The digital divide

[#1]

@aptprojects 

Given what OR say then your only option is to go down the USO route as mentioned previously.

You don't have to use the Hub2 - you can accquire your own router which might have 4 ports plus a WAN port. Alternatively get yourself a powered Ethernet switch to provide the required ports.

Brian

[#2]

@aptprojects 

I understand your frustration but based on your location there is nothing that Plusnet can do to significantly improve the connection unless the infrastructure available to them by Openreach is upgraded. No doubt Plusnet can react to your complaints by sending you a new hub or even tweeking a few settings but any effects will be marginal.

In the meantime, as has been suggested, you can call on the USO (https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/access-to-decent-broadband/broadband-uso-need-to-know/) or move to satellite.

Have you checked with your local area council to see if there's any plans to provide full fibre under a community partnership deal? The rural area around our village has been connected by an Altnet, ConnectFibre. I understand that they received a government grant to support this installation.

[#3]

"2 miles from the green cabinet".

How far from the exchange?  There is some possibility that at that distance, you might be getter served with an ADSL2+ service!

EDIT:

For example, if this was previously an EO circuit and the green cabinet is outside of the exchange, you might get 7.7Mbps on ADSL2+

4km from the exchange would deliver 3.9Mbps ... a marked improvement over VDSL over 2 miles.

[#4]

Hi,

Thanks for the suggestion and I will look into it. I can't yet say that it has fixed my problem.

Bill

[#5]

I understand that PN can't fix the problem since Openreach hasn't provided the infrastructure. However they could offer a tariff which reflects the appalling service I receive. My speed is 1/50th of what the typical urban user gets and 1/5th of the minimum Ofcom recommendation. In reality they are profiteering from my predicament and they have no financial incentive to do anything about it. That would be different if I was being charged a lower tariff.

[#6]

---

@Townman wrote:

For example, if this was previously an EO circuit and the green cabinet is outside of the exchange, you might get 7.7Mbps on ADSL2+

---

If my reading of the attachment to post #3 is correct, ADSL 2+ is not available

[#7]

SOADSL is available by exception.

If it would be better than the 1Mbps SOGEA service, I’d be claiming a justifiable exception.

[#8]

@Townman 

Thanks fot the explanation. Is there a recognised route for requesting such a change?

I imagine the need for a discussion between knowledgeable persons in both Plusnet and Openreach, behind the 'computer says no' first line support barrier in both organisations.

[#9]

@Baldrick1 - I suspect that the process is not defined and the journey not easy!

@aptprojects - did you have a service at this address before "upgrading" to FTTC?  If yes, do you recall what speeds you received?

[#10]

did you have a service at this address before "upgrading" to FTTC?  If yes, do you recall what speeds you received?

@Townman there's some Max observed speeds for ADSL from 2019 in the BTw results attached in this post https://community.plus.net/t5/Broadband/The-digital-divide/m-p/1992135#M369571

They seem to be slightly down on the FTTC(VDSL) speeds

[#11]

@MisterW 

Well spotted...

ADSL in 2019 (3.3Mbps) was better than the current VDSL performance (2.6Mbps), but not as good as the VDSL reported performance (3.8Mbps) in Feb this year.

That suggests there is milage in attempting to restore the Feb 2024 performance level...

@aptprojects have you raised a fault report recently, citing the 3.8Mbps reported in Feb 2024 which would be a 50% improvement on what you have at present?

[#12]

Hi,

Yes we used to be on ADSL at this address. As I recall it we had around 2Mbps which went up to around 5Mbps immediately after upgrading to FTTC. It has now declined back to where it was before.

I don't know about ADSL2. If that gives a possibility of faster speeds then it's worth a try. I suspect I will have to mount a campaign to persuade PN to look into it.

Bill

[#13]

I have been in discussion with the PN help desk and they think I should be getting 5Mbps (big deal) and they are trying to figure out why it's only 40% of that.

[#14]

Wait until Cityfiber start there "planned" instal in your area. You will be surprised how quick openreach will change their minds (currently doing works at Frostenden) https://bidb.uk/#/14/NR34%208DT

[#15]

---

@iannewson wrote:

Wait until Cityfiber start there "planned" instal in your area. You will be surprised how quick openreach will change their  minds

---

I'm not so sure. We have had an altnet install to most remote properties in my area (but not all!), and OpenReach have shown no interest at all in competing (they did the village centre only). It seems that our small local exchange will close when PSTN goes in due course, and the properties that can only get ADSL will then only be able to get 4G.

Anyone not covered by the altnet requesting USO standard broadband are offered 4G as the only option.