DSL in Albany, Auckland

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › DSL in Albany, Auckland

CookieMonster

26 posts

Geek

#11471 25-Jan-2007 13:07

Hello everyone,

I've recently (1 month ago) moved into my new house in Albany (near Oteha Valley Road). And since my dsl connection was setup, I've been having endless problem with it. My first problem is disconnection: I get disconnected up to 300 times a day, which made my internet totally unusable. (although 2 days ago, it managed to only disconnected 2 times for the whole day, so it's kind of a proof that I can get stable DSL)

Second problem is the speed: according to my ADSL Router (NetGear DG834G), my line attenuation is 63db down and 15 db up, and when I do get a connection, I always get 64kbps down connection speed and around 400kbps up speed, which is still "A"DSL, except I get faster uploads than downloads. I have had a splitter installed in my house which didnt really do anything and have been intouch with Orcon every second day to try to get the problem resolved. (Orcon guys are quite helpful and patience, even when I sometimes get abit annoyed). Did a line check with Telecon and they said everything is fine with my line.

Can someone please shine some lights on the following questions?

1. If I can manage a fast upload, shouldn't my download be even faster? (I've tested the speeds with speedtest.net and the results pretty much matched the figures reported by my router)
2. I know for a fact that the previous owner of the house had solid DSL connection with a different ISP (Xtra), if I change to xtra, will things help?
3. I tried to fine out the distance to the exchange I'm connected to (Browns Bay, apperantly), when I call Telecom, they pretty much told me to piss off (literally) as I don't get my dsl from Xtra, and when I call Orcon, they said I should contact Telecom for the distance check. Personally I don't believe Telecom a bit as I still pay them for the wire and maintence and hence I believe they have the responsibility to help me. Or did I misunderstand?

Thanks for reading this rant. any help would be appreciated.

p.s Orcon said they are still investigating, so I can only keep my hopes up.

Cheers

Life360

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BiggusDoggus

367 posts

Ultimate Geek

#58829 25-Jan-2007 14:18

3. I tried to fine out the distance to the exchange I'm connected to (Browns Bay, apperantly), when I call Telecom, they pretty much told me to piss off (literally) as I don't get my dsl from Xtra, and when I call Orcon, they said I should contact Telecom for the distance check. Personally I don't believe Telecom a bit as I still pay them for the wire and maintence and hence I believe they have the responsibility to help me. Or did I misunderstand?

You are Orcon's customer for ADSL - if you have any questions at all they should be helping you, not palming you off on to someone else who can't even see what you've got as far as broadband is concerned. Yes, you pay Telecom for line rental, which really has nothing to do with ADSL performance issues. Orcon can get that info if you need it, 100%.

With point 2, I really don't think it should make any difference at all.

Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries

tonyhughes

Hawkes Bay
8476 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#58832 25-Jan-2007 15:35

CookieMonster: 1. If I can manage a fast upload, shouldn't my download be even faster? (I've tested the speeds with speedtest.net and the results pretty much matched the figures reported by my router)

Au contraire my mosterous cookie... ADSL is asynchronous for up and down. Though the technology exists, and in theory you would think so, at the end of the day, you are really competing with other users primarily for downloads... perhaps if you were all maxing out your uploads on the same server, things might change...

2. I know for a fact that the previous owner of the house had solid DSL connection with a different ISP (Xtra), if I change to xtra, will things help?

People are getting all different qualities of service from different ISPs. Xtra can be great. Orcon can be great. Slingshot can be great. But they all have their fair share of horror stories too... You can only but try.

3. I tried to fine out the distance to the exchange I'm connected to (Browns Bay, apperantly), when I call Telecom, they pretty much told me to piss off (literally) as I don't get my dsl from Xtra, and when I call Orcon, they said I should contact Telecom for the distance check. Personally I don't believe Telecom a bit as I still pay them for the wire and maintence and hence I believe they have the responsibility to help me. Or did I misunderstand?

The interests of customer service would lead many to assume that the owner of the copper should just fess up if they know. Having said that, telling customers their distance from an exchange, is simply not a regular service they provide. Unless a customer is on the fringe, and Telecom *need* to know, then a lot of money could be wasted on customer service reps time answering a question that is actually a moot point. I think you should be able to find out, but I respect that companies decision to not spend money having to tell you. A bit of a catch22 I guess.

Thanks for reading this rant. any help would be appreciated.

p.s Orcon said they are still investigating, so I can only keep my hopes up.

Cheers

Good luck!

CrispinMullins

128 posts

Master Geek

#58849 25-Jan-2007 18:25

Hi there,

The most likely scenario is that you are a long way away from your exchange. If your phone number begins with a 475, 476, 478, or 479, then you´ll be connected to the Browns Bay exchange, which is on Browns Bay Road, directly opposite Beach Road. That is a heck of a long way away from Oteha Valley Road, even if the copper doesn´t loop all the way down to the beach first.

Warmest regards
C.Mullins