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Unbelievable drop in download speeds

kentmere
Dabbler
Posts: 15
Thanks: 2
Registered: ‎14-04-2007

Unbelievable drop in download speeds

After a long period of stability and excellent line performance (see data below for end of April 2011), our connection seems to have degraded considerably  (see data for 31.05.2011 below). No reason here for that, apart from a brief disconnection about three weeks ago when BT engineer had a quick look in our main BT box to give me an opinion about our potential for upgrading to Fibre to cabinet. Since then, router sync and download have been all over the place - interleaving on, then off, DSL connection changed from G 992.5 to G 992.3 and now back again.
The current BT download speed seems untrue! Namesco test tells me that we are getting a download speed of 1.95 MBps, which is still terrible compared to a month ago when I was seeing download speeds approaching 7Mbps.What is going on?Huh
If anyone from Plusnet sees this post , please respond! Getting a bit fed up now.


DSL Connection 25.04.11

Link Information
Uptime: 3 days, 12:10:17
DSL Type: G.992.5 annex A
Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 444 / 8,852
Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [kB/kB]: 0.00 / 20.00
Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]: 13.0 / 0.0
Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 23.0 / 41.5
SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 23.0 / 7.5
Vendor ID (Local/Remote): TMMB / IFTN
Loss of Framing (Local/Remote): 45 / 0
Loss of Signal (Local/Remote): 4 / 0
Loss of Power (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Link (Remote): 0
Error Seconds (Local/Remote): 709 / 0
FEC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 4,581,410
CRC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 23,628
HEC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 20,835

DSL Connection 31.05.2011
Link Information

Uptime: 2 days, 9:22:06
DSL Type: G.992.5 annex A
Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 443 / 2,359
Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [kB/kB]: 0.00 / 0.00
Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]: 12.5 / 0.0
Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 23.0 / 41.5
SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 25.5 / 21.0
Vendor ID (Local/Remote): TMMB / IFTN
Loss of Framing (Local/Remote): 22 / 0
Loss of Signal (Local/Remote): 25 / 0
Loss of Power (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Link (Remote): 0
Error Seconds (Local/Remote): 347 / 0
FEC Errors (Up/Down): NA / 0
CRC Errors (Up/Down): NA / 1,324
HEC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 968

BT test 16.30  31.05.2011
Download speed achieved during the test was - 1049 Kbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 800-2000 Kbps.
Additional Information:
Your DSL Connection Rate :2359 Kbps(DOWN-STREAM), 443 Kbps(UP-STREAM)
IP Profile for your line is - 2000 Kbps
The throughput of Best Efforts (BE) classes achieved during the test is - 5.95:21.93:72.21 (SBE:NBE:PBE)
These figures represent the ratio while sententiously passing Sub BE, Normal BE and Priority BE marked traffic.
The results of this test will vary depending on the way your ISP has decided to use these traffic classes.
2. Upstream Test:  -provides background information.
Upload Speed
355 Kbps

kentmere
13 REPLIES 13
spraxyt
Resting Legend
Posts: 10,063
Thanks: 674
Fixes: 75
Registered: ‎06-04-2007

Re: Unbelievable drop in download speeds

To get that low sync speed your router must have dropped connection and restarted during a period with high levels of noise on your line. Was your phone noisy at the time and if so is it still noisy (quiet line test 17070 option 2)?
Have you tried restarting the router during the day? If the line noise problem has gone away that should restore your sync speed unless the DLM has increased your target noise margin for connection stability reasons. Posting your router stats again following the restart will give a better idea of what is happening.
Note that speed tests will not show any change immediately - your IP Profile needs to increase first which will take 2-3 days.
David
jojopillo
Plusnet Alumni (retired)
Plusnet Alumni (retired)
Posts: 9,786
Registered: ‎16-06-2010

Re: Unbelievable drop in download speeds

Hi kentmere ,
Your SNR is quite high; that won't help. How is your kit set up? Are you using any extension cables/sockets?
Jojo Smiley
kentmere
Dabbler
Posts: 15
Thanks: 2
Registered: ‎14-04-2007

