Spark rural ADSL - Super slow

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hairy1

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# 181338 11-Oct-2015 14:56

Hi all,

My in-laws are at their wits end with their broadband via Spark. Their modem stats are OK. Their speed is terrible.

They have asked Spark to investigate multiple times to be told that the problem is congestion on the copper backhaul from the cabinet
I am sure they are connected to PUK/BD cabinet although Spark refuse to disclose that information. From what I can gather PUK/BD is fibre fed.

Current speed tests show that dial up speeds are about all they can get.

My questions are:

1. Spark has said the cabinet is only copper fed. gis.geek.nz says this is fibre fed. Is this likely to be accurate?
2. Do they have any other options for resolution of speed?

Thanks, Matt.

ISP: Spark
150 GB ADSL plan
Location: Ramarama, Auckland.
Rural.

Chorus: PUK/BD
Type: Whisper Cabinet (Double Bay)
Installed: 2002-06-09

Feeder(s)
Copper: PUK
Fibre: PUK

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

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# 1403875 11-Oct-2015 14:56

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.

DarkShadow

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# 1403890 11-Oct-2015 15:02

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Well, looking at the Chorus map this cabinet isn't fibre fed. Also the sync rate and transfer rate clearly indicates this is a backhaul problem. Have you looked at RBI?

Blue boxes are cabinets, blue line is Chorus fibre. Brown area around a cabinet indicates that cabinet supports VDSL and has lots of backhaul.

hairy1

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# 1403892 11-Oct-2015 15:08

Thanks DarkShadow

That is what they have been doing with cellphones. Using mobile data as the fixed line won't load.

I have been getting my info from gis.geek.nz which states it is fibre fed. Would this be wrong? I am posting this from their broadband connection and can't get it to load for a screenshot! Arrgh!

Cheers, Matt.

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

yitz

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# 1403894 11-Oct-2015 15:13

hairy1: I have been getting my info from gis.geek.nz which states it is fibre fed. Would this be wrong?

It may well be the older ATM fibre optic network. I'm not sure as to the extent which gis.geek.nz differentiates between the ATM and Ethernet fibre optic networks.

DarkShadow

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# 1403895 11-Oct-2015 15:15

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I just ran a prequal on an address next to the cabinet. The results came back indicates that it is BUBA only. This confirms that the cabinet isn't fibre fed.

There doesn't seem to be any Chorus upgrade planned in that area at the moment so RBI would be your best bet for now.

sbiddle

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# 1403896 11-Oct-2015 15:15

They're ADSL1 BUBA and will be suffering the effects of that. They will certainly not be off a fibre fed cabinet.

skyplonk

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# 1403900 11-Oct-2015 15:27

Compass has 10/3 WiMax broadband in that area - if you have line of sight to one of their towers.

michaelmurfy

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# 1403904 11-Oct-2015 15:40

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Current speed tests show that dial up speeds are about all they can get.

Dialup speeds are 0.056mbit (max) and they're getting vastly over that. I would suggest look at RBI or a wireless provider. This cabinet is currently not on the RBI upgrade list.

hairy1

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# 1403911 11-Oct-2015 16:19

Thanks very much for all the replies folks. I couldn't figure out why things were so dire with a fibre fed cabinet. Three teenagers in the house are going slowly crazy as their gaming is rubbish (which is mildly entertaining BTW).

They are good for RBI but no good for Compass.

Cheers.

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

michaelmurfy

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# 1403917 11-Oct-2015 16:47

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hairy1: Thanks very much for all the replies folks. I couldn't figure out why things were so dire with a fibre fed cabinet. Three teenagers in the house are going slowly crazy as their gaming is rubbish (which is mildly entertaining BTW).

They are good for RBI but no good for Compass.

Cheers.

Point them towards http://www.ultimatebroadband.co.nz/rbi-wireless.html as they're good guys.

Or see if Spark can provide rural mobile broadband: https://www.spark.co.nz/shop/internet/rural/

coffeebaron

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# 1403974 11-Oct-2015 20:21

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michaelmurfy:
Point them towards http://www.ultimatebroadband.co.nz/rbi-wireless.html as they're good guys.

