Webuser Forums: Broadband trouble shooter

Just came across this thread by mistake and thought you might benefit from my knowledge as a BT Broadband engineer.

Please check these points if you are having problems with BB.

1) Any installation should have a REN (Ring Equivalent Number) of a maximum of 4. An ordinary phone will have a REN of 1. Other equipment could have a higher value. Don't forget internal or external PC modems. Again these usually have a REN of 1. Each item connected to your telephone wiring will affect the overall REN. The REN is usually stated on a label somewhere on the equipment.

2) Installations with a REN greater than 4 will normally have to have a booster. In the main these are incompatible with BB (since it corrupts the digital signal). Boosters are usually sited near the master socket and make a clicking sound when the phone rings.

3) Make sure every socket that has a phone connected has a filter irrespective of whether or not a PC is connected.

4) BT Master sockets. The face plate can be removed to expose an extension connector and an internal socket (referred to as a Test Socket in this thread). You can add extensions to the internal extension connector which becomes "live" when the face plate is replaced. If you connect a phone or a ADSL filter to the internal socket it is exactly the same as connecting to the socket on the face plate. But if you have extensions connected to the internal extension connector then they are now disconnected for as long as the face plate is removed. This explains why BB works when the ADSL filter is connected to the internal socket.

5) Normally (I did say normally) any old extension cable will suffice for extensions from the Master socket. Extension cables/reels will also work in most circumstances. NOTE: unreeling the cable does not reduce the overall resistance since the cable remains the same length!

6) Distance from exchange is a guide to limit of service. The real measure is signal loss from the exchange. Factors are cable type, cable condition, joint type, joint condition etc. If you are already on the limit for BB then poor internal wiring isn't going to help.

7) If BB works from your master socket then it should work elsewhere in your home subject to the above. A dialtone at the phone does not guarantee a BB signal.

That's all from me for the minute but I will keep an eye on this thread for further questions.

Edited by greysts on 30/04/2005 18:21 (server time).

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