Help. Internet connection problem in dorset area

MoonClanger

Hi


I don't usually use internet forums, or the internet very much, but I do need to check emails for my business.


The problem is I live in the Corfe Castle area, dorset and I'm constantly having connection problems.


I won't mention the company I'm with because I believe it's against the rules and it may not be their fault. I'm just wondering if anyone else knows that area and what works best for them? Or if anyone having similar problems.


I'm not here to complain about any specific company though, I just want to see if anyone knows what works best and can let me know privately maybe. It's driving me crazy and today I actually spent the whole day dealing with connection problems rather than work. I work for myself but I work 7 days a week usually and I need to to meet targets.


Can anyone help? I don't understand everything the company in question talks about. They keep sending engineers out, solving problems, etc, only for there to be another connection problem and they say it's the area.


Thanks for reading.

I_have_spoken

BT Openreach by any chance ?

These folks may help - http://purbeckbroadband.co.uk/

TBH your options are limited as it looks like BT Openreach is the only wholesale provider of cabling in the area, so any faults will also appear with retail providers like TalkTalk.

You could try upgrading to a business service, which usually comes with a better service agreement but won't magically cure the fault.

Other than that, your options would a 3G backup if there's any mobile reception in the area or a satellite service.

tavernman

You could check you coverage at samknows . com / broadband

MoonClanger

I_have_spoken wrote: »

BT Openreach by any chance ?

TBH your options are limited as it looks like BT Openreach is the only wholesale provider of cabling in the area, so any faults will also appear with retail providers like TalkTalk.

You could try upgrading to a business service, which usually comes with a better service agreement but won't magically cure the fault.

Other than that, your options would a 3G backup if there's any mobile reception in the area or a satellite service.

thanks for that. I'm going to have to admit to being a real dinosaur with technology. A few people have said to get another device and use a dongle. I'm assuming they mean use mobile technology.


How safe is that? Maybe I've got to move with the times, but how secure is accessing my emails using mobile devices?


By the way my business doesn't require any of this in case you were wondering, lol, but the networking side of it and keeping up with emails is necessary.


thanks

MoonClanger

tavernman wrote: »

You could check you coverage at samknows . com / broadband

Thanks. I'll take a look at this too.

wongataa

MoonClanger wrote: »

How safe is that? People say I'm paranoid and maybe I've got to move with the times, but how secure is accessing my emails using mobile devices?

Just as secure as when using normal broadband.

Strider590

wongataa wrote: »

Just as secure as when using normal broadband.

Except you'll only have internet on one single device at a time and it's expensive for the speeds you get.

OP, if your using WiFi, it's worth checking your neighbours aren't on the same channel, as this will cause your WiFi to drop out all the time. Easiest to check using a phone/tablet with a WiFi detecting app (I use WiFi Analyser by Farproc).

I_have_spoken

Except you'll only have internet on one single device at a time and it's expensive for the speeds you get.

Not at all. A MiFi will create a hotspot for multiple devices to use, a router with a USB dongle backup will support the whole house.

buglawton

Check if by any chance FTTC is coming anywhere near you. Some rural areas have struck lucky.
It shortens the length of prehistoric copper (or aluminum) wiring to your house.

giraffe69

Take a look at the Dorset superfast broadband map at https://www.dorsetforyou.com/broadband/map

It seems you should get this in 2015 or 2016 according to which bit of Corfe you live in.

Elsewhere

I'm at Harman's Cross and everyone and his dog has connection problems here at times - we go through the Corfe exchange which I am told is well past its use-by date. We are due to get the superfast in 2015 however, so fingers crossed!

Basically three things can go wrong - the exchange, the wires or the router.

If there's not a general fault affecting everyone in in our area I am in the lucky position that I know two other people whose connections are through the same circuit board at the exchange - if all three of us are down (but not other neighbours) we bellow for BT to sort the problem out at the exchange. Of course BT will do their best to deny it's their problem ...

We've had problems with the phone wires too - most recently a tree branch rubbed off some insulation causing phone and internet to die every time it rained .

However the thing that has made a vast difference to our internet's reliability has been our new router.

For months our connection would drop out every couple of hours or so - we assumed it was the wires again but rebooting the router always cured the problem temporarily so we lived with it. If this happens a lot there's some gadget at the exchange that detects the dodgy connection and automatically slows the internet speed to attempt to stabilise the connection, so not only did we have a dodgy connection but the internet download speed got slower and slower - 200kb maximum.

With the new router our connection is stable and our download speed is 1Mb - dreadful by most people's standards I am sure but to us it's wonderful! So - have you got or could you borrow a different router to try?

I am not sure that connecting through a dongle would help you; as you must know mobile phone reception is patchy here too. Harmans Cross Village Hall has satellite - IIRC it runs at 20Mb and is reasonably priced.