Very Disappointing Speeds

Forums › Slingshot and CallPlus › Very Disappointing Speeds

Apokolips

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

Topic # 95363 1-Jan-2012 12:05

Dear All,

I am writing regarding the terrible speeds which I am receiving on my ADSL2+ connection. I am connected on the 20gb business CallPlus plan, so the line is not throttled at all from their end. However, I am consistently receiving around 260-320kbps Downstream and 380-420kbps Upstream. As you will know, this is much less than the theoretical line speed for ADSL2+ and it is very disappointing. Sometimes it barely seems better than dialup (which we have, unbearably, used for the 10 years it took to upgrade our exchange).

Here are the details about my connection, and the summary statistics from the router:
Connection: ADSL2+ 20GB CallPlus Plan
Router: Netcomm ADSL2+ NB6Plus4 (FW: 3.66t)
Phone jacks: 3; all with filters
Phone lines: 2; ADSL2+ on the secondary
Statistics:

Line Mode ADSL2
Line State Show Time
Line Power State L0
Line Up Time 01:18:08:42
Line Coding Trellis On
Line Up Count 3

Statistics
Downstream
Line Rate 361 Kbps
Attainable Line Rate 392 Kbps
Noise Margin 10.4 dB
Line Attenuation 76.5 dB
Output Power 13.1 dBm

Upstream
Line Rate 413 Kbps
Attainable Line Rate 346 Kbps
Noise Margin 10.6 dB
Line Attenuation 46.4 dB
Output Power 12.4 dBm

I really hope there is something that can be done to improve the speeds. It is so very frustrating to know that it is capable of so much more, and the results are infact so poor.

Any suggestions or help would be appreciated. Let me know if any extra information would help.

With Regards,
Apokolips.

sbiddle

26936 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6379

Moderator

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 563456 1-Jan-2012 12:15

You've got exceptionally high attenuation and there are only really 3 causes for this.

1. You're either located some a long way from the cabinet or exchange and there is nothing you can do to fix this.

2. You're on a ULL connection that's going through a cabinet and need moving to a wholesale connection (unlikey as I believe all their DSLAM's run a 6dB noise margin)

3. Your wiring is dodgy and needs fixing.

Statistically speaking internal house wiring is the biggest issue affecting internet speeds, and unless you have a propfessionally installed master filter you'll always receive sub standard ADSL2+ speeds. If your distance from the cabinet or exchange is within 2km and you are on a wholesale connection your wiring is almost certainly the problem.

Unfortunately you've provived very little in the way of details on your location. You'll need to look up the Chorus website, enter your address and tell us whether you're in a cabinet or exchange area and whether your connection is a ULL one or not.

If you are on a ULL connection (and if you don't know this only your ISP can tell you this, none of us can) the following might be some helpful reading. http://www.geekzone.co.nz/sbiddle/7872

RunningMan

5043 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1618

Reply # 563459 1-Jan-2012 12:21

Well, on the face of it, you are maxing out your current line speed. Having said that, your sync rate and attenuation are nothing short of terrible.

I would suggest trying a full isolation test first (given the number of phones / filters etc that you have). Use the search function on this forum if you are not sure how to do this.

The most probable culprit is your internal house wiring, so doing this testing will work out where the fault lies.

If would be helpful if you posted what exchange or cabinet you are connected to, or what suburb you are in.

Apokolips

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 563460 1-Jan-2012 12:25

Thanks for your prompt reply. I suspect it could be the wiring; we have always had problems with our phone lines over the years. I will do the check on the Chorus site and post the results.

Apokolips

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 563465 1-Jan-2012 12:39

I'm 2km north-west of Westgate (Fred Taylor Drive), and I'm pretty sure we're connected to the Don Buck Road exchange.

Apokolips

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 563469 1-Jan-2012 12:55

Well, they don't have my address in the database specifically so I've had to use an approximation between the nearest two roads. I'm in the low 100s on Fred Taylor drive which is approximately halfway between Dunlop Road and Hailes Road. I am connected to the Whenuapai exchange. The map seems to indicate that there is no cabinet nearby, so my connection is running directly from the exchange. The nearest cabinet to me is WEI/C.

Estimating from the coverage area given on the chorus mapping tool I would say that my house is approximately 200m outside the boundary for the WEI/C cabinet.

I will try and find out whether I am on a ULL connection, and do a full isolation test later tonight. Thanks for your help so far guys.

RunningMan

5043 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1618

Reply # 563471 1-Jan-2012 13:06

Have a look at this thread. It's a little old, but still very relevant, and should help you isolate your internal home wiring. This is the most common cause of low sync rate problems (like you have), and the first thing to make sure is right.

You could also check the firmware revision of your modem, and check the manufacturer's web site for any updates.

Having said that, from memory, there have been people living in the same area as you reporting similar issues. I think coffeebaron may have local knowledge of this area, but not 100% sure.

