Slow Internet Speed - Last on Line!

rachelandgromit

I have posted about this before but I'm at the point now of complaining to BT as more light has been shed on the problem. My parents run there own agricultural/mechanical business from home and need frequent access to the internet for business use. They are with BT and have a good package. The Internet is incredibly slow and I'd previously done the speed checker test which showed 192 Kpbs download speed and 331 Kpbs upload speed. I've done this at various points over the last couple of weeks the highest so far is 200kbps download and 331 kbps upload which from what I can gather is still slow.

The router is secure, they live in an area where no-one lives close and is also on their connection. No virus problems, good ADSL filters. Last week some BT workmen came to 'check the lines' which wasn't anything to do with their internet speed and my mum happened to mention this to one of the workmen. He got the plans out and said that they are 'last on the line' and this would probably be the cause of the problems. Do you think I can get BT to sort this out and change the way the line runs, surely to pay for a package that my parents do a certain level of internet provision is expected and at this speed, they are not getting anywhere fast! I am guessing that even if they paid extra to get better speeds, if they are last on the line it isn't going to make any difference. Does anyone have any suggestions or can give me advice on what I need to be saying to BT. . . . and breathe. . . . . . !!

macman

Use the exchange mapping facility on www.samknows.com to see what approx speed they should be getting. If their line is distant from the exchange and will only support 0.2-0.3Mbps then there is not a lot they can do, However something is amiss here as the download speed should be higher than the upload. Are you testing using ethernet (not wireless) from the BT test socket behind the master socket faceplate? This will eliminate any problems with the internal wiring.
Also you should post your router stats so someone can have a look at them and advise.

rachelandgromit

Ok, here are some details from the Sam Knows website when I put in the phone number and postcode:

BT ADSL broadband availability

You are connected to the Blythe Bridge telephone exchange.

• ADSL is available in your area
• Your exchange is also enabled for ADSL Max services
• Your exchange should have ADSL2+ services installed by the 31st of March 2011

According to BT Wholesale, your line is very unlikely to be able to support ADSL, although a 256kbps service may be available.
Standard ADSL RAG results

• You cannot receive 2Mbps ADSL
• You cannot receive 1Mbps ADSL
• You may be able to receive 512kbps ADSL
  (Engineer visit likely)
• You may be able to receive 256kbps ADSL
  (Engineer visit likely)

However, there is another service on your phone line (e.g. ADSL, LLU, DACS, etc) that would prevent you from ordering a new ADSL connection

I cannot get the exchange mapping to work as it says 'address not found' -which is probably due to the rural location of the area. Having found the location of the exchange which is Blythe Bridge, and the exact street, the shortest distance is 4.3miles going down a dual carriageway A50, but I know the line won't go down this road will go 'across country' and my mum can remember when the workman showed her the plans that the line went around the trees and houses really and even as 'the crow flies' it will still be at least 4 miles!

Yes, the test is on the main ethernet connection, not on WIFI and the router is a new one, a Netgear router (we have previously had 2 new routers thinking that this is the problem), but no changes to speed.

rachelandgromit

Ok - Just tried something else - kitz.co.uk and here are the details here.
Exchange: Blythe Bridge BT Code: WMBLY Location: Grindley Lane, ST11 9JS Distance:- Direct: 3.43 km (appx)* By Road: 5.31 km Status ADSL enabled: May 28, 2003 DSL Max enabled: March 31, 2006 SDSL enabled : Not Enabled 21CN due : (PSTN) No Info 21CN WBC (Broadband) RFS date 31.03.11 Broadband Access† Market 3

macman

So basically what you were told is correct, you are a long long way from the exchange and lucky to get any ADSL service at all.
Once ADSL2+ is enabled on your exchange in March 2011 you may see some improvement.
The good news is that 02 is available LLU on that exchange, so you could switch from BT to a decent ISP at just £7.50 pm (with the 02 mobile discount).

weegie.geek

Be/O2 might not even touch a line that long, and at those lengths 2+ won't make much of a difference. They'll have to wait for FTTC to roll out in their area to see any decent speed.