Hello Chris,
Openreach engineers have conducted tests from my house, for example in December 2023 when the broadband was continually disconnecting. I was told by the Openreach engineer that the number of disconnections was to be expected/acceptable or words to that effect - 6 disconnections in a day would be a problem. The voltage of the landline was 2 volts above that expected but the threshold or words to that effect was 3 volts before it was of concern.
Looking at the last two reports produced by Openreach for TalkTalk and watching the engineers in my home, I assume it is a tick box exercise. The actual results of the tests are not passed on. An exasperated Openreach engineer a few years ago told me how unsatisfactory the tick box approach was to him and of course customers such as myself who have to repeatedly complain about faults. That engineer told me about the concept of acceptable faults and gave me advice on how to help myself by being very confident of the equipment I was using in my home and how to report faults to TalkTalk.
Long ago I was able to talk to TalkTalk network engineers and they also gave me tips on how to ensure the router worked well. Profile Management was explained to me, I think this is software used by TalkTalk to manage network traffic. I am not sure if the landline is also subject to Dynamic Line Management by Openreach.
An Openreach trouble shooter has been in my home in the past and I have heard a conference call between Openreach engineers and a troubleshooter.
As I am piggy in the middle between TalkTalk and Openreach, I pay close attention to what happens in my home, take notes and try to communicate as best I can with TalkTalk.
My suspicion is that Openreach only needs to wait for FTTP and certain problems will end, a cost effective solution for that business but not for me nor TalkTalk.
I have asked National Grid if they have encountered any Openreach cables while digging up the road from their very large substation towards my house and past the two nearby Openreach cabinets. This work is on the road between those cabinets and the local exchange. Nation Grid have crossed the road from side to side a number of times. They have told me there have not been any incidents.
To be frank, I am exhausted by this matter. It is 23 days since a landline call which was crackling very badly eventually disconnected with a loud snap. When the caller rang again their voice was distorting/echoing, they sounded like a dalek. They tried again and it was the usual background crackling noise.
I am so weary of the problems and the amount of effort I have to put in once I decide to complain. I am asked the same questions over and over as if TalkTalk staff do not share information given to them. There must be pages and pages of notes on my account.
Thank you for continuing to try to help me.
