What expected speed; and best package?

[hyeung]

Hi,

I am currently with VirginMedia and will be thinking about migrating over to Sky. Currently, I’m on an 8Meg package with the following stats (more stat details below taken from DG834PN):

Down Up
SNR (dB): 7.9 23.0
Attn(dB): 31.0 18.0
Pwr(dBm): 19.8 11.8
Max(Kbps): 8832 1068
Rate (Kbps): 8128 448

However, I can’t decide on the best Sky package...Mid or Max?
Based on my stats, any idea if I could potentially get more than 8Megs; in which case, it would be worth my while going for Max. Or would i be best to stick with Mid?

I am about 1.11km from the local exchange. Looking at my stats, it would seem that my SNR isn’t very good. The stats are based on connection at an extension.

But when connecting to the master socket, I get strange results. The SNR is worse off by 1-2db (worse being ~ 5.7db and best being 8db ish); and the Line Attn has on an occasion shown 15.5db? But then, at times it returns to 31db like the other extensions in the flat.

Any input would be appreciated, as i'm awaiting my MAC code.

Thanks,
Hung

/usr/sbin/adslctl: ADSL driver and PHY status
Status: Showtime Channel: FAST, Upstream rate = 448 Kbps, Downstream rate = 8128 Kbps
Link Power State: L0
Mode: G.DMT
Channel: Fast
Trellis: ON
Line Status: No Defect
Training Status: Showtime
Down Up
SNR (dB): 7.9 23.0
Attn(dB): 31.0 18.0
Pwr(dBm): 19.8 11.8
Max(Kbps): 8832 1068
Rate (Kbps): 8128 448
G.dmt framing
K: 255(0) 15
R: 0 0
S: 1 1
D: 1 1
ADSL2 framing
MSGc: 1 1
B: 255 15
M: 1 1
T: 1 1
R: 0 0
S: 1.0000 1.0000
L: 2048 128
D: 1 1
Counters
SF: 91569 91567
SFErr: 47 0
RS: 0 0
RSCorr: 0 0
RSUnCorr: 0 0

HEC: 33 0
OCD: 0 0
LCD: 0 0
Total Cells: 29838464 0
Data Cells: 103485 0
Drop Cells: 0
Bit Errors: 0 0

ES: 33 0
SES: 0 0
UAS: 17 0
Total time = 26 min 19 sec
SF = 91569
CRC = 47
LOS = 0
LOF = 0
ES = 33
Latest 1 day time = 26 min 19 sec
SF = 91569
CRC = 47
LOS = 0
LOF = 0
ES = 33
Latest 15 minutes time = 11 min 19 sec
SF = 39992
CRC = 14
LOS = 0
LOF = 0
ES = 12
Previous 15 minutes time = 15 min 0 sec
SF = 51577
CRC = 33
LOS = 0
LOF = 0
ES = 21
Previous 1 day time = 0 sec
SF = 0
CRC = 0
LOS = 0
LOF = 0
ES = 0

[Keiran2K8]

hyeung, Based on only your attenuation, The SkyUser ADSL2 Line checker suggests your line is capable of between 12mb to 14mb broadband on an ADSL2+ (Max) service.

At the end of the day, I can safely say that you should get atleast 9Mb of which is faster then Mid and also, You will have the flexibility of the "Unlimited Usage".

[hyeung]

Thanks for that.
Btw, when switching over the LLU, am i likely to get the same stat figures as the ones posted above? Or will the SNR and Line Attn figures all change due to ADSL2+?

I am still somewhat concerned with my current SNR Margin figures above; if they will seriously impact my overall speeds 'n stability with ADSL2+?

Cheers,
Hung

[Keiran2K8]

Or will the SNR and Line Attn figures all change due to ADSL2+?

Your Line Attenuation might change by 1-5db, That is normal as afaik, the ADSL2+ uses higher frequencies and this causes it to increase slighly.

I am still somewhat concerned with my current SNR Margin figures above

The only real thing you can do is watch that level, If it does continue to drop, You might face problems, (Im not saying it shouldnt change ~1-2db but if it changes alot "intermittent SNR" then you could have some problems).

What you can do is do the obvious tests,
a) Remove any extensions between the Router and BT Line
b) Try connecting direct to the BT Master Socket, Bypass any hard-wired extensions, You say that your SNR is worse when you do this? Are you sure this is your test socket? As sometimes there can be a splitter before the Master Socket. Trace back to the way the wiring enters the house - if that helps.

[hyeung]

Originally Posted by FibreOptic

What you can do is do the obvious tests,
a) Remove any extensions between the Router and BT Line
b) Try connecting direct to the BT Master Socket, Bypass any hard-wired extensions, You say that your SNR is worse when you do this? Are you sure this is your test socket? As sometimes there can be a splitter before the Master Socket. Trace back to the way the wiring enters the house - if that helps.

I don't have one of these BT test sockets. It was a new build flat, so was all pre-wired. None of the phone sockets appear to have the BT faceplates.....as the faceplates were supplied by the builders; but they probably had BT come in and do the wiring?
One main master socket, and the other extensions all come off this....Looking at the wiring in the master socket, there are 3 pairs of cables (terminals 2 and 5); one pair i assume the main phone and the other 2 pairs are the extensions to the other rooms.

[IAmNotTheEnemy]

I'm very surprised that any new build doesn't have a test socket - all housing in the last 20-odd years should have them....

best thing to do is to try the master socket and see if SNR goes up. Also, the 15.5dB is a bug in the router, 31-odd is the real one

[hyeung]

Originally Posted by IAmNotTheEnemy

I'm very surprised that any new build doesn't have a test socket - all housing in the last 20-odd years should have them....

Builders installed phone sockets with fancy faceplates....so they arent the standard BT sockets that you would expect.

Originally Posted by IAmNotTheEnemy

best thing to do is to try the master socket and see if SNR goes up. Also, the 15.5dB is a bug in the router, 31-odd is the real one

As mentioned, i believe i've tried this....SNR does is lower.

[Keiran2K8]

Hyeung, If the SNR drops when connecting to the Master Socket then something is obviously not right, Im no "Teleco-WhizzMaestro" but it would seem something is connected to that socket (additonal routed wiring) that causes the increase of SNR. It is usually expected to increase as you are directly connected to the BT line.

[IanMax]

I would say that your ring wire is connected to your master socket, or the builders did a very bad job of wiring it.

Heres my stats which are similar your attenuation all be it on adsl2+ and i am 1.2km from my exchange.

/usr/sbin/adslctl: ADSL driver and PHY status
Status: Showtime Channel: FAST, Upstream rate = 766 Kbps, Downstream rate = 13660 Kbps
Link Power State: L0
Mode: ADSL2+
Channel: Fast
Trellis: ON
Line Status: No Defect
Training Status: Showtime
Down Up
SNR (dB): 9.8 12.0
Attn(dB): 31.0 17.0
Pwr(dBm): 1.3 12.4
Max(Kbps): 16180 884
Rate (Kbps): 13660 766


As you can see i get 13660 kbps as i have limited my snr to 10 because i am lazy and cannot be bothered buying a new phone extension which causes me errors.

I would say though that you will not get any more speed than 9 to 10mbs on your current line because something is definately causing your snr to be low.

I can swap between adsl2+ and g.dmt and when connected using this i get 10mbs ( sky removed the g.dmt cap for me ) and an snr of 8 so my line is 2 mbs faster on virtually the same distance from the exchange.

Try removing the ring wire ( if there is one ) or just check the builders have not just stuck a load of wires in the master socket.

Good luck

Ian