Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: feeutfo on 28 December 2008, 17:01:51

Title: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: feeutfo on 28 December 2008, 17:01:51
 The line in our road is 3.5km from the exchange, but has so much noise(loads addresses on it)  it sometimes drops to 500kbs which is worse than pants. This level of service has been the same with 3 different providers. Bt themselves who we left for oranges free service via our mobile phone contracts, they could not match the speed to the level the line could take so all we got was errors and no service. So we left them for sky who now deliver the same level of service as bt, with the phone and tv we pay 36 a month. £4 a month less than we where paying bt for just the phone and broadband.
A total saving of £59 a month now that we dont pay bt's £25 broadband and £30 monthly phone bills.


But that still leaves us with a crap broadband connection due to the phone line, or rather bts crap exchange on the end of it as i understand it. So question is, what isp do we try next?... as the Mrs needs better service for work and they will pay for it. Obviously the only way to improve the service is to move away from the bt based exchange. My thinking so far,

Virgin, quickest probably, but cant face their customer service.
O2, allegedly have their own, equipment in bt's exchange and is probably favourite but how to prove the service before the install?
Talk talk as 02 but by carphone warehouse, cant see customer service being up to much there.
3G via the mobile phone network, im told this can be set up to work for all devices in the house, 2 wifi phones, 360, ps3, 2 lap tops and a pc we rarely use.

Anybody got any thoughts..? Cheers

Chris.


Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 28 December 2008, 17:07:25
(http://www.speedtest.net/result/380252706.png) (http://www.speedtest.net)

Plusnet get my vote, I reckon I am within a mile of my exchaange but the wiring is up to 32 years old to the house, so has to be taken into consideration I suppose.

Normally get 6700 Kb/s
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: Jay w on 28 December 2008, 18:06:22
virgn


(http://www.speedtest.net/result/380290733.png) (http://www.speedtest.net)


their customer service are not as bad as they used to be when they were telewest/NTL
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: doog on 28 December 2008, 21:22:22
If your line can only carry .5Mb then thats all you will get regardless of what isp you choose
they all come down the same bit of copper cable and that seems to be the problem

have a bonfire under your phone line sometime  that might  help you get better speeds after bt fix the line  :y

Doug
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: kevpuk on 28 December 2008, 21:27:24
Virgin have been great for us.....sure, they had 'issues' a while back, but have to say I really rate them :)
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: philhoward on 28 December 2008, 21:53:39
I've just been down a similar situation at work - we're 6km from our exchange and currently have a wireless point to point link (old and expensive).  We looked at just about everything under the sun and our usage put us out of the use of a satellite link (you get upto a certain data usage then they literally cut you off..).

Other options are bonded ADSL but its pricey..very pricey for home usage.

We're in a 3G dead spot, or we might have had Vodafone's 3G unlimited (i.e. Mobile) package - best speed will be 3Meg if you can get it (T-Mobile do a 10Gb fair usage version..)

We've ended up getting a new 2Mb leased line at 1:1 contention ratio for £600/month, upgradable to 20Mb if needed (and it'll cost even more).

Really annoying as Virgin's main UK backbone and Internet PoP runs through our carpark...sadly you can't just hook in there (like trying to connect your house electric straight to a National Grid Pylon, apparently..) or so they told us.

In short - Vodafone 3G dongle if you can get signal, or satellite (if someone else if paying!!).  Otherwise you're stuck with 512k max..
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: webby23 on 28 December 2008, 22:02:26
We use 2 laptops with Oranges 3G dongle on one of them and built in sim card with internet connection on the web book.

£15 a month or £25 with the web book for 3gb a month.

Probably not that much to you guys but I am on the net most nights for 3-5 hours and use around 2gb a month.

Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: feeutfo on 28 December 2008, 23:02:08
Quote
We use 2 laptops with Oranges 3G dongle on one of them and built in sim card with internet connection on the web book.

£15 a month or £25 with the web book for 3gb a month.

