Infinity CONSTANTLY losing connection to the provider itself every few seconds. Please, help!

[Sinuous]

Some time while I was out today, I was informed that our internet is extremely unstable. I got home at around 7PM today and inspected the problem. We are using a TP-Link router right now ( we have two ), and the second light is what connects us to our broadband provider, the third being our internet. The second light constantly goes out every few seconds, comes back, then goes out. It is showing no signs of stopping, and is going absolutely berserk. We have done absolutely nothing that could have possibly caused this problem, as nobody even went close to the router until I was informed that the internet was dropping and the second light kept going out as did our internet light shortly after.

So, here's what I have been able to do (with great difficulty):

I have switched routers and tested the problem--same thing occurs.
I have asked my neighbours if they have the same problem, but nobody seems to be using Infinity, just using Sky standard, so I doubt that means anything.
I have tried switching out the wire that connects into the router AND into the master socket, the one with the small head.

I however, cannot use the test socket as I have no way of removing the faceplate because of tremendous back problem & a huge, heavy desk blocking access to the screws. I had to switch the wire blindly which wasn't easy.

Our PHONE is fine, which I guess makes sense on a fibre connection given that the connections are separate.

I am using BT WiFi with FON to make this post, please mods, help! This is very unusual. I think we really do need an engineer.

[licquorice]

Its not unusual at all, it is an intermittent connection due to either a loose/corroded wire/connection somewhere in your line. To avoid a charge of £130 if the problem is due to your internal wiring, I'm afraid you will need to get somebody to assist you to access the trst socket.

Try a quiet line test with a corded phone by dialling 17070, I suspect it will be very crackly. If so, at the test socket, report the fault as a noisy line.

[Sinuous]

Since I can't get to the test socket, I'll do the quiet line test anyway and see what happens.

...


And done. I did hear the occassional crackle, yes. Also, when I picked up my phone, it would not work until a few seconds has passed, then I heard the dial tone? So, I put the phone back down and picked it up a few times... it was fine... then one more attempt and it had that weird delay again.

The strange thing is, only a few weeks ago, our phone died completely and nowhere did we have a dial tone, yet our internet was fine. But, now? Both are having problems, both are extremely intermittent, and I don't understand why.

[licquorice]

You need an engineer visit to sort it out, but you really need to ensure your wiring isn't at fault first though.

[Sinuous]

I'll try and run a quiet line test tomorrow in the test socket. What am I looking out for with the quiet line test in the test socket? Crackles, or no sound at all?

[imjolly]

Unfortunately unless you can use the test socket to eliminate internal problems you cannot be certain when you ask for engineer visit that you will not get billed  for the callout 129.99

do you have someone that could help try test socket 

[Sinuous]

I'll see if I can get someone over tonight or tomorrow morning, I just need to know what I am looking out for when doing a quiet line test in the test socket.

[licquorice]

Absolute quiet, no crackles at all and no delay in obtaining dial tone.

[Sinuous]

I went next door and with a stroke of luck, my neighbour was in and asked her to help me move my desk. I got behind it and unscrewed the faceplate and put my phone in the test socket. The test was EXACTLY THE SAME as if it weren't in the test socket, and the freakiest part is that our phone line cut out in the middle of the test. Lost the dial tone... just like it was doing previously, our phone kept cutting out.

So, the test had a couple of crackles in them, but only a couple. The entire time I was on the phone to the line: 17070 I heard a constant buzz, which is exactly what happened before putting it in the test socket. What does that mean? Is it going to cost us money, or is it going to be a free repair?

[licquorice]

You have a line fault, report it as a noisy phone line, don't mention broadband. The fault is external to your property and therefore non-chargeable.