since theres a lot of negative feedback

[#1]

........i thought I'd give some positive
a little background info-
I live a stupid distance from my exchange (possibly the furthest person connected to it going off samknows).
with my last isp (AOL) i had a 2mb connection max.
I signed up with plusnet not long ago and have been connected for 10 days, my line estimate was 3mb (this was the same with all other isps)
a little research shows my neighbours average a connection speed between 0.3mb and 3.3mb on various isps and my friend, who lives about half a mile closer, gets no more than 1.8mb on either tiscali or talk talk, i cant remember
now I know its still early days but im impressed with the service im getting. Currently I've had only one drop in connection, which was probably due to the tests bt/pn do during the first 10 days and average a 5mb connection which has never dropped below 4.8mb
the first few days it went all the way upto 18mb but obviously it would be rediculous for my line to keep that, but it still manages double figures every now and then
Is this unusual or normal? Should I be over the moon or should i expect the speeds to drop closer to the estimate?
Either way i guess I'll be happy so....nice one PN! 

[#2]

Welcome to the forums, it's nice to read some good news.
Posting the router stats would help other members give more informed comment. If you have a Thomson TG585v8 router from Plusnet this is the direct link to the stats. You need to login to the router - username is admin and the password is the serial number CP... letters in capitals and leave off the bracketed part at the end.

[#3]

Hi mikeyriot,
Glad to hear that you're generally pleased with things.
I've just run a line test and can see that your line is currently capable of 5.5mb max so I'm intrigued about the 18mb you mentioned.
It might be a good idea to run some checks at your side to see if there's anythign internal that's pushing the speeds down.  First it might be a good idea to try connecting straight into the engineers test socket (assiming you have one) whilst we perform some more tests. Please take a look  if you need some guidance:
http://www.plus.net/support/broadband/bbfaults/master_socket_testing.shtml

[#4]

Quote from: spraxyt

Posting the router stats would help other members give more informed comment.

as requested, im actually using my old 585v6sl from aol
Link Information

Uptime: 1 day, 7:22:39
Modulation: G.992.3 annex A
Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 444 / 6,846
Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [MB/GB]: 275.37 / 2.08
Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]: 12.5 / 0.0
Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 25.5 / 45.0
SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 22.0 / 6.5
Vendor ID (Local/Remote): TMMB / IFTN
Loss of Framing (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Signal (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Power (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Link (Remote): 0
Error Seconds (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
FEC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 821,856
CRC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 1,276
HEC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 1,176

Quote from: _Adam_Walker_

Hi mikeyriot, Glad to hear that you're generally pleased with things. I've just run a line test and can see that your line is currently capable of 5.5mb max so I'm intrigued about the 18mb you mentioned. It might be a good idea to run some checks at your side to see if there's anythign internal that's pushing the speeds down.  First it might be a good idea to try connecting straight into the engineers test socket (assiming you have one) whilst we perform some more tests. Please take a look  if you need some guidance: http://www.plus.net/support/broadband/bbfaults/master_socket_testing.shtml

sorry if im being dumb but whats a test socket?!? I know its not ideal but my routers plugged into the secondary socket (even worse its on an extension cable) as my pc's in my room. I'll give it a go plugged straight to the master socket, substituting the extension cable for my 20meter ethernet lead and get back to you.
Giving all the info i've mentioned, Im still amazed It can support 5.5mb and I am also intrigued about the spikes in speed over the first few days- I put it down to you guys trying to find my best stable speed

[#5]

did you click the link as has pretty pictures on it

[#6]

ok so after clicking your link I found the test socket, to make things a little easier (for myself) i plugged in the ST516 router you guys supplied
i notice the downstreeam syncs a little higher, stats for this are
Link Information

Uptime: 0 days, 0:14:18
DSL Type: G.992.5 annex A
Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 444 / 7,726
Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [kB/kB]: 0.00 / 0.00
Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]: 13.0 / 0.0
Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 25.5 / 47.0
SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 23.0 / 6.0
Vendor ID (Local/Remote): TMMB / IFTN
Loss of Framing (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Signal (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Power (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Link (Remote): 0
Error Seconds (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
FEC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 6,637
CRC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 26
HEC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 22
my last 3 tests since plugging into the test socket

so adam, whats the verdict and do u need me to keep in the test socket for more tests? I really am quite happy with the 5mb since its faster than anyone else this distance from my exchange, but if you think its worth playin around then thats cool

[#7]

Hi again,
It's really up to you. I've run some further tests and it looks like your connection performs much better with the router connected to the test socket. You can plug things back in as before if you like but can you let me know what other devices (phones, faxes etc) you have connected to the same line as the router please?

[#8]

i think until i grab some wireless devices for my xbox and pc, and maybe a better wireless router, I'll go back to my origional setup (the upstairs secondary socket). On the master socket theres a phone and on the secondary its just the router (microfilters in both + extension cable between router and socket).
thanks for your time adam, its very much appreciated

[#9]

No problem,
Using wireless devices might be a better idea in that case. Let us know how you get on with that.

[#10]

Quote from: mikeyriot

the first few days it went all the way upto 18mb

Was that the sync speed shown by your router or the result of a speed test?

[#11]

Most likely sync speed jelv. A one shot check performed whilst in the test socket yesterday showed quite a hike in sync speed towards 18mb.

[#12]

Freeky!