Why am I only capable of getting 2Mbps?
Discussion
I know the answer about being farthest away from the exchange, but there's more to it than that with me. Whenever I try for a new supplier of broadband they tell me that I can only receive 2Mbps being too far from the exchange.
I posted a topic on here last night about sharing the same telegraph pole as you can see.
I've just been over the road where my mate can receive 8 Mbps (so he says) and his telephone wire comes from the same pole, and did a bandwidth test - he can receive it. I even went to Oranges website, put in the number and it said he is capable of getting between 6.5 and 8.
Why am I told that I can only get 2 if we share the same pole/exchange?
I need to get to the bottom of this.
I posted a topic on here last night about sharing the same telegraph pole as you can see.
I've just been over the road where my mate can receive 8 Mbps (so he says) and his telephone wire comes from the same pole, and did a bandwidth test - he can receive it. I even went to Oranges website, put in the number and it said he is capable of getting between 6.5 and 8.
Why am I told that I can only get 2 if we share the same pole/exchange?
I need to get to the bottom of this.
groucho said:
ThePassenger said:
Different DSLAM cards? I mean, just because you're on the same pole and in the same exchange doesn't mean you'll be on the same card through... does it?
I don't know what a DSLAM card is. Can I be on the same DSLAM card as him?
The DSLAM card is the back end unit that goes in to the exchange, it's what provides the ADSL carrier and your modem connects to when it sync's. When you see contention ratio (say 22:1) it's 22 people per DSLAM.
The only one thing that doesn't make sense is that if they'd upgraded one card then they'd have done the whole exchange... *scratches head*. It could, just be the piece of copper you're on is exceptionally crap and their system knows it. If that is the case then prepare to bend over if you want it replaced.
Rubbish copper (or more likely aluminium, as it's cheaper) cable between you and the exchange is the most likely culprit.
There is (or was, haven't tried it for years) a magic number you can dial to get a set of line test figures including the distance to the exchange. Anyone happen to remember it? You and your neighbour could both try and compare findings.
There is (or was, haven't tried it for years) a magic number you can dial to get a set of line test figures including the distance to the exchange. Anyone happen to remember it? You and your neighbour could both try and compare findings.
If you go to this page:
www.dslzoneuk.net/maxspeed.php
If you follow the instructions and can get access to your router config pages, you put the figures into the calculator and it will tell you of your theoretical maximum. This is different to the one on the orange site as that goes on exchange - this one calculates the maximum from the quality of the wire shown by your router.
www.dslzoneuk.net/maxspeed.php
If you follow the instructions and can get access to your router config pages, you put the figures into the calculator and it will tell you of your theoretical maximum. This is different to the one on the orange site as that goes on exchange - this one calculates the maximum from the quality of the wire shown by your router.
onomatopoeia said:
Rubbish copper (or more likely aluminium, as it's cheaper) cable between you and the exchange is the most likely culprit.
There is (or was, haven't tried it for years) a magic number you can dial to get a set of line test figures including the distance to the exchange. Anyone happen to remember it? You and your neighbour could both try and compare findings.
There is (or was, haven't tried it for years) a magic number you can dial to get a set of line test figures including the distance to the exchange. Anyone happen to remember it? You and your neighbour could both try and compare findings.
Dunno if this still works
"To get an idea of how far away from the exchange you are you can dial: 17070 then 3,1,2. This is BT's own line length test. When you have dialled the "2" you need to replace the receiver. You will then get a call back in about 30 seconds and told the length of the line."
I am 1.23 Kms from the exchange. I've never tried a faster speed so I don't know if I can get it. Is it possible, as someone pointed out to me, that my number was brought to this house with the previous residents and the tests that they do to estimate line speed is associating my number with it's previous address?
Another clue what make me think this is the woman at orange said "You're a long way from the exchange, so you'll probably only be able to get 2 Mbps"
It's just down the road.
Another clue what make me think this is the woman at orange said "You're a long way from the exchange, so you'll probably only be able to get 2 Mbps"
It's just down the road.
Edited by groucho on Friday 26th January 17:57
I do wonder if some ISP's and more likely BT themselves fob people off with "Maximum" broadband speeds, as a way of restricting peoples use of it.
Im roughly 3km from my exchange, and had 2mb with pipex working last summer. However, for 2mb it was a bit pricey, so i decided to switch to Nildrams "up to 2mb" service. It would have essentially given me the same thing, just a tenner a month less. However, once connected, it was only half an mb.. After numerous emails and phone calls, they swore blind that this is all my phone line could support. Even though my previous 2mb service with pipex came down the very same phone line from the very same exchange. I did explain this to Nildram, but they were not having any of it, as they have to go on info they get from BT apparently.
So I checked with BT myself, and sure enough, they too said I could only have half an mb. So I guess it wasn't especially Nildrams fault. Just BT being arses.
Having said that, Nildram did say I may have better luck if I stumped up the cash for their "Max" service.. So basically, i could perhaps have had 2mb or more after all then? Despite already supposedly being on a 2mb service. But to actually get it, I have to pay more?? Well that would have put me right back where I started. So thanks, but no thanks..
