This is an ongoing problem in my part of New Zealand also - I guess it's one of the drawbacks of DSL lines worldwide.  Diallup connections seem to be capable of 'soldiering on' under quite bad conditions whereas DSL appears to be so sensitive to external factors that it's almost a case of ON or OFF - it either works well or not at all.

I wonder if there's any new DSL technology around the corner.  Anyone know?

Ian Porter
Computer Guys Inc.
Arrowtown
New Zealand
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  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: John Sproule 
  Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] Cable downloading speed


  Picking up on what Chris Ryan had said about Peter Shkabara's observation
  that his DSL connection had gotten slower over time, I had wondered about
  this "construction factor", too.  It could be that a phone technician, in
  doing some work at one of those connection boxes has rerouted your
  connection to the main office in the process of doing some other work.  Your
  new route may not be the up to DSL specs, anymore.  If something like this
  is the case, it may be that you can get the phone company to look into this
  and change it back.

  John

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: <[log in to unmask]>
  To: <[log in to unmask]>
  Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2003 9:26 AM
  Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] PCBUILD Digest - 18 Dec 2003 to 19 Dec 2003
  (#2003-351)

  > Finally there is the "construction factor." At any time, if
  > the feed to your house (which originates from the CO -"central office") to
  the
  > point where your line comes off the mainline to your house has had any
  work
  > done on it - replacement or additional lines added, there could be some
  > unaccounted interference or a slightly subpar splice that would change the
  transmission
  > capabilities of the wiring supporting your service. I realize that none of
  > this may be "reassuring" but I hope that it is at least helpful! :-)
  >


  >> Peter wrote:
  >>
  > >In reference to my speed drop, I suspect that phone line noise may be
  >> contributing to the problem. I get some static on the voice side (it =
  > >happens
  >> after a rain). What else can cause such a slowdown in DSL?<

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