Probably not that much to you guys but I am on the net most nights for 3-5 hours and use around 2gb a month.


Mate of mine suggested similar, i asked about other devices,phones, consoles and other lap top etc. He said should be able to run both lap tops and other devics from one dongle. He talked about 'ad hoc' and 'piece of pis s to set up'. But then i guess the lap top with dongle would have to be always on? Didnt beleive the piece of p part but i guess it should be do able. Anyone tried it?
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: philhoward on 28 December 2008, 23:06:56
You can get wireless routers (Draytek spring to mind) which will take a USB 3G dongle directly (as opposed to a phone line/Cable modem connection), then happily distribute it to your other devices..
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: feeutfo on 28 December 2008, 23:10:33
thanks Phil, interesting about the same 'copper wire' the implication with 02 was they had their own exchange and that ran quicker than the bt steam powered contraption. But as you say if the line cant take it...   Must say i am confused as to weather its the line that cant take the traffic or the exchange thats causeing the traffic jam on the line. If its the exchange then maybe 02 is the answer, if its the line then it will have to be virgin or a mobile dongle i guess...? How do you find that out?
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: philhoward on 28 December 2008, 23:21:23
I don't suppose you can find it out as contention ratios for individual exchanges aren't freely available.  The speed shouldn't change between you and the exchange, but your real life speed will depend on how many other O2 customers there are plugged into their dedicated "hub".  LLU, they call it - when as soon as you're at the exchange, you plug into someone elses internet rather than BTs.

You can find out who has their kit in your exchange though... http://www.samknows.com/broadband/search.php
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: philhoward on 28 December 2008, 23:24:02
As for finding out 3G coverage, I use the Network search function on my phone...(Nokia N82 - not gay!)
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: feeutfo on 28 December 2008, 23:58:49
Quote
I don't suppose you can find it out as contention ratios for individual exchanges aren't freely available.  The speed shouldn't change between you and the exchange, but your real life speed will depend on how many other O2 customers there are plugged into their dedicated "hub".  LLU, they call it - when as soon as you're at the exchange, you plug into someone elses internet rather than BTs.

You can find out who has their kit in your exchange though... http://www.samknows.com/broadband/search.php
Oh yeah, so it does. Hope the link works,
http://www.samknows.com/broadband/exchange/THS
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: philhoward on 29 December 2008, 00:20:38
Those listed on the bottom right as LLU operators are those who can offer their OWN internet, rather than reselling BT.

Your sticking point will still be the bit of copper from you to the exchange though - that may change when ADSL2+ comes online (End of March next year apparently for you).
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: willyboy on 29 December 2008, 01:47:28
Virgin Media  ...there service aint bad & I do think they  try to sort out probs quickly I'm on cable I do get the odd glich but 99% of time all runs very well....Some good  deals to be had if you take it on as new customer ! just now.
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: feeutfo on 29 December 2008, 03:26:34
Quote
Virgin Media  ...there service aint bad & I do think they  try to sort out probs quickly I'm on cable I do get the odd glich but 99% of time all runs very well....Some good  deals to be had if you take it on as new customer ! just now.

Glitches? Bt may be slow but its never played up.... i think???  But thanks for the heads up Willyboy. Will look into it, the Mrs will be dealing with it through work so if she can bare dealing with Virgin i think they will be most likely to give an improvement over the current snail trail in our street. Cheers.

Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: stuart30 on 29 December 2008, 07:45:01
Quote
Quote
We use 2 laptops with Oranges 3G dongle on one of them and built in sim card with Internet connection on the web book.

£15 a month or £25 with the web book for 3gb a month.

Probably not that much to you guys but I am on the net most nights for 3-5 hours and use around 2gb a month.


Mate of mine suggested similar, i asked about other devices,phones, consoles and other lap top etc. He said should be able to run both lap tops and other devics from one dongle. He talked about 'ad hoc' and 'piece of pis s to set up'. But then i guess the lap top with dongle would have to be always on? Didnt beleive the piece of p part but i guess it should be do able. Anyone tried it?