Re: Unbelievable drop in download speeds

Thanks for comments. Line test quiet as a mouse. I  have been operating the router for more than a year at the end of an extension that is hard-wired into terminals A&B of a modified NTE5 faceplate to the BT box. These terminals provide an unfiltered line direct to my office. I then use the usual filter to connect the router and an office phone. I have tried a daytime restart recently, with a 30min interruption of the line, but this had no effect. Since then, things have got worse in fact.
Current router data still the same after 3.5days. I will leave it a bit longer and then do a test into the master socket to see if it is the extension connection.
jojopillo
Plusnet Alumni (retired)
Plusnet Alumni (retired)
Posts: 9,786
Registered: ‎16-06-2010

Re: Unbelievable drop in download speeds

HI kentmere,
If you could plug your router into the test socket behind the master socket faceplate I'll be able to get a better idea of what's going on.
Jojo Smiley
jelv
Seasoned Hero
Posts: 26,785
Thanks: 971
Fixes: 10
Registered: ‎10-04-2007

Re: Unbelievable drop in download speeds

Quote from: Joanne
If you could plug your router into the test socket behind the master socket faceplate

... using a normal length lead and not an extension!
jelv (a.k.a Spoon Whittler)
   Why I have left Plusnet (warning: long post!)   
Broadband: Andrews & Arnold Home::1 (FTTC 80/20)
Line rental: Pulse 8 Home Line Rental (£14.40/month)
Mobile: iD mobile (£4/month)
kentmere
Dabbler
Posts: 15
Thanks: 2
Registered: ‎14-04-2007

Re: Unbelievable drop in download speeds

Thanks again, Jo and jelv. Did the test socket job yesterday evening, using a lead of the usual length to my laptop,  and at the same time rewired the extension connections to my main PC upstairs. Router immediately showed an improved sync at 4635 (down)/444 (up), with SN margins of 24.5 (up)  and 9.5 (down). The connection type was G992.3 annexe A. (For along time up to April, it had been G992.5 Annexe A).  However, the download speed remained at about 1.9Mbps. Then reset my main PC on the extension and recorded a sync speed of 5351 with a down S/N margin of 8.0. The sync rate  soon increased to 5632 and S/N margin stayed the same. Interleaving is off, because when it has been on , we have seen quite a lot of errors, but with good overall performance  (See April data posted earlier.
See below for data from router on the extension this afternoon, about 4.30pm.
DSL Connection 02.06.2011
Link Information

Uptime: 0 days, 8:07:33
DSL Type: G.992.3 annex A
Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 443 / 5,587
Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [kB/kB]: 0.00 / 0.00
Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]: 13.0 / 0.0
Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 23.0 / 38.5
SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 24.5 / 9.5
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): 29 / 0
FEC Errors (Up/Down): NA / 0
CRC Errors (Up/Down): NA / 1,103
HEC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 932
http://www.pingtest.net/result/41398622.png - basically says excellent quality line, no packet loss and minimal jitter

http://www.speedtest.net/result/1323498597.png - again, download about 1..9Mbps.
So, things are improving. Maybe the extension connection in the box had got damaged. Doesn't seem to be a problem now. I guess that I will have to wait for the download speed to adjust. Is there any thing else that can be done to get me back to our previous excellent performance.?

jojopillo
Plusnet Alumni (retired)
Plusnet Alumni (retired)
Posts: 9,786
Registered: ‎16-06-2010

Re: Unbelievable drop in download speeds

HI kentmere,
I see your profile is up to 4500.
Quote from: kentmere
Is there any thing else that can be done to get me back to our previous excellent performance.?

See what sync rate you get just plugging into the test socket behind the master socket faceplate.
Jojo Smiley
kentmere
Dabbler
Posts: 15
Thanks: 2
Registered: ‎14-04-2007

Re: Unbelievable drop in download speeds

OK, Jo , here are the test socket data and, 30mins later, the data with the router back in its usual place at the end of our extension.
DSL Connection Test socket 22.35pm; 03.06.2011

Link Information

Uptime: 0 days, 2:25:44
DSL Type: G.992.3 annex A
Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 443 / 5,143
Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [kB/kB]: 0.00 / 0.00
Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]: 12.5 / 0.0
Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 23.0 / 38.5
SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 24.0 / 8.0
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): 1 / 0
FEC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 0
CRC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 244
HEC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 194
Download speed  4219; upload 362

