[WXC/VFX] Kordia extend 256/128 and VFX

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pagan

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Topic # 12520 21-Mar-2007 13:44

HI
I am thinking of getting xnet vfx but would just like to clarify a few things

1          I have Kordia extend 256/128 wireless with a ping time of 80ms to xnet.co.nz Are the ping time and bandwidth sufficient for there voip offering?

2          I have a 2gig limit, what does the average customer use in the amount of data in a month, I realise this could vary a bit, or if someone could tell me the data amount per hour etc.

3          I was thinking of using a Linksys SPA2102 straight into my STU AS4020, does anyone see a problem with this unit or suggestions on a better one?

4          I would like to try it for a month before getting rid of my home line. Can I transfer my original number over to VFX after a month?

5          considering that I could change my number over after a month would I be best to start my VFX account a week before my telecom account dates or just after. (Don’t want to pay for a month that I don’t use)

6          Is local calling offered in the Rotorua region?
Thank you for your time.
Chris

grant_k

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Reply # 64538 21-Mar-2007 14:52

Hi Chris,

I have been using VFX over Kordia's Extend service since last November and have found it excellent. Even though the speed is 256/128 the same as you have, I find it gives superior quality to a much faster ADSL connection that we have also using VFX in the city.

To answer your questions:

1) 80ms ping is about the same as mine, and this doesn't pose any problem as it is very stable

2) I only have a 1 Gig Cap but my ISP is ICONZ and they only charge for International Data, so VFX usage isn't counted. Other ISPs (especially XTRA) may have different policies, so check this out carefully. Usage is around 35MB per hour (Upload + Download).

3) A Linksys SPA2102 should be fine, so long as your PC doesn't mind being behind it (with NAT etc). Personally I use a Linksys PAP2T which is a little cheaper and have a separate router with Bandwidth Management. If you only use the QoS in the SPA2102, you may well experience Voice Breakup during downloads (that was my experience anyway).

4) The best idea is to sign up for VFX with whatever number they give you for Rotorua. At this stage it looks like you will get an 07-98x-xxxx number, but Maverick will need to confirm that for you. Try VFX for a month and if it all works out, arrange for Telecom to port your number over to WorldxChange (WxC). At that point you can request that the Telecom number REPLACES your temporary VFX number.

5) I would suggest starting the VFX service 2 or 3 weeks before the billing date of your Telecom account. This will give time for WxC to provision your VFX account as well as time for your number to be ported at the end of the trial. In between you will have a full month to trial VFX before deciding one way or the other.

6) From what I can see, VFX only offers free calling in the Tauranga area, but that may also include Rotorua, I am not sure. Once again, Maverick will be able to confirm that for you.

I hope that helps.

Cheers,
Grant.

maverick

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WorldxChange

Reply # 64562 21-Mar-2007 19:09

Hi Chris,

Grant has answered your questions pretty well, but for the last one sorry we don't have local numbers yet for Rotorua, hopefully rolling out to there this year, will depend on a few things demand in the region etc

Yes I am a employee of WxC (My Profile) ... but I do have my own opinions as well

https://www.facebook.com/wxccommunications

pagan

18 posts

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Reply # 64608 22-Mar-2007 07:44

Thanks for the awesome reply’s Grant and Maverrick
If VFX does come to Rotorua I may ask what your advice grant on a suitable router and go with the PAP2T.
I want it to be fool proof so others in the house don't get annoyed with it (Wifey).
Just a few more questions.

2 for Maverick
I looked all over the xnet VFX part of the site and didn't see any lists of enable exchanges, is there a list there? and how will i know when rotorua is available (If ever)
I live outside of rotorua in Ngakuru, if rotorua is enabled will this include me as rotorua is my free calling area but I guess im on the ngakuru exchange. I suppose that goes back to rotorua anyway.(I would think this would include me).

And Grant
Do you know of any other places were ppl may talk about the Kordia experiences/problems etc?
Also it was very interesting to know that ICONZ doesn't charge for local bandwidth

Thank
Chris

grant_k

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Reply # 64629 22-Mar-2007 09:14

pagan: And Grant:
Do you know of any other places were ppl may talk about the Kordia experiences/problems etc?

To be honest, there aren't that many users on the Kordia Extend system because of the price

.

I personally know of only 2 others, both in the Waikato. Kordia told me last year that I was the only user on the particular "Shelf" of equipment I am connected to at the Mt. Hikurangi transmitting station. And this was after the system had been live for more than 2 years! As I understand it, there is one shelf of equipment per antenna panel, so that probably means there are other users connected to different antenna panels i.e. in other directions.

Which ISP do you use by the way?

I know that Xtra offer the same service I have for $59.95 per month (vs. $105 at ICONZ), but Xtra charge for all traffic, not just international, so I would probably be no better off. Also, Xtra can not offer a Static IP address, which I need for various reasons.

If Kordia or the various ISPs who actively offer the service (Xtra, ICONZ, InSPire, Farmside) dropped the prices, I am sure that many more people would sign up for the service because it is the best option if you cannot get ADSL. Satellite is even more expensive to install and suffers from wicked latency which would introduce a high degree of lag into VoIP conversations. At least I have the compensation that I don't need a landline, thereby saving me around $34 per month after allowing $11 for the VFX line rental which commences on April 1. So the overall package once you are "landlineless" works out not too bad.

