Is upgrading a Router really that Important
- Thread starter Jeramba
- Start date
I was with another ISP a while back and there were some line issues. An engineer came round and speeds were up to 1.5-1.8 MB for a while. Then they dropped to just under 1 MB coincidently at the same time as I went above the fair usage for just a month. BT never managed to improve on 1 MB and claimed it depended on other users in the area.
Changed to a different ISP and speed has been about 1 MB. Another line at home only shows 0.5 MB though.
Contacted my ISP a few months ago and they suggested a new router but I don't really want to do this. They're always very reluctant to do a line test or send out an engineer.
I'm sure the line is such that it needs to tweaking every so often by an engineer. If I used to get nearly 2 MB before then surely it's possible now ?
Another issue is that when an outgoing call is made via the home phone the internet cuts out completely and has to be reset.
Changed to a different ISP and speed has been about 1 MB. Another line at home only shows 0.5 MB though.
Contacted my ISP a few months ago and they suggested a new router but I don't really want to do this. They're always very reluctant to do a line test or send out an engineer.
I'm sure the line is such that it needs to tweaking every so often by an engineer. If I used to get nearly 2 MB before then surely it's possible now ?
Another issue is that when an outgoing call is made via the home phone the internet cuts out completely and has to be reset.
Usually an indication of a faulty or missing microfilter?
Ok, The phone is on an extension cable from the master socket. Would this also make a difference ?
Entirely possible but most of your issues are just down to a poor line.
Which indicates you are just too far from the exchange to get a decent speed.
A new router on its own is not going to help, you would have to get a new router and adjust the SNR on it, and with your earlier report line stats even if you could bump it up to near 2Mb it would be unstable and prone to disconnecting.
When the engineer came he probably reset DLM which in turn temporarily boosted the speed, no doubt within a matter of weeks to around a month is when it dropped as DLM would had realised at that speed you will not be stable.
That is either a line filter as suggested by MissChief above..... A faulty phone/extension cable/wiring or if your Master socket is the new filtered type that is faulty/not filtering extensions. The other issue that could be affecting your speeds a little is the ring wire on the telephone extension if it is connected.....
http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/socket.htm
Id suggest you unscrew your master socket as detailed in that link and connect your modem to the test socket also as detailed. IF that then gives a boost of more than another 512k then check the ring wire and if needed disconnect that. Either way id still buy a new filter for the phone on an extension also, they can be had for well under £10 (buy a decent one and not some fleabay 99p rubbish). See if that helps, it may a little but do not expect miracles, you stats you mentioned indicate you are going to be stuck around 1-2Mb regardless of what you do.
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Do you have a filter for the phone? As you will need one for every phone socket being used in the house.
I have a microfilter connected to the master socket from which the phone extension is connected. Should I connect a second microfilter on the extension cable and plug the phone into that. Is that what you're saying ?
Plugged both lines into the test socket. Didn't make any difference on one line but on the other line it went from 0.5 MB to about 1 MB. Does that mean I should get a new faceplate for this line ? I'm sure BT changed it a while back it was one which has really long screws...
Plugged both lines into the test socket. Didn't make any difference on one line but on the other line it went from 0.5 MB to about 1 MB. Does that mean I should get a new faceplate for this line ? I'm sure BT changed it a while back it was one which has really long screws...
Line attenuation 63 dB is pretty damn long/noisey.
How far are you from the exchange?
Id guess you could get 2mbit max all things perfect.
Get a router that syncs lower at 2db or variable but expect disconnects frequently.
How far are you from the exchange?
Id guess you could get 2mbit max all things perfect.
Get a router that syncs lower at 2db or variable but expect disconnects frequently.
Draytek normally offer several different ADSL modem codes (i.e. firmwares), one for "everyday" use, one for line stability and normally a higher performance - trying them out can make a big difference depending on your line.
Draytek 2830 Release Notes said:
Had a look for the 2860, but doesn't look like they offer the alternative firmwares just a ADSL one or a VDSL optimised one.
NO do not double filter an extension. Place one filter on the extension either near the Master socket or near the phone/extension socket.
What do you mean both lines? connect only the modem to the Test socket. Do NOT connect the modem to extension and then test socket, that will unlikely make any difference.
I have two broadband lines in the house that's what I meant....
If your internet drops when using the phone, either your filter is faulty (this is quite common) or you're not using a filter at all on that phone.
Before you go changing anything. Check everything is filtered up correctly, and that everything works.
If you've got loads of items plugged into the phone line(s)- (phones, fax machine [lol], sky box etc) . Unplug them all so it's as simple as possible.
ie, just have your router connected (through a filter). Now add one device back at a time, testing them out to see if it drops.
Before you go changing anything. Check everything is filtered up correctly, and that everything works.
If you've got loads of items plugged into the phone line(s)- (phones, fax machine [lol], sky box etc) . Unplug them all so it's as simple as possible.
ie, just have your router connected (through a filter). Now add one device back at a time, testing them out to see if it drops.
I had less than 1 meg when we moved in and 63db attenuation, now have 3meg.
In these situations wiring is critical, get an Openreach faceplate (where the filters are built in).
The Billion (7800) routers are leagues ahead (the 834 and others are sat in the cupboard)
In these situations wiring is critical, get an Openreach faceplate (where the filters are built in).
The Billion (7800) routers are leagues ahead (the 834 and others are sat in the cupboard)
This i suspect is more wiring issues and possibly a faulty filter or filters than anything else. A 63db as mentioned http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=27597773&postcount=10
Will typically at best (no extensions or using twisted pairs for the extensions) give you around 2Mb pushing it for anymore would mean SNR adjustments which ultimately while giving a higher reported sync can end up running worse.
Id suggest sorting/checking the wiring out as a first step before you go and spend what may be a waste of money on a new modem.
Ultimately everything even being as near perfect as it can be i doubt you will get more than 2.5Mb stable. For the cost involved (especially as you have 2 lines) i personally would not bother. Check to see if you can get FTTC or if your area has a date for FTTC and see if you can get Virgins services also. Setting a hundred quid which is around what you are likely to spend on any new modem to one side for a better service is probably the best thing you can do to give any significant improvement.
Me personally for what may turn out to be even be less than 1Mb improvement i would not bother spending silly money on a new modem/router.
PS the line which showed improvement at the test socket (0.5-1Mb)...... Check that line to see if the ring wire is connected anywhere and get rid of/disconnect it, that will/should improve things on that line at least with no cost, though obviously only another 500(ish)kbps.
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You say that, but a jump from 1 to 2 meg makes a massive difference and is worth it imho.
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If you can't sort your internal wiring and connection out, then just buy a new house with better Internet. Life is too short to put up with a crap connection IMHO.