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.
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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.
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
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?
"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.
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
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.
The router says the maximum data rate is 7.784 Mbps up / 29.506 Mbps down, despite the ADSL checker saying up to 45.
The info page will give us more info than your "Cherry picked" item.