Re: [Hampshire] FTTC/vDSL/NT5e faceplates
On 06/11/14 19:42, Paul Tansom wrote: ** Jay Bennie [2014-11-06 18:23]: Looks like a choice of either phone or internet until next week :( It is still odd taking the box apart when I've been used to leaving well alone because if they think it has been tampered with BT will charge! set up a line divert to a skype or voip number :) oh and trace the wire back - if it has been cold and wet with you - checking the wires aren't compromised is worth while... they don't last forever and vDSL is a bit sensitive to bad copper. I had a similar drop off at the old office but if just today - it was a bad bt day. ** end quote [Jay Bennie] I'm not majorly worried about incoming calls for a while. Anyone we are interested in hearing from knows about the problem and most of the rest are junk calls (in spite of BT Privacy). For outgoing I've got BT Smartalk on my mobile as well as the mobile itself (if I stand in the right place) or one of my VOIP lines (although they were a bit dodgy today - probably the broadband). Wiring wise, it is a single cable from the telegraph pole into the back of the master socket so I don't have a junction box to worry about or anywhere damp can get in, and it was replaced a couple of years ago - or two faults back - which was replacing a cable that was put in in 2001 when I had an ISDN line installed (they ran a new cable for both the ISDN and standard line). It's all positively modern for BT in this area! I'm not sure if it an issue up here, but I understand that a lot of the cabling in Portsmouth is aluminium instead of copper, which is causing problems with even basic broadband. I wish cable was an option, but they don't provide the features I use unfortunately. My boss had an issue with his (company supplied) broadband some years ago, every time the weather turned damp or wet broadband would fall over. After 6 month where the ISP kept throwing it back to BT as a line fault and a conscientious BT engineer the fault was found 4 telegraph poles down the road, the lid of a junction box on the box was damaged and all the wiring was damp and corroded. Apparently the BT guy spent a day up the pole replacing the box and renewing the wiring. So the junction box does not necessarily need to be on you house or on the telegraph you are directly connected to. Tim -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] FTTC/vDSL/NT5e faceplates
** Jay Bennie [2014-11-06 18:23]: > > Looks like a choice of either phone or internet until next week :( It is > > still > > odd taking the box apart when I've been used to leaving well alone because > > if > > they think it has been tampered with BT will charge! > > > > set up a line divert to a skype or voip number :) > > oh and trace the wire back - if it has been cold and wet with you - checking > the wires aren't compromised is worth while... they don't last forever and > vDSL is a bit sensitive to bad copper. I had a similar drop off at the old > office but if just today - it was a bad bt day. ** end quote [Jay Bennie] I'm not majorly worried about incoming calls for a while. Anyone we are interested in hearing from knows about the problem and most of the rest are junk calls (in spite of BT Privacy). For outgoing I've got BT Smartalk on my mobile as well as the mobile itself (if I stand in the right place) or one of my VOIP lines (although they were a bit dodgy today - probably the broadband). Wiring wise, it is a single cable from the telegraph pole into the back of the master socket so I don't have a junction box to worry about or anywhere damp can get in, and it was replaced a couple of years ago - or two faults back - which was replacing a cable that was put in in 2001 when I had an ISDN line installed (they ran a new cable for both the ISDN and standard line). It's all positively modern for BT in this area! I'm not sure if it an issue up here, but I understand that a lot of the cabling in Portsmouth is aluminium instead of copper, which is causing problems with even basic broadband. I wish cable was an option, but they don't provide the features I use unfortunately. -- Paul Tansom | Aptanet Ltd. | http://www.aptanet.com/ | 023 9238 0001 = Registered in England | Company No: 4905028 | Registered Office: Ralls House, Parklands Business Park, Forrest Road, Denmead, Waterlooville, Hants, PO7 6XP -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] FTTC/vDSL/NT5e faceplates
On Thu, Nov 06 at 05:52, Bob Dunlop wrote: > On Thu, Nov 06 at 05:03, Paul Tansom wrote: > > I am currently suffering a phone outage and major drop in internet > > connection > > speed, to less than a half of the decidedly average usual speed. Having > > sorted > > You're lucky. > Kingsclere has an "area fault" No phones, and broadband that is up either 0% > or 100% on a random basis. More 0% than 100%. > > Estimated fix 6 days away. The report [1] now has 40 exchanges listed on it. I'm sure there was fewer this morning. You might want to check if yours is on there. Broadband also getting worse, no better than 40% when it's up. More people trying in the evening I guess. [1] http://btbusiness.custhelp.com/app/service_status/a_id/19766 -- Bob Dunlop -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] FTTC/vDSL/NT5e faceplates
