Connection Problems

[#1]

That's a bit of a blow, however you could nullify the "only" constraint by noting that it ALSO impacts data telecommunications in the area.
This is starting to look like yet another sloping shoulder of the toothless tiger otherwise know as Ofcom.  They have "delegated" so many of their responsibilities to other bodies and then limit the applicability of the rules.
May be PN can get a proper REIN engineer on the job?

[#2]

It can continue to be investigated as a broadband fault, see: REIN_Introduction_for_CPs_v10.pdf
I guess there's some device in your neighbourhood, perhaps a TV or cable TV box or its power supply, that is the source of the interference, and often gets switched on at around 4pm. The device is faulty in the sense it puts out far more interference than it should, but otherwise would appear to be working fine.

[#3]

Yes, I think Broadband faults are likely to be treated more urgently than AM/MW interference.
The Openreach engineer told me it was affecting a lot properties in the area.
Being intermittent though, I guess it's not so easy to trace.
[Sorry for the late reply - I was effectively cut off for a few more hours by another long burst of REIN.]

[#4]

A quick update on this.
I had a visit yesterday from a BTOR engineer.
The REIN began again at around 4pm and he was able to witness it.
He fitted a new MK3 faceplate, replaced some slightly dodgy wiring where the copper wires come into the house and replaced the junction box with a proper RF filtered one.
Connection was able to maintain itself during a burst of REIN but my speeds have gone down at a bit. The connection does at least seem stable, but I guess I'll have to wait and  see how it copes with another outbreak of REIN:
----------------------
Latest figures from my TG585:
DSL Connection
Link Information

Uptime: 0 days, 20:19:07
DSL Type: G.992.5 annex A
Maximum Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 1,092 / 9,124
Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 1,100 / 4,792
Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [MB/MB]: 30.47 / 162.59
Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]: 12.5 / 19.5
Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 23.0 / 40.5
SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 5.5 / 16.5
Vendor ID (Local/Remote): TMMB / IFTN
Loss of Framing (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Signal (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Power (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Link (Remote): 0
Error Seconds (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
FEC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 22,177,384
CRC Errors (Up/Down): 190 / 274
HEC Errors (Up/Down): 162 / 215
---------------------------
For the sake of comparison these are the figure from 13/09/2014 after a similar period of connectivity, taken while the REIN was at its worst but before the wiring was replaced and the faceplate and filters were fitted:

Link Information

Uptime: 0 days, 21:11:37
DSL Type: G.992.5 annex A
Maximum Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 940 / 6,356
Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 939 / 6,712
Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [MB/MB]: 30.83 / 192.42
Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]: 12.0 / 20.0
Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 24.0 / 41.5
SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 6.5 / 2.0
Vendor ID (Local/Remote): TMMB / IFTN
Loss of Framing (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Signal (Local/Remote): 3 / 0
Loss of Power (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Link (Remote): 0
Error Seconds (Local/Remote): 47 / 0
FEC Errors (Up/Down): 26,464 / 0
CRC Errors (Up/Down): 17,247 / 137,392
HEC Errors (Up/Down): 12,490 / 1,256,909
========================================
Here are my current speedtest.btwholesale.com figures:
Download speed achieved during the test was - 3.81 Mbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 1.2 Mbps-4 Mbps.
IP Profile for your line is - 4.23 Mbps
2. Upstream Test: -provides background information.
Upload Speed
0.39 Mbps

0 Mbps 0.83 Mbps
Max Achievable Speed
Upload speed achieved during the test was - 0.39Mbps
Additional Information:
Upstream Rate IP profile on your line is - 0.83 Mbps

We were unable to identify any performance problem with your service at this time.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Would I be right in thinking all the line tests &c from yesterday's BTOR visit has caused the  IP profile to be reset?

[#5]

Hi,
I don't like these new figures...  by profile did you mean SNRM target?

Your line is now running at circa a 15dB SNRM compared to 3dB before.  Though this might make the line more stable in the presence of REIN, it is at the sacrifice of synch speed.  The reduced synch speed might deliver a lower level of errors which could deliver a more proficient DATA speed.
One would need to ask PlusNet what changes BTw made to the service yesterday and did the BTOR call for REIN support?
Kevin

[#6]

Quote from: Townman

.by profile did you mean SNRM target?

I probably do - I'm having to reacquaint myself with the terminology.

Quote

did the BTOR call for REIN support?

He made some vague remarks about keeping an eye on the situation.
Plusnet messaged me at around 5pm to say they will need to arrange another engineer visit, though I don't why.

