Can't get Broadband - my line's too long

alicardinal

Help!

I've just started a Master's degree and needed computer and internet connection to do a lot of the work.
I found a good deal on a PC and, having read Martin's tips decided to get a BT phoneline in order to go for the UKonline Broadband deal - I live in Guildford.

I haven't had a landline before - just my mobile.

So, having signed up with BT, I discover that neither they, nor UK Online, nor Tiscali can get Broadband too me because:

'The line is too long or you are too far from the exchange so we cannot provide broadband services'

Now as the ONLY reason i got a BT line was to get Broadband, I'm a bit peeved!

Can anyone suggest a way forward? Should I cancel BT line and go with, say NTL in order to get Broadband? Any suggestions gratefully received!

Hintza

Can you get NTL Cable?

Tony_H_3

Broadband will work in excess of the stated distances. You need to find out where your local exchange is (Ask BT) so long as your not excessively out of range ask for a line suitablilty test to be carried out. You will NOT be able to get the higher speeds eg 1mb or 2mb on your line.

zzzLazyDaisy

I used to be with NTL. I moved to BT line for BB as it was cheaper, but the quality is much poorer. I will be changing back to NTL when my contract is finished. If you do decide to go with NTL the lowest speed is perfectly adequate for e-mail and internet use. You only really need the faster ones if you are going to be downloading lots of music or videos.

Good luck

vultura

Try the availability checker at http://www.samknows.com/broadband/checker2.php, it covers adsl & cable companies. Should also give you location of nearest exchange and straight line distance to it.

Tony_H_3

Nice post Vultura, that's exactly the check the OP needs to do. This will arm him with the knowledge he needs to establish whether or not to instist on a line check.

alicardinal

To echo Mr Skint's post above, this is blooming brilliant!

Shows that there is no reason why I can't get ANY broadband service - I knew I was out in the sticks a bit, but I'm not in the Outer Hebrides or anything!

Will be on the phone forthwith!

Ali

bridiej

Tony_H wrote:

Broadband will work in excess of the stated distances. You need to find out where your local exchange is (Ask BT) so long as your not excessively out of range ask for a line suitablilty test to be carried out. You will NOT be able to get the higher speeds eg 1mb or 2mb on your line.

Hi Tony

I've got 1mb BT broadband but they said they couldnt upgrade me to 2mb due to the line - any idea what they're on about?

Woby_Tide

lines only have a certain capacity to carry data, the further from an exchange you are the higher the number of people are closer to the exchange and taking capacity out of the line, i.e. if you're closest to the exchange, you'll likely get the highest speed as no-one else is taking any capacity out of the line before you. The next person gets slightly less space as the first person has used some capacity and so on and so on. Simplified version, it's also to do with degradation of signal the more wire you have etc. bit like the longer your cable from the TV aerial, the worse the signal gets etc.

Also to OP if you're out of reach of BT then doubtful you will have NTL services either but looks like due to Vultura you have some new options I gather.

JimArnold

bridiej wrote:

Hi Tony

I've got 1mb BT broadband but they said they couldnt upgrade me to 2mb due to the line - any idea what they're on about?

They probably that as you are a long way from the exchange speeds above 1 mb will not be available each step in speed requires a better quality (ie shorter) line

BT changed their pricing system a couple of month ago so that ISPs are charged by what the amount of data sent rather than speed hence all these free offers to upgrade to 1 or 2 Mb
Unfortunately this is a bit unfair on those who cannot get a fast service

Zippy123

Officially I cant get broadband in my area either but howcome I am using it now!?

I had two lines at home - one personal and one business (paid for by my employer) BT could not provide BB to either based on their postcode and number checker. Personal BT were no help but business BT were - problem was that they would only install Business BB at £40 per month for 512kb! A cynic may say that was deliberate to generate extra income - both lines went to the same enabled exchange.

I am still the only house in my area (400 houses) to get BB according to the local PTA and N'Hood watch!

That was 2 - 3 years back. Since then I have transferred to Tesco on my home line - £19.99 unlimited - again it is out of reach of the exchange and only 512kb but its on and works. Tesco were the only co willing to listen to the fact that it was possible for this house but I did have to wait until their provider (NTL) installed their hardware at the exchange.

Pester your provider to run a physical check on your line. There are several checks that need to be done and for the newer RADSL you need to be 5.5km from an enabled exhange.

For enabled exchanges and trigger levels (demand) click here[/URL] y/btchecker.asp

http://www.adslguide.org.uk/availability/btchecker.asp

To check you line yourself dial 17070 then press option 2 - you should not hear any crackles - if you do you line may not be good enough for ADSL. Report it as a fault and get BT to fix it.

Also redial the number and choose option 3 then option 1 (you are authorised aren't you?). The exchange will then call you back with your distance in KM approx from the exchange.

Get as many people as possible in your area to pester BT