I'm on a 3G dongle all the time im on here...pay £15 a month for 3 gig download usage,not a huge amount compared too a fixed line deal but its totally mobile so handy for work.

I posted up speeds a while back in a Internet speed thread...even with full signal its slow,fine if you need too be away from a fix source but id not even consider having it in the house as a main supply for the net.

The dongle will run a ps3 online but just very slow and wipe out any usage very quickly.

Oh and one other thing too remember if you go over allowance you get charged a small fortune.

Set up is simply plug into a usb slot and off you go....loads its own drivers for you.




Webby....Im on the net probably 240 hours a month (20 shifts @ 12 hrs) and use just over 1.5 gig.

You on You tube or something... :o

Unusualy quick today... :o

(http://www.mybroadbandspeed.co.uk/results/02527840.png) (http://www.mybroadbandspeed.co.uk)
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: webby23 on 29 December 2008, 09:01:26
Yep I do use YouTube sometimes, as well as iPlayer and other vid sites but i dont go mad.

Mine posts similar speeds to yours and I am happy with that to be honest.

I dont download films or music and it is plenty fast enough for me, and its great that when we go away the web book comes with us for internet wherever there is network coverage.

And it saves wasting £12 a mth just for BT line rental cos we both have mobiles with 600 mins a mth and unlimited texts

As stated before, Orange web book (Asus Eee PC 901) that I use has a built in slot for a SIM card, and our Orange dongle was a piece of cake to set up.

Overall very happy with the service.
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: stuart30 on 29 December 2008, 09:40:33
Quote
Yep I do use YouTube sometimes, as well as iPlayer and other vid sites but i dont go mad.

Mine posts similar speeds to yours and I am happy with that to be honest.

I dont download films or music and it is plenty fast enough for me, and its great that when we go away the web book comes with us for internet wherever there is network coverage.

And it saves wasting £12 a mth just for BT line rental cos we both have mobiles with 600 mins a mth and unlimited texts

As stated before, Orange web book (Asus Eee PC 901) that I use has a built in slot for a SIM card, and our Orange dongle was a piece of cake to set up.

Overall very happy with the service.

Agree i wouldn t be without mine now days for work ect and at home since BT have allowed a 3rd party too close our account... :o

Id like too use the Iplayer but someone said that its the same as downloading and wipes out the usage. :-/
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 29 December 2008, 09:54:51
Here is a litle food for thought for you.

Your 'Line' is a twisted pair of solid conductors, no more. This will be spliced into a larger set of pairs for back haul to the exchange/concentrator/mux (however its implimented in your setup) via a set of krone blocks or simple crimps.

Once at the exchange/concentrator/mux, it will enter an access mux having passed through numerous terminations.

Its only after this mux that it is split off to other providers kit.....do you REALLY think that if you were to say select 02 that they would go out and physicaly swap wires over!

After the access mux its then routed to the service providers BRAS (broadband remote access server) which is the part that actualy allocates you IP address, monitors useage, checks access passwords and even bills (where applicable) before its then streamed onto the layer 2/3 network.

Line loading is unlikely to be related to your drop in throughput, its more likely that the access mux has a limited connection (say 1G or even 100M) and its limiting the throughput when many users are on (the main cause of limiting in practice!)
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: dippydave on 29 December 2008, 13:15:29
i've been with telewest and then virgin for seven years now and have been happy all the time.

no cutoffs, i've always stuck with the middle package and the rate has been upped over the years (due to demand?) from 512k in 2001 to 2MB to 4MB now. It's due to go to 10MB early next year too! :y

Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: dippydave on 29 December 2008, 13:17:56
Quote
virgn


(http://www.speedtest.net/result/380290733.png) (http://www.speedtest.net)


their customer service are not as bad as they used to be when they were telewest/NTL


you''re getting much higher than me matey, are you on the XL package or have they done the L upgrade in your area already?

http://[URL=http://www.speedtest.net][IMG]http://www.speedtest.net/result/380675069.png[/IMG][/url]
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 29 December 2008, 16:14:00
Virgin are shite and the reason I have been off for some time!

