Scotty1986: If stability is important too you, I would stay on UFB

Stability is definitely important, but so is price. Is it a good enough network to stream netflix, torrent, play Xbox (not necessarily simultaneously)? I've read some horror stories on here about FibreX but are they representative?

joshtnx:

 

Scotty1986: If stability is important too you, I would stay on UFB

 

Stability is definitely important, but so is price. Is it a good enough network to stream netflix, torrent, play Xbox (not necessarily simultaneously)? I've read some horror stories on here about FibreX but are they representative?

 

When it's working, you will easily be able to do those things simultaneously. When it's down, you will do none of those things at all. I've had my share of micro/short outages, and I've found repeated 20 minute or so outages over a week *way* more frustrating than, say, it being down for a day then solid the rest of the week.

Credit where credit is due, the stability has massively improved for me (Island Bay) of late but I had such issues early on that every time it is down now I have what is (objectively) a massive over-reaction at how disastrous it is.

I feel it is different anywhere you go. FibreX has been fine for me in Wainuiomata (W40 node), speed holds up fine. I used to need to reboot the cable modem every few days but with the recent firmware upgrade I'm finding I no longer need to do this. I'm also using a Linksys WRT1900ACS router with it as well and has worked really well. If you get it & a 3rd party router just make sure it supports VLAN tagging.

joshtnx:

 

Hi, I'm based in Petone, and vodafone are offering a great deal (not advertised only) for a 200/20 plan on FibreX for $79 per month, with a free 49inch TV.

 

We are currently paying $99 per month for 200/20 UFB with Bigpipe.

 

This seems like a great deal, so does anyone have a view on performance in Petone, and whether it's worth switching from UFB to FibreX? They do require a 24 month contract with a $1,200 ETF......

 

DON'T DO IT! 

Regardless of location, real fibre outperforms "FibreX" cable by a wide margin.

The 24-month contract makes it an even worse deal.

You already have an excellent internet provider at a good price.

DON'T DO IT! 

EDIT: Yes, the horror stories are true. I know this from bitter personal experience.

I too am happy with FibreX, based on the price I pay. It is certainly isnt as reliable as UFB, and VF needs to acknowledge that in its advertised pricing.

DjShadow:

 

I feel it is different anywhere you go. FibreX has been fine for me in Wainuiomata (W40 node), speed holds up fine. I used to need to reboot the cable modem every few days but with the recent firmware upgrade I'm finding I no longer need to do this. I'm also using a Linksys WRT1900ACS router with it as well and has worked really well. If you get it & a 3rd party router just make sure it supports VLAN tagging.

 

The salesperson I spoke to did say they've recently spent millions upgrading the network. I guess I'm torn because we've had zero issues with our UFB, but the price drop ($720 over two years) and the free TV are very appealing. But then again, a two year contract is a big commitment, if it turns out to be unreliable.

Sideface:

 

joshtnx:

 

Hi, I'm based in Petone, and vodafone are offering a great deal (not advertised only) for a 200/20 plan on FibreX for $79 per month, with a free 49inch TV.

 

We are currently paying $99 per month for 200/20 UFB with Bigpipe.

 

This seems like a great deal, so does anyone have a view on performance in Petone, and whether it's worth switching from UFB to FibreX? They do require a 24 month contract with a $1,200 ETF......

 

 

DON'T DO IT! 

 

Regardless of location, real fibre outperforms "FibreX" cable by a wide margin.

 

The 24-month contract makes it an even worse deal.

 

You already have an excellent internet provider at a good price.

 

DON'T DO IT! 

 

EDIT: Yes, the horror stories are true. I know this from bitter personal experience.

 

Thanks sideface - are you still with Vodafone? Do you think FibreX has improved over time?

joshtnx:

 

Sideface:

 

 <snip>

 

DON'T DO IT! 

 

EDIT: Yes, the horror stories are true. I know this from bitter personal experience.

 

 

Thanks sideface - are you still with Vodafone? Do you think FibreX has improved over time?

 

Yes, I'm still on "FibreX" - no fibre is available here until late 2019.

I have been monitoring my Island Bay cable / FibreX connection daily for almost 4 years. (TrueNet stats 24/7/365)

Performance was terrible in late 2015 / early 2016, but improved in late 2016, before FibreX was introduced.

FibreX 200 has been slow from the outset, and initially had a lot of problems with random disconnections - now mostly fixed.

OOKLA speed tests have always looked "good" (near 200/20 Mbps), but real-world performance remains disappointing - downloads are typically 25Mbps, sometimes 50Mbps, perhaps once a month 100Mbps, but never 200Mbps.

Here are this weeks TrueNet Time of Day results for Wellington (where I live), Auckland, and Sydney:

(click to view)

vodafone can charge you less for their service because they own the infrastructure.

UFB (fibre) is a better service than cable (fibrex) there are no arguments there, dont downgrade for the sake of a few $$ per month

@mikeb4 hows the fibre process going?

MikeB4: I have backed away from doing anything. The stress and upset caused by trying to deal with the Vodafone contact centre had a very serious impact on my health.

Hi Mike, I can appreciate how bad this can be, I lasted through 18 months of being given the runaround, and I too noticed the physical effects of the stress and frustration caused by dealing with Vodafone.

Throughout the process people kept telling me to switch to VDSL, and they were right.

Because you will need to pay for an install anyway (due to Vodafone hijacking your phone jacks) you can have a nice shiny dedicated VDSL jack installed and run it parallel. Dealing with Vodafone is much better when you are already migrated.

Still took 2 months and multiple phone calls to get rid of my paradise mailbox though, but at least I could enjoy the comedy rather than raging out.

MikeB4: @jase2985 I have backed away from doing anything. The stress and upset caused by trying to deal with the Vodafone contact centre had a very serious impact on my health.

but you dont need to deal with the vodafone contact center, you can deal with any of the 50+ ISP's out there that do fibre. obviously you have had a horrible time with them so i cant believen you are just going to stay.

when you have your new connection you call them and cancel.

Just wondering - has anyone in the Island Bay area (WHK 4(?)) recently noticed any packet loss issues on FibreX?

I recently had it installed (primarily due to generally good experiences on the previous generation cable product and the understanding that VF had put a fair amount of effort into improving FibreX it since it was launched), but unfortunately I've had regular (sometimes daily) bouts of significant packet loss. 

Downer have come out to troubleshoot (without success) so now waiting on the outcome of an incident ticket with VF. 

DjShadow:

 

I feel it is different anywhere you go. FibreX has been fine for me in Wainuiomata (W40 node), speed holds up fine. I used to need to reboot the cable modem every few days but with the recent firmware upgrade I'm finding I no longer need to do this. I'm also using a Linksys WRT1900ACS router with it as well and has worked really well. If you get it & a 3rd party router just make sure it supports VLAN tagging.

 

Have had Docsis 3.1 200/20 since March of this year using the supplied modem and router from Vodafone and the connection has been reliable I regularly stream Netflix and YouTube with no issues. Speeds seem consistent 24x7. I live in Stokes Valley. A friend who lives in Newlands also uses Docsis 3.1 and has had no issues.