Joined: 04 Aug 2006Posts: 32Location: London (Paddington Exchange)
Hi all,
A few months back I received an email from Orange where it said that I have been successfully upgraded to 8Mb as requested.
The connection icon on my PC shows that I have a speed of 7.6Mb as indicated on this image:
The diagnostics window also shows that the upgrade took place and I am receiving 7.6Mb downstream and 0.288 upstream. Here is the diagnostics image:
However, I have my doubts that the real speed I am receiving is 7.6Mb or nearer. I am not fussed at all if the speed were 5 or 6Mb. Thing is, I achieved speeds of up to 3.5Mb back in Spring and since the Orange takeover (or the LLU switchover, could not tell which one was the cause), it dropped down to 2Mb.
My question is: Is it possible that even having both the icon and diagnostics showing that I receive 7.6Mb, I might still be stuck on 2Mb? Or is the data showing on the display absolutely accurate?
My question is: Is it possible that even having both the icon and diagnostics showing that I receive 7.6Mb, I might still be stuck on 2Mb? Or is the data showing on the display absolutely accurate?
Technically yes. The 7.6Mb is simply the syncronised speed, that doesn't mean you actually get that speed unless the data profile is on that speed too.
ADSL Max varys the speed in 1/2 meg chunks depending on the sync speed and the stability of the connection. I'd assume Orange LLU works in a reasonably similar way although there are no details on it.
Presumably the profile can get stuck or capped meaning the speed is lower than expected.
Joined: 04 Aug 2006Posts: 32Location: London (Paddington Exchange)
Hi Elhana, thank you for your reply.
I think now I am getting a good idea about how this works, I understand that:
- My phone line is ready to receive speeds of up to 8Mb and depending on other issues such as modem/router utilised, connectioin set-up on my PC, distance from home to the exchange point (Paddington exchange for me)...my real speed should (in theory) range in between 5,6,7Mb, to be honest I woud be really happy if I was going to have speeds of 5 or 6Mb. I'd be really happy if that was the case. I think this is the definition of "syncronised speed" (or "available speed on my phone line"), am I right?
- Although I have apparently been upgraded to 8Mb, Orange might have capped the speed I receive to 2Mb? Is this the definition of "data profile" i.e. the speed Orange has set up for me on my "personal customer profile" to put it this way?
In summary, I make of "syncronised speed" as the speed that my phone line is able to support and "data profile" is my customer profile, my records kept by Orange and what the ISP uses to set up the speed I receive.
I assume the right question to ask Orange about the speed I am getting is: What speed have you got set up on my personal profile? Is it the available 8Mb or have you capped it to 2Mb?
Is this right?
By the way, I did an online availability & speed check with "BT at Home" by entering my phone number (for phone calls I am with BT) and it said: "Our Records indicate that you have a product or service supplied to this line that is currently incompatible with broadband. You will need to have the product or service ceased before broadband could be provided. If you place an order before the incompatible product or service has been ceased then the order will be rejected.".
However, I did the same check for availability and speed for "BT Bussiness BB" by entering my phone number and the test said that "Good news! BT Business Broadband is available in your area with an estimated download speed up to 6Mbps. However, our initial check shows that ADSL (Broadband) may already be installed on the number you have entered".
- I am puzzled as to why the online tests are different with BT when done through "home" or "bussiness". Does anyone know why?
Although I have apparently been upgraded to 8Mb, Orange might have capped the speed I receive to 2Mb? Is this the definition of "data profile" i.e. the speed Orange has set up for me on my "personal customer profile" to put it this way?
Not really. For technical reasons it's sensible on IPstream lines to set a BRAS rate (data profile) which is below the synch rate (line speed) even after allowing for ATM overheads. This doesn't apply to Orange LLU.
That's not to say that Orange aren't limiting/capping/shaping (certain) traffic for (certain) users. Who knows? Communicating with their customers isn't one of Orange's strong points
I'd recommend waiting for your new modem before addressing this 'capping' issue. Use the latest High Speed Driver from
(Usual warning re. better to use Ethernet than USB)
One other thing. If you're using File Sharing (Peer to Peer) software that allows you to set bandwidth limits, then set these based on your actual speed rather than your 'connection speed'.
Good luck.
Last edited by JohnM on Sun Nov 26, 2006 8:03 pm; edited 1 time in total
By the way, I did an online availability & speed check with "BT at Home" by entering my phone number (for phone calls I am with BT) and it said: "Our Records indicate that you have a product or service supplied to this line that is currently incompatible with broadband. You will need to have the product or service ceased before broadband could be provided. If you place an order before the incompatible product or service has been ceased then the order will be rejected.".
However, I did the same check for availability and speed for "BT Bussiness BB" by entering my phone number and the test said that "Good news! BT Business Broadband is available in your area with an estimated download speed up to 6Mbps. However, our initial check shows that ADSL (Broadband) may already be installed on the number you have entered".
- I am puzzled as to why the online tests are different with BT when done through "home" or "bussiness". Does anyone know why?
Different words but same message really. There is a service on your line preventing a new broadband service being placed on there. That service is your current broadband. The Home answer is more geared to explain the process and what goes on where as the business one appears to assume the person doing the check would have the experience to already know this.
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