Fortunately, Nildram don't have a 12 month contract, so I ditched them too and plumped for NTL cable instead. But I appreciate this is not an option for everyone..
P,
Im roughly 3km from my exchange, and had 2mb with pipex working last summer. However, for 2mb it was a bit pricey, so i decided to switch to Nildrams "up to 2mb" service. It would have essentially given me the same thing, just a tenner a month less. However, once connected, it was only half an mb.. After numerous emails and phone calls, they swore blind that this is all my phone line could support. Even though my previous 2mb service with pipex came down the very same phone line from the very same exchange. I did explain this to Nildram, but they were not having any of it, as they have to go on info they get from BT apparently.
So I checked with BT myself, and sure enough, they too said I could only have half an mb. So I guess it wasn't especially Nildrams fault. Just BT being arses.
Having said that, Nildram did say I may have better luck if I stumped up the cash for their "Max" service.. So basically, i could perhaps have had 2mb or more after all then? Despite already supposedly being on a 2mb service. But to actually get it, I have to pay more?? Well that would have put me right back where I started. So thanks, but no thanks..
Fortunately, Nildram don't have a 12 month contract, so I ditched them too and plumped for NTL cable instead. But I appreciate this is not an option for everyone..
P,
You will not get 8 Mbps even if your line can support it. Distance from the exchange, line condition and the issues The Passenger has raised are the reasons.
Your mate across the road is talking out of his arse claiming he has 8 mbps, to be frank.
The best check is to get BT or your provider to measure your speed from the access point into your building to get the accurate figure.
If it is not an acceptable figure, then get them to check the cabling to your property & any other issues, maybe at the exchange as previously mentioned.
To help you get it into perspective, here I am 1km from the exchange on a 8Mbps service. At the access point into the build it is 6.2Mbps and that took some serious tweeking on the cable incomer at the local junction box from BT.....after a series of "distressed" calls over the poor performance of the line speed
Your mate across the road is talking out of his arse claiming he has 8 mbps, to be frank.
The best check is to get BT or your provider to measure your speed from the access point into your building to get the accurate figure.
If it is not an acceptable figure, then get them to check the cabling to your property & any other issues, maybe at the exchange as previously mentioned.
To help you get it into perspective, here I am 1km from the exchange on a 8Mbps service. At the access point into the build it is 6.2Mbps and that took some serious tweeking on the cable incomer at the local junction box from BT.....after a series of "distressed" calls over the poor performance of the line speed
nail_it said:
You will not get 8 Mbps even if your line can support it. Distance from the exchange, line condition and the issues The Passenger has raised are the reasons.
Your mate across the road is talking out of his arse claiming he has 8 mbps, to be frank.
The best check is to get BT or your provider to measure your speed from the access point into your building to get the accurate figure.
If it is not an acceptable figure, then get them to check the cabling to your property & any other issues, maybe at the exchange as previously mentioned.
To help you get it into perspective, here I am 1km from the exchange on a 8Mbps service. At the access point into the build it is 6.2Mbps and that took some serious tweeking on the cable incomer at the local junction box from BT.....after a series of "distressed" calls over the poor performance of the line speed
Your mate across the road is talking out of his arse claiming he has 8 mbps, to be frank.
The best check is to get BT or your provider to measure your speed from the access point into your building to get the accurate figure.
If it is not an acceptable figure, then get them to check the cabling to your property & any other issues, maybe at the exchange as previously mentioned.
To help you get it into perspective, here I am 1km from the exchange on a 8Mbps service. At the access point into the build it is 6.2Mbps and that took some serious tweeking on the cable incomer at the local junction box from BT.....after a series of "distressed" calls over the poor performance of the line speed
6 will do me. What I'm saying is I should be able to get more than 2.
Just ran some ADSL max speed tests and I experimented a bit.
This test is with my correct phone number 01305 767*** Note it says I'm only capable of getting 2 Mbps.
This location of my house and exchange from postcode.
I put a spurious second digit in this time to what all my neighbours have 01305 787*** That does say 8 Mbps by the way not 0. For some reason it's not pasting very well.
Location the same.
So, I've come to the conclusion it must have something to do with the phone number being associated with somewhere else. I'm probably cocking up the whole test procedure, though.
This test is with my correct phone number 01305 767*** Note it says I'm only capable of getting 2 Mbps.
This location of my house and exchange from postcode.
I put a spurious second digit in this time to what all my neighbours have 01305 787*** That does say 8 Mbps by the way not 0. For some reason it's not pasting very well.
Location the same.
So, I've come to the conclusion it must have something to do with the phone number being associated with somewhere else. I'm probably cocking up the whole test procedure, though.
Edited by groucho on Saturday 27th January 10:32
Edited by groucho on Saturday 27th January 10:34
Edited by groucho on Saturday 27th January 10:35
spitfire-ian said:
It does say 2 MBps or above
And the distance is measured as the "crow flies".
Repeat again, the current, actual line speed needs to be measured from the wires just behind the access point into your property and checked for any faults.
Or do you enjoy using copy & paste all day?
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