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What is ADSL MAX?

ADSL MAX is a new higher speed service from BT. MAX provides download speeds of up to 8Mb/s with upload increased from 256 kb/s (standard ADSL) up to 448 kb/s (Max) and 832 kb/s (Premium Max).

Has my exchange been upgraded for MAX service?

The ADSLMAX service was launched on 31st March 2006 with 99.9% of BT exchanges enabled to provide the higher bandwidth services.

Please use our selection broadband availability checker to check the status for your local exchange.

Some 180 exchanges only are not currently scheduled for upgrade - including those without ADSL service or providing Exchange Activate service.

View the list of exchanges not planned for upgrade via the SamKnows web site.

What sort of speed might I expect?

For many users ADSL Max will provide an increase in line speed. However, MAX is a rate adaptive service and the actual speed that a user will experience will be dependent on the line length and the line quality. It is quite possible for users in close geographical proximity to receive services with different speeds.

MAX provides download service at up to 8Mb/s. Although some users may experience line speeds at or close to this rate, the majority are likely to receive line (sync) rates around 6.5Mb/s Actual data throughput speeds will also depend on contention in the external networks and the performance of the remote server etc. Many users report actual throughput at around 50% of downstream line rate. Please note that it is highly likely that different speed tester servers/applications will report widely differing results and at different times.

BT do advise that IPstream MAX is delivered over a 'best efforts' network and that no guarantee is given that the line rate seen by End Users will result in throughput above that of the IPstream Home/Office fixed rate services (IPstream Home/Office 2000). Outside of busy periods, services may take advantage of any reduction in the core bandwidth utilisation, which may be seen by End Users as an increase in throughput.

Will there be an immediate increase in speed?

Note: Re-grades will take up to 5 working days from order to provision. There will then be a minimum 10-day period whilst the maximum line rate is determined.

When a user upgrades to ADSL Max the system will attempt to synchronise the user modem/router and the BT exchange DSLAM to determine the maximum stable rate (MSR). ADSL Max is rate adaptive - the BT system will record upper and lower line rates. Data will be collected for a MINIMUM of 10 DAYS before the lower line rate is rounded down and to become the MSR. The Fault Threshold Rate (FTR) will be set at a level 30% below MSR. There is likely to be some alteration to the line speed whilst the BT system undergoes 'training' to find the MSR. Once the MSR is set this will be the benchmark level for the lifetime of the connection.

Once the MSR has been set will the line always run at this speed?

The actual line speed will vary but should remain within a tolerance limit between the MSR and the FTR. ADSL Max is a more sensitive system than earlier ADSL and Random Electrical Impulse Noise (REIN) and third part interference may affect the line speed.

If the line rate becomes unstable the user modem/router will establish a new line rate. This will require re-training of the connection.

Stability does depend on the quality of the users own internal wiring and on the physical line conditions. It is essential to ensure that all telephone sockets on the ADSL line are equipped with approved micro-filters to reduce the impact of interference etc.

If the speed can vary, how will I know if there is a fault?

If the line (sync) speed should fall below the fault threshold - set at 30% of the maximum stable rate then there may be a fault with the line circuit. Link-Connect Customer Support will be able to refer faults to BT where the line speed (sync rate) has fallen below the FTR.

Where the line speed falls below the FTR, investigations will be initiated by BT to determine the reasons for the fall. These may indicate the line management procedures, including interleaving, may be able to increase the line stability to return service above the FTR.

What is Digital Line Management (DLM)?

Digital Line Management is provided for ALL ADSL Max services and offers automatic tuning of line performance to improve stability and service performance. The performance of the line is determined by counting the errors and re-trains each day. This will result in a performance score with a set of rules based on the line performance history then used to make an automated decision for re-profiling.

Re-profiling will typically cause a loss of service (20-60 seconds) but, as this will typically only be applied to lines with a poor performance record, the user is unlikely to experience substantial service deterioration. Interleaving may be recommended to improve line stability.

What is INTERLEAVING?

Noise on a line can cause interruptions to data packets. Interleaving is a process that spreads data over a series of packets so that any noise or other factor causing packet loss has less of an overall effect on the data traffic.

Interleaving will be set to AUTO by default. This will permit BT to adopt interleaving as a DLM tool to resolve issues with a line. Interleaving can be set to ON or OFF on an individual line basis.

Please note that Interleaving will increase latency within the circuit - typically between 20 and 40ms. For many users this will not be significant but for some applications it may be important (games playing etc.) Individual users will be able to request interleaving to be set to OFF for their line - although this may impact on line stability.

Where a fault condition occurs it may be necessary to switch line interleaving to ON to try to resolve the problem. It may be necessary to advise a customer that this should be left ON for improved performance - if the customer requires this to be left OFF then the original fault state may return.

How do I change the Interleaving option?

New ADSL max circuits (and those re-grading from an earlier ADSL package) will be set to AUTO be default. Customers will be offered the option to set Interleaving to ON or OFF as part of the order process.

Customers will be able to request a change to their Interleaving status via the online order form process. Log in and then select the ADSL Service Change option and then follow the instructions to request a change to Interleaf status.

How do I re-grade my existing ADSL service to ADSL Max?

You will need to call our sales team or your reseller manager for more details on re-grades.

Will my existing ADSL equipment work with ADSL Max?

Most ADSL equipment (modems and routers) is likely to work with ADSL Max. Users with routers are likely to find fewer problems when re-grading to Max services than users with USB modems.

Many broadband (USB) modems may be expected to support maximum line speeds of up to 4 Mb/s but may not support higher speeds. Users of USB modems should ensure that the latest drivers are installed (refer to equipment manufacturer's web site). Some older USB modems may not be suitable for Max services - check the manufacturers specifications to check whether your equipment is able to work at speeds above 2Mb/s. Users with USB modems connected to USB1 ports are unlikely to see any benefit from a Max service.

USB modems are likely to require manual re-connection following any break or interruption to broadband service and require the computer to be switched on at all times.

Link-Connect recommends that users upgrade to a router and Ethernet connection in order to experience the optimal ADSL MAX experience.

What level of priority does Link-Connect ADSL Max deliver?

Home and Business up to 8Mbps services are delivered with BT IPStream Max level of priority.

Office Broadband up to 8Mbps is delivered with BT IPStream Max Professional level of priority.

Want to know more?

Please take a look at the ‘what is raADSL’ FAQ.

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