Gigatown connection dropped from 950 down/450 up to 300 down/80 up

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Gigatown connection dropped from 950 down/450 up to 300 down/80 up

Plazrael

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#243021 24-Nov-2018 02:41

Hi - I noticed my gigatown fibre connection randomly dropped from 950 download/450 upload speed to 100 download/80 upload and even down to vdsl speed every now and then since I've had it. (Over a year)

I wasn't that concerned, would just restart my ONT and modem and the proper speed would return.

The last 24 hours though my speed has consistently been 300 down and about 80-90 up.

I logged a fault with Spark but soon after I tried the 'Spark - Wellington' server at speedtest.net and it was a little slow but close to normal, only about 50 mb/s slower.

Fast.com speedtest shows 300 down 80 up and another one linked off a spark page gave VDSL speeds. (Sorry, can't find that one now)

My question is -

All the speedtest servers except Spark Wellington show 300 mb/s down and 80 up - This is new for my connection even the other servers always showed 950 down 450 up.

Should I log a fault again? Or do you guys think it's nothing to do with spark or my connection given the Spark Wellington server is relatively fine.

It's just that any problems I have normally resolve by restarting modem.

I only do a speed test if pages aren't loading instantly as they normally do, and things do appear slower though I'm sure that sounds stupid with 300 mbs download speed.

But my ping is significantly higher now - Normally between 1-4 ms now its between 40 and 50, so 10 times slower.

I have the HG659b modem, wireless disabled, Windows 7 with nothing running at all, automatic updates disabled, i7 7700k, 16 gig ram, gtx 1060 and I'm in Dunedin on an unlimited Gigatown plan if it helps.

Cheers.

Plazrael

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#2133048 24-Nov-2018 04:04

It's been too long to edit my post so I'll just correct the part where I said that all other servers show 300 down/80 up -

Most are actually even slower than that.

Dunedin 2degrees shows 120 mb/s down and 54 mb/s up for example.

Linux

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#2133049 24-Nov-2018 05:50

You should only be testing to the closest Spark server and not over Wi-Fi

Testing off the Spark network will give you much lower results this is expected

John

Plazrael

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#2133053 24-Nov-2018 06:53

Ok, the closest Spark server in the speed test list is Wellington. There doen's appear to be one in Christchurch, at least not in the list.

I'm sure you know more about this than I ever will it's just a little disconcerting that for two years it always defaulted to the Christchurch servers of either 2degrees or Vodafone and gave me near perfect results and then suddenly in the last 24 hours everything changed.

I won't argue with you though I accept you have experience and I don't, I'd just like to know why it all suddenly changed yesterday.

I won't bother Spark or Chorus by logging a fault then I suppose if one server can connect with me at close to the right speed it follows it's not on my end.

I always have wi-fi disabled.

Thanks for answering, appreciated.

Spyware

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#2133062 24-Nov-2018 08:06

Vodafone Christchurch server is 30 msec away so would be via Australia.

Plazrael

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#2133485 24-Nov-2018 19:00

Would be good to know why all of this has only been true for the last 24 hours.

Like I said, I always got 950/450 4 ms ping from those servers for two years then yesterday it all changed.

I'll keep looking for answers. Thanks anyway.

Plazrael

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#2133486 24-Nov-2018 19:00

Would be good to know why all of this has only been true for the last 24 hours.

Like I said, I always got 950/450 4 ms ping from those servers for two years then yesterday it all changed.

I'll keep looking for answers. Thanks anyway.

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Linux

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#2133487 24-Nov-2018 19:06

Repower ONT and AP

John

Talkiet

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#2133495 24-Nov-2018 19:53

The Spark Chch Speedtest server is down while some equipment is being upgraded. The Speedtest servers aren't critical infrastructure so this is a much simpler and lower resource way to manage the upgrade. It might be a few days.

If you're still getting good speeds to ANY server, then it won't be your UFB access link.

In this particular edge case, I'd recommend selecting the Auckland Spark Speedtest server as it's the first one on the new generation hardware and much bigger connection... Although I see similar results off WN and AKL, the AKL server has a LOT more grunt - so try that. The extra latency shouldn't affect throughput noticeably, even at gig speeds.

Also, 30msec away for a Dunedin user is NOT via Australia :-)

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

Plazrael

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#2133522 24-Nov-2018 22:02

Ok thanks for the info about the Christchurch server being down for a few days -

Just tried the Auckland server was about 700/150 for me but the Wellington was 889/250.

Maybe I've just been careless recently and not noticed it was connecting to Spark Christchurch server before it was down.

I don't want to be spoiled and entitled complaining and making noob assumptions.

Helpful that you mentioned the Christchurch server is down for maintenance will be interesting to see what happens when it's back up.

If it was connecting to Spark Christchurch before it was down and I didn't notice I guess that would explain the sudden drop in speed.

I was sure it was hooking up to 2degrees or Vodafone Christchurch but now I'm not so sure.

Either way you guys have been helpful.

I guessed the same thing, if I was getting fairly normal speeds from anywhere then my connection should be ok.

Thanks again.

Plazrael

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#2136914 30-Nov-2018 00:07

An update in case someone's interested.

Thanks to Talkiet - Was right, now the Chch Spark server's up again results are back to 950/450.

Also cheers to Linux for the info.

I've had a bit of a sobering reality check testing my speeds to other servers around the globe.

I had no idea that speeds from most foreign servers were so low, but I'll take into account what Linux said about testing through other ISPs servers.

So I've learned a little from all of this.

Would have been better if Spark tech support told me the Chch server was down obviously but I'm glad I came here for advice.

(I only just found the +1 button BTW, noob user)

/>E/\Tl-\