http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Whats-going-on-in-South-Alabama-23088213 en Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:52:23 EDT Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:52:23 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Whats-going-on-in-South-Alabama-23255331
My provision rate was increased back to where it was before I started this thread on Sept 26. It is now back to 9821/894 and the changes required no action on my part.

The speed test was done today in the middle of the day and the speeds are comparable and consistent with what I have experienced for the last week or so. Connectivity has been GREAT !!!

The CRC errors concern me somewhat, but the modem has not been rebooted in a week or more, so they are an accumulation of errors over a period of time.

Thanks again Centurytel !!!



ADSL Line State: Up
ADSL Startup Attempts: 3
ADSL Modulation: ADSL2+
ADSL Data Path: Fast
Datapump Version: DSP 7.2.3.0, HAL 7.2.1.0

Downstream Upstream
---------- ----------
SNR Margin: 16.50 14.50 dB
Line Attenuation: 34.10 15.90 dB
Output Power: 22.19 12.29 dBm
Errored Seconds: 2254 0
Loss of Signal: 0 1
Loss of Frame: 0 0
CRC Errors: 5136 84
Data Rate: 9821 894]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Whats-going-on-in-South-Alabama-23255331 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:38:56 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Whats-going-on-in-South-Alabama-23173523


Here are my current modem stats. Note the low SNR margin downstream. It normally is not this low. I thought a high SNR margin was good, but I have also noticed that when I have slow connectivity, my downstream SNR margin increases. I guess there is an optimal value or something. Also, seems that the upload speed is never affected during time of slow connectivity.

All these numbers are PERHAPS pretty much irrelevant of course. When things are setup/patched/connected properly at the C.O., I am capable of holding good connectivity and speeds.

Is it acceptable and NOT unusual to experience slow speeds during NORMAL hours a couple or so more or less times a week (always at least once a week) ?? I don't know but it seems to be the norm for me. When it is terribly slow, it seems to last at least a couple of hours.

ADSL Line State: Up
ADSL Startup Attempts: 2
ADSL Modulation: ADSL2+
ADSL Data Path: Fast
Datapump Version: DSP 7.2.3.0, HAL 7.2.1.0

Downstream Upstream
---------- ----------
SNR Margin: 6.00 18.50 dB
Line Attenuation: 34.00 15.80 dB
Output Power: 22.11 12.11 dBm
Errored Seconds: 35 0
Loss of Signal: 0 0
Loss of Frame: 0 0
CRC Errors: 38 4
Data Rate: 8797 766]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Whats-going-on-in-South-Alabama-23173523 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:10:18 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Whats-going-on-in-South-Alabama-23172039
Here is my speed for the last couple of hours. I am calling Centurytel now. The suspense is killing me ... will it take three troublecalls again? Will it take a week to correct again (no visit to my home, remember? Something is wacked on their end)? Will they lower my provisioned rate again?



I had powered down/rebooted the modem and rebooted my computer before running the speed test. Here are the current modem stats.

ADSL Line State: Up
ADSL Startup Attempts: 2
ADSL Modulation: ADSL2+
ADSL Data Path: Fast
Datapump Version: DSP 7.2.3.0, HAL 7.2.1.0

Downstream Upstream
---------- ----------
SNR Margin: 22.20 18.50 dB
Line Attenuation: 34.00 15.80 dB
Output Power: 22.11 12.11 dBm
Errored Seconds: 12 0
Loss of Signal: 0 0
Loss of Frame: 0 0
CRC Errors: 12 2
Data Rate: 8797 766]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Whats-going-on-in-South-Alabama-23172039 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:32:12 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Whats-going-on-in-South-Alabama-23139771
The problem with BOTH Westell modems was that whenever there was thunder, even distant thunder, I would loose Internet connectivity. DSL service would be intermittent for the duration of any storm.

Since switching to a Motorola Netopia modem last March or so, I have NOT ONCE ... not one single time lost a connection because of a thunder storm.

