Spark ADSL performance - is this as good as it gets?

Forums › Spark New Zealand › Spark ADSL performance - is this as good as it gets?

angusdog

20 posts

Geek

Topic # 201332 14-Aug-2016 17:02

Right, just tested our connection using speedtest.net because the performance sounds feel like it should be called broadband.

Ping: 28ms, Download speed 1.81Mbps, Upload speed 0.35Mbps, Karori, Wellington on a Sunday afternoon.

Measured on a Mac connected via ethernet cable to the ADSL modem router that Spark provides.

We struggled to watch Netflicks last night, with numerous pauses of a minute or two for Apple TV (also connected via ethernet to the router) and no other activity on our house's network.

What're my options? Is this typical performance? Are any other providers significantly better? Because it's a hassle to change so it would need to be reliable and faster.

'Delighted' to see we're not due fibre until 2019 :(

TIA, Simon.

PS: Let me know if there's more information you need.

PeterReader

5593 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 253

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 1611444 14-Aug-2016 17:02

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.

RunningMan

5259 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1739

Reply # 1611458 14-Aug-2016 17:26

3 people support this post

As per PeterReader's post, modem line stats would be useful.

sbiddle

27430 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6885

Moderator

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 1611460 14-Aug-2016 17:28

3 people support this post

Need your sync rate from the modem.

Your sync rate won't vary between providers, so if your issue is low sync rate caused by your cabling it won't matter if you change providers because you'll get the exact same speed.

Jase2985

8006 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2663

Subscriber

Reply # 1611494 14-Aug-2016 18:46

One person supports this post

RunningMan:

As per PeterReader's post, modem line stats would be useful.

this, please answer peter readers questions