[TelstraClear] 8 years of broken broadband, 10000 phonecalls later, still not fixed

Forums › One NZ (including Farmside) › [TelstraClear] 8 years of broken broadband, 10000 phonecalls later, still not fixed

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

32 posts

Geek
Inactive user

#539407 31-Oct-2011 06:56

Folks,

I know this issue well as I work in the industry and have been dealing with the same issue for the past year. I have spend the past 4 years attending the rural broadband conferences, listening to the issues discussed with interest but not really understanding. I crossed the rural divide about a year ago and this Queen St farmer has found that the rural dream can be a technology nightmare.

I have had access to a great deal of help from Chorus (they shouldn't have engaged as this is an issue for my retailer) to alleviate my problem (which has helped) but the only answer for me, and I suspect for this issue, is the RBI initiative. This is purely a case of physics and economics. Please note that no other service provider would be stupid enough to put a cabinet in a rural area like Bethels. the numbers don't stack up and the only answer to your and my issue is to get infrastructure , Mobile or fixed, closer to our homes.

Note I work for a technology vendor not for a telco. My comments would apply to all vendors so I have no conflict in interest here. I will talk about fixed and mobile solutions.

I will type up my story and findings and post.

cyril7

9075 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2499

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#539408 31-Oct-2011 07:09

Hi Zena, looking forward to your essay :)

Cheers
Cyril

coffeebaron

6304 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3567

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#539472 31-Oct-2011 11:07

Hey guys have checked out RBI cabinets etc for you, but no fast news I'm afraid.

WAK/B: Corner Bethells & Te Henga Rd's. This is the cabinet that will service Long Rd, but is still 4 years away.
This was originally on the list to do under the initial cabinet roll-out, but was quietly taken off. There is at least 1 Conklin here at the moment, which will service 32 or 64 homes. The thing with these, is they are kind of an add on, and not much capacity. Basically, to get on these, either you get on when you sign up as a new connection (if port available), or you ask to be switched (if a port is available). You don't automatically get switch over.

WAK/C Corner Wairere & Gregory Rd's. This will service far end Wairere Rd etc, but also 4 years away. I'm not sure if there is a Conklin in this area at the moment.

WAK/M Corner Waitakere / Cottle Rd's. This will service some of Taipaki area. Currently there is a Conklin here, but it was installed by Telecom to service a private company - part of the NZ Oil Refinery. This is a little closer - 3 years away.

Exchange - as mentioned above, Mcentee Rd (where the mobile phone tower is).

Bethells - I'm quite sure there must be at least a Conklin out here, as this is where Vodafone promo'd their Sure Signal.

As for the recent fibre - I think that is just FX networks extending their nationwide backhaul network. The school or businesses may be able to get on this. This was run a long Waitakere Road, so no good to bakeswell5856 or hio77 anyway.

@bakeswell5856 the speeds you are getting are typical for this distance. If you do not have a master filter installed GET ONE INSTALLED. Unfortunately there are no guarantees that you will get any faster broadband until year 4 of the RBI. You speed drop you mention is not uncommon, as more people signup for broadband, the noise level increases - speed, esp far end drops. You may have got 3-4Mbps 5 years ago, but with much higher broadband saturation now, your speed may continue to decline.

@hio77 you are getting very good speed for you location - also less lines here, so you won't suffer the same level of noise as bakeswell5856

Rural IT and Broadband support.

Broadband troubleshooting and master filter installs.
Starlink installer - one month free: https://www.starlink.com/?referral=RC-32845-88860-71
Wi-Fi and networking
Cel-Fi supply and installer - boost your mobile phone coverage legally

Need help in Auckland, Waikato or BoP? Click my email button, or email me direct: [my user name] at geekzonemail dot com

hio77

'That VDSL Cat'
13036 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3896

ID Verified

Trusted

Lizard Networks

Subscriber

#539617 31-Oct-2011 16:00

coffeebaron: Hey guys have checked out RBI cabinets etc for you, but no fast news I'm afraid.

WAK/B: Corner Bethells & Te Henga Rd's. This is the cabinet that will service Long Rd, but is still 4 years away.
This was originally on the list to do under the initial cabinet roll-out, but was quietly taken off. There is at least 1 Conklin here at the moment, which will service 32 or 64 homes. The thing with these, is they are kind of an add on, and not much capacity. Basically, to get on these, either you get on when you sign up as a new connection (if port available), or you ask to be switched (if a port is available). You don't automatically get switch over.

WAK/C Corner Wairere & Gregory Rd's. This will service far end Wairere Rd etc, but also 4 years away. I'm not sure if there is a Conklin in this area at the moment.

WAK/M Corner Waitakere / Cottle Rd's. This will service some of Taipaki area. Currently there is a Conklin here, but it was installed by Telecom to service a private company - part of the NZ Oil Refinery. This is a little closer - 3 years away.

