From Voda LLU to Spark - immediate speed drop

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Kookoo

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Topic # 185179 12-Nov-2015 19:19

Switched from Voda LLU to Spark ADSL today.
I'm assuming Spark now use port based auth because I didn't need to change the PPP credentials on my FritzBox - that part was great.
What wasn't so great was the fact that sync rate dropped from 9Mbps to 7.4Mbps, and ookla speedtest dropped from 8Mbps to 5.5Mbps.
What am I missing here?

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PeterReader

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Reply # 1427111 12-Nov-2015 19:19

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.

hio77

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Reply # 1427124 12-Nov-2015 19:28

This is as expected.

Vodafone LLU gear runs at a far less conservative target SNR, Moving off Vodafone onto Spark you are back on Chorus Gear.. This would equates to the difference in speed.

Likely on Vodafone you were running at a 6 or 9dB snr compared to your now, 12dB.

Spark do use Port Based Authentication yes.

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Kookoo

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Reply # 1427131 12-Nov-2015 19:39

hio77: This is as expected.

Vodafone LLU gear runs at a far less conservative target SNR, Moving off Vodafone onto Spark you are back on Chorus Gear.. This would equates to the difference in speed.

Likely on Vodafone you were running at a 6 or 9dB snr compared to your now, 12dB.

Spark do use Port Based Authentication yes.

Good point. I just checked the SNR log on the Fritz - and you're absolutely right, it changed from 6dB to 12dB at 8am when they switched me over.
Now this sucks. Can they do individual SNR profiles?

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sbiddle

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Reply # 1427134 12-Nov-2015 19:43

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Kookoo:
Now this sucks. Can they do individual SNR profiles?

No.

12dB is there to deliver improved stability rather than tweaked performance.

hio77

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Reply # 1427136 12-Nov-2015 19:44

Chorus don't sway from their choice of 12dB.

Exception is the new 998 profiles for VDSL where there are 9dB profiles at play.

Would be nice to see chorus consider implementing them into adsl too, but that is unlikely.

SNR tweaking on your downstream is possible, but Thats a risk for you to take yourself if you see fit. Doing it wrong can cause all sorts of problems.

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Kookoo

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Reply # 1427138 12-Nov-2015 19:47

hio77: Chorus don't sway from their choice of 12dB.

Exception is the new 998 profiles for VDSL where there are 9dB profiles at play.

Would be nice to see chorus consider implementing them into adsl too, but that is unlikely.

SNR tweaking on your downstream is possible, but Thats a risk for you to take yourself if you see fit. Doing it wrong can cause all sorts of problems.

That is true, but I've been running a Voda connection for a while now at 6dB with no reliability issues, so I know the line can handle it. The question is whether Spark provisioning can order individual profiles from Chorus, and judging from sbiddle's response - not going to happen. Bugger. :(

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coffeebaron

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Reply # 1427144 12-Nov-2015 20:05

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Best thing you can do is get a master filter installed if you haven't already.

Chorus has spent $1.4 billion on making their xDSL broadband network faster. If your still stuck on ADSL or VDSL, why not spend from $150 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.
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Kookoo

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Reply # 1427149 12-Nov-2015 20:18

coffeebaron: Best thing you can do is get a master filter installed if you haven't already.

Yes, there was this guy Fraser who dropped by back in January and installed a master filter for me... You know him by any chance?

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coffeebaron

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Reply # 1427329 13-Nov-2015 07:44

Kookoo:
coffeebaron: Best thing you can do is get a master filter installed if you haven't already.

Yes, there was this guy Fraser who dropped by back in January and installed a master filter for me... You know him by any chance?

Ah, yes that guy sounds familiar. I remember doing this one now. You're on the edge of exchange boundary on probably some older copper, so unfortunately those lower speeds are typical for areas like that. Not much you can do until UFB.

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Jarsky

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Reply # 1436910 28-Nov-2015 15:25

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Just thought i'd add onto this, that you can tweak your SNR with many of the Broadcom DSL modems like the Dynalink RTA1320 and RTA1025wv6.
You'll probably find you lose stability dropping below ~9dB

hio77

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Reply # 1436976 28-Nov-2015 18:02

Jarsky: Just thought i'd add onto this, that you can tweak your SNR with many of the Broadcom DSL modems like the Dynalink RTA1320 and RTA1025wv6.
You'll probably find you lose stability dropping below ~9dB

on a clean line, i would say going below 9dB isnt too much of a stability issue.

Below 6dB and you tend to hit a point where your hitting diminishing returns. However the other key factor of hitting low, is your getting close to the edge where the DSLAM will drop the power level.

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Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.