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Interference maybe?

Devonian
Grafter
Posts: 1,854
Thanks: 1
Registered: ‎01-05-2011

Interference maybe?

I have an ongoing fault with my broadband, which PN have been trying hard to resolve since April, and between us we are pretty much stumped.
First, let me tell you that my line is perfect.  
BTOR have confirmed as such.
My line stats:
ADSL
  Type Interleave Path
  Status Show Time
  Downstream Upstream
  Data Rate (kbps) 17602 1230
  Noise Margin (dB) 2.5 6.2
  Attenuation (dB) 25.8 14.0
  Output power(dbm) 20.2 12.2
For whatever reason Belkin don't show the errors list, however BTOR have tested and shown me the line shows ZERO errors across the board.
When my line has no fault, it is perfect.

Now, I have a recurring issue, which is completely random during the week, it appears and disappears at any time of the day or night.  Sometimes it hangs around for a few days, other times just a few hours.  At the weekend, it always appears Saturday morning and hangs around all day.  In between the line is perfect again.
Symptoms.
Ping jumps from upper 20's to 200 - 300+
Jittery.
VOIP unusable, video buffers.
Upload slows down to almost zero.
Download almost drops to Zero.

Steps taken so far
Replaced router with Belkin N750
Tried 2 other routers.
All internal cables checked by myself and BTOR, no drop between test socket and extension.
When fault present, everything in the house has been switched off, to check interference.
Line tested, all connections between router and exchange checked and replaced.
5 Engineers have been and tested the full circuit.
Various settings have been applied and removed and re-jigged on the line.
Tested at SNR 6/6 no difference so returned to 3/6
Interleaving on/off no change.
ONCE when an engineer was here, a fault shown up on his test kit, then it vanished after a few minutes so he was unable to trace.  He decided it was a false reading  Roll_eyes
Also filters have been changed.
PN are trying to get a lift and shift arranged, but BTOR are refusing at the moment, and have instead decided on visit number 6 on Monday.
Interference between the router and the Pole, have been ruled out.  So that leaves between the pole and the exchange.

Any ideas anybody of anything that's been missed?
Has anybody else had a similar issue?
All ideas would be gratefully received.

This was 20 minutes ago:

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

0 Mbps 21 Mbps
Max Achievable Speed
Download speedachieved during the test was - 0.63 Mbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 4 Mbps-21 Mbps.
IP Profile for your line is - 14.15 Mbps
2. Upstream Test:  -provides background information.
Upload Speed
0.72 Mbps

0 Mbps 0.83 Mbps
Max Achievable Speed
Upload speed achieved during the test was - 0.72Mbps
Additional Information:
Upstream Rate IP profile on your line is - 0.83 Mbps

And this is now:
1. Best Effort Test:  -provides background information.
Download  Speed
13.89 Mbps

0 Mbps 21 Mbps
Max Achievable Speed
Download speedachieved during the test was - 13.89 Mbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 4 Mbps-21 Mbps.
IP Profile for your line is - 14.15 Mbps
2. Upstream Test:  -provides background information.
Upload Speed
0.93 Mbps

0 Mbps 0.83 Mbps
Max Achievable Speed
Upload speed achieved during the test was - 0.93Mbps
Additional Information:
Upstream Rate IP profile on your line is - 0.83 Mbps

See how it changes?

25 REPLIES 25
pwatson
Rising Star
Posts: 2,470
Thanks: 8
Fixes: 1
Registered: ‎26-11-2012

Re: Interference maybe?

Two (silly) questions
Are you testing on a wired connection?
Does this happen on more than one PC?
Devonian
Grafter
Posts: 1,854
Thanks: 1
Registered: ‎01-05-2011

Re: Interference maybe?

Sorry, should have mentioned:
Tested on a wired connection via 2 different laptops and a desk top.
I am also on ADSL2+ unlimited.
ejs
Aspiring Hero
Posts: 5,442
Thanks: 631
Fixes: 25
Registered: ‎10-06-2010

Re: Interference maybe?

This has some similarities to my current problem although I my case I can detect the interference in and around my house with an AM radio, not that this has particularly helped me yet.
Devonian
Grafter
Posts: 1,854
Thanks: 1
Registered: ‎01-05-2011

Re: Interference maybe?

