broadband speed advice

chukk

I have read many of the posts about broadband speed and wondered if anyone can help me please ? I am currently on Sky unlimited broadband getting around 2.5 to 3.5mb downstream speed. It is pretty poor really. I have done all the tests changing filters, connecting to the main socket etc.. and it makes no difference. I have done the 'quiet line test' I have just seen on the posts and there is no noise on the line.
I am trying to get information on other providers to see about changing, but can't afford too much.
What I can't seem to understand is really how any other provider is going to give me a better speed when using my same phone line connection.
Is there anywhere I can get a definitive speed for each supplier, as I only seem to be able to find the estimates, and they say they will be confirmed when you join them ( a bit late then !).
thanks in advance

steveE2

There is no definite speed because all lines vary,some are all copper,can be different grades some aluminium some a mix of both,so an estimate is all any supplier can give.
Most ISP's will use the same BT database so will give similar estimates.
Could you post the stats from your router please? Enter 192.168.0.1 in browser select show statistics
like so
ADSL Link Downstream Upstream Connection Speed 18012 kbps 992 kbps Line Attenuation 20 db 9 db Noise Margin 8 db 8 db

steve1980

I bet you're miles from the local exchange. My mums broadband is the same, websites say she should get 7 - 10meg but she only gets 1.5 as she's about 3 miles (as the crow flies but we all know it means it's much longer) away from the exchange and she also shares the box with 30,000 other residents.

macman

chukk wrote: »

I have read many of the posts about broadband speed and wondered if anyone can help me please ? I am currently on Sky unlimited broadband getting around 2.5 to 3.5mb downstream speed. It is pretty poor really. I have done all the tests changing filters, connecting to the main socket etc.. and it makes no difference. I have done the 'quiet line test' I have just seen on the posts and there is no noise on the line.
I am trying to get information on other providers to see about changing, but can't afford too much.
What I can't seem to understand is really how any other provider is going to give me a better speed when using my same phone line connection.
Is there anywhere I can get a definitive speed for each supplier, as I only seem to be able to find the estimates, and they say they will be confirmed when you join them ( a bit late then !).
thanks in advance

Because LLU suplier will only use the same line on the local loop. Beyond the exchange, you'll be on their own network.
However, if your line can only physically support 3.5Mbps, that's all you'll get. But the estimates should give you an idea of whether Sky are providing around the maximum you can get.

penrhyn

We can estimate with a fare degree of certainty what your line is capable of.
Log on to your router and post your line statistics.

Since you are on Sky, here is a widget.

http://www.skyuser.co.uk/tutorials/how_to_use_the_skyuser_router_stats_tool.html

chukk

thanks for all your input. my stats are below. I have found some info that says we are 2.06km straight line distance from the exchange. I have seen info about adsl2+, adsl2+ annex M. How do I see which Sky is using ?
thanks
oops it is not letting me put the stats in - I will try again.
PortStatusTxPktsRxPktsCollisionsTx B/sRx B/sUp TimeWANPPPoA147215810794134300:09:38LAN100M/Full73900290000:11:28WLAN11M/54M185525130137399700:11:16ADSL LinkDownstreamUpstreamConnection Speed2720 kbps800 kbpsLine Attenuation47 db28 dbNoise Margin7 db8 db

PortStatusTxPktsRxPktsCollisionsTx B/sRx B/sUp TimeWANPPPoA147215810794134300:09:38LAN100M/Full73900290000:11:28WLAN11M/54M185525130137399700:11:16ADSL LinkDownstreamUpstreamConnection Speed2720 kbps800 kbpsLine Attenuation47 db28 dbNoise Margin7 db8 db

chukk

hopefully stats !

System Up Time: 06:49:19
Port Status TxPkts RxPkts Collisions Tx B/s Rx B/s Up Time
WAN PPPoA 56235 102892 0 1108 43440 00:55:07
LAN 100M/Full 6179 0 0 70 0 06:49:14
WLAN 11M/54M 117127 73342 0 6329 294 06:49:02
ADSL Link Downstream Upstream
Connection Speed 2720 kbps 800 kbps
Line Attenuation 47 db 28 db
Noise Margin 7 db 8 db

Modem
ADSL Firmware Version 7.03.01.66
Modem Status Connected
DownStream Connection Speed 2720 kbps
UpStream Connection Speed 800 kbps
VPI 0
VCI 38

steveE2

Something not quite right there,the upstream is good the downstream is about half expected.
When you say " connecting to the main socket etc" have you tried the test socket behind the main socket if you have one?
Tips here http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/socket.htm

penrhyn

Good point Steve, the modem is syncing on the limit, a 47db line should result in a sync of around 6mbps.

chukk

yes I have tried the test socket and the 'normal' socket in the same place. It didn't make any difference apart from giving me a weaker signal on the wireless router as it the other side of the house from the computer !
thanks

chukk

macman wrote: »

Because LLU suplier will only use the same line on the local loop. Beyond the exchange, you'll be on their own network.
However, if your line can only physically support 3.5Mbps, that's all you'll get. But the estimates should give you an idea of whether Sky are providing around the maximum you can get.

Following from this reply - how can I find out what the maximum my line can support is ? I guess that is the crux of what I am trying to find out, then it doesn't really matter what each provider says as their 'upto' limit, I will know what I will get.
rambling over !!
thanks