Large decrease in speed
Some handsets have better gain (and frequency response) than others. Compare speech volumes/clarity. If the one where the noise is loudest is a corded phone also has best incoming speech, then use that for testing (always use a corded phone, switch off any DECT phones and base stations). Power down your modem/router first, don't just unplug it from the line. Can you still hear the/any noise (bearing in mind it may be intermittent)?
As another very regular poster on these forums has said "If you phone line is [Censored] then your broadband will be [Censored]". Any noise usually indicates an intermittent connection which needs to be fixed, it doesn't matter if it doesn't impede conversation. So proceed as follows -
As you powered down the router a minute or so ago, and you've now got your best corded phone plugged into the filter at your master socket, can you still hear the noise? If you need longer than the time after getting rid of the dial tone before NUT, make a free call to a patient friend with good hearing and while you can hear the noise can they? If so, good. If you have no friends
, do the quiet line test 17070 option 2, but don't use any ringback option and try and avoid an incoming call - ringing current can sometimes temporarily clean a dirty joint!
Whilst you can hear the noise, unplug first one of your extension filters, to check the noise doesn't go away, then unplug the other as well. This should confirm it's not related to those things plugged in.
Now if it's still audible, don't get the filters mixed up, swap the filter at the master socket for one of the others. You'll need to re-dial obviously (unless you want to be really clever you could plug one of the other filters back in at an extension with another phone off hook to hold the line whilst you swap the other unused filter with the one at the master then you could unplug that extension again).
If you can still hear the noise you could check out your last filter by doing a swap.
Hopefully we've now proven it's none of your filters, now if you are feeling really brave, and have the means to reconnect the wires (you should only have terminal s 2 & 5 connected) you could disconnect your extension wiring at the master to be sure it's not your internal stuff causing the problem.
On the assumption we've proven it's an external problem, with the noise still present (or wait until it returns) phone your line rental service provider (if BT 151) don't select any auto testing options, select an option to speak to an adviser, get them to confirm they can hear the noise and log it and log it as intermittent. You can say you are plugged into your master socket with a corded phone but don't mention broadband or you'll get the run around. Over egg the noise a bit especially if it's quieter when you phone. When the engineer turns up, cups of tea or coffee and biscuits will help, point out you have an old LJU master, can they replace it (as you had to fiddle to disconnect your internal wiring, but I'd leave those few words out if they seems stroppy - not likely, but there are a few!). If the noise is not there when they come, remind them that it is intermittent, can be loud at times, hopefully they will go off and replace some joints at the DP and Cab and test each bit of your line. If they start to say they can't do anything because they can't hear the noise, politely suggest they go to the DP, Cab etc check out the cables and remake the joints. If they are still difficult , demand to speak to their supervisor, if no joy, say you want to speak to the area engineer - just make it plain you are not going to be fobbed off. Hopefully you won't have any of those issues and it will be job done.
As another very regular poster on these forums has said "If you phone line is [Censored] then your broadband will be [Censored]". Any noise usually indicates an intermittent connection which needs to be fixed, it doesn't matter if it doesn't impede conversation. So proceed as follows -
As you powered down the router a minute or so ago, and you've now got your best corded phone plugged into the filter at your master socket, can you still hear the noise? If you need longer than the time after getting rid of the dial tone before NUT, make a free call to a patient friend with good hearing and while you can hear the noise can they? If so, good. If you have no friends
, do the quiet line test 17070 option 2, but don't use any ringback option and try and avoid an incoming call - ringing current can sometimes temporarily clean a dirty joint!Whilst you can hear the noise, unplug first one of your extension filters, to check the noise doesn't go away, then unplug the other as well. This should confirm it's not related to those things plugged in.
Now if it's still audible, don't get the filters mixed up, swap the filter at the master socket for one of the others. You'll need to re-dial obviously (unless you want to be really clever you could plug one of the other filters back in at an extension with another phone off hook to hold the line whilst you swap the other unused filter with the one at the master then you could unplug that extension again).
If you can still hear the noise you could check out your last filter by doing a swap.
Hopefully we've now proven it's none of your filters, now if you are feeling really brave, and have the means to reconnect the wires (you should only have terminal s 2 & 5 connected) you could disconnect your extension wiring at the master to be sure it's not your internal stuff causing the problem.
On the assumption we've proven it's an external problem, with the noise still present (or wait until it returns) phone your line rental service provider (if BT 151) don't select any auto testing options, select an option to speak to an adviser, get them to confirm they can hear the noise and log it and log it as intermittent. You can say you are plugged into your master socket with a corded phone but don't mention broadband or you'll get the run around. Over egg the noise a bit especially if it's quieter when you phone. When the engineer turns up, cups of tea or coffee and biscuits will help, point out you have an old LJU master, can they replace it (as you had to fiddle to disconnect your internal wiring, but I'd leave those few words out if they seems stroppy - not likely, but there are a few!). If the noise is not there when they come, remind them that it is intermittent, can be loud at times, hopefully they will go off and replace some joints at the DP and Cab and test each bit of your line. If they start to say they can't do anything because they can't hear the noise, politely suggest they go to the DP, Cab etc check out the cables and remake the joints. If they are still difficult , demand to speak to their supervisor, if no joy, say you want to speak to the area engineer - just make it plain you are not going to be fobbed off. Hopefully you won't have any of those issues and it will be job done.