Who stole my speed?

[Niall]

No idea, but whatever the profile on the router said, that was the speed I used to get

For example:

ADSL Firmware Version    3.4.4.0.0.1
Modem Status    Connected
DownStream Connection Speed    13334 Kbps
UpStream Connection Speed    1092 Kbps
VPI    0
VCI    38

Before the problems, if I saw that in the router stats page, I'd be getting just under 13mb download speed and a little over 1mb upload.

[Niall]

ADSL Link    Downstream    Upstream
Connection Speed    13334 Kbps    1092 Kbps
Line Attenuation    27.8 dB    15.2 dB
Noise Margin    6.2 dB    5.9 dB

That upstream figure for noise margin seems different though. I'm sure that used to say 3.

[Rik]

Routers don't give profiles, Niall, only sync speeds. You need to run a BT speed test (if it's working) to find out your profile.

The NM figures are dynamic and will vary. The true values are those immediately after a resync.

[Niall]

Booo, nothing's simple

[Niall]

 Download speedachieved during the test was - 1590 Kbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speedsis 800-2000 Kbps.
Additional Information:
Your DSL Connection Rate :13334 Kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 1092 Kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP Profile for your line is - 1750 Kbps
The throughput of Best Efforts (BE) classes achieved during the test is - 10.4:23.11:66.55 (SBE:NBE:PBE)
These figures represent the ratio while sententiously passing Sub BE, Normal BE and Priority BE marked traffic.

The results of this test will vary depending on the way your ISP has decided to use these traffic classes.

2. Upstream Test: -provides background information.

   Upload Speed
   908 Kbps
   
0 Kbps   1092 Kbps
Max Achievable Speed

>Upload speed achieved during the test was - 908 Kbps
Additional Information:
Upstream Rate IP profile on your line is - 1092 Kbps

[Rik]

Time to be patient, Niall. It may take up to 5 days for the profile to reset.

[Niall]

Yeah, I don't really have much choice in the matter

I'm just getting a bit concerned as my speed is dropping by 500Kbps per day, pretty much consistently.

[Rik]

Sync speed?

[Niall]

Download speed.

[Rik]

Run the BT test each day, if your speed is dropping, it would suggest either your profile is or you have exchange congestion.

[Niall]

What does it mean if my profile is dropping? Also, why would it suddenly start out of the blue after 9 years of being fine? The checker thingy shows no exchange congestion too.

Is it something BT can fix? Is it a physical line issue? I'm assuming so, as there's literally nothing left for me to change. In fact I'm getting the feeling that everything I replaced was needlessly replaced, although I have backups/spares now so that doesn't bother me really. I'd just like to get to the bottom of the problem. I can't pester support because I've got 1 more day to wait for the 3 days to be up. I'm assuming they'd have to get an engineer out from BT, which I really don't want to do because I have absolutely no faith in them what-so-ever and know a charge would be applied by them, knowing my luck!

[Steve]

The IP profile is an arbitrary limit BT place on a broadband's line max throughput, it is set by an automated system at your local exchange (DSLAM or MSAN) It will always be less than your download sync. It falls immediately after  you have had a lower sync event. Once your line is stable with no resyncs and is syncing at a higher  level the IP profile will rise again towards the downstream sync rate. This will occur over several hours if there is a large difference between profile and sync or over several days if the difference is small. So in your case Niall it should rise quite quickly initially  but as the profile approaches the sync rate, the rate of rise will then slow. However it is not unknown for profiles to become stuck and my need a kick from BT via support.

[Niall]

I'm thinking that not only is it not stuck, the wood has rotted and the speed has fallen through the hole

Still everything seems stable, the connection hasn't dropped in about 4 days now, and the sync at my end has improved since the second line reset. Ta for the info too, I've never bothered reading up on this sort of stuff as I've never had a problem before, which in 9 years is pretty impressive to say in the least!

And now I shall toddle off to bed.

