Kitz Forum
Broadband Related => ISPs => Topic started by: bob.gas on November 01, 2019, 11:47:42 AM
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I have just ordered Talk talk B/B & telephone, as the virgin package I had was making my wallet shrink.
was this a wise decision I ask myself, as now every time I read/hear about T/T it's a bad apple apparently.
So here i am again on this great forum, seeking advice
I know, I should've done this first, but was in a hurry ::) :-[
my question is......
have I made a mistake with T/T?
I do have a cooling off period of 30 days they say.
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Well I've been with them about 10 years. Yes they do have issues sometimes and can be unhelpful but using the community to report issues usually gets them resolved IF it is a TT issue but if you expect them to argue with BTOR on your behalf you need decent evidence to get anywhere as they will push back and try not to engage with BTOR. Good hard evidence then they will do it. One thing if you stay when it comes to renewal time just dont roll over but tell them you want a better deal or you will go elsewhere and quite often they will oblige, they did for me!
Stuart
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That's reassuring, Thank you Stuart. :)
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forgot to add.....
What speeds are you getting?
I've been getting a lot of buffering on Netflix, and that's with Virgin on 100 MB/s :(
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For reasons even BTOR are unable to explain my line is capped at 60mbps and although we dont use Netflix a lot we do use Freeview play and I've not noticed any buffering, the TVs use wi-fi and I have a BT Whole Home 3 disc system which is a mesh wi-fi system and gives very good coverage in the house.
Stuart
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I've been with TalkTalk for the last twelve years and have never had a problem. I can't say what first level customer support is like (or, in fact, any level of support) for I have never needed to use it!
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For reasons even BTOR are unable to explain my line is capped at 60mbps and although we dont use Netflix a lot we do use Freeview play and I've not noticed any buffering, the TVs use wi-fi and I have a BT Whole Home 3 disc system which is a mesh wi-fi system and gives very good coverage in the house.
Stuart
I see, Thanks again. :)
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I've been with TalkTalk for the last twelve years and have never had a problem. I can't say what first level customer support is like (or, in fact, any level of support) for I have never needed to use it!
Also reassuring, thank you burakkucat.
I am going live with them tomorrow sometime, so fingers crossed for a clean switch. :fingers:
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Please let us know how the migration goes. Hopefully it will be a smooth process.
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will do.
They said it could be as late as midnight, so will see what happens by Sunday if that's the case. ::)
PS...One thing I haven't mentioned is that I had the Open Reach engineer call to sort the BT cabinet etc, and since then we can't use our landlind.
Not a biggie, as have the mobiles.
Wondered if this was normal?
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Hi guys.
Well, I've had a message from TT that I've been transferred over.
The only thing is, I cannot get the phone line to work.
I did call them and had an automated reply saying the phone wouldn't be up an running for 5 hours ???
Is this something that is normal with TT?
I haven't experience this when transferring to other ISP's in the past?
Plus I haven't disconnected the virgin router yet, not sure when i should TBO. :-[
Perhaps I should call them again after 5 hours has elapsed, what do you think?
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Well, I've had a message from TT that I've been transferred over.
The only thing is, I cannot get the phone line to work.
I did call them and had an automated reply saying the phone wouldn't be up an running for 5 hours ???
Is this something that is normal with TT?
That seems a bit odd. I'm not aware of anyone else being put in that situation. :-\
I wonder if there was a "mishap" at the PCP (the cabinet) when the tie-pairs were connected into the circuit?
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Thanks for the reply again.
You think it might be a fault with Open reach then?
I tried calling them, when I couldn't get a landline.
they said I have to go to TT and sort it out.
No luck there. ::)
In the meantime, I did a speed test and it showed I am still with Virgin ???
so called Virgin, eventually got through to them...gasp!!!, and the guy i spoke to said the BB isn't changing until the 17th Nov Grrr :-X
I could scream, as all the info had been originally stated said I'd be live with TT today etc etc.
And the landline could take 13 days as in the process of porting to TT.
does it really take this long?
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Something doesn't seem quite right here. Virgin and TalkTalk are completely different network technologies and migration from one to the other is not possible. You will still be on Virgin if you haven't changed your router hardware. Have Talk Talk sent you a new router? That needs to be connected to your openreach phone line which is not the Virgin phone line. Virgin is a cable service with modem/router that is incompatible with an FTTC modem/router. When did you actually order with TT, it usually takes around 10 working days to set up a new connection. The landline is not ported to TT, I suspect they mean your phone number. It could well be some time before it is all sorted. :(
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Something was niggling in the back of my mind . . . When I re-checked, I saw that the loosing supplier was the Liberty Global asset NTL (trading as Virgin Media) and not Sky as I was "believing".
