Finding the Ideal ISP

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MasterCats

2 posts

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#131041 6-Oct-2013 21:22

Hey guys and girls this is my first time posting here so I'll just get straight to it. I've been on TelstraClear warpspeed broadband for several years now and despite the 150gb buffer our family always seems to go over and incur the extra $1.46/GB charge. I love the speed on TelstraClear, being able to torrent, load 5 HD youtube videos, download a game on steam and play league of legends at the same time no problem. I just can't handle all the extra money I'm spending every month so I was wondering if you guys could help me find an ISP that fits these specifications:

-Unlimited or 500gb+/month
-Under or close to $155/month
-Speeds the same or similar to that of TelstraClear (I don't want to be lagging in any online games)

A few side notes:
-Live in central Wellington.
-This is my current ISP plan:

-Scored these speeds on speedtest.net from the Christchurch server: https://www.speedtest.net/result/3015382606.png
-There are 4 people in my household. I average about 100gb usage per month but would rather use much more.
-I play online games including MMO's and League of Legends, game play suffers greatly from lag.
-Download between 2mbs and 11mbs on steam.
-I've done some searching on http://www.ispfind.co.nz/ but have no luck yet.
-My friend is on Orcon unlimited but reports lag when his family uses the internet at the same time, thoughts on this option?

I look forward to your idea's and responses =)

PeterReader

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#908928 6-Oct-2013 21:22

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.

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NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

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#908936 6-Oct-2013 21:29

You will need to check your exact address on the chorus website. If you can get ufb or vdsl then you are good to go with virtually any ISP.

Otherwise, you won't be able to get near the tcl speeds, even though you will be able to easily get the data cap you want for a lot less than tcl charge.

MasterCats

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#908951 6-Oct-2013 21:53

Thanks I did that and I was in an >20mbs broadband, UFB planned zone. So what you're saying is that I'll have no lag troubles with my multiple high speed downloads no matter what ISP, as long as I don't choose an abysmal speed plan? I just need to be sure before I take the step to change to an unlimited.

michaelmurfy

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#908961 6-Oct-2013 22:30

What street are you on? VDSL might be an option for you? Telecom have a 500gb pack on VDSL for $129/mo which is not bad at all.

Ideally you want to stay away from those ISP's that offer unlimited data, I've seen it too many times now, they simply just don't perform.

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Coil

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#908987 6-Oct-2013 23:29

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/broadband/high-speed-cable/

We have a 250GB plan.

eXDee

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#908991 6-Oct-2013 23:46

MasterCats: Thanks I did that and I was in an >20mbs broadband, UFB planned zone. So what you're saying is that I'll have no lag troubles with my multiple high speed downloads no matter what ISP, as long as I don't choose an abysmal speed plan? I just need to be sure before I take the step to change to an unlimited.

If it says >20mbps on the chorus map you're likely find for VDSL which means you'll get 20-50mbps speeds depending on your line situation. You'll have to wait for UFB to get 100mbps.

From personal experience i've been happy with Snap. 600gb VDSL will cost you $140 a month including VOIP line. You'll have unlimited off peak from 1am to 7am which is good for bulk downloading. You might even find that unlimited offpeak lets you get by with 350gb per month ($120)
Speed is great, games don't lag, data is fast any time of day.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

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#908998 7-Oct-2013 02:34

MasterCats: Thanks I did that and I was in an >20mbs broadband, UFB planned zone. So what you're saying is that I'll have no lag troubles with my multiple high speed downloads no matter what ISP, as long as I don't choose an abysmal speed plan? I just need to be sure before I take the step to change to an unlimited.

that means you should be able to get VDSL right now, and will eventually get UFB sometime in the next 5 years or so.

VDSL should be fine for multiple concurrent uses.

Telecom or Snap seem the most favoured on this forum.

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nakedmolerat

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#909301 7-Oct-2013 13:07

MasterCats: Thanks I did that and I was in an >20mbs broadband, UFB planned zone. So what you're saying is that I'll have no lag troubles with my multiple high speed downloads no matter what ISP, as long as I don't choose an abysmal speed plan? I just need to be sure before I take the step to change to an unlimited.

Hi, I saw your post last night. I assume you already know this but just in case:-

You are currently on TelstraClear/Vodafone Cable. This is a completely different network from the common regular copper ADSL/VDSL broadband. If you move to different ISP, that means you are NOT going to be in the same network. Your speed depends on your internal wiring, distance etc. Since you are on >20mbps zone, you may be able to get VDSL service which will at least give speed close to half of what you are currently on.

More info:
VDSL
ADSL
UFB

One of my friend did not understand this. He was pretty pissed off after moving to ADSL as the speed is nowhere close to what he is used to on the Cable network.

Edit: There is also no such thing as 'abysmal speed plan'. Most ISP now offers maximum speed download/upload.