Ask for the whoosh test

Stabilo

I recently signed up for an 'up to 2 MB ADSL' service. As I am 2.5km from the exchange and our estate has just had a copper overlay I wasn't hopeful I would get the full 2mb.

Took FIVE weeks for the service to be provided (poor communication between BT & ISP). Having waited years for ADSL I was pleased when it finally went live but disappointed it was only at 512Kb. I saw a post on MSE which referred to the woosh test.

Asked ISP to test the line (whoosh test) and a contact I have at Bt also arranged for a test. BT said 2MB is not possible but ask your ISP for 1MB.

ISP came back and said you are now on 2MB (great) despite BT indicating 1MB was the maximum. Test show speeds of arround 1.8MB to 1.9MB.

If you have only been provided with 512kb it might be worth asking for a whoosh test.

Why wasn't I given 2MB from the start?

Stabilo

dchurch24

Can anyone request a whoosh test? Do they charge for it?

I am having a similar problem. I started the campaign in our village to get our exchange converted. When it was, I was the first on my exchange to connect using ADSL, and I also had my Home Highway removed at the same time. The engineer came to my house and did a whoosh test and told me that the line would easily support 2meg - I am 1.4km from the exchange over cable.

I have just attempted to upgrade my 512k line to 2meg and my ISP is being told by BT that it 'might' support up to 1meg.

sammyy

My internet speed is only 512mb as we are on the borderline for asdl from the exchange .My internet provider is BT.Would it still be worth asking,do you think?

Stabilo

dchurch24 wrote:

Can anyone request a whoosh test? Do they charge for it?

I am having a similar problem. I started the campaign in our village to get our exchange converted. When it was, I was the first on my exchange to connect using ADSL, and I also had my Home Highway removed at the same time. The engineer came to my house and did a whoosh test and told me that the line would easily support 2meg - I am 1.4km from the exchange over cable.

I have just attempted to upgrade my 512k line to 2meg and my ISP is being told by BT that it 'might' support up to 1meg.

My ISP advised the cost would be £11.75 if the line could not be upgraded i.e. if we can't improve things we will charge you. I think their logic is we will have provided the maximum speed at the outset and if you wrongly believe we should have supplied a higher bandwidth we will charge you. If you were right their is no fee.

Thw whoosh test should be available to all, but each ISP will decide the pricing structure. Please obtain as much detail about your line from http://www.samknows.com/broadband/checker2.php (then select BT ADSL)before requesting the whoosh test. As you were advised 2mb is possible you should go for it. I was told only 1mb & 2mb works fine.

Stabilo

Stabilo

sammyy wrote:

My internet speed is only 512mb as we are on the borderline for asdl from the exchange .My internet provider is BT.Would it still be worth asking,do you think?

Enter your details at http://www.samknows.com/broadband/checker2.php then select BT ADSL.

It will give you an idea of what is possible. In my case it states 2mb not possible but IT IS.

Stabilo

dchurch24

Hi. It tells me that I am 1.43km from the exchange and that 2meg should be available.

I found that site some time ago and was looking for it to no avail, so thanks for that!

sammyy

Thanks Stabilo.Looks like its no go then.It says maximum is 512mb.It also says the following


However, there appears to a compatibility issue with your phone line. This could be caused by an existing broadband connection, ISDN, a DACS unit, TPON, a pending ADSL order or many other common issues. This will need to be resolved before ADSL can be supplied to your line.

Any idea what it means?Is it because Broadband is already on this line?

Stabilo

sammyy wrote:

Thanks Stabilo.Looks like its no go then.It says maximum is 512mb.It also says the following


However, there appears to a compatibility issue with your phone line. This could be caused by an existing broadband connection, ISDN, a DACS unit, TPON, a pending ADSL order or many other common issues. This will need to be resolved before ADSL can be supplied to your line.

Any idea what it means?Is it because Broadband is already on this line?

Yes and yes.

Out of interest how far does it say you are from the exchange?

Stabilo

sammyy

Stabilo wrote:

Out of interest how far does it say you are from the exchange?

Stabilo

It says I am 4.47km from the exchange (in a straight line) so quite a way.

zarni_2

This might sound a stupid question but whereabouts does it state how far you are away form the exchange ?
I used the map to see where the exchange was, and it seems like it less than 500m in a straight line, but I've just had a report saying I can't get more than 512K :-(

Something is telling me lies.

Zarni.

mhendo

Use the checker and then click the locaility button at the bottom.

Below the scatter diagram, it should say your approximate distance from the exchange.


The distance might not be the factor for you only being able to get 512Kbps. You may have a poor quality line. The distance from exchange doesn't suggest your line is that length either - it could go all over the place before it gets to you.

Best way to see if you may be able to get faster speeds is to check the line stats on your ADSL modem/router, as these will suggest how much signal is lost etc, allowing an estimate of max possible speed.