[obvious]

Exactly the same problems here. Intermittent huge slowdowns or complete stalls when browsing, ftp, nntp and mail. Sometimes the cable modem lights will change but most often the modem remains 'active'.

Have had an 'engineer' out twice. The first one removed the attenuator without checking the dB levels. I asked him what the power levels should be and he said "no idea mate".

Guess what the second engineer did? He replaced the attenuator. I told him that the problem happened both with and without the attenuator and he said that perhaps the original problems were not with the cable modem but could be at the box or the head end.

So anyway, back to square one with dodgy intermittent service. dB at -3 (which is fine) and wondering when the extended reach adsl will finally come to the Neath exchange.