Considering Vodafone RBI move in Waipara Valley

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grenow

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Topic # 166004 27-Feb-2015 13:06

Afternoon all,

We're in the Waipara Valley, stuck on ADSL from an orphaned Chorus roadside box - peaks at 2Mbps down (but often much less), uploads 0.15Mbps. ISP is Spark. Chorus maps show that the box isn't covered by RBI, so we're Conklined, if I read Mr Biddle correctly.

We use Vodafone for mobile services, and get reasonable signal on our iPhones - at least at the front of the farmhouse (3 blobs on my 5S). Speedtest gives approx 2.5Mbps down, 0.2-0.5 up. The 5S does not show 4G connection.

So: I assume that a proper RBI install with aerial etc would be capable of delivering better speeds. Fair assumption?

Given Vodafone's aggressive 4G rollout, I would assume that my local cell towers would be/are upgraded now/soon. Fair assumption? Can anyone in the know give a better idea of what's coming in Waipara?

If that's true, then I would buy Vodafone's "wireless + calling" plan, and keep one copper connection for fax/Sky etc.

Very grateful for any help, shared experiences etc.

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Reply # 1247772 27-Feb-2015 13:06

Hello... Our robot found some keywords in your post, so here is an automated reply with some important things to note regarding broadband speeds.

If you are posting regarding DSL speeds please check that

- you have reset your modem and router

- your PC (or other PCs in your LAN) is not downloading large files when you are testing

- you are not being throttled by your ISP due to going over the monthly cap

- your tests are always done on an ethernet connection to the router - do not use wireless for testing

- you read this topic and follow the instructions there.

Make sure you provide information for other users to help you. If you have not already done it, please EDIT your post and add this now:

- Your ISP and plan

- Type of connection (ADSL, ADSL2, VDSL)

- Your modem DSL stats (do not worry about posting Speedtest, we need sync rate, attenuation and noise margin)

- Your general location (or street)

- If you are rural or urban

- If you know your connection is to an exchange, cabinet or conklin

- If your connection is to a ULL or wholesale service

- If you have done an isolation test as per the link above

Most of the problems with speed are likely to be related to internal wiring issues. Read this discussion to find out more about this. Your ISP is not intentionally slowing you down today (unless you are on a managed plan). Also if this is the school holidays it's likely you will notice slower than usual speed due to more users online.

A master splitter is required for VDSL2 and in most cases will improve speeds on DSL connections. Regular disconnections can be a monitored alarm or a set top box trying to connect. If there's an alarm connected to your line even if you don't have an alarm contract it may still try to connect so it's worth checking.

I recommend you read these two blog posts:

- Is your premises phone wiring impacting your broadband performance? (very technical)

- Are you receiving a substandard ULL ADSL2+ connection from your ISP?

I am the Geekzone Robot and I am here to help. I am from the Internet. I do not interact. Do not expect other replies from me.

johnr

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Reply # 1247845 27-Feb-2015 14:57

Site was upgraded at the end of last year

grenow

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Reply # 1247856 27-Feb-2015 15:11

Thanks JohnR. Presumable my iPhone 5S is not seeing the 700MHz signal. Another excuse to get a 6... ;-)

Are the RBI installs now coming with a 4G modem?

Cheers

NZCrusader

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Reply # 1247861 27-Feb-2015 15:22

One person supports this post

grenow:
Very grateful for any help, shared experiences etc.

Vodafone RBI generally good - not on it myself, but set up family members with it.

The Good:

Performance is often in excess of 10+ Mbps if you have a good LOS (not too many obstacles) - this is true even when on the fringe of the tower coverage.
Unlimited national calling is great.

The Bad:

Seen a few billing stuff ups.
Data caps are poor compared to wireless BB plans overseas, using the same tech.
Some installers are a bit dodgy. Make sure you specify where you want ports to go, don't relent. Check they are facing aerial towards the tower correctly.

NZ / AU Battlefield 4 Gaming Community
http://www.sonsofvalour.net/forums/forum.php

grenow

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Reply # 1247891 27-Feb-2015 16:08

Thanks for that, NZC.

Small point: how do I check location of the tower? One web map I checked shows a Vodafone "Waipara" tower as in Culverden.

