Channel Failure? Qwest

[techchick68]

I have been having major problems with my internet access.

Well, after whining to Earthlink, connection rates of 12000 bps, 19200 bps and getting kicked off repeatedly I was on the phone with an Earthlink rep...tried to sign on to AOL and couldn't get on line.

After apologizing to the Earthlink employee, I pretty much determined it was my phone line.

Called Qwest and after a return call (I was on line when he was trying to do the network test, he needed me to get off the line) We yacked while the test was happening and the test came back Channel Failure.

I am pretty up on communications and its interworkings but this one the guy on the phone didn't even know what it meant. Can anyone explain a few of the problems that might cause this? I was told 2 years ago that the cards in the trunk lines in my neighborhood need to be swapped out....he suspects that is the the possible problem.

Any other ideas? This is not good for my home business!

[techchick68]

I plugged in a regular phone (not cordless) into that line and it turns out that I hear a series of clicks then it rings. The recording of "the call could not be completed as dialed".

The strange thing is my other phone line (which I am on now) is clear as a bell.

Hmmm, this is wierd and I would love to know more about the whys and hows to get this fixed....it's my kind of knowledge

[486]

Originally posted by techchick68

Called Qwest and after a return call (I was on line when he
was trying to do the network test, he needed me to get off
the line) We yacked while the test was happening and the
test came back Channel Failure.



As I understand it, multiple phone lines are grouped
together via multiplexing after they leave the house...

Each 'line' is given a frequency (or channel) by the
multiplexer.

[cblackhand]

Channel is another name for your phone line, others are path, circuit or trunk. Channel failure then mens ther si a problem with your line. Did the Qwest tech give you any other information? The clicks and recording you encountered would indicate a problem with the signal to the central office and/or a problem within the CO. If this was a t1, isdn, or other digital line we could add in the possibility of EMI on the line. However this sounds like an normal POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) line. These lines are multiplexed somewhere around the neighborhood as 486 said. There are a variety of cards there that could cause problems. Depending on your distance from your CO there are also several repeaters along the line that could be causing problems. Then of course it could be various cards or programming in the CO swittch causing the clicks and error message. There is no easy way for you to find out other than for Qwest to investgiate and tell you.

Is your other line on the same exchange? If it has a different exchange it may be going to a different CO and have a different multiplexor and route altogether. If it is to the same exchange it may have a different card in the multiplexor, or the problem may be at the CO and affect only the one line.

Hopefully this sheds some insight. If you need more information let me know and I will dig up what I can.

John
Who has spent too much time on phone system maintenance