Subsequently, I see RAM has described the process of changing supplier for this type of case.
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Right guys.
I did get a router etc from TT, and joined them 18th Oct.
after your two post's, I thought I'd investigate further on the system.
Would you believe.....
he HAD fitted a Filter OK, but the cable from the phone (RJ11 isn't it?) wasn't in the filter. ??? The router is sitting on top of a bookcase in my landing, and the RJ11 from the phone was hanging behind the bookcase.
Plugged it in an now have the phone working. hurrah. :)
But not the internet yet.
The way I was doing it before was an Ethernet cable from the virgin router to my PC which is right next to it in my office.
So, if I run another Ethernet from the TT router (in the landing) I'm thinking it'll work OK..Yes/No?
Just one more question please...
Because the TT Router is now in the landing, and the PC is in my office.
I thought a 10 metre Ethernet could be used by running up to the loft space across and down to the desktop PC.
never run such a length before, would this work do you think?
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Forgot to mention......
I contacted virgin yesterday, when I was panicking :D, and they told my that the deactivation date is now 17th Nov. ???
Originally it was supposed to be yesterday Sat 2nd, which they told me in an email.
I'm again confused....
Do I wait until the 17th, or fit the Ethernet from the TT router to PC now, or wait?
Sorry for the uneducated dribble.
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The (theoretical) maximum length of an Ethernet section is 100m. So your proposed 10m cable run is well within specification.
Connect to your TalkTalk modem/router and you will probably find that the service is also active. I fully expect that there is an overlap period when both services are active (2nd - 17th November).
Hopefully all will now be well. :)
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As Burakkucat says, ethernet cables can be much much longer than that without any problems at all. I use very very posh shielded CAT 6a or CAT7 (both over the top, that’s just me) Ethernet cable in a 15m length from upstairs at my main switch by the router to a wireless access point that is downstairs.
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Great, thank you guys.
I'll get onto that this afternoon, and let you know the outcome. :)
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Something doesn't seem quite right here. Virgin and TalkTalk are completely different network technologies and migration from one to the other is not possible.
It absolutely is possible.
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It absolutely is possible.
Can you explain?
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John, I think you misunderstood what RealMadrid meant, as in TT can't supply a service over VM infrastructure, thus a direct migration from one to the other is not possible and TT have to put in a new service over an OR phone line.
As for network cables, we have a standard CAT5e cable installed externally around 19 years ago, which is potentially over 100 meters, still working fine at 1Gbps.
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As Burakkucat says, ethernet cables can be much much longer than that without any problems at all. I use very very posh shielded CAT 6a or CAT7 (both over the top, that’s just me) Ethernet cable in a 15m length from upstairs at my main switch by the router to a wireless access point that is downstairs.
Thanks.
When you say "over the top", the cable i purchased is this one....
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01E5EW784/ref=pe_3187911_185740111_TE_item
According to the price, I wouldn't say Over the top, but hopefully a decent buy? :fingers:
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Great, thank you guys.
I'll get onto that this afternoon, and let you know the outcome. :)
Have to do it tomorrow now, due to other things getting in the way :-\
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That’s great stuff, suitably over the top being CAT7 to make it very future proof. Individually shielded is excellent. The only thing better is individual shield plus an additional surrounding shield, which make the cable very stiff and difficult to handle. Yours is flat I see. I haven’t used one, very tempted as flat looks very nice to use. So an excellent buy, way way more than good enough so no possibility of any niggles (which are a nightmare to diagnose).
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That’s great stuff, suitably over the top bring CAT7 to make it very future proof. Individually shielded is excellent. The only thing better is individual shield plus an additional surrounding shield, which make the cable very stiff and difficult to handle. Yours is flat I see. I haven’t used one, very tempted as flat looks very nice to use. So an excellent buy, way way more than good enough so no possibility of any niggles (which are a nightmare to diagnose).
that's nice to know I've done something good/right :D
I purchased flat, as got a few twist's and turns to put on it, also flat to the office wall, which kinda looks better IMO ;)
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The pest again :D.
Is Cat 7 compatible with Cat 6, can they be mixed OK?
I'd like to configure like this if possible....
