Exchange Upgrade

[Moley]

My broadband speed has always been crap!  1.1MB at best and most of the time 0.5MB. During busy periods it goes down to 100kb or less and then cuts out completely for days on end. ISP (Virgin Media via Tesco) support costs 50p / min and they don't do much except call in a B.T. engineer who checks the line and says.."It works now but 1.1Mb is all you'll get at 6km from the exchange." This has gone on for 6 years and finally they upgraded the Caernarfon exchange.
My connection disappeared entirely for 3 weeks. Countless phonecalls to Tesco did not get any results. They were "Checking the line"... I got this answer for 3 weeks !!!
No engineer.
Finally yesterday the phonecall help admitted that the ISP could no longer provide a service on my line because...
"The exchange had been updated and that meant that although those living near the exchange got up to 20mb..the connection in Llanrug was now too weak to support internet !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" (Search LL55 4BE)
I went to Dave Lloyds and did some research on the web. Found out I needed a MAC CODE to change ISP (apparently B.T. can get me 0.5MB connection !!!)
Dave said.."Phone them up and ask for your MAC CODE"
I did..
I explained to the helper that I was phoning from a friends house and that they could no longer provide my line with a service due to an exchange upgrade and that I HAD NO CONNECTION WHATSOEVER and that I WANTED MY MAC CODE!!!
He said
"It'll take 3 to 5 working days..and we'll E-MAIL IT TO YOU"  

BTW I now have 704.0kb connection.(with same ISP..still awaiting my MAC CODE to change to B.T. - at least phonecalls to B.T. support are FREE)
Dave Lloyd in Mynydd Llandegai (Think somewhere similar to "OUTER SIBERIA") gets 3MB

[Moley]

# Download speed : 0.07Mbps
Upload speed : 0.34Mbps
# Lines in your area usually support speeds of up to 0.5Mb over a standard telephone line (ADSL Max). This is 594.4% faster than this test shows you are getting.
# Next generation broadband (ADSL2+) is not yet available in your area. This allows lines closer to the telephone exchange to achieve faster connection speeds. Your exchange is due to be upgraded in March 2010.
# The speed of broadband provided over a standard telephone line depends on the distance between your home and the exchange. Your postcode area is 6km from the Caernarfon exchange although the cable distance is likely to be longer.
# Your internet connection is significantly slower than the maximum speed available. The fastest broadband deals offered in your area are listed below. If you don't wish to switch providers, you could also look at our tips on how to improve your broadband speed
# Not happy with your supplier and thinking of switching? Click here to get a FREE personal consultation from our broadband experts. If you don't wish to switch providers, you could also look at our tips on how to improve your broadband speed.

How do your results compare to your expectations? Let us know by reviewing your supplier.

[Huw]

Seeing as I can almost spit on the Bangor exchange my broadband speed is fine. However my telephone service (on the same line) is knackered. BT - gotta love 'em (or kill 'em).

Have you considered switching to a 3G dongle Moley? Might be the best option until they put an exchange in Llanrug.

[Lloydie]

Dave Lloyd in Mynydd Llandegai (Think somewhere similar to "OUTER SIBERIA") gets 3MB

I object!!    Outer Siberia is much more populated and a relative tropical paradise 

Have you considered switching to a 3G dongle Moley?

I dread to think of the response 

[Moley]

Have you considered switching to a 3G dongle Moley?

Eh ?
 

[Lloydie]

example:

http://online.vodafone.co.uk/broadband/mobile-broadband

[Moley]

Great idea lads, I did a check on their webpage and unfortunately there is "NO COVERAGE" in LL554BE.
 

[JimmyTheHoover]

Looks like you'll need to start breeding carrier pidgeons then moley 

I take that you've no cable TV available either then ?

Jim

[Julian]

hi Moley,
I had a similar problem where my speed was very slow (400kb/s) , and finally BT sent someone round to have a look - after an ongoing incident log of 3 weeks.

After replacing the wiring that comes into the house (and in the house --- cash in hand), the speed has increased to 6Mb/s

Have you tested the speed from your master socket in the house ?

[Moley]

hi Moley,
I had a similar problem where my speed was very slow (400kb/s) , and finally BT sent someone round to have a look - after an ongoing incident log of 3 weeks.

After replacing the wiring that comes into the house (and in the house --- cash in hand), the speed has increased to 6Mb/s

Have you tested the speed from your master socket in the house ?

Hi Julian,
Modem is plugged straight into master socket. Distance of about 4feet. B.T. engineers have made a special box into it that only does the BB and can't get phone through it.

 

[Mole Bach]

Your package:
Broadband Only - 8Mb Speed - Unlimited

Test Results:
Upload speed 363 Kbps
download speed 328 Kbps

Your local phone exchange is Newborough
Judging by your distance from this exchange (3398 meters*), the maximum speed you are likely to achieve with Tiscali is 4Mbps.

So even with an 8mb package, and only being 3398m away from the exchange, I'm still not getting the full 4Mbps.

[Huw]

How many others are affected in Llanrug Gwyn? You could put a hell of a lot of pressure on BT if you organise.

Remember:
Ofcom (020 7981 3042) is very handy.

This is an election period. Phone/email every PPC and AM you can think of. They'll kick up a fuss 'cos hating BT is a vote winner