Whirlpool

hi all,

I have a phone line coming into my house. It is only 1 copper cable. I have ADSL2+ internet at home that runs at just under adsl1 speeds. My understanding is that the lines outside my house to the exchange are of poor connections and the higher speeds of ADSL2+ are unattainable.

I have been told that it might be a requirement that every house be capable of having 2 phone lines (numbers) The exsisting wiring coming into the house at the moment has only 1 copper wire ( I think 2 copper wires are required for 2 numbers)

My question is: If I was to call Telstra and ask them for a second line would they have to install new cabling from the exchange to my house? and also would that be at my cost?

Thanks
Taylor

im not sure why you would need a second telephone line connected for? having two lines (therefore two phone numbers and paying for 2 lots of line rental) will not make your adsl2+ any faster.

ordinarily, the 'lead in' cable that comes from the street into your house has 2 'pairs' of wires in it. each 'pair' is capable of carrying a separate telephone line (therefore separate number and line rental costs).

if you did wish to connect a second telephone line, the vast majority of times telstra is not required to run a new cable inside your house.
telstra may however need to do work along the street somewhere (at a pillar for example) and you may also need to get a licensed cabler to alter the phone wiring inside your house to have the second line connected to a socket.

The lead cable has only 1 pair of wires. the reason is that if I am able to get the 2nd phone line installed and transfer my adsl2+ to that line in hopes to get faster speeds.

Thanks for the response

There is no guarantee that getting another line would give you increased speed. There may in fact be physical limiting factors to the ADSL preformance, such as the attenuation of your cable to the exchange. Given that you would get a direct parallel fed service with a second line, (ie the same cable route), you would be very unlikely to get a "better" line.

You might also fall foul of the RIM/PGS problem if you simply requested a second line without asking for a NPGDSL service.

Better off sticking with what you have, and ensuring that all your internal wiring is up to scratch for ADSL2+.

pamtayls writes...

I have ADSL2+ internet at home that runs at just under adsl1 speeds.
How about posting your modem stats?
Then do an isolation test and post those stats?
Can you tell us what phone/alarm equipment you have?
How may phone sockets?
Then maybe we can get a better handle on the problem.

6point5db:
what is the RIM/PGS problem? also what is the NPGDSL service?

sorry for being super dumb (lol)

I have connected the modem to the copper wires coming into the house, which I think eliminates the internal wiring of the house right? Doing that didn't change my speeds

junction box:
I have been told by my ISP that there is a issue between the exchange and my house that is the cause of my slow speeds.

I'm not sure of my next steps

Mate, search on this forum for all about PGS (pair gain systems) amd RIMs (remote integrated multiplexers), both of which can very quickly torpedo any efforts on your part to get an ADSL service connected.

The NPGDSL (no pair gain DSL line) is a mechanism you can use to alert Telstra to the fact that you want to run ADSL on this new service. You would mention this when applying for the new service. It should, in theory, cause Telstra to provide you with a line that does not use PGS/RIM - if they can. It must be said though that the reality could be very much different - one nice new voice capable line and no ADSL! It is a very difficult call to give absolutely correct advice, we are in the hands of Telstra largely.

pamtayls writes...

I have been told by my ISP that there is a issue between the exchange and my house that is the cause of my slow speeds.

If you give Juntionbox the info he requested, he may be able to shine a little light on what the problem might be. He is good like that ;)

I'll get this information once I get home.

Thanks all for the replies so far

I will try to help with this question. Satrting with " only 1 copper cable " Over the last 30 - 40 years and talking residential premises their has been differant types of "lead-in" cables from early single pr overheadcable from pole to house but for about the last 15 years have been 2pr aerial cable, getting into underground "leadins" in very old residential areas there maybe a 2pr cable running up the side frence of 1 house with a underground junction box where the cable is split and a single pr cable is the feed into each house, but generally all houses have a 2pr cable installed, but if you house has a single pr cable if it is overhead, the single pr cable is replaced on day of installation with a 2pr cable and the second line terminated in house on a socket, if youre leadin is an underground leadin and only a single pr ( very rare pre 1950's ) a leadin upgrade is required and it is the person applying for the secound lines responsibility to supply a trench from the house to the front property line towards the nearest Telstra pit, on the subject of your ADSL there are about 20 factors that effect ADSL I'll name a few
1. Distance from exchange in road klms as 4.5klm is the bench mark as the Telstra standard conductor size is 0.40mm
2. House wiring, even with filters if you house is "star" wired loss of transmission propertys are huge and you will hear during voice calls "staticy hissing noise" one of the first things Telstra will do for all adsl connection is test the line for adsl, if the line to the approx house location is " outside " specifications Telstra will refuse connection or upgrade to ADSL 2, If you are a Telstra customer report problems thru Bigpond and telstra will test to the first point in the house, if with another ISP do the same with them, I am a ADSL Faultman and am currently doing about 8 - 10 of these aday 90% of the dropouts, slow speeds and other problems are within the house wiring

pamtayls writes...

I'll get this information once I get home
hmm....must be a long drive?

Coalface Faultman writes...

if youre leadin is an underground leadin and only a single pr ( very rare pre 1950's )

I presume you are referring to a 1pr lead sheathed cable? - Surely there couldn't be any of those still around?

Cheers

pamtayls writes...

I have connected the modem to the copper wires coming into the house, which I think eliminates the internal wiring of the house right?

That's raising alarm bells for me right there.

And if it is only a 1pr lead in , how old is the house, and ergo all the cabling in and around it?