What's involved in a VDSL install

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › What's involved in a VDSL install

dclegg

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#198307 4-Jul-2016 10:58

I currently have ADSL2, and am looking to upgrade to VDSL, as we won't be getting fibre here until 2018.

Our house is an ex-leaky home which has finally been fixed (we moved back on Saturday; yay!), so I'm trying to determine the impact required to install VDSL. I tried asking a Spark CSR via their online chat, but he wasn't very helpful at all.

We currently have one of these things outside the house :-

We also have a dedicated ADSL port inside the house. I am not sure if a master filter is installed, but ADSL only works at this port. I do currently use a line filter, but that is more habit than necessity. I'm pretty sure we get a 15Mbps sync speed without it. And just in case it is helpful, here are the sync stats from earlier this morning (with line filter in play) :-

When Chorus come to install VDSL, will they be able to simply do what they need to at either of these endpoints? Or will they need to drill holes in either the internal or external walls?

If they do need to drill holes, what sort of level of fit and finish should I expect? As an ex-leaky home owner, I'm very wary of potential water ingress points now. We've also had a full internal repaint done, so I'd be in a boatload of trouble if we end up with a right mess on an internal wall too.

If damage can't be avoided, I may consider waiting until fibre is available, as that will involve new cable runs.

PeterReader

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#1585472 4-Jul-2016 10:58

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:

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.

sidefx

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#1585489 4-Jul-2016 11:04

You already have a splitter. It's probably in the ETP - that little box on the outside of your house. It may be an ADSL splitter, in which case they will just need to open up that box, replace it and you're good to go. Or it may already be a VDSL splitter in which case they won't really need to do much at all. It doesn't sound like they will need to drill holes or anything like that with what you already have.

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dclegg

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#1585493 4-Jul-2016 11:15

sidefx:

You already have a splitter. It's probably in the ETP - that little box on the outside of your house. It may be an ADSL splitter, in which case they will just need to open up that box, replace it and you're good to go. Or it may already be a VDSL splitter in which case they won't really need to do much at all. It doesn't sound like they will need to drill holes or anything like that with what you already have.

Thanks, that sounds reassuring. May be worthwhile booking it after all then.

tangerz

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#1585512 4-Jul-2016 11:48

sidefx:

You already have a splitter. It's probably in the ETP - that little box on the outside of your house. It may be an ADSL splitter, in which case they will just need to open up that box, replace it and you're good to go. Or it may already be a VDSL splitter in which case they won't really need to do much at all. It doesn't sound like they will need to drill holes or anything like that with what you already have.

^^^ +1

As mentioned above, the fact you have a dedicated xDSL socket would tend to indicate you already have a master filter installed. Using the second line filter won't help and could in fact hurt your connection speed. Any 'work' needing to be done will almost certainly be 'at the endpoints' like you say so shouldn't involve anything that will impact/compromise your new renovations. :-)

antoniosk

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#1585545 4-Jul-2016 12:22

dclegg:

sidefx:

You already have a splitter. It's probably in the ETP - that little box on the outside of your house. It may be an ADSL splitter, in which case they will just need to open up that box, replace it and you're good to go. Or it may already be a VDSL splitter in which case they won't really need to do much at all. It doesn't sound like they will need to drill holes or anything like that with what you already have.

Thanks, that sounds reassuring. May be worthwhile booking it after all then.

They will want to change the faceplate as well, from the ADSL BT style connector to a modern RJ45/RJ11 connection. It can't hurt, but just be aware.

________

Antoniosk

dclegg

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#1585558 4-Jul-2016 12:50

antoniosk:

They will want to change the faceplate as well, from the ADSL BT style connector to a modern RJ45/RJ11 connection. It can't hurt, but just be aware.

Thanks. As long as it's the standard size, that should be OK.

Changeover

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#1593536 16-Jul-2016 13:53

Changed from adsl to vdsl and have been charged 199 dollars break fee.

Surely this can't be right. They offered me a free upgrade but did not mention this.

It's not like i left Spark.

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Jase2985

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#1593545 16-Jul-2016 14:53

@cbrpilot

cbrpilot

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Spark NZ

#1593551 16-Jul-2016 15:30

Changeover: Changed from adsl to vdsl and have been charged 199 dollars break fee.

Surely this can't be right. They offered me a free upgrade but did not mention this.

It's not like i left Spark.

No that certainly doesn't sound right.
Suggest you either give us a call, or chat with us via our website to get to the bottom of it. Alternatively Wheelbarrow01 on here may be able to assist.

My views are my own, and may not necessarily represent those of my employer.

Wheelbarrow01

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Chorus

#1593572 16-Jul-2016 16:33

cbrpilot:
Changeover: Changed from adsl to vdsl and have been charged 199 dollars break fee.

Surely this can't be right. They offered me a free upgrade but did not mention this.

It's not like i left Spark.

No that certainly doesn't sound right.
Suggest you either give us a call, or chat with us via our website to get to the bottom of it. Alternatively Wheelbarrow01 on here may be able to assist.

I sure can - @Changeover, please message me with your account number and I will sort that for you. When the CSR ran your upgrade order, I suspect the ADSL early termination fee defaulted in (assuming you were still within contract for your ADSL). The CSR should have over-ridden this but I suspect they didn't notice it. Should be an easy fix.

The views expressed by me are not necessarily those of my employer Chorus NZ Ltd