Network Upgrades

[Zee]

So when NTL do network upgrades what do they do exactly? For the last week, there has been a network upgrade in my area everyday.

Also what is network rebalancing because that has been happening too.

[Paul K]

They install new equipment and hardware and then update the control systems to share the traffic load across the network systems better.
By the way, that is just my idea of what happens but no doubt a tech will be able to give a proper description of it lol

[Zee]

oh right, thanks.

well it still hasn't made any different to my speeds anyway, still sh|t as ever!

[Escapee]

An upgrade can mean many different things, depending on what technology they are upgrading and what area of the country.

If they are talking about re-balancing it probably has something to do with aligning the network for the extra channel loading needed for the upgrades underway. I understand they are adding a second DS and extra US channels in some areas.

They originally aligned areas for 2 channels, and now as far as I understand they will be running 8 channels. (requiring a 6dB reduction in levels to avoid overdriving the lasers, but will have a knock on effect on the S/N ratio)

(Every time you double the amount of carriers you have to derate by 3dB ie: half the power)

I'm very much out of the loop these days, but I do get to hear about the goings on. I understand they are spending lots of money upgrading the delivery to regional headends but there is little or no money available for the regional networks.

I hear the architect group have made lots of decisions about choices of technology, in some cases these pen pushers are now finding it not possible to implement in the existing regional infrastructure.

ntl... things will never change.

[kingkong]

Originally Posted by Zee

So when NTL do network upgrades what do they do exactly? For the last week, there has been a network upgrade in my area everyday.

Also what is network rebalancing because that has been happening too.

network upgrades are normaly done in the early hours of the morning,to minimise disruption to customers,network rebalancing is adjusting the levels that the amplifiers run at [these are inside the cabinets in the street],these affect the levels to your house for your tv/internet they have to be within spec otherwise you will start getting problems i.e freezing pics/loss of chns,or slow speeds on the internet,or no access to the internet.
upgrades are normaly things like adding new chns/increasing bandwidth/ect

[Zee]

Originally Posted by kingkong

network upgrades are normaly done in the early hours of the morning,to minimise disruption to customers,network rebalancing is adjusting the levels that the amplifiers run at [these are inside the cabinets in the street],these affect the levels to your house for your tv/internet they have to be within spec otherwise you will start getting problems i.e freezing pics/loss of chns,or slow speeds on the internet,or no access to the internet.
upgrades are normaly things like adding new chns/increasing bandwidth/ect

So after all these updates are done, i should hope to have a better connection then what i currently have?

[DaveC]

Originally Posted by Zee

So after all these updates are done, i should hope to have a better connection then what i currently have?

I wouldn't hold your breath!