[#7]

It looks like my connection was interrupted this afternoon when i was out (possibly by Plusnet?).
These are the current router details
Link Information

Uptime: 0 days, 2:42:16
DSL Type: G.992.5 annex A
Maximum Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 1,080 / 5,260
Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 1,075 / 4,792
Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [MB/MB]: 1.42 / 4.54
Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]: 12.5 / 19.5
Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 23.0 / 40.0
SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 6.0 / 6.5
Vendor ID (Local/Remote): TMMB / IFTN
Loss of Framing (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Signal (Local/Remote): 3 / 0
Loss of Power (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Link (Remote): 0
Error Seconds (Local/Remote): 4 / 0
FEC Errors (Up/Down): 274 / 12,529,487
CRC Errors (Up/Down): 115 / 15
HEC Errors (Up/Down): 99 / NA
----------------
The AM radio is picking up quite a lot of hum at the moment but the connection is holding, at least.

[#8]

Possibly the downstream target SNRM hasn't been changed, it's just that it will connect at a lower speed if it connects while the interference is present. If the interference later stops, the currently reported SNRM value will rise.
It looks like interleaving has been enabled on the downstream, allowing more errors to be corrected and fewer packets lost in the presence of interference, but it's not clear if it's the interleaving or the lower speed that's more significant.

[#9]

Hi, is it worth disconnecting and reconnecting the router at a time of day when the line interference is low?
I still haven't heard from Plusnet what another engineer visit is intended to achieve.
[They seem a lot slower at answering tickets these days (it's ages since I last raised a fault).]
Here are my latest router statisitics:
-------------------------------------------------------
TG585 v8 Link Information

Uptime: 1 day, 18:52:58
DSL Type: G.992.5 annex A
Maximum Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 1,072 / 9,372
Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 1,075 / 4,792
Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [MB/MB]: 40.48 / 236.85
Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]: 12.5 / 19.5
Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 23.0 / 40.0
SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 6.0 / 17.5
Vendor ID (Local/Remote): TMMB / IFTN
Loss of Framing (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Signal (Local/Remote): 3 / 0
Loss of Power (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Link (Remote): 0
Error Seconds (Local/Remote): 4 / 0
FEC Errors (Up/Down): 1,639 / 40,889,435
CRC Errors (Up/Down): 434 / 566
HEC Errors (Up/Down): 437 / 290
---------------------------------------------------

[#10]

Yes, it is worth re-connecting when the interference is low, although there's no gaurantee the connection will hold when the interference returns. But otherwise all you're testing is that it's stable at this much lower speed.

[#11]

Well I just reconnected the router:
-----------------------
Link Information

Uptime: 0 days, 0:23:04
DSL Type: G.992.5 annex A
Maximum Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 1,088 / 9,268
Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 1,087 / 8,626
Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [kB/kB]: 42.00 / 72.00
Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]: 12.5 / 20.0
Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 23.0 / 40.5
SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 6.0 / 6.5
Vendor ID (Local/Remote): TMMB / IFTN
Loss of Framing (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Signal (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Power (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Link (Remote): 0
Error Seconds (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
FEC Errors (Up/Down): 7 / 1,513
CRC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 3
HEC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 12
--------------------
Now to see if it can hold on  if/when the REIN returns...

[#12]

The BTW test seems to tell a different story:
---------------------------------

1. Best Effort Test: -provides background information.
Download  Speed
3.31 Mbps

0 Mbps 4 Mbps
Max Achievable Speed
Download speedachieved during the test was - 3.31 Mbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 1.2 Mbps-4 Mbps.
IP Profile for your line is - 4.23 Mbps
2. Upstream Test: -provides background information.
Upload Speed
0.3 Mbps

0 Mbps 0.83 Mbps
Max Achievable Speed
Upload speed achieved during the test was - 0.3Mbps
Additional Information:
Upstream Rate IP profile on your line is - 0.83 Mbps

We were unable to identify any performance problem with your service at this time.
-----------------------------------
I don't quite understand the discrepancy.  

[#13]

Incidentally, does anyone know how long Plusnet usually take to answer follow-up questions to tickets?
It's a bit frustrating having to wait a few days between replies.

[#14]

Quote from: Bookworms

Uptime: 0 days, 20:19:07 DSL Type: G.992.5 annex A Maximum Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 1,092 / 9,124 Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 1,100 / 4,792 Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [MB/MB]: 30.47 / 162.59 Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]: 12.5 / 19.5 Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 23.0 / 40.5 SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 5.5 / 16.5 Vendor ID (Local/Remote): TMMB / IFTN Loss of Framing (Local/Remote): 0 / 0 Loss of Signal (Local/Remote): 0 / 0 Loss of Power (Local/Remote): 0 / 0 Loss of Link (Remote): 0 Error Seconds (Local/Remote): 0 / 0 FEC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 22,177,384 CRC Errors (Up/Down): 190 / 274 HEC Errors (Up/Down): 162 / 215

Quote from: Bookworms

Uptime: 0 days, 2:42:16 DSL Type: G.992.5 annex A Maximum Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 1,080 / 5,260 Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 1,075 / 4,792 Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [MB/MB]: 1.42 / 4.54 Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]: 12.5 / 19.5 Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 23.0 / 40.0 SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 6.0 / 6.5 Vendor ID (Local/Remote): TMMB / IFTN Loss of Framing (Local/Remote): 0 / 0 Loss of Signal (Local/Remote): 3 / 0 Loss of Power (Local/Remote): 0 / 0 Loss of Link (Remote): 0 Error Seconds (Local/Remote): 4 / 0 FEC Errors (Up/Down): 274 / 12,529,487 CRC Errors (Up/Down): 115 / 15 HEC Errors (Up/Down): 99 / NA