Finally, the very low sync rate you are seeing can happen when there is a broken or very corroded joint in the cabling somewhere, either inside our outside your premesis.

sbiddle

26936 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6379

Moderator

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 563472 1-Jan-2012 13:07

Since you aren't on a cabinet whether you're on a ULL connection isn't really that much of an issue.

Right now everything is pointing towards a wiring issue, which statistically speaking is likely to be something in your home rather than a Chorus issue.

Apokolips

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 563475 1-Jan-2012 13:13

Thanks, I will try the isolation test later tonight (not possible right now). I have had a browse through the forums and it seems like there was another chap on the same road experiencing similar problems (high attenuation) back in Jan this year. His thread was locked and unresolved...

I would put money on it being the local wiring - I just realised that it could be very relevant that we tend to get crackling on the lines whenever it rains; the water supposedly gets in to the pipes and causes crosstalk. I guess the isolation test will be telling at least.

RunningMan

5043 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1618

Reply # 563477 1-Jan-2012 13:22

Apokolips: I would put money on it being the local wiring - I just realised that it could be very relevant that we tend to get crackling on the lines whenever it rains; the water supposedly gets in to the pipes and causes crosstalk. I guess the isolation test will be telling at least.

It's quite likely there is an outside issue then, however, I would definately continue with the isolation test as well. Particularly with the number of filters/phone you have, the chances are you would benefit from tidying up any issues within the house as well. At the very least, you've then ruled out the most common cause of issues, and you may well see some increases in speed as well.

Apokolips

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 563616 1-Jan-2012 22:47

I have completed the isolation testing and I am sad to say that there is little improvement to be noted. In the below statistics I have shown the change from previous results in brackets

Line Mode ADSL2
Line State Show Time
Line Power State L0
Line Up Time 00:00:07:05
Line Coding Trellis On
Line Up Count 4

Statistics
Downstream
Line Rate 320 Kbps (-41)
Attainable Line Rate 592 Kbps (+200)
Noise Margin 12.9 dB (+2.5)
Line Attenuation 76.0 dB (-0.05)
Output Power 13.1 dBm (0)

Upstream
Line Rate 409 Kbps (-4)
Attainable Line Rate 409 Kbps (+63)
Noise Margin 12.9 dB (+2.3)
Line Attenuation 46.5 dB (+0.1)
Output Power 12.4 dBm (0)

It is worth saying that it has been raining constantly (Oh, how Auckland rains!) and so this may be bearing its weight on the signal attenuation in the line.

Regards,
Frank

sbiddle

26936 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6379

Moderator

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 563647 2-Jan-2012 07:38

Your best bet is to call your ISP and get Chorus to come and take a look.

cyril7

6300 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 288

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 563657 2-Jan-2012 09:26

My Guess, a leg gone on vacation either your place, exchange or street pillar.

Cyril

Nebbie

455 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 26

Trusted

Reply # 563727 2-Jan-2012 13:05

cyril7: My Guess, a leg gone on vacation either your place, exchange or street pillar.

Cyril

Hi

I agree here, Looks like you might have issues with your line. If you completed all your troubleshooting best call our technical support team to log a fault to get a tech out to look at the line.

If you forgot the number its 0800 89 5000 for callplus.

Thanks
Bevin

---------------------------------------------------------------
Nebukadnessar

coffeebaron

5247 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2265

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 563739 2-Jan-2012 13:52

RunningMan: Have a look at this thread. It's a little old, but still very relevant, and should help you isolate your internal home wiring. This is the most common cause of low sync rate problems (like you have), and the first thing to make sure is right.

You could also check the firmware revision of your modem, and check the manufacturer's web site for any updates.

Having said that, from memory, there have been people living in the same area as you reporting similar issues. I think coffeebaron may have local knowledge of this area, but not 100% sure.

Finally, the very low sync rate you are seeing can happen when there is a broken or very corroded joint in the cabling somewhere, either inside our outside your premesis.

Hi Frank,

Your issue is definitely distance from exchange related - greater than 6km. There are others in your area that have been refused broadband due to being outside the minimum broadband spec, and in theory this should never have been activated for you too.
There is some hope, an RBI cabinet is scheduled for your area in about 18 months time - though it is not certain from current info whether or not it will service your address. I think most likely it will, otherwise it would service a very small area indeed.

In the mean time, work needs to be done on your line to squeeze out every last bit of performance we can. This would be achieved by new wiring and master filter. I can do this for you, PM (email) me your details if you would like a price - which will be cheaper that Chorus.

Cheers
Fraser

Chorus has spent $1.4 billion on making their xDSL broadband network faster. If your still stuck on ADSL or VDSL, why not spend from $150 on a master filter install to make sure you are getting the most out of your connection?
I install - Naked DSL, DSL Master Splitters, VoIP, data cabling and general computer support for home and small business.
Rural Broadband RBI installer for Ultimate Broadband and Full Flavour

Need help in Auckland, Waikato or BoP? Click my email button, or email me direct: [my user name] at geekzonemail dot com