Exchange - as mentioned above, Mcentee Rd (where the mobile phone tower is).

Bethells - I'm quite sure there must be at least a Conklin out here, as this is where Vodafone promo'd their Sure Signal.

bethells signal on vodafone there is actually no existent..

looks like ild be moved to WAK/C when that goes in.. im only about 500M from there, would be nice if it was speed up but i dealt that will happen

what exactly would a Conklin look like? or is that determined by the equipment inside?

As for the recent fibre - I think that is just FX networks extending their nationwide backhaul network. The school or businesses may be able to get on this. This was run a long Waitakere Road, so no good to bakeswell5856 or hio77 anyway.

yea, i had the feeling they wernt going any bit up the road.. still.. they are yet to even cover up their pipes (still got green pipes sticking up..)

@hio77 you are getting very good speed for you location - also less lines here, so you won't suffer the same level of noise as bakeswell5856

i used to get 10dB less noice in which was changed with the adsl2 upgrade, this didn't affect my speed (what was 3.5mbit/768kbit) until i somehow got put into a telecom connection port (kept being given a telecom ip which would d/c me instantly.. despite being on vodafone) and well since then i have dropped to 2mbit/768kbit after they messed with my profiles, this was clearly a drop that shouldnt have happened at all but anyway it did.. after exams i might have them toy with my profile a bit..

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

coffeebaron

6304 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3567

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#539630 31-Oct-2011 17:02

hio77:
bethells signal on vodafone there is actually no existent..

Yes, which is why they promo'd there sure signal there - which you need a Vodafone DSL connection to use.

what exactly would a Conklin look like? or is that determined by the equipment inside?

Basically a white box, approx 1 cube metre size. Has a mini dslam inside feed by one or two 2mbps feeds.

Rural IT and Broadband support.

Need help in Auckland, Waikato or BoP? Click my email button, or email me direct: [my user name] at geekzonemail dot com

hio77

'That VDSL Cat'
13036 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3896

ID Verified

Trusted

Lizard Networks

Subscriber

#539635 31-Oct-2011 17:10

coffeebaron:
hio77:
bethells signal on vodafone there is actually no existent..

Yes, which is why they promo'd there sure signal there - which you need a Vodafone DSL connection to use.

good luck getting one there lol..

coffeebaron:

what exactly would a Conklin look like? or is that determined by the equipment inside?

Basically a white box, approx 1 cube metre size. Has a mini dslam inside feed by one or two 2mbps feeds.

ah ok, in that case there is one up wairere road where geregory road splits off it, few of those green smaller ones closer to me though, so 2 2mbit feeds, to each person or to everyone on the cabnet... i think im starting to see the bottleneck i see at peak sometimes...

so this would explain how im able to get fairly decent speeds right?

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

Mighty Ape

Shop now at Mighty Ape (affiliate link).

NZFINEST

202 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 15

Trusted

#539640 31-Oct-2011 17:20

ah ok, in that case there is one up wairere road where geregory road splits off it, few of those green smaller ones closer to me though, so 2 2mbit feeds, to each person or to everyone on the cabnet... i think im starting to see the bottleneck i see at peak sometimes...

so this would explain how im able to get fairly decent speeds right?

it is a 2m connection that feeds the conklin, worse case ports sharing 1 m backhaul

Anything I suggest or say is my own thoughts and not provided by anyone else unless stated

NZFINEST

202 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 15

Trusted

#539641 31-Oct-2011 17:21

NZFINEST:

ah ok, in that case there is one up wairere road where geregory road splits off it, few of those green smaller ones closer to me though, so 2 2mbit feeds, to each person or to everyone on the cabnet... i think im starting to see the bottleneck i see at peak sometimes...

so this would explain how im able to get fairly decent speeds right?

it is a 2m connection that feeds the conklin, worse case ports sharing 1 m backhaul

sorry put ill try again with number lock on

it is a 2m connection that feeds the conklin, worse case 64 ports sharing 1 2m backhaul

Anything I suggest or say is my own thoughts and not provided by anyone else unless stated

codyc1515

1598 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#539642 31-Oct-2011 17:23

NZFINEST:
NZFINEST:

ah ok, in that case there is one up wairere road where geregory road splits off it, few of those green smaller ones closer to me though, so 2 2mbit feeds, to each person or to everyone on the cabnet... i think im starting to see the bottleneck i see at peak sometimes...

so this would explain how im able to get fairly decent speeds right?

it is a 2m connection that feeds the conklin, worse case ports sharing 1 m backhaul

sorry put ill try again with number lock on

it is a 2m connection that feeds the conklin, worse case 64 ports sharing 1 2m backhaul

Wow, 2 megabits divided by 64 = 4 kilobytes per user! Thats pretty crap, no wonder people are complaining of slowdowns.