AND ... since I own my own DSL modem, I do not have to pay monthly rental fees for modem equipment every month to CT. To avoid the rental charges, I first had to contact CT and request a return authorization on the modem.

Even so, CT did not acknowledge receipt of the modem and it took several phone calls and proof of shipment to get the return credit. SOOooo, if you send the equipment back, with a return authorization, MAKE SURE you send it back with a USPS Delivery Confirmation ... and save all paperwork.

The Netopia modem was simple to install. It is not necessary to install ANY software on the computer and the Netopia auto detects WAN/DSL settings and automatically configures itself. The ONLY required user interaction is a CT login and password (entered once only for initial configuration and auto login thereafter).

You could not pay me to use a Westell modem again. It is too sensitive to atmospheric conditions and there is no feature that the Westell modem has, that the Netopia doesn't have and the Netopia does it better. In a word, Westell 6100 modems are well, frankly ... junk. At the very least, unreliable. JMHO.

The Netopia modem is more user friendly and actually has more features than the Westell modem. When comparing the two, it seems to me that the Westell is the more rudimentary and fundamental unit, not only in the interface, but the feel of the equipment itself. It kind of gives me the feeling that CT went with the lowest bidder or something when choosing the Westell as their "preferred" modem.

On another note and as relates to this thread topic, since a week ago when CT finally took action and fixed my consistent slow connectivity problem (actually must have been their problem. No one came to my home), I have not had any further problems (except for one brief slow period last Sunday morning ... I was thinking "oh NOOoo here we go again" LOL). They did lower my provisioned speed by one meg, but service has been reliable. It did take them a week and three calls and three trouble tickets as noted earlier/above to get action though.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Whats-going-on-in-South-Alabama-23139771 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:49:02 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Whats-going-on-in-South-Alabama-23125714 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Whats-going-on-in-South-Alabama-23125714 Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:15:16 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Whats-going-on-in-South-Alabama-23125170 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Whats-going-on-in-South-Alabama-23125170 Sat, 03 Oct 2009 09:59:15 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Whats-going-on-in-South-Alabama-23094142
Here is a speedtest.net just run ~



Here are the NEW modem stats. My provisioned rate has been changed from 9821/894 to 8797/766. At least I am still ADSL2+/FAST. Things look pretty good right now. I don't think I will be getting the speeds I had prior to last Tuesday (because of provision change) but if service stays steady, I should be in good shape.

ADSL Line State: Up
ADSL Startup Attempts: 2
ADSL Modulation: ADSL2+
ADSL Data Path: Fast
Datapump Version: DSP 7.2.3.0, HAL 7.2.1.0

Downstream Upstream
---------- ----------
SNR Margin: 18.50 18.50 dB
Line Attenuation: 34.00 15.80 dB
Output Power: 22.10 12.11 dBm
Errored Seconds: 0 0
Loss of Signal: 0 0
Loss of Frame: 0 0
CRC Errors: 0 0
Data Rate: 8797 766]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Whats-going-on-in-South-Alabama-23094142 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 09:31:22 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Whats-going-on-in-South-Alabama-23092376
The tech said that there was an outage and once that was restored, the ticket was cleared. Whatever I guess. The outage must have occurred while I slept because I have had connectivity, just very slow since last Tuesday.

SOooo ... someone should be working on the problem either Monday or Tuesday, 8-5.

Here are Sunday nights speedtest.net results ~



Modem Stats (I powered down the modem once earlier today, so the CRC errors were cleared once. These are the CRC errors over the last couple of hours.)