At least with BT they give you an SLA of 48 hours to address faults which if using it for buisness is worth having......Virgin say 3-5 days is the target and never meet that time scale!

They then wont talk compensation and buggered my connection up following a upgrade by them which I didn;t want, they didn't inform me about and when talking to technical said it was my end!
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: TheBoy on 29 December 2008, 17:19:52
Doesn't matter who you are with, if its provided over the phone cable, it will make sod all difference who you are with if you get a low sync rate and unstable connection.

That leaves cable (presumably not available?), satellite (latency issues), or mobile (not that great).
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: TheBoy on 29 December 2008, 17:32:14
To clarify how your line is made up - you have a dedicated pair of wires from your house to the exchange, possibly several kilometres worth.

Along the way back to the exchange, more and more pairs of wires will be in the same cable, typically up to 100 pairs of wires as it enteres the green cabinet at the side of the road, then in 200 or 400 pair cables back to exchange.  But you still have your own exclusive pair of wires all the way back to the exchange.

This pair determines your sync rate and line stability.

At the exchange, your line splits, via microfilters (in effect), voice goes to the exchange linecards, data to the DSLAM.  The DSLAM has a number of Backhauls going off via the BT ATM network back to POPs, then from these to your ISP via Centrals (normally 622Mbps), then through the ISP's network onto the internet via their transit links.

If you get a good, fast, stable sync, but poor throughput in general, this is generally down to either exchange congestion on the backhauls (which would affect multiple (but not necessarily all) ISPs), the ISPs Centrals (most likely), or the ISP's own network and onward transit links.


Very simplistic view, but should be enough info
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: feeutfo on 29 December 2008, 18:08:26
just been into virgin shop in town, and was given the phone to tech support, told us all we wanted to know. We left, not haveing that nightmare again...opps that!
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 29 December 2008, 18:11:22
Quote
To clarify how your line is made up - you have a dedicated pair of wires from your house to the exchange, possibly several kilometres worth.

Along the way back to the exchange, more and more pairs of wires will be in the same cable, typically up to 100 pairs of wires as it enteres the green cabinet at the side of the road, then in 200 or 400 pair cables back to exchange.  But you still have your own exclusive pair of wires all the way back to the exchange.

This pair determines your sync rate and line stability.

At the exchange, your line splits, via microfilters (in effect), voice goes to the exchange linecards, data to the DSLAM.  The DSLAM has a number of Backhauls going off via the BT ATM network back to POPs, then from these to your ISP via Centrals (normally 622Mbps), then through the ISP's network onto the internet via their transit links.

If you get a good, fast, stable sync, but poor throughput in general, this is generally down to either exchange congestion on the backhauls (which would affect multiple (but not necessarily all) ISPs), the ISPs Centrals (most likely), or the ISP's own network and onward transit links.


Very simplistic view, but should be enough info

Did you know that BT are about the only major operator using STM4's!

I guess thats over SMA16 or SMA1664 kit.....I worked on the design of the STM4 card in the SMA16 and managed part of the 1664 development.
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: TheBoy on 29 December 2008, 18:13:09
Quote
Quote
To clarify how your line is made up - you have a dedicated pair of wires from your house to the exchange, possibly several kilometres worth.

Along the way back to the exchange, more and more pairs of wires will be in the same cable, typically up to 100 pairs of wires as it enteres the green cabinet at the side of the road, then in 200 or 400 pair cables back to exchange.  But you still have your own exclusive pair of wires all the way back to the exchange.

This pair determines your sync rate and line stability.

At the exchange, your line splits, via microfilters (in effect), voice goes to the exchange linecards, data to the DSLAM.  The DSLAM has a number of Backhauls going off via the BT ATM network back to POPs, then from these to your ISP via Centrals (normally 622Mbps), then through the ISP's network onto the internet via their transit links.

