Getting ADSL2 with Xtra?

Forums › New Zealand Broadband › Getting ADSL2 with Xtra?

3g

267 posts

Ultimate Geek

Topic # 20163 15-Mar-2008 07:56
I'd like to find out if it's possible to get ADSL2 on my broadband connection with Xtra. Here's what I know: - I've got an Allied Telesis AR256e ADSL router (supposedly ADSL2/2+ ready). - I've found out previously that I'm 137m from the cabinet/equipment, with resistance of 37 Ohms and line noise of 3dB - When I emailed Xtra, I got told my exchange was not ADSL2 capable and there was no known upgrade date - I asked them what exchange I'm on - it's Hillmorton (Christchurch). - According to the document at the link below, the upgrade to Hillmorton to ADSL2+ was completed on 25/01/2008. http://www.telecom.co.nz/binarys/adsl2%20080131.pdf Is there something else that needs to happen as well for ADSL2? I spoke with a colleague at work (who is with Maxnet from memory) and it sounded like there were some settings changed somewhere and potentially swapping of physical connections (somewhere?) for him to get ADSL2. I'd appreciate any suggestions on what to do next. Nigel H.

sbiddle

16711 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Subscriber

Reply # 116740 15-Mar-2008 08:31
The ADSL2+ service is not yet available. Most exchanges have now been upgraded but the service has not yet been launched. *Need help configuring your Linksys ATA or IP Phones for New Zealand? Check my blog post

3g

267 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 116769 15-Mar-2008 10:53
Thank for the reply - that makes a lot more sense. I wonder if my colleague at work got in as part of a trial? Either way, thanks for the info. Nigel H.

webwat

1258 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Reply # 118122 22-Mar-2008 21:53
ADSL2+ is already being rolled out, but sounds like you are connected to a roadside cabinet instead of directly to a phone exchange. Cabinets are not part of the rollout but it might eventually happen if you are lucky. If your main problem is download speeds, then just complain about that. Some roadside cabinets have a serious shortage of bandwidth but could be upgraded if the problem is bad enough. Dont expect to get the 8Mbps that ADSL is capable of though, especially if you dont want to pay for full-speed upstream. 128k upstream limits TCP downloads to 4 meg. Qualified in business, certified in fibre, stuck in copper, have to keep going ^_^

3g

267 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 118152 23-Mar-2008 09:28
webwat: Dont expect to get the 8Mbps that ADSL is capable of though, especially if you dont want to pay for full-speed upstream. 128k upstream limits TCP downloads to 4 meg. Hmm, interesting that you say that. We were thinking of going to full-down/full-up (as my wife and I both work remotely from our offices and transferring data back to our respective networks is a pain). So you're saying that download speed can be (somewhat) limited by upload speed? Can you explain further? I'd be interested to know (purely for my own knowledge) the theory behind the limitation. Thanks for your help. Nigel H.

3g

267 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 118153 23-Mar-2008 09:34
Of course, 2 minutes after posting my question (above) i found the page at the link below: http://www.clari.net.au/Customers/Speed/ The theoretical limit is about 3% for big TCP transfers. Thus for every kb of upload you need at least 3b of download. This is in fact the best case and would only be achieved when moving very large files, such as music or movie files. In practice we use a 10% figure. If you are only doing web then 1/7 is closer to the mark. Thus to support an 8Mb download speed you need in theory 240kbps uplink, but in practice between 400kbps and 1.1Mbps uplink. Interleaving traffic will change these results somewhat but for a single connection they should give a rough guide.

webwat

1258 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Reply # 118669 25-Mar-2008 23:34
To download anything with TCP your computer must request it and acknowlege what it received, which checks that you got the data you requested. Your computer could use up to 256kbps to support an average 3Mbps of normal downstream traffic. There was never any guarantee that Telecom has 8Mbps available in your area at peak times because its all shared bandwidth and not much allocated in total. Good luck!! Hope you didnt believe the propoganda about internet improving after ADSL2+ rolls out.... Hopefully will iimprove over time Qualified in business, certified in fibre, stuck in copper, have to keep going ^_^

3g

267 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 120534 2-Apr-2008 16:51
Thanks to a suggestion by webwat, I've now got hugely increased speed on my line by going to "Pro" with Xtra. Previously I was lucky to get 3Mb/s - now I get over 6Mb/s (and around 600kb/s upload instead of the restricted 128kb/s) for only $20 more per month! Amazing what a timely ack can do 8-).

Nightwyrm

586 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

Reply # 120571 2-Apr-2008 18:58
webwat: To download anything with TCP your computer must request it and acknowlege what it received, which checks that you got the data you requested. Your computer could use up to 256kbps to support an average 3Mbps of normal downstream traffic. There was never any guarantee that Telecom has 8Mbps available in your area at peak times because its all shared bandwidth and not much allocated in total. Say what??? (guess I should have paid more attention in that part of my degree) Does this mean that the FS/128 ratio for most plans is a way for TNZ managing the overall traffic i.e. using the restricted upload speed to rein in the download speed? (legitimate question - not attacking ) Founding editor for Guerrilla Geek. Post-geek, opinionated mediaphile, and natural born cynic. Jack of all genres, master of none.

3g

267 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 120597 2-Apr-2008 20:39
lugh: Does this mean that the FS/128 ratio for most plans is a way for TNZ managing the overall traffic i.e. using the restricted upload speed to rein in the download speed? (legitimate question - not attacking ) It certainly seems that way 8-). I was prepared to take the gamble (as logic suggested that the restricted upload speed would restrict the download speed) - and I'm certainly glad as it's proving to be a cheap upgrade option. Nigel H.

SightUnseen

129 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 123679 15-Apr-2008 15:04
Telecom's contractors have been installing ADSL2+ DSLAMs for the best part of the last 18 months. This includes cabinets and exchanges. Whilst there is now a public roadmap, this is not something that has started in the last 3-4 months. There are manifold reasons for this, chief amongst them that ADSL2+ equipment is price comparable to legacy ADSL equipment, and production of former outnumbers that of the latter worldwide by a considerable margin. If the DSLAM you are connected two is ADSL2+ capable, it is possible for you to sync at these speeds. (for example, on our home ADSL we sync at 17-18Mbps and speedtest.net reports around ~12Mbps download attainable). However, there are still port and back-haul restrictions at the DSLAMs which means that 'true' ADSL2+ speeds will only be attainable for those connected when the backhaul, software and associated upgrades are essentially completed. The date when ADSL2+ becomes officially available is still up for discussion, and I'm sure when it is finalised these forums will be all over it.