** Bob Dunlop [2014-11-06 18:04]: > On Thu, Nov 06 at 05:03, Paul Tansom wrote: > > I am currently suffering a phone outage and major drop in internet > > connection > > speed, to less than a half of the decidedly average usual speed. Having > > sorted > > You're lucky. > Kingsclere has an "area fault" No phones, and broadband that is up either 0% > or 100% on a random basis. More 0% than 100%. > > Estimated fix 6 days away. > > > Are they really that difficult to get hold of? Does anyone know of a local > > supplier? I've nothing against getting one from a small business (I am one > > myself and an FSB member), but the descriptions on Amazon leave me without > > the > > confidence that it is the part I am after - most are for ADSL not FTTC/vDSL > > it > > seems. > > From Amazon I've brought, NTE5a 2011/12 socket, vDSL Intersitial plate > and an ADSL Faceplate, for about 20 quid total. All was good quality and > OpenRetch or Broken Telephones branded. There was some obvious knock offs > that I avoided. If you've already got the socket anything you fit is your > problem and you don't have to use BT parts. In fact last time BT visited > the house the man said that BT's jurisdiction ended at the grey junction > box outside the front door. Fortunately that was where the corroded wire > was to be found. ** end quote [Bob Dunlop] Grey junction box? I've never had a junction box. The cable was replaced not so long ago, but has always run from the telegraph pole straight into the back of the master socket. I've no idea where the joint is, somewhere near the telegraph pole I think. I've not looked at it closely for a while. The actualy cabinet is about a mile away sadly, so I get significant drop off from the fibre at the box :( My dad has a junction box which has caused problems, but how can BT's jurisdiction stop there? You can't open it up and doing anything with the wiring if you need to replace the cable to your master socket. Surely they should stop at a point where there is a plug and socket connection. That said, if the customer is responsible for the master socket I wouldn't mind upgrading my dad's, he still has the original BT sockets from when the switched from hard wired phones with dangling filters on each point. -- Paul Tansom | Aptanet Ltd. | http://www.aptanet.com/ | 023 9238 0001 = Registered in England | Company No: 4905028 | Registered Office: Ralls House, Parklands Business Park, Forrest Road, Denmead, Waterlooville, Hants, PO7 6XP -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] FTTC/vDSL/NT5e faceplates
> > Looks like a choice of either phone or internet until next week :( It is still > odd taking the box apart when I've been used to leaving well alone because if > they think it has been tampered with BT will charge! > set up a line divert to a skype or voip number :) oh and trace the wire back - if it has been cold and wet with you - checking the wires aren't compromised is worth while... they don't last forever and vDSL is a bit sensitive to bad copper. I had a similar drop off at the old office but if just today - it was a bad bt day. > -- > Paul Tansom | Aptanet Ltd. | http://www.aptanet.com/ | 023 9238 0001 > = > Registered in England | Company No: 4905028 | Registered Office: Ralls House, > Parklands Business Park, Forrest Road, Denmead, Waterlooville, Hants, PO7 6XP > > -- > Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk > Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire > LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk > -- -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] FTTC/vDSL/NT5e faceplates
> Fortunately that was where the corroded wire > was to be found. > Funny how that and water in the wires can have an effect on service quality ... Looks like BT had a bad day country wide. Was there a solar storm! all those cosmic rays playing havoc with the microchips .. like little gremlins :) ... i still have no idea how to interpret this data http://spaceweather.com > -- >Bob Dunlop > > -- > Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk > Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire > LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk > -- -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] FTTC/vDSL/NT5e faceplates
** Jay Bennie [2014-11-06 17:15]: > On 6 Nov 2014, at 17:03, Paul Tansom wrote: > > I am currently suffering a phone outage and major drop in internet > > connection > > speed, to less than a half of the decidedly average usual speed. Having > > sorted > > out getting to the master socket to confirm that the problem is not down to > > my > > own equipment, as is customary with BT given the threat of a callout charge > > if > > they deem it isn't their fault, I have just spent some time chatting to > > their > > support and find myself somewhat perplexed. > > > > Firstly it seems that some parts of the master socket are part of the BT > > network and other bits are customer equipment. The bit that is screwed onto > > the > > wall and includes the so called 'test socket' is BT, the bit that connects > > into > > that to provide the split out for the FTTC socket and the bit that then > > connects into that providing the filtered phone point are customer > > equipment, > > even though they all screw together into a single unit. I can sort of see it > > given that, although they fit like a 3D jigsaw together, the customer bits > > are > > the equivalent of the ADSL filter that is generally dangling