New O2 BB User with a few questions...

[zain]

Hi people

Recently moved home and signed up with a BT land line and the O2 pro package.
Been given an estimate of 20meg but can't really see that happening.

Just had the hardware delivered today and I'm awaiting activation.

My main use is general browsing (with occasional light downloads), and more importantly, online gaming

My first concern is with the Thompson router. I've heard O2 routers can be temperamental / glitchy with your Xbox n PS3?
any truth behind this?

ok, I've gone for the pro package with O2's own router. Was that a good move?
I figured the money saved on 3 months free rental and not buying my own router-
the price difference is negligible.
But if the router performs poorly I may be tempted to return it, down grade and purchase my own N series.

Final question, heard a lot of talk about removing the bell wire from master socket. Seen a couple of tutorials and seems simple enough.
Is it worth doing? or should I wait and see my performance is first?

Thanks for your time

Z

[Saturday]

O2 will have estimated your speed based on the data they've been given about your line by BT. So, yes you could well get 20meg provided your home wiring is up to scratch.

Some people love the Thomson router, some don't. I've heard people say it's not a great gaming router but haven't seen any hard data to back that up. Personally I use an ex Sky Netgear V1 which can be got for less than £10 on ebay. If you're into gaming then I can't think why you'd be considering an N router. Wireless and gaming don't mix well, N or otherwise.

Yes, removing the bell wire can make a big difference sometimes. A much better option would be to fir a replacement filtered faceplate to your master.

When you're connected, post your router connection stats and someone will advise on whether there is any potential room for improvement.

[zain]

Thanks for your reply

Well I went live today.

Started of this morning hooking the Thompson and despite the email stating 20meg, the best stats this afternoon were
5 ish

After doing a little research I called O2 and asked to be down graded from the pro to premium 20 meg with G router.
The O2 sales/tech guy was very helpful (and from the UK, which helps)
Apparently I was only estimated for 4meg, but he can see a figure of 20 on my account some where
I asked what was the difference between the pro package and the premium, his answers were
1. the N router
2. Static IP
&3. Faster uploads speeds

The down grade to premium was done whilst on the phone (even received a conformation email as we spoke)
After resetting the router x2, I couldn't shake my static IP. The O2 guy said there must be a problem at there end and to allow 24 hrs.
1 hr later back on with dynamic ip

So weighed it all up then went out and bought a Netgear dgn2000.

All hooked up thanks to a couple of tutorials

As far as test results go, I only really tested via my iphone before/after and noticed approx same download speeds - circa 5meg but improved uploads, circa 0.85, ping at 32
but these were conducted at 2pm then again at 10pm.

Just wondering if I'll expect better stats after the first week or so?

Oh, and checked the Bell wire, already removed.

Thanks

[Saturday]

Can't comment on your stats as you haven't posted them.

Need to see:

• attenuation
• noise margin
• sync speed

[zain]

ADSL Link Downstream Upstream
Connection Speed 6222 kbps 1036 kbps
Line Attenuation 50.0 db 27.1 db
Noise Margin 6.2 db 5.8 db

[Saturday]

This "email stating 20meg", what exactly did it say? If it was saying your line would support 20meg then that's odd as with your attenuation that's just not possible.

On a relatively quiet line an attenuation of 50db would normally support ~6500kbps. You're getting 6222kbps so there's a little noise on your line. Whether it's worth trying to get an extra half meg or so is down to you.