Cat 7 from Router to PC and Cat 6 from PC to Powerline plugs to .downstairs connecting to PS3 and Sonos .
Then, maybe when I get one ... a 4k smart TV?
Hope that makes sence? ::)
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Yes it'll work fine.
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Each successive specification is a superset of the previous. So Cat5e, Cat6 & Cat7 are all compatible . . . with the proviso that if you have one length of each, all connected in series, the overall specification of the total link is that of the lowest specification -- Cat5e, in the case of this example.
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Each successive specification is a superset of the previous. So Cat5e, Cat6 & Cat7 are all compatible . . . with the proviso that if you have one length of each, all connected in series, the overall specification of the total link is that of the lowest specification -- Cat5e, in the case of this example.
Thank you.
I kinda guessed that would be the case.
Everything has worked great with my existing cable's (cat 6) into power-line plugs etc , so won't be concerned with adding the Cat 7. :fingers:
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Well...
I've hooked up at last.
Was a bit awkward running the cable through the loft as it's quite small, and taken up with loft insulation and Christmas decorations etc. I'm all itchy now :D
I did a Google speed test.
Download= 37 Mbps
Upload = 9.20 Mbps
It's certainly slower than virgin, 100 Mbps.
Hope I don't get any buffering problems.
Is Google speed test a decent one, or is there a more accurate tester?
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Well...
I've hooked up at last.
Was a bit awkward running the cable through the loft as it's quite small, and taken up with loft insulation and Christmas decorations etc. I'm all itchy now :D
I did a Google speed test.
Download= 37 Mbps
Upload = 9.20 Mbps
It's certainly slower than virgin, 100 Mbps.
Hope I don't get any buffering problems.
Is Google speed test a decent one, or is there a more accurate tester?
Looks like you are on a 38Mbps plan? Why didn't you sign up a 67Mbps plan? They cost the same.
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I wanted to, but couldn't get it my end (apparently)
I called them and they said sign up to this one and when they fit/ supply Fibre they will automatically change over.
Are they telling fibs? ???
I'll give it to nearly the end of the cooling off time (30days) and see where I go from there. :)
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I wanted to, but couldn't get it my end (apparently)
I called them and they said sign up to this one and when they fit/ supply Fibre they will automatically change over.
Are they telling fibs? ???
I'll give it to nearly the end of the cooling off time (30days) and see where I go from there. :)
check here https://checker.ofcom.org.uk to find out the broadband availability in your area
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Just been on to TalkTlak's "chat line", and this is what he/she said........
quote...
Your <Fibre speed> with <A boost to your Faster Fibre speed, with average speeds of 67Mbps> is <£0.00> per month for the first <18 months>. After that, it will revert to the standard price of <£5.00> per month. Your boost(s) will be activated within the next 24 hours and there is a minimum commitment period of 30 days.
I did reply to say.... "from that am I to assume it'll be up & running in 24hours". The reply was Yes, That is correct.
So will see what happens tomorrow.
What a rigmoral ::)
Just to add...
just had an email from them to verify my speeds will be upgraded tomorrow.
All good so far.
Gotta say, a better service than Virgin ;)
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check here https://checker.ofcom.org.uk to find out the broadband availability in your area
Thank you for that, have bookmarked :)
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Update....
24 hours later They were as good as their word.
I tested 3 times with Google speed, and the result was.....
Download = 71.9 Mbps
upload = 18.4 Mbps.
I'm feeling more confidant with TalkTalk now :)
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That's good to know. :)
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Yeah, thanks to you helpful guys here. :)
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If on a Huawei cab the chances are your download speed will increase as g.inp and dBx kick in.
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Sorry Ronski
I don't understand?? :-[
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There are two different types of FTTC cabinet that a customer could be connected to.
Huawei and ECI manufacture them. It turns out that the Huawei cabinets are the superior ones as they support features that the ECI ones do not.
G.INP and dBx are two such features, that, should you in fact be connected to such a cabinet, will get enabled in a few days time, further increasing your sync rate.
Now, I bet the next question is going to be - how do I tell which type of cabinet I am connected to? :)
Few ways -
Easiest would be to look up your address on the BT ADSL Checker by using a postcode check (telephone line would work too, but if you do not have a BT line then the telephone line check fails, as is my case on my Sky FTTC line as they have their own equipment in the exchange)
http://www.dslchecker.bt.com/adsl/adslchecker.welcome# - Click on "Address checker" on the bottom.
