Unable to connect to broadband

[sp1214]

I spent over 3 hours trying to connect to broadband last night without success. I use Tiscali as my provider. I do not use wireless but an Ethernet connection. Two of my immediate neighbours also have broadband as I found out when using wireless in the past.

Where does my problem lie? Is it BT communications not allowing more than 1 user to operate locally? Or is it Tiscali that prevents too many users accessing their system? I know its not my system because I connected first time this morning.

[Ethel]

I suggest you contact your ISP to see if there was a problem last night.

Do they have a service status on their customer website which shows the areas that have been down for maintenance or anything like that?

[sp1214]

I did contact Tiscali a few weeks ago but have not had a reply. This problem always seems to happen in the evening and has occured regularly over the past year. A relative who is with Tiscali does not suffer the same problem.

[Ethel]

How far away are you from the bt exchange? That can make a big difference.
http://www.dslzoneuk.net/distance.php

[sp1214]

As the crow flies 3.94km

[fourteen85]

I also couldn't connect via Tiscali last night but OK this AM

[ACtheTROLL]

sp
Is it BT communications not allowing more than 1 user to operate locally
.... definitely not .... It's not bt who decide ... it's ofcom.
the local loop is still owned by BT (except cable) but they MUST give other providers the means to provide.

I take it you switch off when not surfing? ....
in my opinion it's a bad idea - (maybe not the greenest of opinions) but the way dsl and routers in general (even the domestic variety) are designed to work ...
they are classed as "ALWAYS ON" devices

once you are connected ... it's less likely that you will loose a connection .... unless the loop goes down ... the equipment finds it easier to maintain a connection than to establish a new one.

[Ice.Maiden]

When I had the same problem with Tiscali, I phoned them up, and they asked if I had two filters plugged into my phone socket. I didn't, so they sent me one free of charge, and everything was brilliant after that.

[sp1214]

After I reported the problem to BT they phoned back today saying its not their problem but Tiscali's.

Yet I remember that there are about 12 channels which the user selects. They say if this channel conflicts with a neighbours channel there could be problems. Am I making this up as I am relying on my weak memory?

[sp1214]

Thanks for all your replies:

1. Yes I do have a filter fitted. This allows me to take a phone call while on the internet.

2. I wonder how many other Tiscali customers also had trouble that night. I suspect they do not have enough servers to cope with us all especially as they are doing this cheap offer at the moment.

3. Yes I do switch off my computer when not in use. There may be a small time delay in switching over my modem connections to Tiscali before I log on though but mostly have no problems.