Alternatives to DSLMax for noisy long line?

[Taz]

Using the very best kit that I can afford i'm still getting poor performance on my DSLMax line.

I'm using a Draytek Vigor 2800G with upgraded antennae (for the WiFi). I'm also using shielded modem cable from the router to the phone socket. The filters are Adslnations X1-FE's.

My SNR is around 17dB and my line attenuation is 42dB - that's a little on the high side.

My line only syncs at around 2.7Mb/S - not much improvement over my previous fixed 2Mb/S ADSL line.

So, other than move home, what options do I have for improving my broadband speed? Would ADSL2/ADSL2+ be any better on my noisy and long phone line?

[Agent]

Whats your distance to the exchange?
Have you tried the UK2 Firmware - That is supposed to help for noisey lines

[Taz]

I'm not sure what the distance to my exchange is. Is there a site that can calculate this?

As for firmware, i've tried the current version and the three alternative versions (which are for connectivity problems). I've also tried the previous release as well to no avail.

[Taz]

I've just found this site online:

http://www.dslzoneuk.net/distance.php

It calculates the distance to your nearest exchange based on your postcode.

I am around 2.13 KM from my exchange (as the crow flies).

[tiggerai]

You don't have any dodgy DVD players do you?!

[MadduckUK]

bloody hell, just used that exchange checker thing and im currently 1.4KM from the exchange. where i will almost certainly be moving to is 130 meters!

[Funkstar]

does that thing use line of sight?

A place i worked a good few years back (when ADSL was still new) were told they were about 6 miles of copper from the exchange, or less than two as the crow flies.

[MadduckUK]

it uses as the crow flies. which is unfortunate but i dont know of one that gives a real distance

[Taz]

Yes, the distance checker is line of sight.

[skuzgib]

17db leaves plenty of room for a higher speed - has it always synced at this speed?

[Taz]

No, it was syncing at 3.8Mb/S a while ago.

According to my ISP it seems that the DLM ('dynamic line management' I think) has raised my SNR in my BRAS profile and this reduces the sync speed.

The DLM uses the rate of disconnections over a period of time to adjust a users BRAS profile. I have been experimenting with alternative firmwares for the 2800G and one completely cocked up the connection (i.e. a disconnection every few seconds!).

The ISP has told me to wait just over three days and run the new BT Speedtester to see if the max throughput in my BRAS profile increases.

Apparently your max throughput can be adjusted downwards every 75 minutes but it only goes up after 3 days of a stable sync at a higher speed than your BRAS profile holds.

[dave87]

Can you get cable in your area? If so that may be a hassle free alternative...

[shamus21]

if you can get cable in your area i would dump BT`s 1950`s local loop network that will never get upgraded.

[autopilot]

you want to speak to the guys at http://www.ruralinternet.co.uk/ they are the experts at long line connections.

They are currently trying to sort out the mess my line is.

Apparently the best routers for long line work are made by 2 Wire. You should also get a better filter, rather than the crappy BT ones, such as the XTE from ADSL nation.

As for DSLmax, i was under the impression the target SNRM was 6 so you have plenty of room to improve. Keep on at BT, they will tell you your BRAS profile is fine even when it not and they have not bothered to check. If you have a compatible router, you can actually use DMtool to adjust it yourself.

BT put me on DSLmax to try and help with my unstable connection, but it actually made it much worse. Now rural internet are on the case. They recently got a 10k long line running at a stable 2meg (with a lower contended connection and better kit).

The problem is not distance per say, its just that BT is massively over subscribing. Contention is absolutely through the roof, this is why DSLmax is actually worse than straight ADSL at times. But BT wont admit it.

[autopilot]

if you can get cable in your area i would dump BT`s 1950`s local loop network that will never get upgraded.

Actually they are in the process of upgrading the entire UK as part of their 21st Century Network programme. But it will take years.

[shamus21]

Actually they are in the process of upgrading the entire UK as part of their 21st Century Network programme. But it will take years.

Yes the website where you can check out when your exchange is going to be upgraded to 21 century network is saying 2011 for our area and thats just the exchange not the local copper wires which is where the problems lie for many ADSL users who have to go via BT network.