[Niall]

 Download speedachieved during the test was - 1633 Kbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speedsis 800-2000 Kbps.
Additional Information:
Your DSL Connection Rate :13334 Kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 1092 Kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP Profile for your line is - 1750 Kbps
The throughput of Best Efforts (BE) classes achieved during the test is - 9.39:21.98:68.67 (SBE:NBE:PBE)
These figures represent the ratio while sententiously passing Sub BE, Normal BE and Priority BE marked traffic.

The results of this test will vary depending on the way your ISP has decided to use these traffic classes.

2. Upstream Test: -provides background information.

   Upload Speed
   896 Kbps
   
0 Kbps   1092 Kbps
Max Achievable Speed

>Upload speed achieved during the test was - 896 Kbps
Additional Information:
Upstream Rate IP profile on your line is - 1092 Kbps

Well download speed is a TINY bit better, but upload has dropped by the amount the download increased. Awesome

[Rik]

That is a wired connection, I take it, Niall?

[Steve]

That IP profile surely should have jumped by now in a big way

[Rik]

It should. If it's still there tomorrow, I'd say it was stuck.

[Niall]

Test1 comprises of two tests

1. Best Effort Test: -provides background information.

   Download Speed
   10196 Kbps
   
0 Kbps   21000 Kbps
Max Achievable Speed

Download speedachieved during the test was - 10196 Kbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speedsis 4000-21000 Kbps.
Additional Information:
Your DSL Connection Rate :13592 Kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 1090 Kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP Profile for your line is - 10000 Kbps
The throughput of Best Efforts (BE) classes achieved during the test is - 10.36:25.53:64.11 (SBE:NBE:PBE)
These figures represent the ratio while sententiously passing Sub BE, Normal BE and Priority BE marked traffic.

The results of this test will vary depending on the way your ISP has decided to use these traffic classes.

2. Upstream Test: -provides background information.

   Upload Speed
   877 Kbps
   
0 Kbps   1090 Kbps
Max Achievable Speed

>Upload speed achieved during the test was - 877 Kbps
Additional Information:
Upstream Rate IP profile on your line is - 1090 Kbps

8mb jump overnight. Yay. Hopefully followed by another 3 tonight

Sorry I didn't reply yesterday, I've been a bit busy. Settlers 7 is quite demanding. Crops to make, gold to mine, etc

[Rik]

I'm glad you didn't misspell bit too. 

[Niall]

I have amazing typo fingers. You should see my posts via my phone It takes me ages to correct them. My favourite typo is wad instead of was. God that's annoying as the spell check doesn't pick it up

[Rik]

Never trust a spellchecker.

[Niall]

Just thought I'd report back as enough time has passed to monitor stability. I've no idea what was the problem or whether it was something at my end or not, but still everything is working consistently now.

I just had a mild panic when my connection dropped, but it came back and has actually improved to:

DownStream Connection Speed    14104 Kbps
UpStream Connection Speed    1106 Kbps

Downloads are pretty much the same speed as the above too, which is nice. So, whatever the problem was (and I'm still leaning towards a BT issue) this is the best profile I've EVER had on this line. Hurrah!

[Rik]

I've seen a number of 'grouped disconnects' lately, Niall, which have made me suspect that it's Openreach doing work (there are vans all over the place). Every time, the resync has been at the same or better speed, which is why I think it's BT work and not noise.

[Niall]

Yeah, when the problems started for my sisters other half, there were the BTOR vans hanging about the telephone poles, like naughty teenagers

Oh, something I forgot to mention was that when my line improved, my sisters line got worse. They definitely have noise issues on their line. My sister phoned me to say happy birthday and I noticed the line was noisy, however when I phoned my mobile and also when my aunt phoned me, there was no noise on the line, in the same day (within an hour actually).

What would they need to do to get BT to sort that out?

[Rik]

Dial 17070, select option 2, quiet line test. If they hear anything more than a background hiss or hum, report it as a voice fault to the voice provider - don't mention ADSL unless IDNet provide the voice line as well.