Quote from: Bookworms

Is it worth disconnecting and reconnecting the router at a time of day when the line interference is low? Uptime: 1 day, 18:52:58 DSL Type: G.992.5 annex A Maximum Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 1,072 / 9,372 Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 1,075 / 4,792 Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [MB/MB]: 40.48 / 236.85 Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]: 12.5 / 19.5 Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 23.0 / 40.0 SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 6.0 / 17.5 Vendor ID (Local/Remote): TMMB / IFTN Loss of Framing (Local/Remote): 0 / 0 Loss of Signal (Local/Remote): 3 / 0 Loss of Power (Local/Remote): 0 / 0 Loss of Link (Remote): 0 Error Seconds (Local/Remote): 4 / 0 FEC Errors (Up/Down): 1,639 / 40,889,435 CRC Errors (Up/Down): 434 / 566 ...

Up to this point I was going to suggest that you have a speed banded line (which would not be unsurprising) and that REIN is delivering about -10dB of noise.  I suggest that all of the above resynchs were done in the presence of the REIN and two of the stats reports were taken in the absence of REIN.  In situations such as this, these stats are nearly meaningless and we need to focus on the RouterStats plots - these show the issue which needs to be addressed.
In your circumstances, reconnecting when the interference is low will only serve to show what the line can do in the absence of REIN if there are no other impediments present on the service, for example a speed banding.  Resynching in the presences the interference will deliver a lower synch speed, however, the link will survive the impact of the REIN when it starts again.

Quote from: Bookworms

Uptime: 0 days, 0:23:04 DSL Type: G.992.5 annex A Maximum Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 1,088 / 9,268 Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 1,087 / 8,626 Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [kB/kB]: 42.00 / 72.00 Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]: 12.5 / 20.0 Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 23.0 / 40.5 SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 6.0 / 6.5 Vendor ID (Local/Remote): TMMB / IFTN Loss of Framing (Local/Remote): 0 / 0 Loss of Signal (Local/Remote): 0 / 0 Loss of Power (Local/Remote): 0 / 0 Loss of Link (Remote): 0 Error Seconds (Local/Remote): 0 / 0 FEC Errors (Up/Down): 7 / 1,513 CRC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 3 HEC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 12

That rather refutes the speed banding theory, however the following speed test results rather indicate that BT systems have not updated the profile as a result of this improved synch speed.
Can you please ensure RouterStats is plotting 24x7 - let's hope that the next engineer is a REIN specialist.  Expect that this is going to take time and you will not be disappointed.  REIN is a very difficult issue to resolve.
Has anyone dealt with those open cabinets yet?
Kevin

[#15]

Quote from: Townman

Has anyone dealt with those open cabinets yet?

Thanks for taking time to analyse at my stats.
To be honest, I haven't checked the cabinet closely  since the last Openreach engineer called a few days ago.
I'm pretty sure it's still partly open but I will take a look later this afternoon when I go out.
I must also confess that I haven't installed router stats at the moment. Leaving the PC on 24/7 isn't something I like to do.
Will it work ok over a wireless connection?

FWIW, here's the latest from my router:
---------------------------------
Link Information

Uptime: 0 days, 21:51:21
DSL Type: G.992.5 annex A
Maximum Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 1,088 / 5,356
Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 1,088 / 5,144
Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [MB/MB]: 31.05 / 286.94
Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]: 12.5 / 19.5
Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 23.0 / 40.0
SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 5.5 / 5.5
Vendor ID (Local/Remote): TMMB / IFTN
Loss of Framing (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Signal (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Power (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Link (Remote): 0
Error Seconds (Local/Remote): 65,646 / 0
FEC Errors (Up/Down): 31,424 / 47,780,814
CRC Errors (Up/Down): 2,752 / 66,363
HEC Errors (Up/Down): 160 / 37,059
--------------------
BTw diagnostic page:
--------------------------------------
1. Best Effort Test: -provides background information.
Download  Speed
2.99 Mbps

0 Mbps 4 Mbps
Max Achievable Speed
Download speedachieved during the test was - 2.99 Mbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 1.2 Mbps-4 Mbps.
IP Profile for your line is - 4.54 Mbps
2. Upstream Test: -provides background information.
Upload Speed
0.71 Mbps

0 Mbps 0.83 Mbps
Max Achievable Speed
Upload speed achieved during the test was - 0.71Mbps
Additional Information:
Upstream Rate IP profile on your line is - 0.83 Mbps
-------------------------------------

I can live with the connection as it is - it's been a lot more stable since the faceplate and filter were fitted though it would be nice to have a little more speed and more stability.