out of the > > socket > > on a tail but it still seems odd to provide a part that fits together as a > > single unit and have different parties responsible for different parts of > > it. > > > > There is however the complication of finding a replacement when it goes > > wrong. > > BT don't supply one without a £129 engineer callout, Maplin, RS, Screwfix > > and > > other similar vendors don't appear to do them. Solwise, who are specialists > > in > > parts like this don't either. BT claimed that they were easily available > > from > > any electrical retail outlet for a couple of quid. In practice the best > > option > > seems to be somebody I've never heard of in the Amazon marketplace for > > anywhere > > between £15 and £30 (although one is listed at £100!). > > > > Are they really that difficult to get hold of? Does anyone know of a local > > supplier? I've nothing against getting one from a small business (I am one > > myself and an FSB member), but the descriptions on Amazon leave me without > > the > > confidence that it is the part I am after - most are for ADSL not FTTC/vDSL > > it > > seems. > > Hi Paul > > http://www.run-it-direct.co.uk/btvdslfaceplate.html > > or ebayjust search vDSL filter ** end quote [Jay Bennie] Yes, I'm on eBay at the moment having got the search terms sorted (BT were no help in this respect at all). I'm looking at a Mk3 unit and hoping that it is the middle section that is at fault as it has the filtering and not the front section (which I'm hoping is more trim and the external and internal socket). Still amazed that eBay or Amazon Marketplace are the only places to go to get these parts. I'm fine with getting a better deal there with careful choice of supplier, but I can't imagine the average non-techie standing much of a chance. I've spent quite a while weeding out the ADSL only versions to get to this part - on Amazon there are several that quote BT Infinity but clearly don't have the necessary socket. Looks like a choice of either phone or internet until next week :( It is still odd taking the box apart when I've been used to leaving well alone because if they think it has been tampered with BT will charge! -- Paul Tansom | Aptanet Ltd. | http://www.aptanet.com/ | 023 9238 0001 = Registered in England | Company No: 4905028 | Registered Office: Ralls House, Parklands Business Park, Forrest Road, Denmead, Waterlooville, Hants, PO7 6XP -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] FTTC/vDSL/NT5e faceplates
On Thu, Nov 06 at 05:03, Paul Tansom wrote: > I am currently suffering a phone outage and major drop in internet connection > speed, to less than a half of the decidedly average usual speed. Having sorted You're lucky. Kingsclere has an "area fault" No phones, and broadband that is up either 0% or 100% on a random basis. More 0% than 100%. Estimated fix 6 days away. > Are they really that difficult to get hold of? Does anyone know of a local > supplier? I've nothing against getting one from a small business (I am one > myself and an FSB member), but the descriptions on Amazon leave me without the > confidence that it is the part I am after - most are for ADSL not FTTC/vDSL it > seems. >From Amazon I've brought, NTE5a 2011/12 socket, vDSL Intersitial plate and an ADSL Faceplate, for about 20 quid total. All was good quality and OpenRetch or Broken Telephones branded. There was some obvious knock offs that I avoided. If you've already got the socket anything you fit is your problem and you don't have to use BT parts. In fact last time BT visited the house the man said that BT's jurisdiction ended at the grey junction box outside the front door. Fortunately that was where the corroded wire was to be found. -- Bob Dunlop -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] FTTC/vDSL/NT5e faceplates
On 6 Nov 2014, at 17:03, Paul Tansom wrote: > I am currently suffering a phone outage and major drop in internet connection > speed, to less than a half of the decidedly average usual speed. Having sorted > out getting to the master socket to confirm that the problem is not down to my > own equipment, as is customary with BT given the threat of a callout charge if > they deem it isn't their fault, I have just spent some time chatting to their > support and find myself somewhat perplexed. > > Firstly it seems that some parts of the master socket are part of the BT > network and other bits are customer equipment. The bit that is screwed onto > the > wall and includes the so called 'test socket' is BT, the bit that connects > into > that to provide the split out for the FTTC socket and the bit that then > connects into that providing the filtered phone point are customer equipment, > even though they all screw together into a single unit. I can sort of see it > given that, although they fit like a 3D jigsaw together, the customer bits are > the equivalent of the ADSL filter that is generally dangling out of the socket > on a tail but it still seems odd to provide a part that fits together as a > single unit and have different parties responsible for different parts of it. > > There is however the complication of finding a replacement when it goes wrong. > BT don't supply one without a £129 engineer callout, Maplin, RS, Screwfix and > other similar vendors don't appear to do them. Solwise, who are specialists in > parts like this don't either. BT claimed