Get BT to change my exchange...

[#1]

Hi All,
I have been hunting around for an answer to this for a while, and short of getting some half hearted salesy response from a BT call center part-timer, I thought I'd ask it here.
How do I get BT to change which exchange I'm connected to, and would this give me better, faster broadband?  I currently get a sync speed of around 1900k and a throughput of about 1500-1600k, but I'm greedy and want more!    
I currently live in Swindon (SN3 2NP, http://www.samknows.com/broadband/exchangelist.php?filter_field=cou.name&filter_value=Swindon), quite a large town with 9 exchanges.  My current exchange is called "SWINDON" (SN1 1QT) which is 2.3 miles by car (according to Google) - this gives an estimated line distance of around 3 miles (2.3 * 1/3).
My downstream attenuation is 63, which gives me an estimated line distance of 2.79 miles (4.5km from http://www.kitz.co.uk), so say around 2.9 miles as an average.  
There aren't are "closer" exchanges, but in changing my current exchange, would I get a better quality copper cable than I currently have, and newer or different equipment in the exchange?  Would BT charge the earth for this, or is there a way to get it for free?    If I get a new phone line, can I choose the exchange it gets connected to?
Other than that, I have Cat6 cable my side of the NTE5 master socket for about 5 meters to the modem, a range of expensive filters available (currently using the one that gives the fastest speed), and a Netgear DG834PN modem/router.
All in all from when I moved in two years ago, I've managed to scrape about 600k of improvement from my first cheap dodgy router and miles of extention cable.  
Thanks in advance!

[#2]

Hi,
You could pay them several thousands of pounds to reroute your cabling.  They *will not* do it otherwise.
I know speeds are a pain, but unfortunately it's exactly how broadband works and there really isn't any way of moving you closer to the exchange or changing your wiring routing without you paying for it.

[#3]

Thanks for the reply.
Kinda what I guessed, just needed some confirmation...
Hows about getting a new line - can I choose what exchange it comes from?

[#4]

I wouldn't have thought so.  When you're paying for a new line, you're really just paying for the line rom the junction box on your street to your house.
Not all the wiring to the exchange.

[#5]

oh, of course, that would make sense really!
With this new ADSL2 stuff, do you know what would be the likely increase in speed I would get? or do you need some details?
My modem is already compatible, so I won't need any new hardware...

[#6]

I'd expect a slight improvement, but not that much.  Hopefully an extra Mbps

[#7]

well, better than nothing i suppose! 😉
either that or
A. Move house
B. Live in the broom cupboard at work
C. Virgin media (not after my friends experience!)

[#8]

You're telephone wiring will be a cable pair to a junction box either in a road side cabinet, or an underground junction. From there - it is part of a multipair cable, typically 50 pairs which then goes to the exchange by the most direct route possible.
So unless there is another multi-pair cable in your local junction box which goes to another exchange ( I would have thought this unlikely ) you couldn't be connected to another exchange.

[#9]

You could always go for a leased line, though your bills might increase somewhat! 
Phil

[#10]

or get a private micro wave link, also pretty pretty

[#11]

I live 0.5 miles from an exchange but my exchange is 3 miles away. The demarcation line for the 2 exchanges is 100 yds up the road.
I know that a BT employee living closer to the demarcation line asked to be put on to the closer exchange as I saw the worksheet. Not sure if it was completed as the telephone equipment was from the further exchange with the adsl and the tie pair out on the closer exchange.

[#12]

Quote from: sarahandjohn

oh, of course, that would make sense really! With this new ADSL2 stuff, do you know what would be the likely increase in speed I would get? or do you need some details? My modem is already compatible, so I won't need any new hardware...

If your downstream attenuation is 63dB ADSL2 iwll not hel much, if at all. See <a href="http://community.plus.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/internode-adsl2-distance.jpg">here</a>.