New VDSL connection problems

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Niscoupe

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#235949 11-May-2018 08:14

We have finally just been upgraded from ADSL to VDSL unlimited. We were told our line was 'very strong' for VDSL and were looking forward to a reasonable speed increase. A new modem arrived (HG659B) and ADSL was disconnected. According to the connection info with the modem we needed a VDSL wall connection with a splitter...we only have the original standard phone jack. After speaking to the business call centre they assured me that the existing connection would work fine with VDSL using the supplied grey ADSL cable. We connected up as per instruction and had internet connection at the same speed as our previous ADSL connection (12-15MB/S).

However we also had a problem with 2 ethernet connections (Eftpos and Zembu router) not working. They told us that because we had internet connection and the ethernet connections were 3rd party items it was not their problem and would do nothing further. Regarding the connection speed, the "tech" told me that it takes up to 3 weeks for a new VDSL connection to get up to full speed!! A VDSL splitter and connection would apparantly make no difference.

We got our EFTpos IT man out and found the modem ethernet connections were faulty and not working. A change of modem fixed the problem however the speed still stayed the same.

Just some questions, is a VDSL splitter/connector neccessary, does it take a while for VDSL speeds to get up to where they should be, is it worth staying with the supplied HG659b modem?

Gotta say the whole episode with SPARK getting this connection upgraded has been nothing short of shocking..

Mistenfuru

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#2013761 11-May-2018 08:24

A Master splitter will usually increase VDSL speeds.

What does your router say it's connection type is? VDSL/ADSL

In General the HG659s are very capable mid-range modem/routers

DLM (Dynamic Line management) does mean that the line can change speed in the first couple of weeks as it's tweaked to improve connection.

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Coil

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#2013763 11-May-2018 08:28

I would get a dedicated line installed from the ETP to your jack point, Check the ETP for an ADSL splitter (Which would cause the speed limitations).
Interesting the ethernet ports did not function?? Never seen this myself.

Not much can be said or done here to help you unless you post the modem debug stats. DLM is not some miraculous system that will make you go from the speeds you quoted to infinity and beyond! as people imply. Yes it can help but it isn't some physics defying artist.

HG659B is an OK device, Are you on a consumer or business plan?

https://www.spark.co.nz/content/dam/telecomcms/pdf/HG659b_Spark_QuickStartGuide.pdf

I am guessing you are a cafe.

Cheers

Bung

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#2013798 11-May-2018 09:13

A VDSL splitter needs to have some wiring that it can isolate before it will make a difference. The connection could be a single jackpoint without any old wiring going to other jacks.

Niscoupe

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#2013951 11-May-2018 11:26

We are on a business plan, the link you supplied is the same booklet that came with the modem. We were going by the required wiring setup that was in those instructions. Your assumtion is right, we are a cafe :-)

Spyware

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#2013961 11-May-2018 11:39

The question is whether the line is used just for VDSL/modem or whether you have analog phones or alarm panel or dialup modem (Sky decoder) on the same line.

Dingbatt

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#2016297 15-May-2018 14:08

Mods: Please move this to a new thread if too far off topic.

Without trying to hijack Niscoupe's thread too much, I have just arranged to switch from ADSL to VDSL with Spark (fibre is still 13 months away in my street).
I did the arranging in-store and was provided with the same HG659b modem.
I explained that my current Netgear D6200 wasn't capable of VDSL so needed a VDSL modem with the intention of still using the D6200 as the wifi router, mainly because I have all sorts of address reservations, dynamic dns(?) and port forwarding set up on it.
The house has a master filter/splitter fitted (Telequip DSL1518 VDSL Splitter written on it) and the current D6200 is connected to a phone jack on the modem side of the splitter.
I don't have a huge amount of faith in what I was told in-store because I was also told the HG659b wasn't capable of ADSL, which clearly isn't the case now I've got it home and read the manual.

So in a similar frame to Niscoupe's questions;

Can I connect the Spark router to the phone jack currently used by my ADSL router using the supplied (grey) ADSL lead and still get VDSL when it is switched over? Or do I need an RJ45 socket connected to the splitter fitted by a technician and use the provided (black) VDSL cable? Will the grey cable compromise the VDSL performance?