If you get a good, fast, stable sync, but poor throughput in general, this is generally down to either exchange congestion on the backhauls (which would affect multiple (but not necessarily all) ISPs), the ISPs Centrals (most likely), or the ISP's own network and onward transit links.


Very simplistic view, but should be enough info

Did you know that BT are about the only major operator using STM4's!

I guess thats over SMA16 or SMA1664 kit.....I worked on the design of the STM4 card in the SMA16 and managed part of the 1664 development.
I wasn't aware, but can believe it... :)
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 29 December 2008, 18:14:22
Most went STM1 and then STM16/64.....not bothering with STM4......BT dived on the back of SMA4 and SMA1/4 so have loads of STM4 in the legacy network.
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: TheBoy on 29 December 2008, 18:16:35
Quote
Most went STM1 and then STM16/64.....not bothering with STM4......BT dived on the back of SMA4 and SMA1/4 so have loads of STM4 in the legacy network.
I know they had a lot of STM1...
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 29 December 2008, 18:17:32
Quote
Quote
Most went STM1 and then STM16/64.....not bothering with STM4......BT dived on the back of SMA4 and SMA1/4 so have loads of STM4 in the legacy network.
I know they had a lot of STM1...

Yep....most operators do.

If you want to see lots of 2M and STM1's......go to India!
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: TheBoy on 29 December 2008, 18:21:41
Quote
Quote
Quote
Most went STM1 and then STM16/64.....not bothering with STM4......BT dived on the back of SMA4 and SMA1/4 so have loads of STM4 in the legacy network.
I know they had a lot of STM1...

Yep....most operators do.

If you want to see lots of 2M and STM1's......go to India!
I'm sure there are nicer things to look at in India than old telco/network equip ;D
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: feeutfo on 29 December 2008, 18:32:03
Quote
To clarify how your line is made up - you have a dedicated pair of wires from your house to the exchange, possibly several kilometres worth.

Along the way back to the exchange, more and more pairs of wires will be in the same cable, typically up to 100 pairs of wires as it enteres the green cabinet at the side of the road, then in 200 or 400 pair cables back to exchange.  But you still have your own exclusive pair of wires all the way back to the exchange.

This pair determines your sync rate and line stability.

At the exchange, your line splits, via microfilters (in effect), voice goes to the exchange linecards, data to the DSLAM.  The DSLAM has a number of Backhauls going off via the BT ATM network back to POPs, then from these to your ISP via Centrals (normally 622Mbps), then through the ISP's network onto the internet via their transit links.

If you get a good, fast, stable sync, but poor throughput in general, this is generally down to either exchange congestion on the backhauls (which would affect multiple (but not necessarily all) ISPs), the ISPs Centrals (most likely), or the ISP's own network and onward transit links.


Very simplistic view, but should be enough info

Almost simple enough for me but not quite, sorry J, but step by step,
if the line is ours and ours alone to the exchange  then,

if sky use bt exchange and line then no improvement as said

if o2 use their own eqipment/exchange on the same site,by passing the bt exchange(as im lead to believe) but on the same dedicated line then we get an improvement?

hope so, as fast running out of other options. :(
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: TheBoy on 29 December 2008, 19:19:27
Quote
Quote
To clarify how your line is made up - you have a dedicated pair of wires from your house to the exchange, possibly several kilometres worth.

Along the way back to the exchange, more and more pairs of wires will be in the same cable, typically up to 100 pairs of wires as it enteres the green cabinet at the side of the road, then in 200 or 400 pair cables back to exchange.  But you still have your own exclusive pair of wires all the way back to the exchange.

This pair determines your sync rate and line stability.

At the exchange, your line splits, via microfilters (in effect), voice goes to the exchange linecards, data to the DSLAM.  The DSLAM has a number of Backhauls going off via the BT ATM network back to POPs, then from these to your ISP via Centrals (normally 622Mbps), then through the ISP's network onto the internet via their transit links.

