[WXC/VFX] WxC and ADSL2+

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willnz

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#19565 21-Feb-2008 20:56

Hi all,

I recently had a second line installed to check out Fusion. I've still got my existing line with standard Orcon DSL on it, which syncs at ADSL2+ speeds of around 18Mbps, and my throughput is around 15Mbps (I'm on the Ponsonby exchange).

My second line was connected (it took a while - Telecom managed to do funky things, but that's another story) to Fusion, and I was able to sync up nicely at 17Mbps. My throughput however, was limited to ADSL1 speeds (7.5Mbps). I contacted a friend at Telecom who had me moved to the same DSLAM as my existing line with Orcon DSL, in case that was the issue. No difference.

I then emailed WxC to ask if they're limiting it to ADSL1 speeds. To which I got this reply:

Ticket ID: #85885

Hi Will,

The plan that you are on, Flood FS/FS, is an ADSL1 plan.

As such you will never get ADSL2 speeds on it.

I don't know what plan you are on with Orcon but we do not offer any
ADSL2 speed plans at the moment.

You will be syncing at the exchange at ADSL2 speeds but this is only an indication of the maximun attanable rate on your line.

I hope this helps.

At the time, I was on Flood due to problems we had getting Fusion put directly on the line, so they had to set me up with UBS first. I've now been fully changed over to Fusion, and I still get the same speeds. The Fusion website states:

Q. What speed Broadband will I be able to get?

A. Xnet Fusion is a Full Line Speed upload/Full Line Speed download at the maximum your line can handle. Your speeds are dependent on the quality of your line and distance from the exchange to your home or office.

The idea was that I'd eventually get rid of the Orcon DSL and just use Fusion. But if I'm going to be getting half the speed, I think I'll be staying put.

Anyone have any thoughts? Sorry for the rambling ;)

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grant_k

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#112152 21-Feb-2008 21:13

willnz: I've still got my existing line with standard Orcon DSL on it, which syncs at ADSL2+ speeds of around 18Mbps, and my throughput is around 15Mbps (I'm on the Ponsonby exchange).

I think that fact that you are on the Ponsonby Exchange would have a lot to do with what you are experiencing here.

Ponsonby is one of the exchanges which has been unbundled and you will presumably be using an Orcon ISAM and Orcon Backhaul link; both of which are spec'd to handle ADSL2+ speeds.

Whereas with Xnet, you are connected via a Telecom ISAM at ADSL2+ speed, which is then connected via the Telecom Backhaul to Xnet. I remember reading somewhere that Telecom have not enabled the ADSL2+ profiles yet, which means that the throughput is probably limited to the maximum available from an ADSL1 connection.

Look for this to change in the near future, once Telecom have completed their ADSL2+ rollout.

That's my take on the current situation anyway.

willnz

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#112159 21-Feb-2008 21:21

Nope, I was connected to POY-09 (A Telecom Alcatel ISAM), and my second line was connected to POY-19. I got the second line changed through a friend at Telecom to match the Orcon connection. Telecom ISAM's at Ponsonby are fully ADSL2+ enabled, and the profiles are all active. WxC seems to be actively limiting it at their end.

Niel

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#112160 21-Feb-2008 21:25

I also understand it as Grant_k is saying, as was explained to me a few months ago by WxC staff. It makes sense, Telecom is not going ot enable the speed until they can tell the whole country "now you can get super fast speed" and everyone can get it.

But with ISPs having their own equipment in the exchange, those ISPs would be silly not to give fast speed where they can from the start to gain customers.

I believe the Telecom launch is somewhere mid this year (based on a newspaper article a year ago), but they might be running a bit late.

You can never have enough Volvos!

grant_k

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#112162 21-Feb-2008 21:26

willnz: WxC seems to be actively limiting it at their end.

Or is it the Telecom Backhaul which is limiting it?

What backhaul equipment does your Orcon connection use?

I was under the impression that Orcon have their own link into that exchange, or at least a pretty large chunk of reserved bandwidth on Telecom's backhaul?

Can one of our ever-helpful/ever-knowledgable industry insiders confirm or deny?

willnz

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#112165 21-Feb-2008 21:28

Only Orcon's own gear uses their backhaul. I *was* scheduled to be moved on to the Orcon LLU trial, but for reasons that I won't discuss (to save Orcon's butt :p) I decided to go for Fusion instead. I was (and this has been confirmed by Telecom's Wholesale team, who I used to deal with regularly when I worked for Orcon) - connected to a Telecom ISAM, using Telecom backhaul. Ponsonby is one of the few exchanges that is fully ADSL2+ activated (for customers connected to ISAM's anyway, there is still a few Nokia DSLAM's and some ASAMs there I believe)

cokemaster

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#112166 21-Feb-2008 21:33

In regards to the speculation about ADSL2+, I suggest you read the press releases (mainly prompted by Niel post). You'll find that there is probably going to be a launch?

There are many things that can influence the ability to get DSL2+ speeds. Without going into too much detail, the line speed is only one part of the equation (network profiles, ISP profiles, modems etc). This includes your modem, which may be restricting your ability to transfer at higher speeds.

However, the as fast as your line will go raises a very interesting discussion.

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willnz

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#112168 21-Feb-2008 21:36

Sigh - The line is ADSL2+ enabled. The profile is an ADSL2+ profile. The router is the same one I get ADSL2+ speeds using Orcon UBS (not LLU).

Two senior staff at Telecom Wholesale have been playing with the configuration of the line, I think they'd be the first to point out if it wasn't possible.

Ponsonby is one of the very few trial exchanges where all customers have been quietly ADSL2+ activated.

EDIT: As a side note, I've had ADSL2+ speeds for about the last 3-4 months, on a UBS connection -- even before Orcon put their gear into the exchange.

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#112170 21-Feb-2008 21:40

*sigh* As I previously posted. There are more factors than just the physical line profile.

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willnz

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#112173 21-Feb-2008 21:42

Everything on Telecom's end has been changed to match my existing line which _is_ getting ADSL2+ speeds (including being put on the same ISAM). These 'more factors' you speak of must be ISP end if that is the case -- which brings me back to my original theory that WxC is limiting it.

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#112175 21-Feb-2008 21:45

If you say so, bossman...

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willnz

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#112176 21-Feb-2008 21:46

Well what are they then?

PenultimateHop

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#112211 22-Feb-2008 00:33

First things first I want to clarify some terminology: All DSL subscribers terminate on a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexor (DSLAM). This is the generic term for a DSL Access Node. References to ISAM or ASAM are Alcatel-Lucent product specific terms, and cause confusion when you refer to, e.g. "Orcon ISAM". Orcon (AFAIK) use Nokia Siemens Networks DSLAMs - the XpressLink or Accession or similar, I would hypothesise.

Second point: I would suspect that your line is provisioned in the Telecom wholesale environment with a 7.6M shaper on the Telecom LAC, which is one of the multiple policy enforcement points for UBS in the Telecom network. I don't know for sure that this is the issue, and only Telecom (provisioning or Operations) would be able to confirm it.

Third point: It is certainly possible WxC are shaping their subscribers to 8Mbps on their LNS. Only WxC could answer that question.