This topic

Second line

drbrtsn — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 18:58:04 GMT

Unfortunately, we only have "Superfast" broadband guaranteeing 25Mbps and can't get anything better. A family member is a gamer and insists on ethernet, so we use a Powerline adapter. The problem is he's in an extension to the house and, probably related to wiring issues, this has poor speeds/latency. So, I am thinking to get a second line to the extension but BT tell me it isn't possible. Another provider has told me it is possible. I have looked at the BT broadbanc checker website but I don't really understand all the info there. Can someone advise me on what the possibilities are, given our local circumstances? The UPRN is 484077197.

Thanks all.

Re: Second line

licquorice — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 19:04:34 GMT

You can order as many lines as you like to a property. However, whether the second line can be delivered directly to the extension rather than the main property is a moot point and will depend on your unique circumstances.

Re: Second line

iniltous — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 20:31:02 GMT

Powerline adapters are not particularly good, better options are available, and not necessarily a second line , before you order a second line , a word of caution, especially if using a different provider to whoever supplies the existing line ,( presumably that’s BT ) , although it’s possible to order an additional line , often the new provider issues the wrong type of order to Openreach, resulting in a migration of the existing line to the new provider ….before you go down this additional line route , is it possible to hard wire a ‘proper’ Ethernet extension to where you want it ?, most electrical/network contractors , electricians etc should be able to provide a ‘data’ extension or possibly run a long length , pre-made , Ethernet cable from the existing router to the required location .

Finally , your 25Mb seems a little in the low side , the upper end being 45Mb , your internal wiring/sockets or a line fault could be the reason your line is at the bottom end of the predicted speed , if you are a BT customer , post your router statistics they may indicate a problem, if a problem is indicated, you would have to prove it wasn’t something within your home , like extension wiring or sockets affecting the existing broadband service

Re: Second line

drbrtsn — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 06:51:54 GMT

Thanks for responding. The router gives a downstream sync speed of 29 and my BT package "guarantees" 21 - interestingly, they used to guarantee 25, so that's changed. We get those speeds fairly reliably via Powerline, except in the extension.

I will look into getting some cabling so my stepson can have a wired connection; that's a possible solution if it can be done reasonably neatly. If not, I guess it's back to exploring a second line, though BT tell me it isn't possible. Possibly some limitation at cabinet level?

Re: Second line

Anonymous — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 07:55:13 GMT

@drbrtsn

"We get those speeds fairly reliably via Powerline, except in the extension."

Are the two Powerline adapters, (presumably one is located adjacent to your BT Hub?), on the same ring of your home's mains electrical wiring?

Powerline adapters often don't work so well between two unit on different rings. It is to do with the signal being transmitted through the wiring having to go through the circuit breakers in the Consumer Unit, which affect the signal.

Also, if running an ethernet cable inside the house is impractical, have you considered running it around the outside of the building instead? If you do go down this route, be sure to specify external grade cable.

Re: Second line

iniltous — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 08:06:28 GMT

Because your current speed is above your guaranteed minimum doesn’t mean that it cannot be improved , your router statistics should show a max attainable speed , if the actual connection speed is significantly less it could indicate a problem, the minimum speed guarantee is dynamic, if someone has an underlying issue that affects their speed , and it’s not addressed, the real data from this impacted service will lower the MSG, the DSL checker shows your speed at the bottom of the impacted range

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

Re: Second line

drbrtsn — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 08:31:08 GMT

Yes, I think the extension must be on a different ring, hence the degraded connection. I will look at ways of getting a wired connection, maybe routed outside. Thanks.

Re: Second line

drbrtsn — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 08:33:59 GMT

The router says the maximum data rate is 7.784 Mbps up / 29.506 Mbps down, despite the ADSL checker saying up to 45.

Re: Second line

pippincp — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 12:36:52 GMT

The info page will give us more info than your "Cherry picked" item.

Re: Second line

drbrtsn — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 13:49:38 GMT

OK thanks, point taken......is this more useful?

This is a list of your Hub settings and current statistics.
Product code:Hub
Serial number:+091299+2025007336
Firmware version:v0.39.01.04077-BT
Firmware updated:Wed Jun 21 03:02:29 2023
Board version:R01
GUI version:1.77 20_05_2022
DSL uptime:3 days,15 Hours03 Mins55 Secs
Data rate:7.784 Mbps / 29.129 Mbps
Maximum data rate:7.784 Mbps / 29.382 Mbps
Full Fibre (FTTP) Mode:Off
Noise margin:6.0 / 4.9
Line attenuation:13.2 / 25.0
Signal attenuation:13.2 / 25.3
VLAN id:101
Upstream error control:Off
Downstream error control:Off
Data sent / received:5.5 GB Uploaded / 102.3 GB Downloaded
Broadband username:bthomehub@btbroadband.com
Public Wi-fi status:Activated
2.4 GHz wireless network name:BT-R3A37X
2.4 GHz wireless channel:Smart (Channel 1)
5 GHz wireless network name:BT-R3A37X
5 GHz wireless channel:Smart (Channel 36)
Wireless security:WPA2
Wireless mode:Mode 1
Firewall:On
MAC address:18:82:8C:8D:6F:ED
Software variant:-
Boot loader:0.1.7-BT (Thu Nov 30 09:45:22 2017)