BT broadband connection to K'Marsh

[cameraman]

I've just heard from a work colleague, who's dad works for BT locally on the Internet side, that they are upgrading Mosborough exchange (which I believe serves K'marsh) in the next couple of months, with something that 'accelerates' the data down existing cables to a far more reasonable 15mb/sec.
Anybody else heard about this?
Cameraman

[danharvey]

No not heard anything but as I subscribe to O2 Broadband and it has put it's stuff in the exchange I get 8MB already.

Bargain if you are a customer of theirs as only ?7.50.

Would not touch BT with a greased bargepole!

[david]

Sounds like we're in the process of getting ADSL2 then....

http://usertools.plus.net/exchanges/?ex ... gin=wbcdsl


...soon!

[Frenchie]

We are currently with Plusnet for both phone and broadband but are thinking of changing.

The broadband is REALLY slow (1/3 of a mg and) we cant use the landline because the crackle is so bad. I have contacted Plusnet and they said it is cause we are a long way from the exchange and cant do anything!

Does anyone else have this problem or is it just us and what provider would you recommend both for reliability, speed and customer service?

[danharvey]

Where in Killamarsh are you?

Despite a previous post in this thread I would now say don't touch O2 with a bargepole!

I have had to leave them because I thought that it was an issue with them as the line was so crackly that I could not make a call on the line (it was also disconnecting once every 2-5 minutes). I thought the problem was with them. However as they were about as useful as Plusnet left and went to wait for it... BT!

Installed it yesterday and am getting 3mb (which I am happy with). But I still have noise on the line.

I wonder who we need to speak to about this as the distance to the exchange excuse is balls!

Dan

[cameraman]

Hi Frenchie
Long time no see, hope you're ok
Anyway we have the same Plusnet service; for years on Broadband, but just before Christmas changed to include phone as well.
I've just asked the family and no-one has noticed any of the issues you mention and if anything we might be further away than you in Kirkcroft area.
As David has mentioned before, the copper line from the exchange degrades the signal the further away from the exchange you are. I get 1.8mbs on average download speed, so impossible to use BBC i-player etc even if I wanted to. You tube clips are impossible to watch, constantly reloading.
I watched the Govt's interesting debate on broadband (sad) in december and it was decided to add 50p to everyone's landline BT bill, to cover the cost of getting 2mb broadband to 90% of the population including outlying communities by 2012 who currently use dial up internet or mega slow broadband.
I don't think they meant places like t'marsh tho'. However by 2017 they have promised to change the entire broadband network from copper to fibre optic which will give super-fast broadband to all.
Apparently already near the tel. exchange eg in Plymouth city you get 25mbs, but outlying areas such as t'marsh struggle to get 2mbs.
I see David has responded about ADSL2, so let's wait and see...

[Lee]

Noise on your line isn't caused by the distance you are from the exchange. I would suggest taking the bottom half of your master socket off (if you don't know how to do this have a look in the phone book, it shows you in there) and plug a corded phone directly into the telephone line, if you can still hear crackling, report it to BT as it will be their responsibility to fix (try it with more than one phone before you do though). If the crackling stops, the problem is somewhere in the house, possibly loose connections on extensions, old wiring, etc. If this is the case it will be your responsibility to fix it, BT are only responsible for the line up to the master socket, anything after that is the responsibility of the home owner.

If you want to improve the speed of your broadband, I would suggest removing the bell wire from your master socket. Take a look at this link to see how to do it. Or even better, replace your existing master socket with a new NTE5a type with a bell wire filter. You get pick them up on eBay for between £5 and £12, just search for NTE5a on eBay. It may sound quite technical but it's really simple to do HOWEVER you are not supposed to touch the master socket (except for removing the bottom half as mentioned above for testing purposes) as it belongs to BT so do this at your own risk!I can say from personal experience though, when I replaced my master socket, my download speeds rocketed

@danharvey you are the first person I've heard say a bad thing about O2 I am with them and have been for well over a year, speeds and reliablility are worlds ahead of BT, customer service excellent and price....£7.50 unbeatable! They are by far the best ISP I've been with and I've been with quite a few. I could never justify paying BT the prices they charge for broadband, it's scandalous!

@cameraman not sure why you are having trouble using BBC iPlayer or watching videos on youtube with a 1.8mb connection Are you sure you're getting this connection speed? If you are I would seriously consider purchasing some anti-spyware software (Spyware Doctor is an excellent one) as it sounds like you may have some spyware on your PC hijacking your connection. Don't rely on your regular anti-virus/firewall software to remove spyware.

Lee