Help Wanted: VDSL for Dummies.... i.e. "Me"...

Forums › New Zealand Broadband › Help Wanted: VDSL for Dummies.... i.e. "Me"...

JEDENZED

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#113255 10-Jan-2013 23:22

Hey geeks,

So I'm moving into a new house in 2 weeks and as such have been exploring my options regarding ISP's, packages, ADSL vs VDSL etc...

I want to get a package that provides at least 150GB monthly allowance along with the fastest speeds possible while paying up to the $130 mark per month.

After some much appreciated input on other threads (thanks all who offered advice) I'm leaning towards a SNAP! VDSL contract but... up until this week I hadn't even heard of VDSL and it seems from the reading of posts that I've done on these forums that it's potentially a far less straightforward option than the common-or-garden ADSL (wiring sensitivity, distance from exchange/cabinet etc).

Can some of you kind and learned folk please provide, in reasonably simple terms, your opinions on the VDSL option? Is it something I should approach with trepidation or with arms wide open...? Is it reasonably user friendly or only to be tackled by seasoned veterans...?

As part of this request, so that I can try to tell if VDSL is worthwhile to pursue further at my new address, can someone clarify how to determine the exact position of a cabinet from the Chorus Service Availability Tool please? Said address falls within the CLE/BS VDSL capable cabinet area but I cannot tell where specifically the cabinet is and thus, how many metres it is from my property... Does it matter?

I hope these questions don't seem to babbly... I'm afraid it's a case of I simply don't know what I don't know...

Please and thank you :)

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#743094 10-Jan-2013 23:44

This I think should be that cabinet:

CLE/BS

and I would highly recommend snap vdsl :)

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JEDENZED

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#743096 11-Jan-2013 00:00

sidefx: This I think should be that cabinet:

CLE/BS

and I would highly recommend snap vdsl :)

Awesome sidefx, thankee kindly! :) If indeed that is the cabinet, my house would be within 200 metres of it, maybe less...

So this is good I presume... Are the stars aligning for me to give VDSL a crack? Is it likely I'd need to have any installation or wiring done? I'm reasonably sure the previous owners would've had a fixed phone line and the house was built about 10 years ago...

chevrolux

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#743097 11-Jan-2013 00:01

Normally as long as you are in a VDSL area as determined by the Chorus SAT you will get around the 40-50Mbs download speed and 10Mbps upload.
In your house you either need a splitter installed or the incoming line must go to one jackpoint only with no stubs attached what so ever - either way this should be done by a professional unless you are fairly competent with phone wiring. This will cost around the $150-$200 mark depending on who does it.

JEDENZED

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#743101 11-Jan-2013 00:07

Great info chevrolux, cheers for the advice! Snap mention a $400ish wiring install... You think I could get a pro to do the necessary potentially for less? We won't be using any phone based leeches such as SKY or monitored alarm so should really only need one active jack but there could be further extension jacks in other rooms, I don't really know yet... If they're not active, will they still potentially interfere with transfer speeds?

sidefx

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#743111 11-Jan-2013 00:43

Yes, even if they're not in use, additional jackpoints will degrade VDSL (though how much will vary depending on the state of house wiring, number of jackpoints, etc)

If you're going naked VDSL, probably best to just ensure the incoming pair is connected direct to a single jackpoint and VDSL modem plugged straight into that with no other jackpoints connected - a master filter is then not required.

For the wiring, probably no need to get it done through snap for $400 - I think Coffeebaron on these forums might cover\visit Hamilton for a more reasonable rate; maybe worth contacting him.

(I took that cabinet location from this spreadsheet on the chorus website, so hopefully accurate :) http://www.chorus.co.nz/file/3194/existing_distribution_cabinet_list_may_2012.xlsx)

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Zeon

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#743112 11-Jan-2013 00:45

JEDENZED: Great info chevrolux, cheers for the advice! Snap mention a $400ish wiring install... You think I could get a pro to do the necessary potentially for less? We won't be using any phone based leeches such as SKY or monitored alarm so should really only need one active jack but there could be further extension jacks in other rooms, I don't really know yet... If they're not active, will they still potentially interfere with transfer speeds?

