I'm having frequent loss of broadband connection when ADSL synchronisation is lost. The ISP says it's a bad line, the phone company says the line's OK...

The question is: would a better quality modem than the one provided free by the ISP be better at maintaining a connection on a substandard line?

If this is the case, suggestions of a good combined modem/router -- wired connection, not wireless -- would be welcome. I was looking at the Billion BiPAC 7800, but I don't want to spend 80 in vain.

I always had sweet music with a D-Link. I HAD to go VDSL (new house, and the provider does not invest in ADSL anymore)...but I always had good vibes with it...
it's a DSL-2740B...if that'll belp. Yes, it has those two little "horns"..but, I never user WIFI with it anyway...
Edit - the IPS and cable company are one and the same, so there's no pointing the other way in my case...

Who is your ISP? Name and (maybe) shame them.

I see you are also located in London. I have been very happy with BT, currently 73Mb/s down and 20Mb/s up. Highly reliable. Unlimited traffic.

My modem/router is "BT Home Hub 5". Undoubtedly it's backdoored by NSA and GCHQ, but I don't care.

Basically, I think you'll get what you pay for.

Hope this helps.

Proximus...and...I'm "planted" in belgium...
Around 58 pounds (some 80E) per month, I get TV, classic phone and the biggest formula internet they have...
Yea, but, that's only the modem. I have a BBOX2, beyond doubt the most ungly modem ever made (got it bolted to the wall in the scullery, in a dark corner ) either that or the desiger was still stoned from the seventies...
Thor
Edid - did'nt see the name...welcome to the thread...

Your modem should have detailed diag info on it. It should tell you what is wrong if you know how to read it and access it. Not enough infor on web usually so you have to wing some of it.

The phone company gives the bottom tier techs a $4000 tool that can tell them almost everything they could want to know. They don't know how to use 99% of it.

My humble guess is that the line is at fault some where. Either in your house or outside.

Sadly these modems are sometimes odd. Sync is usually a line issue.

Oh, dear. I asked two questions. I got four answers to different questions, taking my post off the unanswered list.

OK, let's take this step by step:

Q1
If we don't know your ISP, or modem model, we are unlikely to be able to offer advice.

As I said, I am very happy with BT's performance, but reserve judgement on their privacy policies.

Q2
Every ADSL modem I have bought has had wired (and sometimes wireless), but always wired options.

I am expect I have some in the attic, you are welcome to them if you collect.

Otherwise, maybe borow your neighbour's kit and see if that works any better for you.

jefro saysThis is a good idea.

HTH

A good idea!

My first question was whether more expensive modem/routers simply have more features, or are they actually better at coping with bad lines. Anyone who had a bad line and found replacing the modem improved things could have answered that without knowing what my equipment was.

My second question was if anyone could recommend a modem/router which had served them well, especially if they had a poor service (i.e. lived miles from the exchange).

My acquaintances do what most people do: they use what was provided by the ISP (except those who still do not have a computer!)

Naturally I have used the diagnostics, as have PlusNet and BT. If diagnosing the fault were easy, it would have been done by now. My idea was that I might find a way to minimise the problem if there was no solution found. I'm certainly not going to make use of the fibre-optic service on offer at the extra cost involved.

My guess is an expensive new modem will only tell you the same thing. Without any detailed sweep of the line then we can't say at all.

Well, the engineer finally came round and tested things and announced that it wasn't the line - just a dying router. But I did ask about variation in router ability, and he said it does exist: you get what you pay for. As a case in point, the free BT router that died after 7 years has now been replaced by a second-hand Cisco one from 2003!

Glad you got it going. Thanks for the update and solution.

The only issue I have with expensive modem is that they all tend to have the same one or two adsl chips in it. There is nothing spectacular about this very old technology. The most simple of device should provide you with service. Who can figure out when a device will fail. I still have a 20 year old speedstream and it still works at dsl speeds.

Umm, count yer starts, I had a BBox2 here, died on me after 3 years...
Cisco? You lucky bumm -
Good luck with it