If you get a good, fast, stable sync, but poor throughput in general, this is generally down to either exchange congestion on the backhauls (which would affect multiple (but not necessarily all) ISPs), the ISPs Centrals (most likely), or the ISP's own network and onward transit links.


Very simplistic view, but should be enough info

Almost simple enough for me but not quite, sorry J, but step by step,
if the line is ours and ours alone to the exchange  then,

if sky use bt exchange and line then no improvement as said

if o2 use their own eqipment/exchange on the same site,by passing the bt exchange(as im lead to believe) but on the same dedicated line then we get an improvement?

hope so, as fast running out of other options. :(
LLU providers use their own data (or voice or both) equipment in the exchange, but use the same pair of wires to your house.

This presents advantages - as ISP owns the DSLAM, they can provide, for example, ADSL2, and there own BRAS profiles, and they have their own dedicated links back to ISP (representing significant cost savings for ISP).

This can, and sometimes does, result in better throughput, but not if the problem lies with the capabilities of the copper pair to your home. True, they can tweak BRAS profile (compromise between stability and speed), and ADSL2 can increase (and decrease) a given line's sync speed, but ultimately the differences will be minimal if its the line thats limiting. "You can't put a shine on a turd".


Solution - get the line fixed, if faulty (remember, the 2 operators, BT and Kingston Telecom, only have to provide a voice service). Or move.
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: RichB on 29 December 2008, 19:47:16
In your current situation, the best option for speed will be Virgin.  I'm not quite sure why they put you on to a technical support line in a Virgin Media shop...?

I am with Virgin 10MB and the speed is a constant 10MB with no slow down 24 hours a day.  I have had one problem in 8 years and that was recently when they sent me a new modem for free so I could benefit from the roll out of 10MB.  I was ringing all the technical lines and getting nowhere until I rang the broadband support line (35p/min) who sorted it for me in 5 minutes.  The call charge was then refunded to my account as it was due to a fault at their end.

It sounds like you have had issues in the past but to be honest the cable service they offer has very little that can go wrong anyway in my experience.

Obviously the same can not be said for the service they offer via phone lines as Mark has mentioned, but it must be a bit more difficult when all the different companies involved pass the book from one to another all the time rather than working together to fix it!


Cheers,

Richard
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 29 December 2008, 19:54:14
Quote
In your current situation, the best option for speed will be Virgin.  I'm not quite sure why they put you on to a technical support line in a Virgin Media shop...?

I am with Virgin 10MB and the speed is a constant 10MB with no slow down 24 hours a day.  I have had one problem in 8 years and that was recently when they sent me a new modem for free so I could benefit from the roll out of 10MB.  I was ringing all the technical lines and getting nowhere until I rang the broadband support line (35p/min) who sorted it for me in 5 minutes.  The call charge was then refunded to my account as it was due to a fault at their end.

It sounds like you have had issues in the past but to be honest the cable service they offer has very little that can go wrong anyway in my experience.

Obviously the same can not be said for the service they offer via phone lines as Mark has mentioned, but it must be a bit more difficult when all the different companies involved pass the book from one to another all the time rather than working together to fix it!


Cheers,

Richard

Lol, dont kid yourself

When I had a few issues recently I made a number of calls (I have many contacts in BT and Diamond cable, now Virgin). If its an issue with BT they specificaly sit on the request before flagging it t open reach. This is done in the hope that BT notice the fault and rectify it themselves and saves the cost raising a ticket on BT and also reduces the risk of them being charged if no fault is found......ultimately, you loose out!

When I spoke to the BT guys, they were all for meeting me at trent side exchange so we could pop in and do some more digging!. In this case we decided to watch and see what happened, it took Virgin 5 days to raise a ticket on BT!

Fault was a poor patch in a Krone block following the filter block.

