New Telstra (Vodafone) Fibre Broadband Connection Dropping Out

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LadyA

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#124567 12-Jul-2013 13:34

Hi everyone,
I have a relatively new fibre broadband connection with Telstra (now branded Vodafone).

The internet service keeps getting so slow that I can't open my web browsers (Firefox, Chrome, Safari) but can get a connection with uTorrent (maybe >1kB/s). This maybe happens 10 times a day, sometimes more.

When this happens I usually restart my wifi router or modem until I can get online again, but I'm really sick of this happening. When I can get online, usually the connection is pretty good (see speedtest) if I am the only one using it. When someone else jumps online I can't connect again. The whole service slows quite considerably in the evenings and in weekends as well.

I think possible causes of the <b>extreme</b> slowness are that
a) My modem is faulty
b) Telstra connection is faulty or inconsistent
c) My Mac doesn't like the WPA-2 connection (someone mentioned that to me once?)
d) Something on my computer is intermittently blocking my internet access

Has anyone else had similar problems? I would switch to another ISP, but because it's a fibre connection I think we're locked into Telstra unless we pay $300 for a DSL connection.

Help! Thanks!

Lady A

PeterReader

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Geekzone

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#854343 12-Jul-2013 13:34

Hello... Our robot found some keywords in your post, so here is an automated reply with some important things to note regarding broadband speeds.

If you are posting regarding DSL speeds please check that

- you have reset your modem and router

- your PC (or other PCs in your LAN) is not downloading large files when you are testing

- you are not being throttled by your ISP due to going over the monthly cap

- your tests are always done on an ethernet connection to the router - do not use wireless for testing

- you read this topic and follow the instructions there.

Make sure you provide information for other users to help you. If you have not already done it, please EDIT your post and add this now:

- Your ISP and plan

- Type of connection (ADSL, ADSL2, VDSL)

- Your modem DSL stats (do not worry about posting Speedtest, we need sync rate, attenuation and noise margin)

- Your general location (or street)

- If you are rural or urban

- If you know your connection is to an exchange, cabinet or conklin

- If your connection is to a ULL or wholesale service

- If you have done an isolation test as per the link above

Most of the problems with speed are likely to be related to internal wiring issues. Read this discussion to find out more about this. Your ISP is not intentionally slowing you down today (unless you are on a managed plan). Also if this is the school holidays it's likely you will notice slower than usual speed due to more users online.

A master splitter is required for VDSL2 and in most cases will improve speeds on DSL connections. Regular disconnections can be a monitored alarm or a set top box trying to connect. If there's an alarm connected to your line even if you don't have an alarm contract it may still try to connect so it's worth checking.

I recommend you read these two blog posts:

- Is your premises phone wiring impacting your broadband performance? (very technical)

- Are you receiving a substandard ULL ADSL2+ connection from your ISP?

I am the Geekzone Robot and I am here to help. I am from the Internet. I do not interact. Do not expect other replies from me.

johnr

19282 posts

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Inactive user

#854353 12-Jul-2013 13:39

Is all this done over WIFI have you tried over LAN cable plugged direct into modem?

Goosey

2830 posts

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Subscriber

#854357 12-Jul-2013 13:44

Dont think this is your ISP issue.
What happens if you completely disable the torrent software from loading up?
(is it working in the backround at all)?

When was the last time you did a software update on the mac?

EDIT: are you sure your on a fibre connection and not DSL via cable? (the speedtest looks like its a DSL but I could be wrong and your on a very low plan on fibre)?

johnr

19282 posts

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Inactive user

#854371 12-Jul-2013 14:07

Can you confirm if this is a fibre / HFC or xDSL?

sbiddle

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Biddle Corp

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#854395 12-Jul-2013 14:33

One would presume you have a HFC cable connection, not a fibre connection.

The first thing to look at would be your router. Based solely on what you've posted my first off assumption would be you have a low quality router that's choking with the traffic you're putting through it and a restart temporarily fixes this.