Having Massive Issues With Spark VDSL!

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14 posts

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#2600554 9-Nov-2020 16:12

UPDATE:

Thanks for all your responses, it's very much appreciated!

So i called Spark today, and to my surprise (sarcasm) they have suggested that for VDSL a master filter is NOT needed!

They then suggested to have a seperate rural 4G plan for the family to use at an extra cost of $90 p/month (I kid you not), while i continue to use the VDSL for myself for gaming lol. I don't even know how to respond to people like this... :/

So my question to you guys is; Do any of you know who i can call in the Christchurch region to get a Master Filter installed?

I'm sick of dealing with Spark, i'm not even going to bother wasting any more of my time with them, especially since they actually suggested i don't even need one! So i feel if i call them again asking for them to get a tech to install one, they will simply decline to install one, and state once again, that it's not needed when clearly it is! It even says on Sparks own website that a Master Filter is recommended for VDSL! lol

nztim

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#2600561 9-Nov-2020 16:48

Did @BMarquis run some tests for you from the Chorus side as he offered?

Sadly I could help you out in Christchurch. If you were Wellington Based and @coffeebaron could have you out if you were Waikato/Auckland based

I don't know anyone in Christchurch who would do this - also are you in an area with No Enable Firbre?

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RunningMan

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#2600570 9-Nov-2020 16:57

Mandatory master filter installs were dropped a few years back, but that seemed to be a sales decision (reduced plan cost) rather than engineering (improved connection). That's why their helpdesk script will say not required. Regardless of that, it should make a very significant difference on a setup like yours with multiple phone extensions (short version is all that extra wiring degrades the VDSL signal).Chorus used to do them ($199, $249 or thereabouts). Perhaps @BMarquis would know the details? Assuming Chorus do still do them, Spark should be able to arrange this for you.

They will push 4G because they have to pay Chorus for the connection... not because it is a product that would suit you better

RunningMan

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#2600572 9-Nov-2020 17:00

On the off chance you want to understand more of the technical reasons, have a read of this https://www.geekzone.co.nz/sbiddle/8357

BlueHorizon87

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Geek

#2600581 9-Nov-2020 17:24

Hey guys, thanks for the quick replies.

I'm new here so i'm not too sure how to quote previous replies, or even mark other users in replies, but yes @BMarquis (not sure if that will work or not lol) is helping me out and doing a line test over night which is awesome, and hopefully it will come back showing the issues i'm having!

Interesting stuff, so that explains why the 'support' lady at Spark said we don't need a master filter. Typical help line, they never seem to be of much help, which is ironic.

I think for now, i will await the line test results and in the mean time, hopefully try to find out who i can call in the following days to get one of those master filters installed. I'll try Spark again if i have to. I may also go out during the week and purchase a gaming router, so i can use QOS to direct all the traffic to my PlayStation haha :P The family would love that lol. I might also purchase a new line splitter which are $20 or so, just to rule that out as being an issue.

As for fibre, someone asked about that. Fibre is due here November 2021, so a long way off yet. Until then, i need this internet sorted ASAP. I know it won't get any faster unfortunately, Spark said today that 20Mbps is the fastest we can get here on our rural property, and i'm ok with that, it is what it is, but i just need the disconnections to stop, so i can get more reliable internet for gaming and streaming etc.

Again, thanks for all your help it's very much appreciated! :)

nztim

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#2600584 9-Nov-2020 17:31

BlueHorizon87:

I might also purchase a new line splitter which are $20 or so, just to rule that out as being an issue.

Complete waste of money - Also one more thing do your Jackbpoints have "2" or "2c" on them ?

Or are they "M" + "E"

If it is the latter (Master/Extention) jacks vs the new "2" jacks you will be in for a world of hurt as the resistor across pins 2 and 5 will KILL your DSL singal

There were installed in the late 80s and early 90s where phones needed a 3rd wire to make ringing work, and are now obsolite

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BlueHorizon87

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#2600605 9-Nov-2020 18:40

The jackpoints have 2c written on them (sigh of relief).

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nztim

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#2600616 9-Nov-2020 19:04

BlueHorizon87:

The jackpoints have 2c written on them (sigh of relief).

That is good - now all you need is to find a reputable electrician down there

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Bung

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#2600620 9-Nov-2020 19:14

nztim:
If it is the latter (Master/Extention) jacks vs the new "2" jacks you will be in for a world of hurt as the resistor across pins 2 and 5 will KILL your DSL singal

There were installed in the late 80s and early 90s where phones needed a 3rd wire to make ringing work, and are now obsolite

As you've stated several times in the past. Has this been tested? The resistor in series with the capacitor is 470,000 ohms. Even 2 wire installs can have a separate test module containing the capacitor + resistor. There have been other posts where removing the termination had no effect.

RunningMan

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#2600622 9-Nov-2020 19:20

BlueHorizon87:[snip]. I may also go out during the week and purchase a gaming router, so i can use QOS to direct all the traffic to my PlayStation haha :P The family would love that lol.

Don't do that just yet. The type of internal wiring you describe (lots of phone extensions) has the most negative impact on upstream sync rate. If this improves significantly, then you may be fine as you are.

BlueHorizon87:[snip]I might also purchase a new line splitter which are $20 or so, just to rule that out as being an issue.

To rule out a faulty plug in filter, just unplug it (and the phone connected to it), no need to replace with another one just for testing.

BMarquis

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#2600670 9-Nov-2020 19:41

hold fire until I get time tomorrow to grab the results and assess them :)

nztim

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#2600675 9-Nov-2020 19:51

Bung:
nztim:

If it is the latter (Master/Extention) jacks vs the new "2" jacks you will be in for a world of hurt as the resistor across pins 2 and 5 will KILL your DSL singal

There were installed in the late 80s and early 90s where phones needed a 3rd wire to make ringing work, and are now obsolite

As you've stated several times in the past. Has this been tested? The resistor in series with the capacitor is 470,000 ohms. Even 2 wire installs can have a separate test module containing the capacitor + resistor. There have been other posts where removing the termination had no effect.

http://www.telepermit.co.nz/TNA%20102_October_2017.pdf

bottom of page 9

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BlueHorizon87

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#2600680 9-Nov-2020 20:09

Yeah no worries, i'll wait for the results tomorrow before i attempt anything... ;)

Bung

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#2600681 9-Nov-2020 20:11

It's not the capacitor + resistor that was the problem but the 3rd wire connected to 1 leg through the capacitor but through the high ohm resistor to the other leg. This unbalanced the line to ground. I suspect a lot of places have been converted to "2 wire" while reusing the old jacks.

nztim

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#2600690 9-Nov-2020 20:28

Bung: It's not the capacitor + resistor that was the problem but the 3rd wire connected to 1 leg through the capacitor but through the high ohm resistor to the other leg. This unbalanced the line to ground. I suspect a lot of places have been converted to "2 wire" while reusing the old jacks.

lots have but even in 2020 I have removed them

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