House number and postcode suffice.
When the result comes back: -
Address <redacted> <redacted> on Exchange ABERKENFIG is served by Cabinet XX
Cabinet XX is the key piece for me. We can then go look this up on the "CodeLook" site https://www.telecom-tariffs.co.uk/codelook.htm
Locality or Post Code to Lookup: I put in "ABERKENFIG" as that's where my exchange is, then click "lookup locality"
You can then click "All Exchanges"
Then you should see "Locality: <wherever you live>All Postcodes, All <xx> Fibre Cabinets <--- click this
You should then see a map with all cabinets represented, and a list below. You can find your cabinet, then identify what type it is from there.
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Update....
24 hours later They were as good as their word.
I tested 3 times with Google speed, and the result was.....
Download = 71.9 Mbps
upload = 18.4 Mbps.
I'm feeling more confidant with TalkTalk now :)
nice. I'm sure the buffering problem will go away now :fingers:
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@DJ...
many thanks, I'm learning slowly :D ::)
could't quite understand the BT checker you linked, so tried Kitz's one, and this is what it came up with.....
Exchange: Portsmouth North BT Code: SDPNRTH
Location: Derby Road, PO2 8HR
Distance:- Direct: 4.23 km
(appx)* By Road: 0 km
Status
ADSL enabled: September 30, 2000
DSL Max enabled: March 31, 2006
21CN WBC (ADSL2+) Enabled
21CN due : (PSTN) Info N/A
FTTC Not available
SDSL enabled : Enabled
Broadband Access Market Broadband Access† Market 3
BT price band BTw Pricing Band Band A
I note it does state that FTTC is not available ???
What does that mean, will it later?
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nice. I'm sure the buffering problem will go away now :fingers:
thanks...I've got my fingers & toes crossed ;)
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@DJ...
many thanks, I'm learning slowly :D ::)
could't quite understand the BT checker you linked, so tried Kitz's one, and this is what it came up with.....
Exchange: Portsmouth North BT Code: SDPNRTH
Location: Derby Road, PO2 8HR
Distance:- Direct: 4.23 km
(appx)* By Road: 0 km
Status
ADSL enabled: September 30, 2000
DSL Max enabled: March 31, 2006
21CN WBC (ADSL2+) Enabled
21CN due : (PSTN) Info N/A
FTTC Not available
SDSL enabled : Enabled
Broadband Access Market Broadband Access† Market 3
BT price band BTw Pricing Band Band A
I note it does state that FTTC is not available ???
What does that mean, will it later?
Well, that's a bit out of date as you are on 80Mb VDSL clearly :)
Anyway, digging around with that postcode reveals: -
Cabinet P31 covers 97%
Cabinet P49 covers 2%
Both are Huawei! Excellent news, so yes you should get a few more Mb over the coming days.
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That postcode is for the exchange, which Bob.Gas appears to be 4.23km away from, but all cabinets on the exchange are Huawei anyway.
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You clearly have better eyes than me :D
But yes, bottom line the same
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Looking better all the time. :)
Thanks guys.
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I've been wondering how one pronounces Huawei.
So I looked it up, and I't's actually a silent H, and pronounced...
"Wah-Way"
But I bet you knowledgeable guys here knew that. :D
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I'm aware of how it should be pronounced but usually end up saying q-eeeee :blush:
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I did know about the pronunciation, but then, I've worked in telecommunications for the past 12 years so I've got a fairly decent sized advantage :D
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But I bet you knowledgeable guys here knew that. :D
b*cat smiles, inscrutably. :graduate:
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b*cat smiles, inscrutably. :graduate:
Is that actually you Kitz from C/A?
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Is that actually you Kitz from C/A?
No, I was never active on C/A.
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I see.
Who runs this forum now then?
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I see.
Who runs this forum now then?
Why Kitz, of course. Assisted by roseway and with a helping "paw" from me.
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Kitz used to pop up in C/A, when I frequented it, and she
was so knowledgeable an helpful, helped me a lot, at least.
Unfortunately, It didn't stick in my old brain, hence badgering you guys again ;D
I'm pleased to see it doing to well.
