Am I getting the right speeds from a Max package?

[sushi]

I use to have a 4MB connection with NTL, and decided to go with the Max package at Sky, but I have found that pages tend to load up slower, the internet can cut out upto five times in a single day, the connection slows down in the evening sometimes to the point that it is unusable, and downloads reach 580 Kb/s (from ftp://ftp.mirror.ac.uk/edunfs/mirror...4-bootonly.iso) at the most if I am lucky (it tends to be around 400 Kb/s and below)

My Router stats at the moment are:

ADSL Link Downstream Upstream
Connection Speed 10332 kbps 766 kbps
Line Attenuation 31.5 db 17.7 db
Noise Margin 6.4 db 12.0 db


Should I be expecting better speeds or is this the best I am going to get? I tried using the BT master socket and TCPOptimizer, but there was no difference.

I phoned Sky (using a free number I found on these forums, so thank you to whoever provided it) last week and the person on the other end seemed pretty helpful. In fact he was the one who told me to try the test BT master socket as well as a few other things, saying that I should definately be getting a faster connection speed and in fact gave me the first month for free.

The only problem is that he gave me a ticket number and said I would be contacted within five days (actually he was very optimistic and claimed that they would most likely get in touch in 2/3 days), and no one has done so yet... so I am about to phone them now.

Is there anything else I can try at my end? Or any advice anyone can give please?

[sushi]

Well, no one has yet got in contact with me despite Sky saying they will.

However, I think Sky has just capped me. My router stats are now:

ADSL Link Downstream Upstream
Connection Speed 5016 kbps 759 kbps
Line Attenuation 36.5 db 20.4 db
Noise Margin 22.1 db 8.0 db


The line does seem to be running more stable, but I suppose I will find out for certain by checking it out over the rest of the day.

Is it still worth keeping a Max package when I am going to be only getting 5MB?

[jewkesy]

Do you know what distance from the exchange you are?

[Saturday]

However, I think Sky has just capped me.

Looks like it. An obvious clue is the shift in your line attenuation. My guess is you're now on ADSL1.

BTW using your master socket will make little difference if your line problem is being generated by your local (e.g. extensions) wiring. You need to try the test socket which you'll find behind the faceplate of your master socket (assuming you have a NTE5). If you want the best possible speeds then you need to do what you can to improve your connection quality and then ask Sky to move you back to ADSL2+. See the cabling and faceplate help forum for ideas.

With a relatively noise free line, with your attenuation, you should be capable of getting close to the full 16meg.

[sushi]

Do you know what distance from the exchange you are?

Unfortunately, I do not remember. I remember being told by Sky that it was pretty close.

BTW using your master socket will make little difference if your line problem is being generated by your local (e.g. extensions) wiring. You need to try the test socket which you'll find behind the faceplate of your master socket (assuming you have a NTE5).

Sorry for the confusion. I did try the test socket behind the face plate of the my master socket with little difference.

If you want the best possible speeds then you need to do what you can to improve your connection quality and then ask Sky to move you back to ADSL2+. See the cabling and faceplate help forum for ideas.

Thanks. I'll check it out now!

[jaytc2003]

if they were now on "normal" adsl, wouldnt their upload speed have dropped to 416?

[Saturday]

That's a good point - I don't know to be honest. The max upstream for ADSL1 is 1Mb I believe so as it is Sky LLU (as opposed to BT) it's possible I suppose.

There aren't many other reasons for such a significant shift in attenuation other than a router fault, a very strange line condition or his house has moved and he hasn't noticed

[hugsie]

My house is always doing that

[sushi]

Strange, I think Sky took the cap off without telling me... or there is a fault.

My router stats are now:


ADSL Link Downstream Upstream
Connection Speed 12352 kbps 766 kbps
Line Attenuation 31.5 db 17.8 db
Noise Margin 5.7 db 12.5 db


I guess I am going to have to phone up tomorrow. I have too much work to do at the moment to mess around with Sky at the moment.

[Saturday]

Do you need to call Sky?

Your noise margin is too low but that's easily fixed with a reboot. "Lock" it to a higher figure by rebooting and when the noise margin drops again repeat until it stops dropping. Then leave your router powered up.