Moved: DSL-N16 Packet Loss Hi guys. I’ve been having packet loss issues on the upstream part of my FTTC (VDSL2) line, in the UK. I can test this by looking at the amount of...

[UK Sentinel]

DSL-N16 is not a BT approved device, so this could cause problems if Engineer visits

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[Betatester548]

Thanks for your help :)

We are going to try the test socket, to see if that improves the line stats / resolves the packet loss issue.

There are a few telephone extensions which could be affecting the line, potentially. It’s possible they were not installed well.

Do I just connect a microfilter to the test socket, with my Asus DSL N16 connected to it?

We have a NTE5C Master socket with VDSL MK4 faceplate.

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[UK Sentinel]

Betatester548 wrote:

Do I just connect a microfilter to the test socket, with my Asus DSL N16 connected to it?

Interesting, Yes, as you say, plug in Microfilter in test socket and then plug in DSL cable from DSL-N16 port to DSL port on Microfilter ADSL/DSL filter.

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[Betatester548]

I think we might take another look at the network wiring on the master socket, there’s a pretty helpful video here that shows this being done:

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[UK Sentinel]

Enjoy

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[Betatester548]

No luck I’m afraid. Tried the test socket on a couple of routers, still getting some packet loss on both. It’s likely to be the upstream that’s the problem, as limiting the downstream with QOS didn’t reduce the amount of packet loss.

The upstream line attenuation was a little better on the TP-Link VR200.

Overall, I think it’s just an unreliable line, but at least there are no disconnections.

We are in a ‘white area’ (eligible for subsidy for internet access) for Project Gigabit, so hopefully by 2024 we will have FTTP, which should avoid any line issues.

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[UK Sentinel]

More than likely, bad or old crimp connector in the Cabinet

If ISP modem reports CRC errors also, maybe worth giving ISP support a call to see if BT engineer can visit ;)

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[Betatester548]

I checked my line at BT’s wholesale line checker here:

https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL

Here are the results:

It says the downstream handback threshold for my line is either 44.8mbps or 50.7mbps.

My line is currently only syncing at 32.3mbps, with the SNR set to 9dB. When it was at 6db, it synced around 40mbps.

We were worried that we might’ve left the white and orange wires (network) a bit loose on the back of the master socket, so we re-inserted those into the cam locks. But the result was the same, so it looks like there is a fault with the line.

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[Betatester548]

Do you think if I contacted my ISP, and said that I think there is a fault with the line, they would send a BT engineer, who would then charge us for any repairs / work at the cabinet or elsewhere?

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[UK Sentinel]

If original ISP supplied Modem/Router is plugged in and BT Engineer visits, then as you pay line rental (we all do) any fixes / maintenance /improvements are the responsibility of BT OPENreach.

If you do not have your original supplied ISP modem/Router hub, then BT Openreach could charge you for visit or any fixes on line.

If you call your ISP, explain you have CRC errors on ISP modem (if you do) and telephone calls are crackly (if they are)  or VoIP is poor quality etc and indeed line synch should be around 50-70Mbps and is 40Mbps, this should encourage ISP to make an appointment for BT Openreach engineer to visit your property

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[Betatester548]

Thanks for the advice.

Do loose connections happen a lot at FTTC street cabinets then? Or, would this generally only happen occasionally?

Realistically, can a BT Openreach engineer do any other work, other than check the street cabinet?

Do they ever resolve street wiring issues, or would that be too time consuming?

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[UK Sentinel]

Yes, yes and yes

May take more than one visit, especially if they send an engineer to look for a call problem, as they are not allowed to touch the cab, but if Broadband Engineer, then they can open cab and have a look.

Engineers bring equipment (or did) that check the line and how well it is performing, joints in the cabinet can become dry and be less conductive.

Some houses, homes, have two pairs of twisted pairs wires (2 sets of wires) so if one set is faulty, engineer can swap broadband over to the second pair for a better quality signal, saves digging up entire Street cable run.

Also in the cabinets are what are known as Line cards, which our Broadband lines connects to, these can also be faulty and they can be swapped / moved etc. (simple version).

 

 

 

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[Betatester548]

My dad isn’t willing to have a BT engineer around to check our line. I think he is worried the engineer will blame us for changing the master socket to an NTE5C, from the much older 2/1a BT type master socket, and charge us as a result.

The funny thing about this is, there’s really only 2 wires to connect (excluding the telephone wires on the front part, which we know aren’t too blame) and little to go wrong when connecting these wires with an NTE5C.

Is it actually against BT’s rules to rewire /upgrade the master socket? Even if it was done correctly?

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[UK Sentinel]

I think a BT OPENreach engineer visit is around £80, but do understand the concerns with extra costs maybe added.

Role of FTTP for yourself in 2024

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[Grisu]

So why dont you get an original socket to replace your own NTE5C?

You can change back after repairing the line.

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