I am also aware of how the cable setup works.....and how much of it is handled by SMA 1.1d in the street side cabinets (max of 155M line rate).....so if your getting good through put its probably due to low subscription in your area.......in Nottingham its no good as diamond cable had 40% penetration on cable installs (highest in the UK) so its amego over subscribed service with shite throughput (hence why switching to cable was not an option)

Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: RichB on 29 December 2008, 19:59:28
Quote
Quote
In your current situation, the best option for speed will be Virgin.  I'm not quite sure why they put you on to a technical support line in a Virgin Media shop...?

I am with Virgin 10MB and the speed is a constant 10MB with no slow down 24 hours a day.  I have had one problem in 8 years and that was recently when they sent me a new modem for free so I could benefit from the roll out of 10MB.  I was ringing all the technical lines and getting nowhere until I rang the broadband support line (35p/min) who sorted it for me in 5 minutes.  The call charge was then refunded to my account as it was due to a fault at their end.

It sounds like you have had issues in the past but to be honest the cable service they offer has very little that can go wrong anyway in my experience.

Obviously the same can not be said for the service they offer via phone lines as Mark has mentioned, but it must be a bit more difficult when all the different companies involved pass the book from one to another all the time rather than working together to fix it!


Cheers,

Richard

Lol, dont kid yourself

When I had a few issues recently I made a number of calls (I have many contacts in BT and Diamond cable, now Virgin). If its an issue with BT they specificaly sit on the request before flagging it t open reach. This is done in the hope that BT notice the fault and rectify it themselves and saves the cost raising a ticket on BT and also reduces the risk of them being charged if no fault is found......ultimately, you loose out!

When I spoke to the BT guys, they were all for meeting me at trent side exchange so we could pop in and do some more digging!. In this case we decided to watch and see what happened, it took Virgin 5 days to raise a ticket on BT!

Fault was a poor patch in a Krone block following the filter block.

I am also aware of how the cable setup works.....and how much of it is handled by SMA 1.1d in the street side cabinets (max of 155M line rate).....so if your getting good through put its probably due to low subscription in your area.......in Nottingham its no good as diamond cable had 40% penetration on cable installs (highest in the UK) so its amego over subscribed service with shite throughput (hence why switching to cable was not an option)



I agree that is shocking service!  But it does show that the 5 days is due to them using another providers lines.  I wonder how many other ISP's would take the same approach on things...?

I guess its all down to experience, I guess i'm lucky that everyone down my road doesnt have 20mb connections or I might not be so lucky!

Perhaps in this situation your best bet would be to knock on a few neighbours doors and see what ISP they use and find out if anyone is getting a better connection.  That would cut out some trial and error.
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: TheBoy on 29 December 2008, 20:05:47
Quote
I agree that is shocking service!  But it does show that the 5 days is due to them using another providers lines.  I wonder how many other ISP's would take the same approach on things...?
My Zen line (that runs the forum) had a problem a couple of months back. Called Zen, and straight away, within minutes, the fault was on the BT system.  Thats what ISPs should (and mostly do) do.

The whole NTL setup is technically inadequate, moreso with Virgin proudly announcing big number increases.
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: feeutfo on 29 December 2008, 22:58:23
Quote
Quote
Quote
To clarify how your line is made up - you have a dedicated pair of wires from your house to the exchange, possibly several kilometres worth.

Along the way back to the exchange, more and more pairs of wires will be in the same cable, typically up to 100 pairs of wires as it enteres the green cabinet at the side of the road, then in 200 or 400 pair cables back to exchange.  But you still have your own exclusive pair of wires all the way back to the exchange.

This pair determines your sync rate and line stability.

At the exchange, your line splits, via microfilters (in effect), voice goes to the exchange linecards, data to the DSLAM.  The DSLAM has a number of Backhauls going off via the BT ATM network back to POPs, then from these to your ISP via Centrals (normally 622Mbps), then through the ISP's network onto the internet via their transit links.

If you get a good, fast, stable sync, but poor throughput in general, this is generally down to either exchange congestion on the backhauls (which would affect multiple (but not necessarily all) ISPs), the ISPs Centrals (most likely), or the ISP's own network and onward transit links.


