Vodafone Broadband Slow Data Speeds: Advice re 50Mbps vs 100Mbps?

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frednz

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# 176913 16-Jul-2015 09:54

In the last few weeks, particularly in the evenings, we have experienced a noticeable slow-down in our broadband speed. We received a letter yesterday from Tony Baird, Technology Director of Vodafone saying that we will see improvements in our broadband speed by August and then experience consistent and reliable fast speeds from September.

Vodafone say that they are seeing massive spikes in demand for data across New Zealand and that in fact, it's a 30% increase in data usage on their network every month. This is apparently, largely due to the "huge success of streaming video services such as Netflix and NEON". This has resulted in reduced network speeds as Vodafone tries to meet the demand.

We are about to upgrade our cable broadband to either 50Mbps or 100Mbps. We do quite a lot of high definition video streaming and we wonder whether it's worth paying the extra $10 per month to get 100Mbps instead of 50Mbps? We seldom use two devices at the same time.

When the network slows down due to heavy demand, would it be an advantage to have 100Mbps rather than 50Mbps?

When streaming high definition video, we sometimes get little "stutters" in the reception at our current 15Mbps. Would 100Mbps help to get a steadier video flow or is 50Mbps more than adequate for this purpose.

Thanks very much for your thoughts on this.

Fred

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# 1345209 16-Jul-2015 09:58

See other Cable HFC thread here on GZ no need for us to start over in another new thread

Thanks

freitasm

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# 1345210 16-Jul-2015 09:59

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No advantage. Everything slows down, 50 or 100.

Stay on 50 if it works for you during the day, and wait until September...

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Jase2985

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# 1345211 16-Jul-2015 10:00

im guessing your on cable

have you read this thread?

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=40&topicid=171348

frednz

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# 1345229 16-Jul-2015 10:18

freitasm: No advantage. Everything slows down, 50 or 100.

Stay on 50 if it works for you during the day, and wait until September...

Thanks for this advice, we are currently on a plan called "LightSpeed 40G" which gives a maximum of about 15Mbps. We are planning to upgrade to "Ultra Fast Cable" either 50Mbps or 100Mbps.

Netflix says that 5 MBps (Megabits per second) is recommended for HD and that 25Mbps is recommended for Ultra HD (/en/node/13444) quality.

So our current 15Mbps should be more than enough for Netflix HD video. But if you want an unlimited data plan, you can then select from either 50Mbps or 100Mbps.

Therefore, for our new unlimited data package, we are wondering whether it's worth the extra $10 per month to get 100Mbps instead of 50Mbps?

Regards
Fred

frednz

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# 1345233 16-Jul-2015 10:21

Jase2985: im guessing your on cable

have you read this thread?

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=40&topicid=171348

Yes we are on cable and thanks for the above link it's very informative! I wonder if Spark is experiencing the same problems as Vodafone?

Regards
Fred

frednz

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# 1345253 16-Jul-2015 10:27

frednz:
Jase2985: im guessing your on cable

have you read this thread?

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=40&topicid=171348

Yes we are on cable and thanks for the above link it's very informative! I wonder if Spark is experiencing the same problems as Vodafone?

Regards
Fred

I have just come across this recent article on STUFF which is quite informative:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/70268550/netflix-demand-slows-broadband-data-speeds

Fred

freitasm

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# 1345270 16-Jul-2015 10:54

There is an overall problem with higher usages across ISP, but you also have to factor in school holidays, more kids at home using Internet, etc.

But the Vodafone cable speed problem appeared a few months ago and it's related to the unlimited plans usage, not to Netflix specifically. As noted in the letter works is being done.

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Jase2985

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# 1345276 16-Jul-2015 10:59

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frednz:
Jase2985: im guessing your on cable

have you read this thread?

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=40&topicid=171348

Yes we are on cable and thanks for the above link it's very informative! I wonder if Spark is experiencing the same problems as Vodafone?

Regards
Fred

well considering the issue on vodafone is with their cable network and spark doesnt have a cable network i would say no :)

also dont read anything into the netflix numbers on the stuff site, its a horrible way to measure things when you are comparing people on 5mbps connections right up to 1gbps connections on the same graph, expecially when there are a magnitude of different technology involved.

If i were you i would upgrade to an unlimited 50mbps plan and come august/september any speed issues should be gone.

DarkShadow

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# 1345365 16-Jul-2015 12:26

Can you get fibre?
https://www.chorus.co.nz/network-map

Jase2985

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# 1345412 16-Jul-2015 13:10

DarkShadow: Can you get fibre?
https://www.chorus.co.nz/network-map

and if it is available you just wont be able to get it with vodafone

frednz

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# 1345732 16-Jul-2015 19:41

Jase2985:
DarkShadow: Can you get fibre?
https://www.chorus.co.nz/network-map

and if it is available you just wont be able to get it with vodafone

Thanks for the above link, no, we are not able to get fibre during the next 12 months. However, I thought that Vodafone users had access to fibre if it is available at their address?

Regards
Fred

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# 1345735 16-Jul-2015 19:43

I am waiting for October. Fibre will be available here then, via Spark. Tonight's impossible to watch anything on streaming services. If things don't get fixed by September, I am seriously considering moving to Spark. And I have been with cable for more than 15 years. It's got seriously bad in the last eight months.

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frednz

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# 1345748 16-Jul-2015 20:14

freitasm: I am waiting for October. Fibre will be available here then, via Spark. Tonight's impossible to watch anything on streaming services. If things don't get fixed by September, I am seriously considering moving to Spark. And I have been with cable for more than 15 years. It's got seriously bad in the last eight months.

Thanks for your reply. If you are able to access Fibre via Spark, I was told by a Vodafone Rep that you would also be able to get Fibre via Vodafone. So, is there any reason why Spark Fibre broadband would be better than Vodafone Fibre broadband?

Regards
Fred

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# 1345754 16-Jul-2015 20:21

frednz:
freitasm: I am waiting for October. Fibre will be available here then, via Spark. Tonight's impossible to watch anything on streaming services. If things don't get fixed by September, I am seriously considering moving to Spark. And I have been with cable for more than 15 years. It's got seriously bad in the last eight months.

Thanks for your reply. If you are able to access Fibre via Spark, I was told by a Vodafone Rep that you would also be able to get Fibre via Vodafone. So, is there any reason why Spark Fibre broadband would be better than Vodafone Fibre broadband?

Regards
Fred

Vodafone don't offer UFB in areas where there is cable so if you're in a cable build area and want UFB you need to switch ISP's.

Spark / Snap are 2 of the most constant providers in terms of speed on UFB. I'm personally on Snap, been with Spark on UFB at my previous house and found them both excellent, just went with Snap for their 200/200 plan.

freitasm

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# 1345756 16-Jul-2015 20:23

The only reason is that Spark already contacted our household.

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