ADSL Max better than ADSL over same distance?

[Scope]

BT estimate that I will be able to get 512Kbps when I get broadband due to the distance to the exchange (about 3km from exchange (straight line distance)). The exchange does have ADSL Max enabled.. Does ADSL Max generally give you a greater speed over the same distance/quality of line?

Or is ADSL Max simply BT's name of a slightly faster ADSL product?

 

[barrymacp]

Yes im about 3.91km in straight line and i was told i would get 512k im on about 2500kbps download about 2mb speeds.

 

[tolien]

"ADSL Max" is ADSL.

The key difference is that BTw fixed rate ADSL has the attenuation limits (i.e. attenuation >43dB you get no more than 1Mbps, >63dB you get no more than 512kbps), whereas Max will rate adapt depending on what your line can do.
Be warned, though, that if your line can't make it to 1152kbps you'll only get a 512kbps download rate - so you might get a connection that's less stable and no faster.

It's also possible, if you don't currently have a service, that you won't get anything - BT will let you have 512kbps on a "try it and see" basis.

 

[Richdog]

I have a 60db downstream attenuation and get 2MB fixed ADSL broadband now, stable too.

 

[WotDa]

I have a 60db downstream attenuation and get 2MB fixed ADSL broadband now, stable too.

Isn't the cut off point 43db for fixed 2mb?

 

[Richdog]

Isn't the cut off point 43db for fixed 2mb?

Supposedly... but I did a line test a few montyhs back and instead of giving my max speed as "1MB" to my utter amazement it gave me the magic "2MB". I now download at a constant 235kb/s and it seems very very stable. Couln't be more chuffed.

 

[WotDa]

Nice one.

Back to the OP's question. It depends, as tolien said its all about your line. With a line that long I wouldn't touch ADSL MAX without a solid router to keep the profile intact, without this you may see lots of drops, taking your profile to the floor giving you slower speeds than a fixed rate service.

 

[tolien]

Isn't the cut off point 43db for fixed 2mb?

It isn't unknown for the checker to give stupid results, and provided it works you're laughing.

With a line that long I wouldn't touch ADSL MAX without a solid router to keep the profile intact

Additionally, a router that'll let you play with the target SNR margin or set the maximum sync rate might be useful.

 

[Scope]

Additionally, a router that'll let you play with the target SNR margin or set the maximum sync rate might be useful.

I need to buy a new router anyway.. Whats a good router to buy? I need a wireless router, ideally N, but I know we are not quite there yet, so might have to settle for a G.

I take it the router should have a modem aswell? (been on cable up to now, so dont know much about ADSL).

 

[tolien]

Yes, you want a router with a modem (or the whole point I was making is dud).

IIRC some of the Speedtouches and Billions will let you play with the target SNR margin, but I'd suggest search this forum to be sure...the last router I bought was my Cisco 877 over a year ago.
I'm a fan of separate router and wireless access point though, especially if you're planning on going with draft 802.11n.

 

[Deleted member 651465]

I connect at 1546 but because I can't attain 1700+ I am stuck on 1MB instead of 1.5MB

Using a Netgear DG834N and WN802T access point - both superb in my opinion!

 

[Locky]

speedtouch 585 v6 as sold on overclockers, nothing in the price range beats it IMO

 

[davew]

my line attenuation is 60db downstream i'm approx 4.5km from the exchange and i've had nothing but trouble on bt max, i was on 1mb fixed with no connection problems ,i now get around 1.3mb and loads of dropped connections

 

[Richdog]

my line attenuation is 60db downstream i'm approx 4.5km from the exchange and i've had nothing but trouble on bt max, i was on 1mb fixed with no connection problems ,i now get around 1.3mb and loads of dropped connections

I went to ADSL MAX for about 3 weeks then went straight back to fixed... I got dropped connectrions left, right and centre. With ADSL MAX it's your downstream SNR that's important... and mine was often well down in lower single figures.

Go back to fixed speed ADSL...

 

[tolien]

What if you can't get the same speed you can get stably on Max on a fixed rate product (attenuation too high, stable speed >2Mbps)?
This is why I suggested a router that'll let you tweak the target SNR or cap the sync rate (near enough the same idea).

 

[davew]

I went to ADSL MAX for about 3 weeks then went straight back to fixed... I got dropped connectrions left, right and centre. With ADSL MAX it's your downstream SNR that's important... and mine was often well down in lower single figures.

Go back to fixed speed ADSL...

i've got a bt engineer calling on monday as bt keep insisting that my line stats are ok and bt max should work ok, i've been wondering whether to switch to sky after all i may as well pay £6.00 a month for a crap connection and service as apposed to the £25.00 i give to bt.

 

[xiphrex]

I went to ADSL MAX for about 3 weeks then went straight back to fixed... I got dropped connectrions left, right and centre. With ADSL MAX it's your downstream SNR that's important... and mine was often well down in lower single figures.

Go back to fixed speed ADSL...

This guy speaks the truth, exactly what happened to me. Now on 2mb fixed, and no drops whatsoever!

 

[Corasik]

I went to ADSL MAX for about 3 weeks then went straight back to fixed... I got dropped connectrions left, right and centre. With ADSL MAX it's your downstream SNR that's important... and mine was often well down in lower single figures.

Go back to fixed speed ADSL...

Max can be pretty stable even with a low Downstream SNR, its more down to consistancy. If you have say 4dB SNR, but every time your neighbour picks up the phone you get bad crosstalk, you could well get a disconnect.

Most modem/routers try to connect at the fastest possible, and the faster you go, the lower the SNR. I get 9.5SNR downstream, @8128 datarate and its 100% stable. Stays connected for months at a time, last drop was 10 days ago, as there was a powercut .

Still a few drops dont affect the profile, still getting full speed on it. The biggest red flag for the profile is dropping, and then reconnecting at a lower sync rate, that tell the profiling system that the line cant handle full speed.

My parents went from a 1meg adsl to a Max, and they sync up at around 5meg, they are quite some distance from the telephone exchange. So max can be better, but its not guaranteed.