IIRC there's a magic key combo I can use on the iPhone to check the tower it's talking to - but I can't remember what it is...

johnr

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Reply # 1247895 27-Feb-2015 16:16

Don't think 4G is on this site yet the 900 was upgraded with extra capacity

coffeebaron

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Reply # 1247896 27-Feb-2015 16:16

There are arrange of RBI Wireless providers, so do check out plans form: http://www.ultimatebroadband.co.nz/rbi-wireless.html especially if you don't want CG-NAT, or need a static IP, or more data. Other providers also listed here: http://www.med.govt.nz/sectors-industries/technology-communication/fast-broadband/rural-broadband-initiative/rural-broadband-initiative-service-providers

Chorus has spent $1.4 billion on making their xDSL broadband network faster. If your still stuck on ADSL or VDSL, why not spend from $150 on a master filter install to make sure you are getting the most out of your connection?
I install - Naked DSL, DSL Master Splitters, VoIP, data cabling and general computer support for home and small business.
Rural Broadband RBI installer for Ultimate Broadband and Full Flavour

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

grenow

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Reply # 1247917 27-Feb-2015 16:35

Thanks baron. Amuri.net are local, and I've checked out their offerings. Vodfone's pricing is attractive, though...

grenow

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Reply # 1251021 4-Mar-2015 14:06

OK: slight update.

I contacted Vodafone sales to request an RBI install, but because the service map (sales uses the same one as the Vodafone web site) shows us just off the coverage area, the sales person has had to request clearance from a manager to have an engineer come out. I'm waiting to hear back...

I've checked the Vodafone cell site map here: https://koordinates.com/layer/1502-vodafone-cell-sites/ I'm willing to bet that we're getting our signal from the Kate Valley tower, which I believe is close to the top of Mt Cass and is just out of line-of-sight from us (behind a ridge that is almost certainly blocking out anything from the Amberley site). Any info about the status of the Kate Valley tower, and when it might go 4G would be interesting...

I've also checked signal strength around the farmhouse by putting my iPhone 5S into field test mode (*3001#12345#*). I have no idea how accurate that is, but on the verandah at the front of the house I get readings of between -87 and -95dB. I'm guessing that 4m higher up on the roof it would be better, but I haven't climbed a ladder to find out... ;-)

Would I be correct in assuming that that is enough signal to haul in decent RBI wireless with the sort of Yagi aerial usually installed?

Meanwhile, I'm waiting on a call-back... I hate waiting for call backs...

johnr

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Reply # 1251033 4-Mar-2015 14:09

Nothing wrong with those dbi readings

grenow

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Reply # 1251043 4-Mar-2015 14:15

Thanks John. Good to know.

grenow

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Reply # 1274387 31-Mar-2015 13:59

Update: Have now got VF sales to agree an engineer can come and do an install - hopefully within 10 working days (or so I am told). I've noted some of the comments made elsewhere about installations - helpful, thanks.

Next question: is the supplied modem still a Huawei B683 Basic?

My ideal set-up would be to use my Apple Airport Extreme to continue to serve the wireless network, so that I don't have to go and change settings on loads of phones/computers/tablets. Is this as easy as plugging an ethernet cable into the Huawei, and if so, what would be the optimum combination - Huawei in bridge mode, Airport serving DHCP, etc. Any handholding appreciated - I love plug'n'play except when it doesn't... ;-)

johnr

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Reply # 1274390 31-Mar-2015 14:00

Think it's the B3000

grenow

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Reply # 1274488 31-Mar-2015 15:01

Thanks, john, I'll do some googling...

grenow

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Reply # 1282930 14-Apr-2015 13:44

Update: the install went very well. Nice guy from Downer, lots of signal up on the roof, so he wired everything up, and then... Speeds were dire. Worse than our old ADSL.

Turns out we're seeing the Greta Valley tower (at 45km range), not the Waipara Tower (at 14km), because the Waipara tower doesn't have an antenna facing our way. And the GV tower hasn't been RBI upgraded yet - if it ever will be. I think it is included in the RBI roll out, to judge by the Vodafone maps, but not in the next 12 months.

So we remain Conklined for the foreseeable future. I will explore other options. Who knows, maybe there's someone who wants to stick a gigabit wireless antenna up on the hills behind me.

I won't be holding my breath.

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