One final suggestion for Maverick:

Is it possible to offer Pagan a Tauranga number in the meantime (until Rotorua goes live) or would that violate the terms of the NAD?

pagan

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Reply # 64647 22-Mar-2007 10:56

I’m with Xtra 2gig plan, $70 a month.
I’ve been using the BCL/Kordia service for about 2 & 1/2 years.
Kordia also have a lite package that only Farmside offer which have cheaper data rates, but you have to rent the equipment off them (even if you already own it). But they will fix any problem with it if i have any, however the install has a 5 year guaranty anyway.

It frustrates me that Kordia seem to do little to promote the products, for example a home owner (not a bisnes) cant use there voice service, it would probably be marketed on a par with telecom pricing anyway.

Why doesn't an ISP like xnet or slingshot offer the Extend plans etc, I know allot of farmers that would relish the change of giving up the often failing (I would have lost my phone line 4-6 days in the last year), electric fence noisy phone line and dial up for a broadband connection with voip.
When you put the 2 together the prices almost come comparable with town pricing, thats the $35 you are talking about when not using a lan line considered.

It would defeat the purpose of me getting VFX unless the local calling was free.

If you look at the farmside pricing model
256/128
$53.50 for the connection contract for 36 months i think- (Do you need this if you own the equipment as you don’t bye if from farm side)
$35.50 for data 1 gig
$11.25 VFX
all monthly
35.53 + 11.25 = 46.75 if you own the equipment.
I would easily pay $80 an month for that service if national traffic was free and may consider paying more
currently i pay $70 for 2 gig and around $45 for phone $115 a month
If you own the equipment or are willing to pay the one off install fee it looks like there is an opportunity here for an ISP and client to benefit substantially

I think the quality of service for the lite plans may vary to my plan but what the service guaranty is i don't know.

Just to note that it sounds like Kordia are going to acquire Farmside, Kordia I think is a government owned business supplying whole sale broad band and its going to get an ISP, have we seen this some were else? Telecom/xtra?

enough ranting must do some work

Chris

grant_k

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Reply # 64652 22-Mar-2007 11:22

pagan: $53.50 for the connection contract for 36 months i think- (Do you need this if you own the equipment as you don’t bye if from farm side)
...35.53 + 11.25 = 46.75 if you own the equipment.

Yeah, that's what I thought...

But I have argued this point with Farmside on 2 different occasions and they won't change their policy:

$53.50 Network Access Charge is payable even if you already OWN the equipment

So it means that Farmside are totally uncompetitive with Xtra and are about the same as ICONZ once you add the GST. I have pointed all this out, but Farmside won't listen

pagan: If you own the equipment or are willing to pay the one off install fee it looks like there is an opportunity here for an ISP and client to benefit substantially

EXACTLY RIGHT and that's what I have been saying for the past year or so to Farmside.

pagan: I think the quality of service for the lite plans may vary to my plan but what the service guaranty is i don't know.

There is no CIR (Committed Information Rate) for the Lite Plans. ICONZ are going to start offering these soon, mainly because I have been badgering them for the past 6 months or more. I could use some more upload speed than 128k and the gear is capable of it, so why not? To get a 256kbps upload speed with 512kbps download is only going to cost me $10 per month extra than what I am paying now, so well worth it I think.

Because there are no other users on my "Shelf" of equipment, the lack of CIR won't make any difference. Even if there were another few users, I probably wouldn't notice any degradation Kordia said.

pagan: Just to note that it sounds like Kordia are going to acquire Farmside, Kordia I think is a government owned business supplying whole sale broad band and its going to get an ISP, have we seen this some were else?

That's very interesting Chris, thanks for passing it on.

I will keep a close eye on any developments at Farmside, maybe a change of policy (regarding ownership of equipment) is in the wind?

pagan

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Reply # 64696 22-Mar-2007 14:38

here is the story from sfuff.co.nz

http://www.stuff.co.nz/3998014a28.html

Im a little more cynical about Kordia getting Farmside

I doubt much will change

Maverick, how will i know when or if VFX becomes available in Rotorua?

grant_k

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Reply # 64699 22-Mar-2007 15:15

pagan: here is the story from sfuff.co.nz

I thought this bit was interesting:

"So far about 2000 customers have signed up to the wireless broadband service."

Not a helluva lot considering this service has been available for almost 3.5 years is it?

Kordia need to do something to accelerate uptake or I fear for the future of this service. When I asked one of their staff about the future of Extend a year or two back he said something along the lines of:

Don't worry, Telecom underwrote the rollout of Extend to the tune of $20 million.

So, in other words, it's Telecom's problem, not Kordia's. Maybe this is true but it still doesn't fill me with confidence as to the future of Extend unless they do something to accelerate its uptake.

maverick

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WorldxChange

Reply # 64857 23-Mar-2007 17:43

pagan:
here is the story from sfuff.co.nz

http://www.stuff.co.nz/3998014a28.html

Im a little more cynical about Kordia getting Farmside

I doubt much will change

Maverick, how will i know when or if VFX becomes available in Rotorua?

Sorry missed this post and have been on a road trip for the last couple of days,

Most probably we will post here as well as on our Web Site, thats all I can really say at this point closer to the time we will also probably start giving information about upcoming rollouts

Yes I am a employee of WxC (My Profile) ... but I do have my own opinions as well

https://www.facebook.com/wxccommunications