I have replied to your PM @hairy1.
Thanks

Chorus has spent $1.4 billion on making their xDSL broadband network faster and even more now as they are upgrading their rural Conklins. If your still stuck on ADSL or VDSL, why not spend $195 on a master filter install to make sure you are getting the most out of your connection?
I install - Naked DSL, DSL Master Splitters, VoIP, data cabling and general computer support for home and small business.
Rural Broadband RBI installer for Ultimate Broadband and Full Flavour

Need help in Auckland, Waikato or BoP? Click my email button, or email me direct: [my user name] at geekzonemail dot com

hairy1

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# 1403976 11-Oct-2015 20:27

Thanks guys.

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

rhy7s

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# 1404548 12-Oct-2015 18:05

michaelmurfy:
Current speed tests show that dial up speeds are about all they can get.

Dialup speeds are 0.056mbit (max) and they're getting vastly over that. I would suggest look at RBI or a wireless provider. This cabinet is currently not on the RBI upgrade list.

Being in an area in a similar situation, it is often 'worse' than dialup, but mainly due to huge latency spikes and time-outs. Speed drops to 100-200kbps in peak times with NZ pings going to 1000-2000ms.

I used to have a dual 56k bonded dialup line that was much snappier. I've since moved to a wireless provider. I don't know the technicalities involved in with Conklins, but you'd think there's be some way for a wireless provider to provide backhaul to remote exchange locations in hilly country which would be hard for them to cover.

michaelmurfy

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# 1404587 12-Oct-2015 19:05

rhy7s:
michaelmurfy:
Current speed tests show that dial up speeds are about all they can get.

Dialup speeds are 0.056mbit (max) and they're getting vastly over that. I would suggest look at RBI or a wireless provider. This cabinet is currently not on the RBI upgrade list.

Being in an area in a similar situation, it is often 'worse' than dialup, but mainly due to huge latency spikes and time-outs. Speed drops to 100-200kbps in peak times with NZ pings going to 1000-2000ms.

I used to have a dual 56k bonded dialup line that was much snappier. I've since moved to a wireless provider. I don't know the technicalities involved in with Conklins, but you'd think there's be some way for a wireless provider to provide backhaul to remote exchange locations in hilly country which would be hard for them to cover.

It is more the cost of the gear required to service only a few houses. There are cabinets all across NZ with microwave backhual to provide phone and "Broadband" services so yes it is possible however at a considerable cost. This is also why Wireless RBI has come in.

My parents are on a loaded cabinet just like the OP's and I agree it can be slow but when people are trying to YouTube clogging up their (already small) pipes it is only going to get slower for everyone else.

I have actually yet to experience massive long spikes - normally this comes due to your connection being loaded. But it is a good thing there is a relatively cheap (and fast) option for those on loaded cabinets.

nunz

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# 1404655 12-Oct-2015 21:07

michaelmurfy:
rhy7s:
michaelmurfy:
Current speed tests show that dial up speeds are about all they can get.

Dialup speeds are 0.056mbit (max) and they're getting vastly over that. I would suggest look at RBI or a wireless provider. This cabinet is currently not on the RBI upgrade list.

Being in an area in a similar situation, it is often 'worse' than dialup, but mainly due to huge latency spikes and time-outs. Speed drops to 100-200kbps in peak times with NZ pings going to 1000-2000ms.

I used to have a dual 56k bonded dialup line that was much snappier. I've since moved to a wireless provider. I don't know the technicalities involved in with Conklins, but you'd think there's be some way for a wireless provider to provide backhaul to remote exchange locations in hilly country which would be hard for them to cover.

It is more the cost of the gear required to service only a few houses. There are cabinets all across NZ with microwave backhual to provide phone and "Broadband" services so yes it is possible however at a considerable cost. This is also why Wireless RBI has come in.

My parents are on a loaded cabinet just like the OP's and I agree it can be slow but when people are trying to YouTube clogging up their (already small) pipes it is only going to get slower for everyone else.

I have actually yet to experience massive long spikes - normally this comes due to your connection being loaded. But it is a good thing there is a relatively cheap (and fast) option for those on loaded cabinets.

not trying to do Ultimatebroadband out of a job here -

We have used a 3g router on 2Degrees data plan - $99 for 12GB of data. its worked well in a few dicey spots here and there. It bet the pants of RBI in a few areas - which is funny considering they both come off similar towers (albeit differnt cells and or towers).
not cheap but we got 6-15Mbps DS and 3 - 5Mbps US.

nunz

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