384 line unusably slow

[TorqueRider]

Hi guys,

I have a 384 line (got the ADSL conversion call on Friday morning from Telkom) with a Mega 105WR router. I'm staying in Midrand, more specifically in Vorna Valley.

Here is the problem; when the modem tries to connect, it syncs at a ridiculous slow speed of 256/128 Kbps. This happens all the time, except one time where it synced at 384/128. I can restart the router however many times I wish, but this is always the sync speed I get.

The worst part is that my download speeds vary between 4 and 6 kb/s! Surely I have to download at at least ~30-40 Kb/s on a 384 line?

Here are the details my modem spits out:

Connection Status Connected
Us Rate (Kbps) 128
Ds Rate (Kbps) 256
US Margin 13
DS Margin 7
Trained Modulation ADSL_G.dmt
LOS Errors 231
DS Line Attenuation 63
US Line Attenuation 31
Peak Cell Rate 301 cells per sec
CRC Rx Fast 79635
CRC Tx Fast 5068
CRC Rx Interleaved 0
CRC Tx Interleaved 0
Path Mode Fast Path

DSL Statistics
Near End F4 Loop Back Count 0
Near End F5 Loop Back Count 0

What I could gather from this, apart from the obvious fact that the modem does not sync at 384/128, is that the DS Margin and DS Line Attenuation values are quite problematic. But how do I fix this?

Can anybody please provide me with some help on this matter? Maybe What I ought to do from here?

 

[Globetrotter]

Hi guys,

DS Margin 7
DS Line Attenuation 63

Yes, unfortunately those are bad stats. With 63dB you're roughly 4,5km from your local exchange. Quite far. So either you're simply too far to get a good download speed or your have some serious noise on the line. Or both.

* Does your connection disconnect frequently? Note that some routers handle low noise margins better than others or alternatively put, if you swop the router out to a different brand, you may get a higher noise margin (higher is good). Netgear is known to handle low noise margins better than most.

* Make sure your adsl filters are fitted correctly.

* Move closer to the exchange...

 

[TorqueRider]

Hi Globetrotter, thanks for the reply.

Sorry for the delay in reply, I'm on a 3G connenction as I type this. My, how nice it is to be connected at a decent speed again!

To answer your questions;
- My connection is surprisingly stable. Well, let me put it this way, I have had 2 disconnects from Friday evening untill now. The one was with the thunder storm we had in Midrand last night, and the other was just now when it dropped from 330/128 to 256/128.

- I presume when you're talking about ADSL filters you talk about those white box thingys that have a single input channel and 2 output channels? The thing is; I do not have any telephones or anything except the ADSL router on the telephone line. Will the filter make a difference in my case?

- Well, moving closer to the exchange is a very attractive option right now. Honestly, the Neoflex option from Telkom's rival company does look like a better option by the day!

 

[Globetrotter]

Have you called Telkom to test your line? 0800 375 375 (good luck in getting through)
If those bad line attenuation and noise margin stats stay the same, your situation won't improve.

No, in your case the filters won't make a difference. The filters are only applicable on the lines that go to telephones, faxes etc. that doesn't use ADSL.

 

[risingtide]

No, in your case the filters won't make a difference. The filters are only applicable on the lines that go to telephones, faxes etc. that doesn't use ADSL.

I would still fit the filters for two reasons:
a) Telkom will expect them to be there and may refuse to help if they are not
b) Sooner or later someone will want to plug in a phone, especially if you want to call Telkom for assistance.

 

[TorqueRider]

Thanks for the reply guys. Sorry I haven't replied 'till now, I got caught up in the silly season.

I have called the 0800 number, and got through eventually. The lady asked me to reset my modem and computer and after the reboot, the modem would not sync at all. She told me a Telkom technician will come out to my place to test the line, but with the public holidays upon us it will most probably take a while for them to pitch up.

We'll see.

Anyways, thanks for everybody who gave input and was willing to help.

 

[Amida]

I he comes and the modem doesn't synch show him the figures you posted especially the CRC errors your getting on the line.