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

bridiej

JimArnold wrote:

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

Yes, I do think it's a bit unfair that I'm paying the same price for a slower connection than others but cant see any way around it........

Ah well! Thanks for the help though

andy88_2

Woby_Tide wrote:

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.

Actually this explanation is much more accurate than the other one you mentioned, which suggested the limitation was due to nearer people hogging it. It doesn't work like that; this would still be true if nobody else was connected

sco0ter

How reliable is the data from the tracker on the below site.

http://www.samknows.com/broadband/checker2.php

When UKOnline contacted me they told me my line length was under 0.5Km and this site shows a straight line as 1.63Km. The exchange is just round the corner

alicardinal

Thanks to all

My optimism was misplaced - tests on the line show I can't get Broadband - so I'm stuck with dial up until the Guildford exchange has more capacity or something.

Ho Hum

remifen

hi alicardinal,
check link below. gives satellite broadband for a slightly more expensive price - £18.50 for 256 kbps. But hey, you get broadband! only £15 for activation.
http://www.cpbb.co.uk/cpsat/prices.html

chris73

Satellite Broadband in rural areas is a good idea. However bear in mind that the Satellite only provides the Downstream connection, and that you'll still need a 56k Modem and ISP for the upload connection. So when comparing prices don't forget to add the subscription of an unlimited 56k ISP or a PAYG connection into the equation.

Nex0

I’ve read about lots of people in your situation and have had success with this.

You can find out more about them here.

http://www.zenbroadband.com/ADSL.aspx?page=165

I’m on Zen's 1meg line and I can honestly say there the best isp I have ever been with as I also had trouble getting broadband but these guys went the extra mile and listened to what I had to say and managed to get a manual order placed and pushed through for me.

Hope this is of some help.

chris73

Sorry for jumping on this thread, but I have a friend who has just signed up to EFH, taking advantage of the former £9.99+VAT deal for 512k. According to BT and Sam Knows checkers his line is 3.9km from the Exchange, and although he cannot qualify for 1mb or 2mb speeds he was happy with 512k. EFH accepted his order (After also checking the line), and a date was given when it would be enabled. So he went out and spent £600 on a PC.

The enable date arrived, and we connected up the PC, only to find out that the modem wouldn't sync with the exchange. EFH were contacted again, and we tried everything they advised including new filters etc, but the modem simply wasn't connecting to the Exchange. BT were consulted and an Engineer visited yesterday afternoon to run tests.

After 2 hours of faffing around the engineer said that there was simply too much interference on the line to get even 512k and there was no possibility of BB being received at this address. We noted a change in attitude of the engineer has the tests were being made, as if he was covering for something, and he point blank refused to give the bill payer any of the figures that the test revealed and this made us a little suspicious. I have a feeling that the engineer perhaps discovered that the issue would require a big job and that we were being fobbed off.

This morning my Friend visited a few of his neighbours and found that 2 of them have 512k broadband and are surfing happily at reasonable speeds, one of them is less than 100m away from his doorstep!. BT seemed to have wiped their hands of the problem and will be contacting EFH to inform them of the facts and cancelling the ADSL on his number. My question is, if all of the checkers indicate that his postcode is in a Broadband enabled area, and if his neighbours are connected okay, how can we get a 2nd opinion and perhaps persuade BT to look into the matter further?. I've read on the various ADSL forums that 512k is now virtually available at all reasonable distances so it really shouldn't be an issue since he is nowhere near the stated maximum!.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Grimbo_2

if your neighbours are recieving service but you are not this is an issue BT will need to fix, after taking this up with my isp (ZEN) when this happened to me it turned out there was a fault with my line in the cabinet which when fixed had me happily surfing along at 1mb. Inform your isp BT were of no use when they came but your neighbours recieve service just fine... they should hopefully be able to action something on your behalf

chris73

Thanks for the info Grimble. BT are giving him the runaround, fortunately he has also found another neighbour on the other side of the road who's Broadband is as slow as dial up and loses sync on a regular basis - together they are hoping to make a complaint and keep hassling BT to do something. Neighbours on the other side seem to get ADSL 512k just fine, and at fairly impressive speeds considering its a fairly rural location.

On a 2nd and final visit, yesterday, the BT engineer basically just shrugged and admitted that it was a lottery in the area, as to who could and who couldn't receive broadband - the ladders didn't even go up!. BT are certainly something else when it comes to customer service or should I say lack off. Somebody should tell them that it is 2005 not 1905 as far as technology is concerned.

EFH have told him that they have ceased his service and refunded him in full, we are just awaiting for them to cease the adsl on the line so he can start up again from scratch this time with a more helpful ISP, I will recommend that he tries ZEN.