Slow speeds and a broken cable

[Joel]

Hi, since about last week when we had strong storms, lightning, thunder, a LOT of rain etc. Our speeds have been poor. Not that bad, but where we used to get 2mb, now we are down to something like 1.5, and it's not a great change, but its noticeable - for example when watching a youtube video, you can't play it, you have to wait for it to render first as it loads that little bit too slow.

Coincidentally, I was walking down the road the other day (for some chips, as you do), and noticed a phone cable lying on the floor, it had snapped and I could see copper coming out of the end. I didn't touch, of course, but it got me wondering what exactly you do when that happens - because you can't exactly call BT can you? I had a quick google and found nothing - do BT have no service to report broken telephone cables? Amazing, since the line rental is extortionate.

So, without me having to read pages of threads and news announcements, can someone briefly explain to me the slow speeds, if there is a good, generic reason.

Many thanks

edit: I just read about an ATM node issue at Paddington, and I am affected, by looking at the dialing codes... strange though, I am 50 miles from London....... Also, and the fact that happened 4 days ago.

[DorsetBoy]

It could be that the storms caused a lot of noise on the line and dropped your synch/profile, I had the same thing happen.

Have you done a BT speed test? Your router stats would be very useful.  As to the broken line just call the police and tell them there is a live cable on the pavement ,they look much faster than BT.

[Rik]

I'm also 50 miles from London, Joel, but was affected.

As Dorset says, at this point, a BT speed test would help us diagnose your problem.

[Joel]

I am assuming by a BT speed test you mean www.speedtest.bt.com... if so:



And a speedtest.net for you:

[Steve]

Well your connection's working for the sync available. Can you posts your router sats please.

[Rik]

I do. You're connected at 864k and you have the correct profile for that speed, ie 750. Throughput is slightly slow, but not too bad. What you may have is some cable damage on the BT side, or - if the router was connected during the storm - some router damage. Have you tried re-booting the router?

Plus what Steve said.

[Joel]

In what format do I post the router stats? Or do you simply mean you want the model etc. It's a Netgear DG834

[Rik]

What we're looking for is the stats you get if you hit the stats button, namely downstream sync speed, noise margin and attenuation.

[Steve]

If your stuck look here

[Joel]

Ok will check the stats later, can't do it right now... thanks for the help Steve and Rik

[Rik]

We'll be here...

[Joel]

Ok, got it done....



A restart would be good, probably, I also noticed recently that my sister came home and since then it has been real slow................ I see a correlation

ALSO; In the blocked sites list, I see 'PCFRIENDLY'... I googled it, and, of course, Netgear blocks it. I don't recall adding it - can anyone tell me what it is?

[Steve]

Well its a long line i.e your a long way from your exchange . The downstream margin of of 11 is probably in reality (12 at the last sync) it dropped due to increase in noise (interference) as it often does in the evening. If your connection remains stable the margin should drop in 3db increments to a minimum of 6. Each drop will gain you an extra 5-700k on your sync. At lot depends on whether the problem that caused the drop has disappeared however it takes 14 days of continuous connection before the automatic 3db drop. Perhaps have a word with the support they will be able to see how your line is performing.

PCFRIENDLY is service where you send data back to InterActual a DVD software player,you have it blocked.

[Simon]

Found this on PC Friendly:  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/InterActual_Player

[Joel]

Well its a long line i.e your a long way from your exchange . The downstream margin of of 11 is probably in reality (12 at the last sync) it dropped due to increase in noise (interference) as it often does in the evening. If your connection remains stable the margin should drop in 3db increments to a minimum of 6. Each drop will gain you an extra 5-700k on your sync. At lot depends on whether the problem that caused the drop has disappeared however it takes 14 days of continuous connection before the automatic 3db drop. Perhaps have a word with the support they will be able to see how your line is performing.

Right, so I have to wait 14 days before it reaches *peak* connection (its fastest? ). I just rebooted it and the actual download doubled, no sh*t, from 800 to 1600. So will have to wait those 14 days to see...

PCFRIENDLY is service where you send data back to InterActual a DVD software player,you have it blocked.

Excellent, thanks Steve and Simon, you have been very helpful, I suppose I must have blocked that - I hate those DVD's which require software to play on your PC. Annoys me no end. No wonder I blocked it!!

[Steve]

No if you resynced  at 1600 and it stays there your speeds will improve quicker as the other factor is your BT IP profile,this currently is 750kbps according to the last BT speedtest. This will rise over a few days IF you have no lower rate sync events. The IP profile is the max rate for your line. My worry is that you've still got some noise affecting your connection as demonstrated by the two different sync rates in a short period of time.

[Joel]

I suspect very highly that 'noise' is my darling sister streaming television via BBC live...

However, I will keep checking them especially tomorrow because she is at work, to compare to other speedtests. I appreciate your help, and will let you know if anything else seems awry.

[Steve]

NP we'll be here.

[Rik]

I suspect very highly that 'noise' is my darling sister streaming television via BBC live...

That's not noise, but it would slow down the speeds you see dramatically.