What is ADSL Max?
ADSL Max is a rate adaptive up to 8Mbps service, which maximises the upstream and downstream capability of a normal BT telephone line by adapting the data rate according to the line conditions. This is a ‘best efforts’ service and depends primarily on line length and noise conditions, although other factors can contribute, including your internal wiring, your broadband hardware and the correct use of ADSL line filters. In general it is likely that rate adaptive products provide higher upstream and downstream data rates for users who are closer to the telephone exchange, with lower rates for users that are further away. I.E. the nearer you are to the telephone exchange (or the shorter route that your telephone line takes from the exchange to your premises) you are more likely to achieve closer to an 8Mbps service.
Can I get ADSL Max?
ADSL Max services are only available to customers whose telephone exchanges have been enabled for the provision of DSL MAX. Thereafter, line qualification is based on the telephone line having a minimum of a current 288Kbps capability and fulfilling the characteristics needed to support ADSL Max products.
If you check your line using our broadband line checker, you should get two results. First a result relating to the type/speed of standard ADSL broadband service that your line can support, then a result indicating the estimated level of service you can expect to receive via an ADSL Max service (this is purely an indicator. Your maximum stable line rate will be calculated and set after the 10-day stabilisation period).
Can you explain the 10-day stabilisation period to me?
During the first 10 days of service, BT will be calculating your maximum stable line rate (i.e. the maximum speed that your line can support), which will be set on day 10. It is important that you connect to and use the service regularly during this period in order that measurements of line rate can be taken. Faults relating to connection speed cannot be reported within the initial 10-day period, during which you may also experience intermittent connectivity, as your equipment loses sync and regains sync (disconnects and reconnects).
What speed will I get?
ADSL Max is a ‘best efforts’ service. A customer’s ability to receive particular download/upload speeds will be dependant on the quality of the phone line and their distance from the exchange. ADSL Max is a rate adaptive service, which means that KeConnect will supply the service at the maximum speed that the customers line can support. The actual ADSL Max line rate supportable will be determined during the first 10 days of use, after which time the highest stable rate possible will be set. Because of the rate adaptive nature of ADSL Max, connection speeds may vary (i.e. go up/down) during the course of your contract period.
Can my connection speed go down as well as up?
Because of the rate adaptive nature of ADSL Max, connection speeds may vary (i.e. go up/down) during the course of your contract period, and your equipment may re-train (i.e. disconnect and reconnect or ‘lose sync and gain sync’) causing a break in service of 1-2 minutes. This is not a fault; it is a function of ‘rate adaptation’ and simply means that your equipment is re-training itself to connect at a slightly different speed (e.g. during times of high use at your telephone exchange).
What are the advantages of ADSL Max?
ADSL Max is a cost effective service allowing users to connect at the maximum download speed that their BT line can handle. Whereas standard ADSL broadband is available at speeds of 512Kbps, 1Mbps and 2Mbps, ADSL Max has the capacity to deliver downstream speeds of up to 8Mbps for users whose telephone lines can support these speeds.
Will I need new equipment?
We have ADSL Max customers successfully using many types of equipment. We are not currently aware of any particular ADSL compatible equipment that is not compatible with ADSL Max, but in general it tends to be the case that the newer the hardware is, the better connection speeds the user will get.
Always ensure that you have downloaded up-to-date drivers and firmware for your particular hardware before considering replacing it.
What is the difference between our residential and business ADSL Max products?
There are two platforms at BT telephone exchanges for ADSL Max, a ‘standard’ platform and a ‘premium’ platform. KeConnect’s Home/SoHo ADSL Max products are based on the standard platform and the ADSL Max Business product is based on the premium platform.
During times of congestion in the BT network, premium users traffic is given priority over standard users traffic, resulting in a higher quality end user experience.
The maximum upload speed available to users on a premium platform is also higher (832Kbps) than the Home/SoHo products (448Kbps).
My hardware says I am connecting at a faster speed than I am. Why is that?
Your equipment (PC, Modem or router) will show your line rate. This is different from your actual data throughput.
Your line rate is the maximum amount of data/speed your line can support. However, the process of actually sending packets of data down/up the line uses up some of this capacity. The speed that you actually end up with after this has been taken into account is your data throughput.
To put this in every day terms, if you sent a parcel in the post which had a total weight of 500g, but the actual contents of the parcel only weighed 400g (the extra 100g being the weight of the packaging) the weight of the parcel would still be shown as 500g.
Can I migrate from a standard broadband connection with another provider to KeConnect ADSL Max?
Yes you can. Just ask your current provider for a Migration Authority Code (MAC) and state this when you order.
How do I upgrade my existing KeConnect Broadband connection to KeConnect ADSL Max?
You can upgrade your existing KeConnect Broadband connection to ADSL Max easily in approximately 5 working days. Call us on 08450 506050 and ask us about an upgrade.
What are the disadvantages of ADSL Max?
As an ADSL Max user, you may experience intermittent connectivity (i.e. breaks in service of 1-2 minutes), as your equipment re-trains (disconnects and reconnects) as the line rate ‘adapts’ to the maximum speed available. This is not a fault; it is a function of rate adaptation and simply means that your equipment is re-training itself to connect at a slightly different speed (e.g. during times of high use at your telephone exchange).
Although ADSL Max service providers can report faults to BT relating to slow downstream connectivity after the 10-day stabilisation period, faults relating to upstream faults cannot be reported unless a user is experiencing an upstream line rate of less than 64Kbps.
Can I order Broadband Assurance with ADSL Max?
Yes. Broadband Assurance is offered as an add-on to ADSL Max. This secures a response from BT within 3 working hours and a fix within 20 working hours for any faults that we report relating to your service.