DSL Connection 23.12pm Extension connection 03.06.2011
Link Information

Uptime: 0 days, 0:03:30
DSL Type: G.992.3 annex A
Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 443 / 4,887
Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [kB/kB]: 0.00 / 0.00
Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]: 13.0 / 0.0
Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 23.5 / 39.0
SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 24.0 / 9.0
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 / 0
CRC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 16
HEC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 15
Download speed 4207  upload 357

Before I started this series of tests, data for the extension connection were:
DSL Connection 19.41, June 3, 2011 (PC Extension connection)

Link Information

Uptime: 0 days, 13:08:52
DSL Type: G.992.3 annex A
Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 443 / 5,383
Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [kB/kB]: 0.00 / 0.00
Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]: 13.0 / 0.0
Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 23.0 / 38.5
SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 22.0 / 9.5
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): 100 / 0
FEC Errors (Up/Down): NA / 0
CRC Errors (Up/Down): NA / 1,954
HEC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 1,557
These all seem broadly similar, implying that the extension is not the cause of our recent difficulties, which started as I said earlier, when the BT guy disconnected us for about a minute. If you have another look at the router data before the problems, you can see that there is a tremendous difference ie we were syncing at 8852 on a stable G 992.5 annexe A connection, and interleaving was on. Now we are on G 992.3 annexe A and interleaving seems to have been turned off.
Over to you !!
Thanks
Kentmere

jojopillo
Plusnet Alumni (retired)
Plusnet Alumni (retired)
Posts: 9,786
Registered: ‎16-06-2010

Re: Unbelievable drop in download speeds

Hi kentmere,
Have you tried a different filter or even a different RJ11 cable?
Jojo Smiley
kentmere
Dabbler
Posts: 15
Thanks: 2
Registered: ‎14-04-2007

Re: Unbelievable drop in download speeds

Jo
The recent test socket measurement was done with a different cable. The filter is the same one that has been in place for over a year but I will try a different filter tomorrow, during daylight hours to try to avoid problems with the BT DML system. How long should I leave the system down before re-connecting, in order to avoid problems? Up to now, I have always allowed 30 mins.
Kentmere
jojopillo
Plusnet Alumni (retired)
Plusnet Alumni (retired)
Posts: 9,786
Registered: ‎16-06-2010

Re: Unbelievable drop in download speeds

Hi kentmere,
30 seconds will be fine.
Jojo Smiley
kentmere
Dabbler
Posts: 15
Thanks: 2
Registered: ‎14-04-2007

Re: Unbelievable drop in download speeds

OK, JoJo.
As suggested, replaced RJ11 cable and filter. I am pleased to say that the sync speed has now gone up from 5419 to 6000, and the connection is back to  G 992.5 Annexe A. See below:
DSL Connection 06.06.2011 (after replacing RJ11 and filter)

Link Information

Uptime: 0 days, 0:02:18

DSL Type: G.992.5 annex A
Bandwidth (Up/Down) [kbps/kbps]: 443 / 6,003
Data Transferred (Sent/Received) [kB/kB]: 0.00 / 0.00
Output Power (Up/Down) [dBm]: 13.0 / 0.0
Line Attenuation (Up/Down) [dB]: 23.5 / 42.0
SN Margin (Up/Down) [dB]: 23.5 / 9.5
Vendor ID (Local/Remote): TMMB / IFTN
Loss of Framing (Local/Remote): 11 / 0
Loss of Signal (Local/Remote): 44 / 0
Loss of Power (Local/Remote): 0 / 0
Loss of Link (Remote): 0
Error Seconds (Local/Remote): 146 / 0
FEC Errors (Up/Down): NA / 0
CRC Errors (Up/Down): NA / 1
HEC Errors (Up/Down): 0 / 1
So, it now looks as though we are moving slowly back to where we were. It still seems that interleaving is off. It was on at the time that we got the best data at the end of April - see the first of my posts.
Anyway, thanks for your replies and comments. I will keep things under review and get back if things go downhill again.
Kentmere 
jojopillo
Plusnet Alumni (retired)
Plusnet Alumni (retired)
Posts: 9,786
Registered: ‎16-06-2010

Re: Unbelievable drop in download speeds

HI kentmere,
Always here so give us a shout if you need more assistance.
Jojo Smiley