Hrmm..
Similar yes indeed.
But there is absolutely no interference in my house, that has been ruled out.
So, if there is interference it will be from outside, which is a bummer.
The pole is very close to my house, on the edge of my driveway in fact, the cable doesn't run under trees for example, it goes from my place, to the pole, then the cable goes underground to the cab, then underground again to the exchange.
I also get packet loss, some days lots of, other days none.
NorthEasterner
Aspiring Pro
Posts: 1,873
Thanks: 64
Fixes: 3
Registered: ‎25-09-2012

Re: Interference maybe?

Can you get fibre in the area? If yes have you considered upgrading?
Ex Plusnet Fibre customer. Sky Ultrafast (G.Fast) Customer using a Sky Hub 4.2. If you wish to say thanks, please click the thumbs up Thumbs_Up
Devonian
Grafter
Posts: 1,854
Thanks: 1
Registered: ‎01-05-2011

Re: Interference maybe?

Nope, no fibre.
I would love to upgrade.
The exchange is enabled but my cab wont make them any money!
ejs
Aspiring Hero
Posts: 5,442
Thanks: 631
Fixes: 25
Registered: ‎10-06-2010

Re: Interference maybe?

When the problem is present, can you detect any interference radiating from any of your telephone cabling with an AM radio? When my problem is present, the ping time is still fine at 20ms, but there will probably be 25% or more packet loss for small (default) ping packets, with even worse packet loss for larger packets.
Your problem could maybe be occasional congestion or lack of bandwidth / capacity somewhere - perhaps sometimes there are one or more people doing vast amounts of downloading or uploading? It probably sounds a bit far fetched, but it might explain why you can't detect any interference - because there isn't any.
Devonian
Grafter
Posts: 1,854
Thanks: 1
Registered: ‎01-05-2011

Re: Interference maybe?

Nope, I can't detect anything.
My local exchange is well below capacity, well so OpenReach say.
I did wonder about congestion, but it happens at such strange times of the day and night.
The only regular time is Saturday mornings.
NorthEasterner
Aspiring Pro
Posts: 1,873
Thanks: 64
Fixes: 3
Registered: ‎25-09-2012

Re: Interference maybe?

Its worth a try but what about switching provider? Which provider were u with before?
Ex Plusnet Fibre customer. Sky Ultrafast (G.Fast) Customer using a Sky Hub 4.2. If you wish to say thanks, please click the thumbs up Thumbs_Up
Devonian
Grafter
Posts: 1,854
Thanks: 1
Registered: ‎01-05-2011

Re: Interference maybe?

Oh god no  Grin
Besides I had the same problem 18 month ago, then it just vanished for a year.
At the time I was with BT, then Plusnet.. had the problem with both.
nanotm
Pro
Posts: 5,756
Thanks: 156
Fixes: 2
Registered: ‎11-02-2013

Re: Interference maybe?

Quote from: Devonian
Nope, I can't detect anything.
but it happens at such strange times of the day and night.
The only regular time is Saturday mornings.

so something between your home and the exchange or your home and the cabinet is causing a serious interference with your line, the apparently randomness of the problem coupled with its regular Saturday start would tend to suggest its caused by someone using an electrical device along the route your phone line takes (an old valve operated radio or tv perhaps) although unless your the only person suffering that is rather unlikely, unless its do with the location of a vehicle in relation to the wires traveling to your house perhaps an issue of the shielding around the cable being damaged and external signals from a customized alarm or electrical system interacting with your line)
basically if there's some pimped out toy that you can see and if you track it and the disruption to your internet >>>>
just because your paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you
pwatson
Rising Star
Posts: 2,470
Thanks: 8
Fixes: 1
Registered: ‎26-11-2012

Re: Interference maybe?

Do any of the links here work for getting the line stats from your Belkin router?
http://www.kitz.co.uk/routers/belkin_commands.htm
Devonian
Grafter
Posts: 1,854
Thanks: 1
Registered: ‎01-05-2011

Re: Interference maybe?

Afraid not.
pwatson
Rising Star
Posts: 2,470
Thanks: 8
Fixes: 1
Registered: ‎26-11-2012

Re: Interference maybe?

Personally, I'd get hold of a cheap ADSL router that can provide line stats and see if error rate increases and the SNR drops during the problem period.
This will confirm that the problem is ADSL related rather than network performance.