Very simplistic view, but should be enough info

Almost simple enough for me but not quite, sorry J, but step by step,
if the line is ours and ours alone to the exchange  then,

if sky use bt exchange and line then no improvement as said

if o2 use their own eqipment/exchange on the same site,by passing the bt exchange(as im lead to believe) but on the same dedicated line then we get an improvement?

hope so, as fast running out of other options. :(
LLU providers use their own data (or voice or both) equipment in the exchange, but use the same pair of wires to your house.

This presents advantages - as ISP owns the DSLAM, they can provide, for example, ADSL2, and there own BRAS profiles, and they have their own dedicated links back to ISP (representing significant cost savings for ISP).

This can, and sometimes does, result in better throughput, but not if the problem lies with the capabilities of the copper pair to your home. True, they can tweak BRAS profile (compromise between stability and speed), and ADSL2 can increase (and decrease) a given line's sync speed, but ultimately the differences will be minimal if its the line thats limiting. "You can't put a shine on a turd".


Solution - get the line fixed, if faulty (remember, the 2 operators, BT and Kingston Telecom, only have to provide a voice service). Or move.

Exactly, but move where? My hope is the line to house is ok and the 02 exchange/equipment or what ever its called, will remove the bottle neck and away we go. If not the only viable option, is Virgin and i really really dont want to have to go there.  

Ok,so how do you find out where the issue lies, line or exchange? As others say, only way to find out seems to be to ask the bloody neighbours, i can see me walking up the street with a clip board at this rate.

Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: djdaveyp85 on 29 December 2008, 23:16:10
I've gone for the the Virgin Media 20 Meg deal as I was sick of slow phone line speeds. I have to say it is loads better than a phone line. When I had sky 16Meg i was getting about 5500Kb/s Now I Very rarely drop below 16000Kb/S not had to call customer services yet!
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: feeutfo on 29 December 2008, 23:47:10
Quote
I've gone for the the Virgin Media 20 Meg deal as I was sick of slow phone line speeds. I have to say it is loads better than a phone line. When I had sky 16Meg i was getting about 5500Kb/s Now I Very rarely drop below 16000Kb/S not had to call customer services yet!

Well thats exactly it for me, not much doubt it will be the premium service, the problems start when you have to communicate with them to correct an issue. As said previously, its quite a simple thing to provide, for them, and you would think quite easy to sort out, and yet they  manage to make it considerably worse for no apparent reason, and make you talk to the eastern corner of the planet and throw in a language barrier for good measure.
Muppets.
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: Christian on 29 December 2008, 23:53:22
Quote
virgn


(http://www.speedtest.net/result/380290733.png) (http://www.speedtest.net)


their customer service are not as bad as they used to be when they were telewest/NTL


thats very very close to mine  :)

Virgin tbh are very good and there aint much out there that matches the After service either.
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: feeutfo on 30 December 2008, 00:14:49
given the first hand experience of the company, i dont think anyone in their right mind would present virgin to their employer as good option, it is Mrs gixer who will have to deal with them and explane why here "virtual private network" to the office is down again and she has to speak  Martin in bombay to sort it.

Thing is if 02 proves to be no better, we will have no choice but to use Virgin.
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 30 December 2008, 08:09:20
Quote
I've gone for the the Virgin Media 20 Meg deal as I was sick of slow phone line speeds. I have to say it is loads better than a phone line. When I had sky 16Meg i was getting about 5500Kb/s Now I Very rarely drop below 16000Kb/S not had to call customer services yet!

Is that modem indicated speed or a speed test site......the two are very different!

Also be very aware that the IP's are very wise to speed test sites and prioritise them accordingly!
Title: Re: Any ideas on a non bt based broadband service?
Post by: feeutfo on 30 December 2008, 19:18:10
spoke to a neighbour today, says when connected to sky from bt he had a loss of speed, turned out to be the white belkin router sky use which is the same as ours.