Anything we can do to get DSL?

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Anything we can do to get DSL?

Bold

36 posts

Geek

#76220 30-Jan-2011 22:28

We moved to the country a couple of months ago and had a hell of a time trying to get an internet connection. We went back and forth for days, originally with my ISP Inspire net, and then with Xtra with them promising we could get adsl, and then finally telling us there was something wrong with our particular line at the exchange. Not sure on the exact problem sorry..

Looking at the maps on the Telecom wholesale website we are on the Whatawhata exchange in the waikato, and am just on the edge of the area marked for a cabinet upgrade in Sept 2011 (cabinet WHW/J)

Is there anything we can do to get the wiring sorted at the exchange? Any local chorus techies that I can bribe to take a look at it?

Is it likely that we will be able to get something when the cabinet is upgraded? Even 2Mb adsl 1 would keep me happy :)

We are using XT mobile broadband at the moment and don't find it hugely reliable, plus that 8gig data cap / price is the real killer. I had full speed asl2 at our last house and the lack of online gaming is really starting to get to me!

Please Help!

inarush

31 posts

Geek

#432974 30-Jan-2011 22:32

Ask the ISP to put you onto a Broadband Wanter, the more people who have requested broadband in the area the better chance of getting some movement before sept 2011

johnr

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#432983 30-Jan-2011 22:52

If your house is to far from the exchange the only other option is to move your house closer to the exchange

John

rscole86

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#432985 30-Jan-2011 23:00

Have you considered any wireless ISPs?

hellonearthisman

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#432996 31-Jan-2011 00:39

You sound so far out that a 2MB adsl connection would be as good as dialup.
How is the quality of Dailup there, it will give you a clue at what the line quality is really like. Have you considered hibernating until September?

GH33

65 posts

Master Geek

#433002 31-Jan-2011 01:49

I don't think Telecom or the sales who signed you up "promised" to get you fixed line broadband unless the person you spoke to was stupid enough. They may say broadband is available in the area but for your particular connection (or any new connections) technician will still need to go to your exchange to investigate.

subzero

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#433003 31-Jan-2011 02:06

Ask your isp to connect you and you will go on a port waiter list, if there's a problem with your line telecom has to fix it. Find out what the fault is and lodge a fault with 120 or get your isp to do it.

In the meantime you could try: www.farmside.co.nz

SteveON

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#433017 31-Jan-2011 07:11

subzero: Ask your isp to connect you and you will go on a port waiter list, if there's a problem with your line telecom has to fix it. Find out what the fault is and lodge a fault with 120 or get your isp to do it.

In the meantime you could try: www.farmside.co.nz

They don't have to fix it for free...

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SteveON

1916 posts

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#433018 31-Jan-2011 07:11

subzero: Ask your isp to connect you and you will go on a port waiter list, if there's a problem with your line telecom has to fix it. Find out what the fault is and lodge a fault with 120 or get your isp to do it.

In the meantime you could try: www.farmside.co.nz

They don't have to fix it for free...

quickymart

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#433019 31-Jan-2011 07:12

He wouldn't go onto a port waiter list as he can probably get a connection (albeit a slow one). Port waiters happen when there are no ports available at the exchange, which doesn't sound like the case here. More information is needed from the OP to know what the problem is however.

Bold

36 posts

Geek

#433084 31-Jan-2011 10:46

Thanks for the replies :)

I don't believe there was a lack of ports causing the problem, he said there was something wrong with the wiring of our particular line and made the impression that they didn't want to fix it. I have no idea what fixing it would involve, but would be happy to pay something :) If anyone can look up the Telecom database and find out what the actual problem was would be awesome :)

I have looked at a few wireless options, but they all have large set up cost, mostly 2 year contracts and not particularly attractive monthly plans. I'm still hoping to get adsl at least when the cabinet is upgraded later this year, so don't want to be locked into anything, and don't want to spend the money on setup yet. If we still cant get adsl then I will re-evaluate.

We have XT mobile broadband which works out fairly well compared to most wireless plans that I've seen and I'm quite tempted to spend $300 putting up an antenna which should make that pretty solid, but would rather spend that on getting adsl :)

I will ask to go on a wanter list, cheers.

quickymart

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#433338 31-Jan-2011 18:34

What town/locality are you in?

raytaylor

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#433374 31-Jan-2011 20:16

It could be a line with a loading coil maybe?
I encountered one of those off the Patoka exchange a couple of years ago and couldnt get broadband. The loop length was 5.8km but they wouldnt take a chance at removing the loading coil to even test if it would work.

Ray Taylor

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Bold

36 posts

Geek

#433505 1-Feb-2011 07:22

quickymart: What town/locality are you in?

I'm in the Waikato, Whatawhata exchange.

Cheers