ADSL Line State: Up
ADSL Startup Attempts: 2
ADSL Modulation: ADSL2+
ADSL Data Path: Fast
Datapump Version: DSP 7.2.3.0, HAL 7.2.1.0

Downstream Upstream
---------- ----------
SNR Margin: 11.00 14.00 dB
Line Attenuation: 34.40 16.20 dB
Output Power: 22.24 12.29 dBm
Errored Seconds: 63 0
Loss of Signal: 0 0
Loss of Frame: 0 0
CRC Errors: 65 21
Data Rate: 9821 894]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Whats-going-on-in-South-Alabama-23092376 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:25:09 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Whats-going-on-in-South-Alabama-23090632
Sunday ~



... and a "few" more CRC errors ~

ADSL Line State: Up
ADSL Startup Attempts: 3
ADSL Modulation: ADSL2+
ADSL Data Path: Fast
Datapump Version: DSP 7.2.3.0, HAL 7.2.1.0

Downstream Upstream
---------- ----------
SNR Margin: 14.50 15.00 dB
Line Attenuation: 34.00 15.80 dB
Output Power: 22.22 12.29 dBm
Errored Seconds: 949 0
Loss of Signal: 0 0
Loss of Frame: 0 0
CRC Errors: 45694 97
Data Rate: 9821 894]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Whats-going-on-in-South-Alabama-23090632 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 13:03:30 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Whats-going-on-in-South-Alabama-23089180


ADSL Line State: Up
ADSL Startup Attempts: 3
ADSL Modulation: ADSL2+
ADSL Data Path: Fast
Datapump Version: DSP 7.2.3.0, HAL 7.2.1.0

Downstream Upstream
---------- ----------
SNR Margin: 11.50 14.50 dB
Line Attenuation: 34.00 15.80 dB
Output Power: 22.22 12.29 dBm
Errored Seconds: 856 0
Loss of Signal: 0 0
Loss of Frame: 0 0
CRC Errors: 31531 66
Data Rate: 9821 894]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Whats-going-on-in-South-Alabama-23089180 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:46:45 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Whats-going-on-in-South-Alabama-23088437


At least the upload has been consistent and what it should be all along. Now, if only the download can become consistent and what it should be, which should be well over 10 times faster than what is right now.

Actually, I was having slow connectivity issues on Tuesday of last week, but waited until Wednesday evening to call and report it.

Anyone else in the area experiencing slow and highly inconsistent connectivity issues?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Whats-going-on-in-South-Alabama-23088437 Sat, 26 Sep 2009 21:00:53 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Whats-going-on-in-South-Alabama-23088213
I placed a trouble call to CT on the evening of Wednesday the 23rd.

- slow connectivity all day long. The CT rep had me remove power from my modem (Netopia) for 10 seconds, then re-power. Once connectivity was restored, he had me run a speed test @ speedtest.net. Results 0.13 Mb/s DOWN (only about twice as fast as dial-up) and 0.75 Mb/s UP

A trouble ticket was entered and I was told if the problem was not corrected by 5 PM on the 24th, to call back.

- I gave CT an extra day and when connectivity did not improve, I called back on the evening of Friday the 25th to check status and seek additional assistance.

I was told that there had been some kind of glitch in the trouble ticket system and the ticket had been re-entered on the morning of the 24th and was still active. Therefore and furthermore, I was to give CT until close of business on Saturday to resolve the slow connectivity issues.

- Well, here it is Saturday evening and no one has come by my home since the initial TC on last Wednesday, nor has anyone called.

My connectivity has been "all over the place" ... and slow.

This is a speed test just run. The test fluctuated wildly and only barely reached this speed toward the end of the test, but is the best connectivity since Wednesday. ~



Here are some modem stats ~

ADSL Line State: Up
ADSL Startup Attempts: 3
ADSL Modulation: ADSL2+
ADSL Data Path: Fast
Datapump Version: DSP 7.2.3.0, HAL 7.2.1.0

Downstream Upstream
---------- ----------
SNR Margin: 14.00 15.00 dB
Line Attenuation: 34.00 15.80 dB
Output Power: 22.22 12.29 dBm
Errored Seconds: 775 0
Loss of Signal: 0 0
Loss of Frame: 0 0
CRC Errors: 31445 63
Data Rate: 9821 894

I will call CT again sometime tomorrow evening (Sunday), if there are still slow connectivity issues.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Whats-going-on-in-South-Alabama-23088213 Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:49:15 EDT