(Source: http://www.google.co.nz/search?q=2+megabits+divided+by+64)

hio77

'That VDSL Cat'
13036 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3896

ID Verified

Trusted

Lizard Networks

Subscriber

#539643 31-Oct-2011 17:26

NZFINEST:
NZFINEST:

ah ok, in that case there is one up wairere road where geregory road splits off it, few of those green smaller ones closer to me though, so 2 2mbit feeds, to each person or to everyone on the cabnet... i think im starting to see the bottleneck i see at peak sometimes...

so this would explain how im able to get fairly decent speeds right?

it is a 2m connection that feeds the conklin, worse case ports sharing 1 m backhaul

sorry put ill try again with number lock on

it is a 2m connection that feeds the conklin, worse case 64 ports sharing 1 2m backhaul

hmmm ok.. so thats how i used to get 3.5mbit then i guess, so that puts me 1.9KM away from it acording to google, ill check when i go out tomorrow though...

so on a conklin at 2M distance should i be expecting a fair bit more than 2mbit and expecting less downstream Line Attenuation than 58?

i have a central splitter all installed (didn't make any difference to my line surprisingly though)

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

coffeebaron

6304 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3567

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#539649 31-Oct-2011 17:45

NZFINEST:

ah ok, in that case there is one up wairere road where geregory road splits off it, few of those green smaller ones closer to me though, so 2 2mbit feeds, to each person or to everyone on the cabnet... i think im starting to see the bottleneck i see at peak sometimes...

so this would explain how im able to get fairly decent speeds right?

it is a 2m connection that feeds the conklin, worse case ports sharing 1 m backhaul

A Conklin supports up to two E1 feeds = up to 4mbps total back-haul capacity. So the most you will get is about 3.5mbps = if you happen to be lucky to use the internet when no one else is.
So as above, this total capacity is shared across all users connected to the conklin.

Rural IT and Broadband support.

Need help in Auckland, Waikato or BoP? Click my email button, or email me direct: [my user name] at geekzonemail dot com

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

NZFINEST

202 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 15

Trusted

#539650 31-Oct-2011 17:45

most conklind have more thn 1 2meg connection but there are a few that only have 1. someone can correct me if i am wrong here but you can sync up to the port you are on in the conklin at 3-4Mbps, but that is just to the port, it is the backhual from there thst is the limitation. so if you had a few users on the same cabinet/conklin all doing torrents it basicly chew up all the bakhaul bandwidth

Anything I suggest or say is my own thoughts and not provided by anyone else unless stated

codyc1515

1598 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#539651 31-Oct-2011 17:47

NZFINEST: so if you had a few users on the same cabinet/conklin all doing torrents it basicly chew up all the bakhaul bandwidth

Surely that would be breaking the service providers end of the contract, no? Not having enough capacity.

coffeebaron

6304 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3567

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#539652 31-Oct-2011 17:48

hio77:
hmmm ok.. so thats how i used to get 3.5mbit then i guess, so that puts me 1.9KM away from it acording to google, ill check when i go out tomorrow though...

so on a conklin at 2M distance should i be expecting a fair bit more than 2mbit and expecting less downstream Line Attenuation than 58?

i have a central splitter all installed (didn't make any difference to my line surprisingly though)

You would not have 58db line attenuation if you were connected to a nearby conklin. Your sync speed would be upto 8mpbs (standard ADSL1 speed), but obviously throughput is limited to 3.5mbps max.

Rural IT and Broadband support.

Need help in Auckland, Waikato or BoP? Click my email button, or email me direct: [my user name] at geekzonemail dot com

hio77

'That VDSL Cat'
13036 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3896

ID Verified

Trusted

Lizard Networks

Subscriber

#539655 31-Oct-2011 17:54

NZFINEST: most conklind have more thn 1 2meg connection but there are a few that only have 1. someone can correct me if i am wrong here but you can sync up to the port you are on in the conklin at 3-4Mbps, but that is just to the port, it is the backhual from there thst is the limitation. so if you had a few users on the same cabinet/conklin all doing torrents it basicly chew up all the bakhaul bandwidth

heh i was just joking about trying this between my connection and my grandparents (bit closer to the cabnet.. ) combined that would be about 4.5mbit... im sure one or the other will start showing the signs

really.. 4mbit to a cabinet shouldn't that be calling for more reason to upgrade an area as compared to an area with already decent cabinets? i guess it comes back to being worth the costs and weather its feasible though... and since we are getting a RBI cabinet in the area i guess its been deemed that that will do..

so should my sync rate be in relationship to the exchange or the conklin then? by the sounds of things it should be to the conklin so really i should be seeing something faster than 2mbit at the sync rates right? ... or at lest a downstream attention of less than 58?

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5