Reduced speeds over the years

[#1]

Hi there, yes the issue seems to be fixed now, a fresh line test confirms that too. As speeds show as above estimates I'm not sure why a DLM reset would help though?

[#2]

@adamwalker 

Because I'm now on a different phone line yet the speed is still way below what I was getting previously, as if the DLM is only providing the speed that the old bad line was capable of?

[#3]

Can you run a test over a wired connection to the router and let us know what speeds you're seeing at the moment please? 

[#4]

Sure @adamwalker here are the results:

[#5]

Thanks @chevybeef 

We wouldn't do a DLM reset at this point as your current line profile is "0.128M-80M Downstream, Retransmission Low - 0.128M-20M Upstream, Error Protection Off" which is quite good and your router stats don't show much difference between your current line rate and the max attainable rate.

Speeds on FTTC can drop over time due to various things such as crosstalk so it may be what you're getting now is the best you can get

[#6]

This is the same problem I had with Plusnet, and the reason i left. Same as you I had a fault causing serious speed degradation, but Plusnet kept claiming it was fine because it was better than "the estimate". Two colleagues at work found the same, and they left PN as well for the same reason.

[#7]

That's interesting @aesmith 

May I ask if you and your colleagues got better speeds elsewhere, using the same phone line and technology, or did you have to change to FTTP to get it?

[#8]

In my case definitely yes. I had always been getting sync speed of 4 or 4.5 meg, but whenever there was a fault PN would push the target noise margin up to 12dB and resist any further action as "the estimate" said 1 to 3. So in their view if it was more than 1 meg it was OK.  The new provider made OR fix the line, proved and repaired the full length, "tie pair modification" and "lift and shift" at the exchange, and even disabled DLM. These actions more than reinstated the speed as they also knocked a couple of DB off the attenuation.

One of the colleagues was on a 40meg FTTC package, getting around 38. PN offered an "upgrade" to 55/10, following which his speed dropped to 32. Again PN claimed that was better than "the estimate". He moved to Sky which wouldn't have been my choice, I didn't hear details but he was happy with the outcome.

[#9]

@aesmith thanks, please could you ELI5: PN would push the target noise margin up to 12dB

[#10]

OK I had to look up ELI5.

Roughly speaking Noise Margin is the difference between signal strength and background noise on the line. A higher NM reduces speed but also can reduce errors or disconnections. So in my example when the line developed a fault, instead of fixing the fault they slowed it down until it would work on the faulty line.

[#11]

Thanks again @aesmith 

Do you know what mechanism they used to slow down your line?

In my case, I understand what @MatthewWheeler is saying about crosstalk because the more customers on the line would create more noise. 10 years ago there might have been fewer customers so it could explain why my speeds have reduced, although from 73Mbps down to 40Mbps is a big drop.

My line stats are included in a previous post if you would like to cast your eye on them to see if you can spot anything?

[#12]

@chevybeef 

Your connection speed is will also be determined by the distance from the green cab seen on the Hub as Line Attenuation, your sync speed suggests it is around 0.6Km from your property. Have you seen one in your area with the it should have the Number 16 label on it.

It must be noted that internal cabling within your property counts towards the line attenuation, that's is why you should plug the Hub into the Master Socket. Where possible I would remove any redundant extension cabling.

You have posted earlier the BT Wholesale checker using your phone number for your property showing the observed speeds and the Hub Technical Log Information page, you should note the data is very close. I very much doubt you will return to the speeds you enjoyed in 2013 as over the last ten years more users would have been added and the equipment in the green cab maybe at full capacity which will slow things down.

When you renewed your contract you would have had an email detailing your contracted speed it will be this that plusnet will base your current service and minimum guaranteed speed.

[#13]

@Dan_the_Van 

Thanks that all makes sense.

Yes I know where the cabinet is, I walk past it often. It's about 300m from me but the cabling might be a bit longer getting into my property.

I'm satisfied with the explanations given but I do hope that with the fault rectified and the profile unlimited that it'll train up. I understand that might take quite a while though.

It's also obvious that fibre is the way forward.

I've been very happy with Plusnet and will wait until they roll out fibre in my area.

City Fibre is already available and the Openreach website says they are working on it.

[#14]

"Speeds on FTTC can drop over time due to various things such as crosstalk so it may be what you're getting now is the best you can get"

I've had a further drop in speed recently:

Would it be possible to do another line test to see if all is well?

[#15]

@chevybeef I doubt you will get a staff response this side of Tuesday at the earliest. If you want Community help:

For Community members to be able to help, information from these sites, as screenshots, posted as pictures within the topic, not as attachments:-

BT Broadband Availability Checker (obscuring your phone number), where a landline phone is no longer supplied or known use the address version BT Broadband Address Availability (obscuring your address)

Sight of the broadband connection status from your Hub (with the 'Username' obscured) would also be of help.

For the Hub One -

Navigate from the Home Screen to Troubleshooting > Helpdesk

For the Hub Two -

Navigate from the Home Screen to Advanced Settings > Technical Log > Information

Where the phone line is still active, it may also be a good idea to report the results of a Quiet Line Test - dial 17070 option 2 from a (preferably corded) phone. After the confirmation of your phone number, there should be total silence apart from the regular 'Quiet Line Test' announcement. Any other noise - report a PHONE fault first.

If you are unsure about any of the above, please just ask - I am happy to help.