Is my plan to use the HG659b as a modem only, sensible?
Or am I better to cut my losses and use all the modem/router functions it offers and go through the pain of configuring everything all over again? The reason being, when fibre arrives next year I intend to get it, retaining our landline (for family reasons). From the simplistic diagram in the user manual it looks like we will then get a fibre modem connected to the ONT that then goes into the WAN port of the HG659b. So it surely would be able to be connected to the WAN port on the D6200 just as easily?

If I connect the HG659b up now (with ADSL) will it automatically sense the changeover to VDSL? Maybe requiring only a reboot?

I believe, having signed up for 12 months with Spark we are entitled to get VDSL 'installed', and as such should be able to get whatever connections are required.

Edit: I note the box the router came in says VDSL 2 splitter required, so maybe some installation will be required.

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hio77

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#2016331 15-May-2018 14:57

@Niscoupe DM me your account and i'll do some digging, if it was a borderline connection like it sounds like, your speed wouldn't have changed much.

@dingbatt you can use the standard inline filters, they still work for VDSL.

most providers no-longer do splitter installations.

The compromise to performance is deemed generally irrelevant.

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Dingbatt

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#2016343 15-May-2018 15:14

hio77:
@Niscoupe DM me your account and i'll do some digging, if it was a borderline connection like it sounds like, your speed wouldn't have changed much.

@dingbatt you can use the standard inline filters, they still work for VDSL.

most providers no-longer do splitter installations.

The compromise to performance is deemed generally irrelevant.

Thanks hio77. Just confirming you mean a master splitter rather than the inline one included in the box? Is there any difference between a VDSL and VDSL2 splitter?
If providers no longer do installations, could I suggest Spark amends their user guide for this modem, as it states "To get a VDSL connection, a technician will first install a VDSL Splitter and a VDSL jack point (RJ45). Your home phone remains connected to its current jack point." (Page 3 of user guide).
Any comment on connecting to ADSL now and it changing across when VDSL is activated?.

If not, can I preconfigure the HG659b with all the reserved IP addresses etc prior to connecting it to the internet. Or does it need to 'phone home' as an initialisation step?

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DarkShadow

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#2016409 15-May-2018 16:20

Dingbatt:

So it surely would be able to be connected to the WAN port on the D6200 just as easily?

If I connect the HG659b up now (with ADSL) will it automatically sense the changeover to VDSL?

Yes to both

Dingbatt

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#2016646 16-May-2018 09:00

DarkShadow:
Dingbatt:

So it surely would be able to be connected to the WAN port on the D6200 just as easily?

If I connect the HG659b up now (with ADSL) will it automatically sense the changeover to VDSL?

Yes to both

But not in bridge mode right? According to the manual you can't use bridge mode with ADSL.
The reason I'm reluctant to just use the Huawei is I have multiple devices with reserved addresses including a whole bunch of home automation gear and they took a bunch of setting up.

Would be interested though to hear people's opinions on the Huawei vs the Netgear D6200 as a modem/router anyway. I like the Netgear Genie interface for accessing the router. Can't imagine the Huawei will be as user friendly.

@Niscoupe PM me if I've hijacked your thread too much and I'll start a fresh one.

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hio77

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#2016720 16-May-2018 10:58

I'd recommend your own thread.

You can bridge with ADSL, but it's very dependent.

There is no way to bridge ATM without translocation.

i run ADSL in bridge on my second line at home, but it's on a provider who allows PTM over ADSL so 110.10 PPPoE bridged.

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Dingbatt

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#2016755 16-May-2018 11:43

hio77:
I'd recommend your own thread.

You can bridge with ADSL, but it's very dependent.

There is no way to bridge ATM without translocation.

i run ADSL in bridge on my second line at home, but it's on a provider who allows PTM over ADSL so 110.10 PPPoE bridged.

Thanks. Have started a new thread in LAN forum.
https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=66&topicid=236060

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996