that they were easily available from > any electrical retail outlet for a couple of quid. In practice the best option > seems to be somebody I've never heard of in the Amazon marketplace for > anywhere > between £15 and £30 (although one is listed at £100!). > > Are they really that difficult to get hold of? Does anyone know of a local > supplier? I've nothing against getting one from a small business (I am one > myself and an FSB member), but the descriptions on Amazon leave me without the > confidence that it is the part I am after - most are for ADSL not FTTC/vDSL it > seems. Hi Paul http://www.run-it-direct.co.uk/btvdslfaceplate.html or ebayjust search vDSL filter > > -- > Paul Tansom | Aptanet Ltd. | http://www.aptanet.com/ | 023 9238 0001 > = > Registered in England | Company No: 4905028 | Registered Office: Ralls House, > Parklands Business Park, Forrest Road, Denmead, Waterlooville, Hants, PO7 6XP > > -- > Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk > Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire > LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk > -- -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
[Hampshire] FTTC/vDSL/NT5e faceplates
I am currently suffering a phone outage and major drop in internet connection speed, to less than a half of the decidedly average usual speed. Having sorted out getting to the master socket to confirm that the problem is not down to my own equipment, as is customary with BT given the threat of a callout charge if they deem it isn't their fault, I have just spent some time chatting to their support and find myself somewhat perplexed. Firstly it seems that some parts of the master socket are part of the BT network and other bits are customer equipment. The bit that is screwed onto the wall and includes the so called 'test socket' is BT, the bit that connects into that to provide the split out for the FTTC socket and the bit that then connects into that providing the filtered phone point are customer equipment, even though they all screw together into a single unit. I can sort of see it given that, although they fit like a 3D jigsaw together, the customer bits are the equivalent of the ADSL filter that is generally dangling out of the socket on a tail but it still seems odd to provide a part that fits together as a single unit and have different parties responsible for different parts of it. There is however the complication of finding a replacement when it goes wrong. BT don't supply one without a £129 engineer callout, Maplin, RS, Screwfix and other similar vendors don't appear to do them. Solwise, who are specialists in parts like this don't either. BT claimed that they were easily available from any electrical retail outlet for a couple of quid. In practice the best option seems to be somebody I've never heard of in the Amazon marketplace for anywhere between £15 and £30 (although one is listed at £100!). Are they really that difficult to get hold of? Does anyone know of a local supplier? I've nothing against getting one from a small business (I am one myself and an FSB member), but the descriptions on Amazon leave me without the confidence that it is the part I am after - most are for ADSL not FTTC/vDSL it seems. -- Paul Tansom | Aptanet Ltd. | http://www.aptanet.com/ | 023 9238 0001 = Registered in England | Company No: 4905028 | Registered Office: Ralls House, Parklands Business Park, Forrest Road, Denmead, Waterlooville, Hants, PO7 6XP -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
[Hampshire] Government open standards - the curious case of Microsoft and the minister
Hi All I have just been sent the reference to a very interesting Computer Weekly Article. http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240234078/Government-open-standards-the-curious-case-of-Microsoft-and-the-minister?asrc=EM_ERU_36107763&utm_medium=EM&utm_source=ERU&utm_campaign=20141106_ERU%20Transmission%20for%2011/06/2014%20(UserUniverse:%201160283)_myka-repo...@techtarget.com&src=5322046 It is titled "Government open standards - the curious case of Microsoft and the minister". It makes interesting reading. Hope you like it. John Eayrs -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] We are hiring Linux Professionals
Hello Samantha, Please note, I am not a 'spokesman' for the user group. However: People do from time to time post messages to the list announcing openings. Genuine messages from employers are welcome, especially if they give some indication of the job: as many of (description, location, candidate requirements, expected remun eration) as you are able to provide. Obvious fishing posts from agencies are frowned upon but it's pretty clear that yours is not one of those. -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
[Hampshire] We are hiring Linux Professionals
I am currently looking for Linux professionals and wondered how I might be able to share with the group? I see you have a newsletter and you email the group and I wondered how I might be able to use or if you offer a facility to the group as to who is hiring Linux professionals? Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated. Thanks Sam Samantha Burchett People Advocate/HR Assistant O: +442380 926105 | M: +447527 276041 peer1.com [Description: Description: P1_logo_tagline_sm] -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
