04:19

Mine still says: 21CN WBC status: RFS date set: 31/03/2009

bobleslie · Apr 01, 2009, 21:49:15

I use this exchange status checker.

I find it more up-to-date. For example, it showed my exchange had updated to WBC ahead of schedule and several days before Samknows.

Lance · Apr 01, 2009, 22:42:32

Some of us just don't have a date at all

Rik · Apr 02, 2009, 07:05:21

Quote from: bobleslie on Apr 01, 2009, 21:49:15
I use this exchange status checker.

I find it more up-to-date. For example, it showed my exchange had updated to WBC ahead of schedule and several days before Samknows.

Curiously, it was last updated on March 9, for me, and says the WBC date is expected to be March 31.

VaderDSL · Apr 02, 2009, 10:26:31

Same here Rik, wonder when it gets updated again.

Rik · Apr 02, 2009, 10:30:46

Have you checked with Samknows?

VaderDSL · Apr 02, 2009, 10:43:29

Quote from: Rik on Apr 02, 2009, 10:30:46
Have you checked with Samknows?

Yeah says the same, last update was August last year for the RFS date of 31/03/09.

Gary · Apr 02, 2009, 10:44:28

Quote from: bobleslie on Apr 01, 2009, 21:49:15
I use this exchange status checker.

I find it more up-to-date. For example, it showed my exchange had updated to WBC ahead of schedule and several days before Samknows.

I used that and got this "BT have advised that no current planned date for WBC on 21CN exists"

Rik · Apr 02, 2009, 10:50:13

It's probably right too.

Ann · Apr 02, 2009, 19:31:19

Mine still says 31st March too. Looks like Rik is the favoured one. Wonder how they know him

Rik · Apr 03, 2009, 08:31:11

Infamy.

VaderDSL · Apr 07, 2009, 10:54:57

ok according to SamKnows my exchange has yet to go 21CN but according to other more accurate sites it has, if it actually has been enabled I was wondering are IDNet offering ADSL2+ connections yet?

Rik · Apr 07, 2009, 11:02:33

No, still in testing last I heard.

Noreen · Apr 07, 2009, 17:50:47

Quote from: VaderDSL on Apr 07, 2009, 10:54:57
ok according to SamKnows my exchange has yet to go 21CN but according to other more accurate sites it has, if it actually has been enabled I was wondering are IDNet offering ADSL2+ connections yet?

Which more accurate sites?

Glenn · Apr 07, 2009, 18:21:47

My exchange is one of those with no date set for WBC

Rik · Apr 07, 2009, 18:24:01

At least you know you're not missing much, Glenn.

Sebby · Apr 08, 2009, 13:18:59

Good point! Now, when are they going to announce fibre for us lot?

Ann · Apr 08, 2009, 13:32:50

Quote from: VaderDSL on Apr 07, 2009, 10:54:57
ok according to SamKnows my exchange has yet to go 21CN but according to other more accurate sites it has, if it actually has been enabled I was wondering are IDNet offering ADSL2+ connections yet?

I echo Noreen.. which sites are you finding the more accurate information? I can't find out whether my exchange has actually been updated or not.

Sebby · Apr 08, 2009, 13:33:45

The only other one that I know of is PlusNet, and I was under the impression that they all use the same data anyway.

Rik · Apr 08, 2009, 14:26:10

They do use the same data, it all comes from BT in the first place. How good BT are at updating it, and how good the subsequent sites are at the same task is what seems to make the difference.

Sebby · Apr 08, 2009, 23:38:15

Indeed.