Yea $400 is ridiculous. I've done self installs everywhere and it works fine (including putting my own scotch locs on at the mushroom on the street). It is worthwhile getting the cabling done though - coffeebaron will do a good job for $150 if you are in Auckland/Waikato.

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sbiddle

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#743124 11-Jan-2013 08:02

$400 is the Chorus price for a full install with naked DSL. Ironically if you have POTS ON it's less.

As pointed out above either a master filter or wiring change to have a single jackpoint for DSL is essential for the best performance. You would certainly get this done for way under $400 elsewhere.

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JEDENZED

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#743473 11-Jan-2013 18:34

Thanks for the feedback, you guys are all kinds of awesome :)

So, if I decided to go for VDSL with SNAP, which of their 2 modem options should I choose? On their 24 month contract, a Fritz!box 7340 is FREE while the 7390 carries an upfront cost of $50.

What is the difference between the two? Is that difference likely to be something worth the $50 upgrade price to a user such as myself who is not too interested in customization or tweaking? (I'm more of a plug-n-play kinda guy...)

Also, does anyone know, if I choose, say, a 50GB base data 24 month contract with 150GB add on, can I increase or reduce the data allowance as required within the contract period?

Sorry if this thread is veering closer and closer to belonging in the SNAP forum...

sidefx

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#743525 11-Jan-2013 19:40

I think the 7390 has extra ethernet ports and some other minor advantages (more memory, some other phone features, etc) - I have the 7340 and am perfectly happy with it for the usual modem\router stuff and I run it as an ATA for VOIP and DECT base station too. I have a TP-Link gigE switch plugged into it so don't see the extra ports on 7390 as a major advantage.

Yes you can absolutely change your data on the fly month to month while on contract - it's done through their website when logged in to manage your account. One other awesome thing to keep in mind is that when you have a data add-on, all data from 1am-7am is zero rated - as a result the smallest data add-on is more than enough for our household - just schedule big downloads\uploads for that zero-rated period :)

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- Richard Feynman

JEDENZED

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#743545 11-Jan-2013 20:10

cheers sidefx, MASSIVELY appreciate your input, thank you sir! Any chance of a speedtest.net screenshot of your performance?

Also, it seems like you may be the perfect person to advise me on how best to take advantage of our impending move... We are strongly considering not having a fixed line at all but I don't really know anything of substance about VoIP. It would be nice to still at least have the option on making/receiving calls if required...

If you were in my shoes, with VDSL available to me and not tied to the notion of a traditional landline, what options would you plump for?

Virgil

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#743575 11-Jan-2013 21:02

JEDENZED: cheers sidefx, MASSIVELY appreciate your input, thank you sir! Any chance of a speedtest.net screenshot of your performance?

Also, it seems like you may be the perfect person to advise me on how best to take advantage of our impending move... We are strongly considering not having a fixed line at all but I don't really know anything of substance about VoIP. It would be nice to still at least have the option on making/receiving calls if required...

If you were in my shoes, with VDSL available to me and not tied to the notion of a traditional landline, what options would you plump for?

If you are moving house within the same general geographic vicinity, and have any sort of attachment to your current phone number, you could port it now / before disconnection to the VOIP provider of your choice.

You can then divert it to your cellphone while the move is in progress, and take your leisurely time setting up the VOIP equipment after you have moved and the internet connection is on. That way you will always be contactable during the move on your usual number.

I went this way, ported my telecom landline number to Worldexchange, then got Snap VDSL at the new property with a Fritzbox 7340. Snap were fantastic, internet on quicker than they promised, and the VOIP a breeze to set up on the Fritzbox. Then plug your regular landline in, and your old phone number just works.

Cheers

Lurking ...

sidefx

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#743579 11-Jan-2013 21:10

Current speedtest (I'm a bit of a distance from cabinet - sounds like you will be closer so I would guess you should get even better)

In your shoes I'd probably go for exactly what I have now: VoiP line (just $10 option) through 2talk and snap VDSL (provided UFB is not avialable which it isn't where I am for a good 3 years or more) - my current snap plan gets me 135GB for $100 per month and unlimited downloads from 1am-7am - very happy with it.

What broadband plan do you currently have and how many people in the household will be using it? Also do you currently have a landline number that you would be looking to keep on VoiP?

