Networks Noisy ADSL Line

Hi all,

I've just moved into a new property, and subscribed to 02's 20meg broadband. The router just wouldn't connect and after some lengthy tests on their part they found it was the noisy line (specifically high frequency noise in the same range as ADSL2). Having slackened the noise filters I now get a 7meg connection, but according to 02 I'm only about 50metres from the exchange and should easily get 20megs. Has anyone got any recommendations on how I can reduce the noise and get my due?

Thanks

 

If you haven't already got it, fitting an NTE5 faceplate filter may do the job, although you'll have to site your router by the master socket for that really.

 

Try and disconnect every phone line extension in the house right the way down to the master socket.

If it's a BT socket you could also try plugging into the engineer's port behind the faceplate - that can sometimes improve your speed.

Another good idea, as Zoon suggested, is to fit a high-quality faceplate with an integrated filter in it. A good place to find them is ADSL nation, they came recommended to me by a number of wise folk.

 

Have you got an alarm or a sky box plugged into the phone line? If you have an alarm, it might mean getting a filter put on it.

 

Thanks for all the answers. Under the (suprisingly helpful) guidance of an O2 guy in Ireland I was told to try the following things:

(1) Make sure everything has a filter on it - already done. Only one phone and one router, no house alarms etc, and (alas) no sky.

(2) Try the test socket . . .except it doesn't have one The socket looks like this, and was apparently discontinued around 1980.

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/images/faq/iplate/old-small-bt-socket.jpg

the only socket inside is the back of the outside socket, in other words its occupied if the cable is plugged in.

(3) For this reason I'm considering, as Zoon and Krikkit have recommended, a new faceplate with integrated filter. I seem to remember reading that BT have to fit this or it's a breach of something or other . . . . is this true?

Thanks again everyone

 

Yes, if it's the master socket, BT will have to fit it - at a cost of about £150. If you try to do it yourself and BT discover, you'll be liable for a fine.

 

Whats the reason for their caginess about it?

 

They have to maintain and look after the phone networks, it's to try and stop a DIY phone engineer making an ass of their network.

 

Sigh, that would be fine if it didn't cost me . . .

 

Give it a go? It's not that hard to change a faceplate, simply a matter of screwing in 4 or so wires and screwing it to the wall. Just put it exactly as you found it.

 

Look into the iPlate.

 

Have you done a quiet line test? If you can hear noise on it, ring BT, they'll send out an engineer. Should be fixed in a week.

Edit: You don't even need to ring, you can ask for the engineer via their website.

 

Disconnect the ring line. Most phones don't require it, and it's a huge source of interference.

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/faq/sections/radsl.html (scroll down to the end)

Also think about fitting an ADSL plate to the main socket.

http://www.adslnation.com/phpapps/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=105

A decent shielded RJ12 cable may help as well

http://www.adslnation.com/phpapps/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=121

I used to barely get 1Mb at my place on O2 8mb (Miles from the exchange). After doing the above, I know get almost 6Mb. Makes a huge difference.

[EDIT] oops - didn't see that you don't have an NT5 master box. You can get one here:

http://www.adslnation.com/phpapps/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=36&products_id=114

 

That is a quality bit of advice. rep++

 

BTW, what router is the OP using? It's important, as certain chipsets are better at handling noise than others.

I ditched my O2 supplied router in favour of a Netgear 834GT - well known for being able to wring every last bit of sync speed out of a noisy line. I can't recall if it'll work on an upto 20Meg line, but if not, I'm sure there must be something similar about for higher speed lines.

If you google around, you can get firmware for it that has been breathed on to allow for more 'enthusiast' levels of tweaking to get the most out of the connection.

 

I wouldn't bother - disconnecting the ring wire has the same effect, and is free.

 

The DG834GT works for all ADSL lines as far as I know - it synched quite happily at >20Mb at my last place.

 

Technically if you don't have an NTE5 faceplate at the master socket you can connect a downstream NTE5 right next to it.

As the others have said above, if you take the faceplate off yourself and replace it with the NTE5 plate you're liable for a fine.

You could try as mentioned above by ringing BT on 150 and telling them you've got noise on your line, and you could also get your ADSL ISP to report a low connection speed issue on your line.

There's no guarantee either will work though

I live in a new build flat and my "master" socket isn't even BT branded, so I've got an NTE5 socket and faceplate on order, which I'm just going to whack in I have done this before and I've done some telecoms stuff professionally so please don't think I'm entirely a have-a-go hero

If you do decide to have a go yourself, be careful. You won't get any serious amount of voltage striking you, but you can loop the bell wire back on the exchange if you connect the wrong wires, and you could damage BT equipment, or at least just cause your phone (and by extension, your ADSL) to not work. They do get alarms for some of these faults and they'll know you had to have fiddled for that kind of thing

You can find wiring guides on the internet, and you probably should take a picture of it before you start so you can replace them where they came from.

I've always used Solwise for my faceplate filters/sockets/etc

 

thanks all for the advice (and sorry for the extreme delay in reply), have bought parts as per GreatOldOne's recommendation, and will follow Zoon's words of caution

This is interesting, on ADSL Nation it says

"Under the terms of your contract with BT the subscriber is not permitted to make any alterations to the wiring that leads into the house from the street. There will usually be a junction box or socket where the incoming wire is terminated inside the house. This is where BT pass responsibility to the subscriber. Subscribers are free to make modifications to the wiring from this point on."

Does this mean it is ok to change faceplate? I'm in a building containing eight appartments btw.

Regarding Router it's a Belkin N1 Vision (with inbuilt modem).

 

You are not allowed to make any changes or modifications to the first socket where the wiring enters your house or flat. You can do whatever you like to extension sockets around the house, but you can't touch the main socket.