Broadband advice

[Chris600v]

Hi, I'm looking for some advice/info on broadband. About 4 years ago we moved into a new-build bungalow & transferred our AOL account to the new address. I know AOL aren't the best, but it worked OK so I was happy. During the last 6 months the service has been getting slower & I started doing speed checks. A typical speed has been around 350kbps! Aol promised to improve it, without success, (although they did drop my charges). Last month the speed dropped to 20kbps, so I decided to change provider. I've gone with BE, who are supposed to be using better technology (LLU/ADSL2?).So far its not good. The connection only lasts about 5 minutes, then drops out. Speed has been about 650kbps. They are trying to improve the connection, but I'm not confident. Now to my question, we are in a rural area, approx 5.5km from the exchange. Bearing this in mind will I ever be able to get a good conection speed? (I'd be delighted with 2Meg). Any other options or suggestions.(apart from moving house!)
Thanks,
Chris

 

[Trippy]

BT, never had any problems at all. It doesn't matter who you go with it still has to come down BT's wires so you might as well use them for the whole package and deal with just one person if it goes wrong.

 

[foolonastrom]

Do you get 3G mobile reception where you are, might be a good alternative if you do.

 

[cookie]

register here and ask again on the Be forum.

 

[E. Buygum]

Check at http://www.samknows.com/broadband/checker2.php which suppliers offer LLU in your local exchange. LLU will be ADSL2+ and in theory faster but you are a long way away so you might be better off with good old fashioned BT Wholesale -ADSL1. The LLU companies such as Be also resell BT Wholesale (ADSL1) if they don't have their own LLU kit in the exchange so Samknows will indicate whether you are really on ADSL2+ with Be (or buying BT Broadband branded Be). Companies such as Zen Internet are technically superior and will get the best out of a BT Wholesale connection but you will pay a premium.

 

[Chris600v]

Thanks for the replies so far. Yes, I use a 3G 'dongle' with the laptop when I'm out & about, I'm using it now because the Be connection is down again! Signal strength is not very good locally, but better than nothing. Be have LLU equipment in my local exchange, which is why I chose them, they also promised 1.6 Meg, despite the distance from the exchange. They're now suggesting I switch to a basic ADSL1 package (12 month contract),which they say will be more stable, but slower. Does anyone know what can realistically be achieved at such a distance from the exchange?
Cheers
Chris

 

[cookie]

Does anyone know what can realistically be achieved at such a distance from the exchange?
Cheers
Chris

you need to get the line stats from your router or modem. you can enter them in here to get an idea of what to expect.

another useful resource.

 

[exeter_lad]

BT

In the Forest of Dean being only 5.5 km from an exchange is a luxury! Been with BT for 4 years now and never had a problem. Whereas my neighbours on both sides have and keep changing providers - but never to BT as they prefer a cheaper (unreliable) service.

I have the cheapest option and my modem reports a download speed of 1376 kbs. I know that is the optimal, but I also know that when my son visits from London he is always amazed at the speed of downloads as opposed to his supposed 8mbs service. It's all down to the bandwith - a factor which never seems to get mentioned.

Other plus about BT, when my neighbour dropped a tree through my phone line, BT repaired it next day (Sunday) - and charged my neighbour for it!

 

[boredrider]

At the risk of telling Grandma to suck eggs...... Have you eliminated your house wiring by running off the master socket?

 

[E. Buygum]

At the risk of telling Grandma to suck eggs...... Have you eliminated your house wiring by running off the master socket?

...good point....and it might be worth splashing out £10 on an "iplate" if you have an older style master socket. No idea if they work but for the price might be worth trying.

 

[cookie]

At the risk of telling Grandma to suck eggs...... Have you eliminated your house wiring by running off the master socket?

and more potential egg sucking advice...

that would be the socket behind the master socket faceplate, not the one on the front

 

[Chris600v]

Thanks again guys, yes, I've tried connecting via the test socket behind the master socket, tried a new DSL cable, tried double filtering, also disconnected the Sky box which can sometimes cause problems. No improvement. BE are working in the exchange & have promised something better by the weekend. If it doesn't work it looks like BT is the best option.
Cheers

 

[shugie]

In the Forest of Dean being only 5.5 km from an exchange is a luxury! Been with BT for 4 years now and never had a problem. Whereas my neighbours on both sides have and keep changing providers - but never to BT as they prefer a cheaper (unreliable) service.

I have the cheapest option and my modem reports a download speed of 1376 kbs. I know that is the optimal, but I also know that when my son visits from London he is always amazed at the speed of downloads as opposed to his supposed 8mbs service. It's all down to the bandwith - a factor which never seems to get mentioned.

Other plus about BT, when my neighbour dropped a tree through my phone line, BT repaired it next day (Sunday) - and charged my neighbour for it!

It's not bandwidth, it's contention, a measure of how many people your son is sharing his 8MB with, in darkest Forest of Dean, you might be sharing 1.376 kbs with a couple of pixies and a technically savvy woodlouse.

 

[SOAA]

Has this improved at all recently?
Could it be a problem with the phone line somewhere between your house and the exchange?
It seems odd that two different ISPs have both had speed issues with the same address

 

[Chris600v]

Jamie,
Thanks, you might have something. Be did some work over the weekend & we have'nt had a disconnection since Sunday tea-time, however the service is still v.slow (500kbps). They say there is a problem on the 'last mile' copper to our house & they want to send out an engineer to investigate. I'm tempted to get BT to sort it as its their line up to the house.
Cheers
Chris