Will a better router help.

[pewe]

First, here are the router stats as at few moments ago.

The problem I am experiencing is that after 2 years of a relatively stable connection at around 1.1MB delivering a real .9MB to 1.1Mb, in recent weeks the connection has started to play up. The router is often re-syncing between .3MB to 1.1MB with an SN of between 2 and 10 - mostly around .5/.6MB at an SN of 6.

When the resync level reaches over .9mb (which is not as frequent as the lower figures) the actual speed I get is around .3MB, possibly because the SN drops below 6.

I have had 2 visits from Openreach who confirm that the line from the house back to the exchange is 'excellent' for it's length and I have tried 5 different routers as well as having a new connection box fitted on the line.
There is no other extensions/equipment connected to the box other than a cordless phone.

The ISP (TalkTalk) also arranged a 'lift and shift' at the exchange to move my connection to a different port on their exchange equipment.

After 2 years of a stable service at around 1.1mb, and there being no changes in equipment from the exchange to the modem, I cannot figure out (nor can TalkTalk) what has happened.

Whilst TalkTalk try to figure out the problem, I had read that their D-Link routers are cheap and nasty and that a better router could help with stability (and possibly increase speed marginally).

So my questions to the gurus here are:

- Would a better router possibly help (one that can handle high attenuation and low SN for example), and if so what would you recommend,

and

- Has anyone any thoughts about the issues/stats above?

 

[pewe]

Thanks Guys.

I'll have to see if I can find someone with a router they can spare for a while because the nearest neighbours are 2 miles away and it's not just a 'pop next door' situation.

I asked about the router because the Openreach engineer suggested the TalkTalk branded ones are 'rubbish' and a better router could give another .2/.3MB - but I'm not sure.

 

[pewe]

Sorry for the delayed reply.

The modem was originally connecting with G.DMT, and that was even worse. The connection improved when TalkTalk set it to ADSL2.

FTTC is available - but we are 4km from the cabinet so it would not benefit us.

In the meantime, TalkTalk have switched our connection to a new card on the exchange equipment - and this has not improved our connection at all.

In fact, the service has gotten worse as we are now seeing constant disconnects and data loss due to a fluctuating SN - it varies between 0.1 and 8, but is mostly at around 1.5 - 3.

TalkTalk have said that there is nothing else they can do apart from sending out an Openreach engineer to check the line - for the 3rd time.

So if the exchange equipment is not at fault, we have tried 5 different modems and our line is perfect all the way back to the exchange (assuming they come to the same conclusion at the next visit) I'm at a loss as to where I go from here.

 

[pewe]

The wiring terminates at the main socket. We've only ever used a cordless phone here.

The main socket is a new one fitted by the second Openreach engineer a couple of weeks ago - he replaced the one fitted by a colleague of his last year saying it was rubbish!!!!

What puzzles me is that up until only 8 weeks ago we had had a very stable line - and no one can suggest what may have changed at that point to create the problem.
I don't know if the SN was varying so much back then, but the sync speed was over twice what we get now.

 

[pewe]

I have tested the connection with nothing else on the circuit (having disconnected the only other thing - the cordless phone).

We are in the country. Part of the line is overhead and part underground.

Openreach tested the line all the way back to the exchange and said test results were 'excellent'. Next door shares the same cable as us from the cabinet to the house, and also has a TalkTalk service and is experiencing no problems.