If you want to get an idea for how VoiP works and performs and have an smartphone, sign up for a 2talk Go Free plan and have a play. If it seems like it might be OK sign up for a $10 plan with a 2talk number and try it out more comprehensively - that's what I did. Then when I was completely happy that VoiP was good I ported my landline number to my 2talk account.

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JEDENZED

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#743605 11-Jan-2013 21:43

Thanks for that Virgil :)

sidefx: Current speedtest (I'm a bit of a distance from cabinet - sounds like you will be closer so I would guess you should get even better)

Sweet! Would be happy with that... where I am I currently get:

sidefx: In your shoes... (provided UFB is not avialable which it isn't where I am for a good 3 years or more)

Apparently mid to late 2014 for me so no worries there...

sidefx: my current snap plan gets me 135GB for $100 per month and unlimited downloads from 1am-7am - very happy with it.

Current best SNAP naked offering seems to be 150GB for $110... Do they have any referral codes that you know of?

sidefx: What broadband plan do you currently have and how many people in the household will be using it? Also do you currently have a landline number that you would be looking to keep on VoiP?

Currently staying with my wife's folks (AKA "The Outlaws") while we wait to move into our new place so don't have a landline number to bring with us or an ISP provider under our name. There'll just be myself and the wife using the broadband (which effectively means that only I will be using it 98% of the time). Have quite a few wifi devices in addition to the computer though (iPhonex3, iPad, TiVox2, PS3, Kindle etc...)

sidefx: If you want to get an idea for how VoiP works and performs and have an smartphone, sign up for a 2talk Go Free plan and have a play. If it seems like it might be OK sign up for a $10 plan with a 2talk number and try it out more comprehensively - that's what I did.

Sounds like a plan, will give this a bash!

sidefx: Then when I was completely happy that VoiP was good I ported my landline number to my 2talk account.

So if I don't have an existing number to port over 2talk provide me with an new number, right? What does this look like?

Finally, I have a Panasonic KX-TG8323 phone (only 2 handsets, not 3 as pictured)... Can I use these with with the Fritz!box and 2talk VoIP?

sidefx

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#743616 11-Jan-2013 22:19

JEDENZED:
So if I don't have an existing number to port over 2talk provide me with an new number, right? What does this look like?

Finally, I have a Panasonic KX-TG8323 phone (only 2 handsets, not 3 as pictured)... Can I use these with with the Fritz!box and 2talk VoIP?

Yeah, they provide you a number. When you sign up for a Go Free plan you get an 028 number - calls to and from this are free between 2talk 028 numbers but I think you or the person phoning you will have to pay for calls to\from other numbers\networks.

But if you sign up for a regional number then, e.g. on their $10 plan, then it should look and work pretty much like a standard number - just that the "suburb" part of the number is a special 2talk one. So mine just looks like 09 280 XXXX - I chose to keep that one along with my standard landline number after porting it as each additional number is only an extra $6 per month and I find it useful occasionally for testing and I just liked and remembered the number, lol.

Yeah I think those panasonic handsets should be DECT compatible with the Fritzbox. even if not you can just plug the DECT base station into one of the ATA ports on the Frtizbox and keep using them. In theory I believe you can actually patch the additional jackpoints in your house to the ATA ports on the Fritzbox and use them as normal phone jackpoints but I haven't tried this yet.

I currently have a couple of panasonic DECT handsets - they both work with the Fritzbox as DECT base station. The only annoyance is that Caller ID (which you get free with VoiP along with most other features you might traditionally be used to paying for :) ) doesn't work quite right - it doesn't show the name of the person ringing you, just their number. So I have one handset plugged in to the ATA on the Fritzbox so it shows the Caller ID correctly and then a handset upstairs registered with Frtizbox via DECT and we live with not knowing the name of the calling party on that phone :)

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JEDENZED

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#743619 11-Jan-2013 22:35

Yep, the handsets are 1.8Ghz DECT - great to know that they would work with the described rig-up.

I've registered for the free 2talk account as you suggested and got allocated an 028 number - so how do I set up my iphone to test it? i.e call my new 028 number and have my iphone ring... Is this what you meant by "if you have a smartphone... have a play"?

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