Broadband Availability

[sparky]

I have a friend and neighbour who has Virgin ADSL Broadband and it's really bad, slow. (As per Virgin's ADSL reputation)

I am trying to advise on possibilities for them. (I'm not sure that they would want to pay idnet prices, but I could try :-) ) Using Samknows Availability checker I seem to get a strange result. Our houses are within 50 metres of each other, built at the same time, both phone lines connect into the same underground box in the pavement outside.

My result comes back:-

According to BT Wholesale, your phone line should be able to support a 5Mbps or greater ADSL connection via ADSL Max.
Standard ADSL RAG results
You can receive 2Mbps ADSL
You can receive 1Mbps ADSL
You can receive 512kbps ADSL
You can receive 256kbps ADSL


My neighbours comes back as :-

According to BT Wholesale, your line is very unlikely to be able to support ADSL, although a 256kbps service may be available.
Standard ADSL RAG results
You cannot receive 2Mbps ADSL
You cannot receive 1Mbps ADSL
You may be able to receive 512kbps ADSL
(Engineer visit likely)
You may be able to receive 256kbps ADSL
(Engineer visit likely)


Now it is quite likely that they are still on an old fixed 2 Mbs product with Virgin. Does the fact that I am on ADSL Max affect the results of what Samknows gives me? If not, how does BT wholesale arrive at two so different results? Does BT Wholesale somehow test the line?

Any advice gratefully received.

Sparky.

[Rik]

Hi Sparky

Ignore the BT checker, it clutches numbers from thin air. The only way you'll get a certain answer is to place an order. What are your downstream sync speed, noise margin and attenuation?

[sparky]

Hi Rik,

I haven't checked the sync speed, noise margin and attenuation yet, it's not my line. I was just passing on some basic information and thought that I would have a look on the Availability Checker. I didn't know that it just made it up!

My immediate neighbours comes out different again, so I guess you might be right.

I'll have to check the router stats before they make a decision on where to go.

Thanks.

[Rik]

I meant, yours, Sparky, it might give us a better idea of what he could expect. Be aware though, that different lines can take different routes back to the exchange. As an early adopter, I have a better line than any of my neighbours because the friendly BT engineer found me the best pair he could.

[sparky]

Ah. Sorry. Here is mine,


Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 448 / 5,280

Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 31.0 / 50.0

SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 22.0 / 6.5

[Rik]

They look healthy enough, hopefully he'll get something close.

[sparky]

I think that I had better check their router stats first, just in case there is a problem with their line or even in the house wiring.

Thanks anyway Rik.

Don't rely on the BT Wholesale Availability Checker then is the bottom line..................

[Rik]

It is, Sparky, but their speed problem may be more to do with their ISP than their stats.