This topic

Is a BT Smart Hub 2 OK for use with Copper Broadband

TonyC5 — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 12:56:14 GMT

Hi.

I have a BT Smart Hub 2, and sometimes get very slow download speeds, less than 1 Gb per second, I have complained to BT.

Before making a formal complaint and possibly cancelling my service, can I ask if a BT Smart Hub 2 is 100% compatible with copper broadband, or should I use a different Smart Hub.

Thanks in anticipation.

Tony in Enfield

Re: Is a BT Smart Hub 2 OK for use with Copper Broadband

imjolly — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 13:01:52 GMT

the SH2 is designed to work on adsl and vdsl. on long lines from exchange on adsl you may find one of the older hubs hh4/5 may be slightly better

post hub stats form advanced settings then technical log information

Re: Is a BT Smart Hub 2 OK for use with Copper Broadband

Keith_Beddoe — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 13:09:43 GMT

@TonyC5

I am sure you do not mean 1Gb per second, as that would only be possible with a direct optical fibre into your house.

Assuming you are on an ADSL connection, what download speed are you seeing?

If you have a slow speed and are a long distance from the exchange, then the Smart Hub 2 is not really suitable, and a home hub 4 is recommended instead, as its designed for ADSL. All the others are for VDSL but will cope with ADSL on short lines, where there is no crosstalk.

Re: Is a BT Smart Hub 2 OK for use with Copper Broadband

TonyC5 — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 13:14:49 GMT

Hi Keith, sorry I got my speed wrong (wishful thinking maybe!!

I have just tested my speed and it was 14 Mb per second, which is fine for my use, especially with a copper connection.

I accept that with so many people working from home, my speed may vary, especially in the morning but 8-14 Mb per second is OK with me.

However as I said in my original post sometimes it drops to less than 1mb per second.

I live approximately 100metres from the exchange, and wish I could get fibre broadband especially as I live in Outer London.

Any advice would be welcome.

Regards

Tony in Enfield

Re: Is a BT Smart Hub 2 OK for use with Copper Broadband

licquorice — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 15:59:30 GMT

I suspect it is your download speed that is dropping due to congestion rather than your sync speed. A different hub will not have any effect on download speed.

Re: Is a BT Smart Hub 2 OK for use with Copper Broadband

TonyC5 — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 16:02:36 GMT

Thanks

Re: Is a BT Smart Hub 2 OK for use with Copper Broadband

Keith_Beddoe — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 16:12:39 GMT

@TonyC5 wrote:

Hi Keith, sorry I got my speed wrong (wishful thinking maybe!!

I have just tested my speed and it was 14 Mb per second, which is fine for my use, especially with a copper connection.

I accept that with so many people working from home, my speed may vary, especially in the morning but 8-14 Mb per second is OK with me.

However as I said in my original post sometimes it drops to less than 1mb per second.

I live approximately 100metres from the exchange, and wish I could get fibre broadband especially as I live in Outer London.

Any advice would be welcome.

Regards

Tony in Enfield

Then that speed is fine, and the SH2 would have no issue with that, but as @licquorice has said, it could be exchange congestion during peak times.

If your actual sync speed remains the same, and you do not get any disconnections, then that is most likely the reason for the reduced download speed.

Can you check your sync speed, when you get a slow connection?

A noisy phone line will also slow your connection down.

Re: Is a BT Smart Hub 2 OK for use with Copper Broadband

Biscuit2 — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 12:25:07 GMT

I wish I had known this months ago. No end of problems with broadband (we did have a genuine fault, which BT insist is mended but nothing has worked the same ever since). BT trying to insist the SH2 is fine, but we are miles away from exchange on a copper cable (which one engineer commented could have a problem anywhere along its length; however sales team are trying to insist nothing is wrong & that we continue to use the very frustrating SH2 & wifi discs, of which we now have 3, which I feel like chucking in the bin). Think your post confirms that the SH2 is possibly not much good for us, thank you

Re: Is a BT Smart Hub 2 OK for use with Copper Broadband

Biscuit2 — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 12:28:33 GMT

(@keith_beddoe)

Re: Is a BT Smart Hub 2 OK for use with Copper Broadband

Tangleytrouble — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 08:47:39 GMT

@Biscuit2 …Did you fix your problem and how. You have described my situation for past 6 weeks to a tee am at wits end with BT

Re: Is a BT Smart Hub 2 OK for use with Copper Broadband

imjolly — Sun, 30 Oct 2022 10:18:01 GMT

@Tangleytrouble

it would be far better if you started your own thread and post your problem. that way you will get replies specific to your problem

Re: Is a BT Smart Hub 2 OK for use with Copper Broadband

Biscuit2 — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 12:59:36 GMT

Hello @Tangleytrouble

No, unfortunately the problem didn't get fixed. I won't bore you with details, but will say the guys who manage this forum did their best to help. We've kept landline, but after speaking to a local tech person, we now use 4G broadband, & although not perfect it's hugely better - it was our only hope, here. You can buy a reasonably cheap 4G router from Amazon/Argos etc, for example TP-Link TL-MR6400 300 Mbps 4G Mobile Wi-Fi Router (really the only thing to watch out for is that it's powerful enough for your size of property - however we have also added some mesh-wifi extenders which are great). You do also need a reasonable 4G signal where you live, & fortunately we get strong signal from O2 so have an unlimited data simcard package, costing approx £27/month. You may find you have a better signal from a different mobile operator though, eg Three, Vodafone... it depends on your nearest phone mast (if you have a smartphone you likely already know who gives you the best signal, but you can also find out by looking it up on your local mobile network map). We also bought a Poynting outdoor antenna but found it made things worse, as we already get a good signal (I just mention it in case you find you need one!). I've probably made it sound complicated but it's easy to set it all up - you want to find the place in your house/property with the best signal, is the main thing - this is likely to be higher up in the house, & on the side facing your nearest phone mast. I hope this helps; happy to try and help further if you have any questions...

Re: Is a BT Smart Hub 2 OK for use with Copper Broadband

Tangleytrouble — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 13:44:42 GMT

Thank you so much I think I had already come to the conclusion that a 4G router might be the way to go. I am sorry it never got sorted for you. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond and being so helpful

Re: Is a BT Smart Hub 2 OK for use with Copper Broadband

Biscuit2 — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 16:46:08 GMT

@Tangleytrouble No problem. It just wasn't worth fighting BT to fix the issues anymore - comes a point when you have to try and save a bit of sanity, with all due respect to the ones who did try & help! Wishing you all the best.