BT "Max" ADSL Service

[ajbrun]

http://www.samknows.com/broadband/ex...hp?ecode=myhax

Mine's done too, just need to find out if that's extended the reach of broadband now. I'm guessing we won't get a free upgrade to 8MB, but since all BT customers are supposed to be on 2MB if they can get it, we may now be able to...

[Jonny M]

www.bt.com/broadband

Will tell you.

[Stoo]

Basically the 31st should have seen most of the exchanges upgraded, then your isp's can get your line upgraded from today, which has a lead time of 3 days.

Here's my letter from Zen

Since the 31st March BT has been enabling DSLMax on UK exchanges. Your exchange has been enabled and we have now submitted a speed upgrade request with BT to allow you to get the maximum speed available on your line, which can be up to 8Mb.

The lead time for this is 3 working days (note that this is only an estimate, and isn't guaranteed) and once it has completed, you will recieve confirmation of this by e-mail. Please note that once the regrade has completed, you will need to reset / restart your ADSL hardware (modem or router) so that it will accept the new service speed. This can usually be achieved simply by unplugging / disconnecting the hardware and reconnecting.

[Zak33]

Basically the 31st should have seen most of the exchanges upgraded, then your isp's can get your line upgraded from today, which has a lead time of 3 days.

Here's my letter from Zen

I got that too. Zen are well on the ball (as ever)

Dont think I';ll get anymore than my 1meg tho. Noisy lines etc. Shall see.

[Jonny M]

PlusNet seem a lot less helpful about the whole matter:

BT have now launched up to 8Mbps speeds across the UK and are now allowing ISPs such as ourselves to submit orders under the DSLMax scheme.

We are currently rolling out the faster speeds to our customers starting with those customers on the current up to 4Mbps and up to 8Mbps accounts. We will then place a bulk regrade order to upgrade all our customers to DSLMax.

At present we aren't accepting any “queue-jump” regrades however this option may be available in the future.

"Wait and see and we might do it", I guess. I'd like to get off PlusNet, but Zen are too pricey.

[nvening]

I am already on an 8mb freedom2surf package (authough only getting 1meg)

How do i get the max, apparently my exchange in enabled http://www.samknows.com/broadband/ex...hp?ecode=LNWFD

If i type my number into the freedom2surf site it just says the traditional 1-2 megs?

EDIT: From zen

Our test also indicates that your line should be able to support a potential ADSL Max broadband line rate of 2Mbps or greater. The actual ADSL Max line rate supportable will be determined during the first 10 days of use, after which time the highest stable rate possible will be set. If you decide to place an order, a further test will be performed to confirm if your line is suitable for the service you wish to purchase. Thank you for your interest.

Gah, it still sucks lol

[ajbrun]

Maybe you live too far away from your exchange to get anymore?

[nvening]

yer, probably, its a long way away, i have no idea when it comes to this, ill try and reduce the noise by tip toeing mabe

[Stoo]

I doubt you'll have a max service as there haven't been 3 working days from the switch-on yet..

[nvening]

im gunna phonefreedom2surf to see what the situation is

They said i can do it online from this afternoon, he said i will get over 1meg but probably not a huge ammont more, keep your fingers crossed for 2mb

he said that it basciallytests loads of different speeds or something over the next 10 days and finds the best speed and then keeps it at that.

[kidzer]

Spoke to BT Today, the said I should have a speed increase by friday or the 10th at the latest.

But I don't trust them, so I doubt it.

BT site says 3Mbps which would be nice

[kempez]

Mine's being done tomorrow for Free by IDNET. They're excellent and sent me this info (already had a lengthly chat with one of the co-owners of IDNET about it but FYI):

Important facts about Home Max
------------------------------

Home Max is a Rate Adaptive service. This means that it will operate at the
fastest stable speed that your phone line can support. The operative speed
range is 288kbit/s - 8128kbit/s.

The service is a "best efforts" product. No guarantee is given that data
throughput will be increased in comparison to the 2Mbit/sec fixed-rate
service (our Home 2000 service).

Data throughput at busy (high network usage) times will be similar to that
of the current speed fixed-rate service irrespective of the line rate
achieved.

Data throughput for Home Max enabled lines that operate below the 2Mbit/sec
speed will be similar to the equivalent fixed-rate service. e.g. a Home Max
service that has rate adapted to 576Kbit/sec should provide a service no
worse than the fixed-rate 512Kbit/sec service at busy times.

Outside of busy network usage times the service may take advantage of any
increase in line rate.

The upstream speed is also Rate Adaptive and independently so of the
downstream rate. The Home Max service upstream range is 64Kbit/s -
448Kbit/s.

During the first 10 days of service the BT equipment at the exchange will
monitor your router/modem and if it sees constant drop-outs ("retrains")
then it will step-down your connection speed until an acceptable level of
stability has been reached: the Maximum Stable Rate. The are many factors
that determine the MSR and therefore your speed. The MSR can fluctuate over
time.

Modems connected using the USB connector may cause limitations or issues
with the service. It is important to check that you have the appropriate
drivers/firmware for your modem or router.

Product trials have indicated that around 25% of all phone lines are
capable
of receiving speeds greater than 6.5Mbit/s.
40% are capable of speeds up to 6Mbit/s.
78% are capable of speeds up to 4Mbit/s.
93% are capable of speeds up to 2Mbit/s.

[shaithis]

According to Pipex I can get upto 6.5Mb now.

Wheres that phone number gone....

EDIT: Pipex can't be bothered to take orders for MAX over the phone and won't add the online option of doing it until EVERY exchange is MAX-enabled - another 2 weeks

[limpduck]

samknows says i should get about 5.5 and am approximately 1.37km from the exchange (straight line distance).

freeola/entanet should (afaik) be upgrading me on the 7th

[neonplanet40]

So is there any isp's offering unlimited usage with 8mb atm? And when is LLU going to start to get bigger? I see no dates for when its going to be implemented in my exchange.

[Funkstar]

LLU is getting bigger all the time, but from what i can see there are no exchanges outside of england, and certainally none up here in Aberdeen. Unlike with BT when they rolled out ADSL there is no incentive for companies to unbundle in anything but the most used/proffitable exchanges.