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See, that's what happen's when one loses it. :P
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pleased to say.......
after all afternoon yesterday running a cable to extend a new 3 pin plug socket for my power-line plugs upstairs
Everything downstairs is working fine, just hoping the buffering doesn't rear it's ugly head. ::) :fingers:
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In my opinion your time would have been much better spent installing ethernet cables. Powerline network devices are renowned for causing increased noise levels that can interfere with the VDSL signal. I have used them in the past and had problems so have now disposed of them and will never be used again. :)
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would've been nice to have gone that route, but SWMBO wouldn't have been very happy seeing Ethernet cables all over the place :no:.
And TBF, I've used power-line's for a few years now, and the Picture quality has always been up to scratch, with no signs of noise etc, only the buffering, which hasn't happened lately. :fingers:
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If you can run a bit of T&E and not see it, then you can do the same with CAT5e surely?
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Agrees with RealAleMadrid. Disapprove of power line comms because it spits out evil interference everywhere and pollutes signal potentially reducing performance and even possibly causing problems for neighbours in the worst case. It’s very clever, but I think people should be required to remove it if it is causing measurable levels of interference.
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Whilst I appreciate your concerns with Power- line's, as said b/4, I have no such problems with using them for several years.
our house is detached so not sure if it would interfere with neighbours anyway.
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Its the radio waves that are emited that causes interference, especially if you have a local radio enthusiast. The same radio waves are also picked up by telephone cables, and thus can affect xDSL. No idea how far these radio wave's travel though.
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The radio waves travel infinitely far, barring atmospheric absorption. They may get out of the atmosphere so then the distance is infinite. It will be 1/r (or maybe 1/r 2 in the case of magnetic fields - I forget). Of course there’s a practical limit because their power will descend into the background noise level at some distance, so they are no louder than the other noise sources, and ultimately there is the cosmic background radiation. So the practical distance limit depends on the power of the transmitter, absorption if any and the power of local noise sources.
It seems possible that I can pick up radio waves from 60 miles away, this is not certain though. This is from high powered broadcast audio transmitters. The importance of a quiet local electrical environment is proven though by Saturday’s experience, where downstream sync speeds went up by 5% because of the after effects of a power cut.
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Thanks, nice to learn something about radio waves ;)
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Been a little while Since my last post (Thank god you all say :baby:)
I have changed my TV viewing system.
Ditched Virgin as you all know, and got a Humax Freesat 1TB box.
Also sold my beloved Pioneer 5090 and gone with the 55" LG OLED 4K.
All is running sweet with Talk Talk, and not had to use the customer support. Glad I went with TT, I can carry my wallet on a trolley now :lol:
Might have a go at running completely Ethernet cables instead of Power line plugs to keep the un-supporters happy :P
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TalkTalk was probably the best ISP I've ever been with, in terms of quality of my ADSL2+ & VDSL2 connection. Will almost certainly take out a FTTP service from them, assuming they start selling the 1 Gb/s service from Openreach later on in 2020.
Talking of TVs, love my 42" Pioneer Kuro 428XD plasma to bits, probably the best 42" TV ever to exist...very power hungry though :lol: Will only upgrade as soon as a decent (Panny or Sony) 42" OLED set appears on the market.
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Whilst I appreciate your concerns with Power- line's, as said b/4, I have no such problems with using them for several years.
our house is detached so not sure if it would interfere with neighbours anyway.
Worth bearing in mind, you had no problems BECAUSE you were with Virgin. Powerline particularly interferes with VDSL, which you are now using.
It could also be the cause of your buffering even when you were on Virgin, as I've seen other people report them degrade over time.
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TalkTalk was probably the best ISP I've ever been with, in terms of quality of my ADSL2+ & VDSL2 connection. Will almost certainly take out a FTTP service from them, assuming they start selling the 1 Gb/s service from Openreach later on in 2020.
Talking of TVs, love my 42" Pioneer Kuro 428XD plasma to bits, probably the best 42" TV ever to exist...very power hungry though :lol: Will only upgrade as soon as a decent (Panny or Sony) 42" OLED set appears on the market.
I agree that Pioneer Kuros where and still have a phenomenal picture quality.
But I gave in and sold mine (for peanuts :()and now have the LG OLED 55" B9.
changed to have a "Smart" TV and 4K, and future proofing.
Meanwhile, Thank you to all who have replied and educated me :D
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my mum uses them, she has had a few issues but always been resolved quickly
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my mum uses them, she has had a few issues but always been resolved quickly
Eh? ???
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I think he's saying his mother uses Talktalk and although she has had [line/billing?] issues, they've been sorted out quickly.
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I see. Good to know it was sorted then. :)
TT B/B still running sweetly :fingers: