Increase your broadband speed!

[BTB 500]

Although I pay O2 for 8 mbps my line is only rated at 3.5 (due to distance from exchange). Typical actual speed was about 2.5, measured by Speedtest.net - The Global Broadband Speed Test

After talking to a colleague at work I tried changing the microfilter that the router was attached to for a 'better' one (apparently they are not all equal). Immediate increase to 3.1 mbps!

Then I fitted a filtered faceplate to the BT socket from these guys:

adslnation.com - broadband products

Literally a 5 minute job. With one of their 'pro+' cables to the router as well, I am now getting 4.15 mbps

So for under 20 quid I am well pleased

As a side benefit, with the filtered faceplate you don't need microfilters on the other sockets in the house.

Usual disclaimers apply - I have no connection whatsoever to the above website/company.

 

[grober]

Well worth doing on older telephone wiring but less to be gained with modern [=last 5 years ? ? ] wiring with different ringing technology??--- extension wiring only has 2 wires now ? This causes less signal reflection in the extension wiring which was the cause of signal drop out? Don't know how much of this is true perhaps a telecoms engineer member might comment? UK Telephone Wiring
Excellent tip all the same BTB500--- just that people in recently built houses might not get the improvement you experienced?

 

[BTB 500]

Yup I'm sure the benefits will vary. My house is 1985, and there were only 2 wires connected in the BT socket when I took the faceplate off to fit the filtered one. That's why it was such an easy job

 

[john925]

Although I pay O2 for 8 mbps my line is only rated at 3.5 (due to distance from exchange). Typical actual speed was about 2.5, measured by Speedtest.net - The Global Broadband Speed Test

After talking to a colleague at work I tried changing the microfilter that the router was attached to for a 'better' one (apparently they are not all equal). Immediate increase to 3.1 mbps!

Then I fitted a filtered faceplate to the BT socket from these guys:

adslnation.com - broadband products

Literally a 5 minute job. With one of their 'pro+' cables to the router as well, I am now getting 4.15 mbps

So for under 20 quid I am well pleased

As a side benefit, with the filtered faceplate you don't need microfilters on the other sockets in the house.

Usual disclaimers apply - I have no connection whatsoever to the above website/company.

Do your speed test with the modem/router. Using speedtest doesnt give you the true speed You may find its even quicker !

 

[BTB 500]

Yup the router is showing 4.8 mbps. But surely Speedtest is a more 'realistic' figure?

 

[The G.F.P]

just spent £14.31 as im with o2 and have an 8mb line getting 5 if im lucky

cant have face plate though as mine are all brushed ally and white will look bad

 

[artyman]

I have ADSL faceplates on my phones, recommended, wish the exchange was closer though

 

[Druk]

cant have face plate though as mine are all brushed ally and white will look bad

Had that problem myself but with a different bit of kit. Quick whiff of satin aluminium spray sorted that out. As long as it's not subject to constant use (lightswitch?) it lasts fine.

Returning to the OQ. Does this still work if the computer isn't plugged in to the master socket?



.

 

[reflexboy]

Yes, all this about plugging into the master socket for best results is a myth. All your telephone extension sockets are wired in parallel, therefore they are electrically the same. However, if a main socket (NTE5) filtered faceplate is used then the router can only be plugged into this RJ11 outlet. As above, microfilters are no longer needed in each socket where phones/apparatus are plugged into, as the faceplate filters the entire line and isolates the extensions from the ADSL signal. Most modern cordless phones do not require the third wire to the extension socket (terminal 3) as the ringing is simulated by the cordless phone. Most wired phones will not ring without the third/bell wire connected in the circuit to terminal 3 as most wired phones do not have a bell capacitor.

 

[npuk]

The ring / bell wire is not needed for modern non cordless phones either. Even if you dont install one of these faceplates it is worth disconnecting the bell wire.

Returning to the OQ. Does this still work if the computer isn't plugged in to the master socket?

Yes it does. You can connect the other phone extensions to the filtered terminals and run an unfiltered extension just for the modem.

Personally I would recommend: Clarity*::*ADSL*Filtering...

You guys should switch to Virgin .

 

[john925]

Yup the router is showing 4.8 mbps. But surely Speedtest is a more 'realistic' figure?

Depends on what your looking to find out I suppose. from your ISP's point of view its the speed your modem/router is receiving. But as a user its what your PC is getting thats more revelvant. In which case the speedtest is more use to you as an end user.

Wireless networks are probably the worst for receiving full speed from the router. Especially B and G rated at 54mbs N is better but its worth bearing in mind your PC must have an N adapter and any other comps on the network as the router will drop to the lowest adapter speed on the network unless you have a dual band router

 

[john925]

BT are installing fibre optics in my village But it will only benefit BT customers until such time as they are obliged to release it to other ISP's like o2 etc

 

[Geezer]

I'm getting BT Infinity in two weeks' time! :bannana:

 

[reflexboy]

The ring / bell wire is not needed for modern non cordless phones either. Even if you dont install one of these faceplates it is worth disconnecting the bell wire.

Not ALL modern corded phones will ring without the bell wire connected.It is dependant on if the phone has a bell capacitor. A connected bell wire usually reduces ADSL speed as it acts as an RF antenna causing the ADSL to degrade, thus reducing speed.

 

[reflexboy]

I'm getting BT Infinity in two weeks' time! :bannana:

Sounds good-Can't wait until I get mine in June(ish) and I get it free

 

[Haris]

I get 5.5mbps, oh and it's free.

 

[BTB 500]

However, if a main socket (NTE5) filtered faceplate is used then the router can only be plugged into this RJ11 outlet.

The faceplate I got has extra terminals to allow you to pass the ADSL signal through to the extension sockets elsewhere in the house, if that's what you want/need to do.

Any idea why the filtered faceplate gives a significant improvement compared to using a good microfilter in the same socket?

Edit - just checked, and the 20+ year old wired phone in my workshop rings fine with just the 2 wires connected at the master socket.

 

[maestegman]

I had BT Infinity installed about a month ago. Very impressed.

 

[crockers]

I think we are scheduled for BT Infinity 2050 or some such date...

 

[BTB 500]

BT Infinity is not currently due to be rolled out in your area.

I'm in Bracknell for goodness sake, not the Outer Hebrides ...