ISP Options

Forums › New Zealand Broadband › ISP Options

broonie27

109 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#198643 17-Jul-2016 15:18

I currently have Vodafone cable UFB which gives me 50mbs down and 2mbps up. The service is OK (not great though) but I have a real dislike of Vodafone due to their horrendous customer service so I'm looking at the possibility of changing ISP. I don't have fibre in my street and I don't want to take a step backwards in speed terms to ADSL2 so what are my options? I also don't want to have another physical cable running into my house so are there any ISPs that can use the current Voda cable and provide me with a similar service speed-wise?

Cheers

PeterReader

6028 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 461

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#1593974 17-Jul-2016 15:18

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:

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.

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

DjShadow

4222 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1322

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#1593988 17-Jul-2016 15:21

Short answer is the only service you are going to get down that Cable is Vodafone, only other options is to get a copper line connected to the Chorus network or go for an expensive wireless option

DarkShadow

1647 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 656

#1593990 17-Jul-2016 15:22

Nope. Vodafone cable is (as the name suggests) Vodafone exclusive.

Do you have a copper pair connected, and if so can you get VDSL?

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9996

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1593992 17-Jul-2016 15:22

broonie27:

I currently have Vodafone cable UFB which gives me 50mbs down and 2mbps up. The service is OK (not great though) but I have a real dislike of Vodafone due to their horrendous customer service so I'm looking at the possibility of changing ISP. I don't have fibre in my street and I don't want to take a step backwards in speed terms to ADSL2 so what are my options? I also don't want to have another physical cable running into my house so are there any ISPs that can use the current Voda cable and provide me with a similar service speed-wise?

Cheers

C

Simple answer - you have no other options. If you don't like Vodafone you'll have to move to copper, where I presume you can only get ADSL2+, and not VDSL2?

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9996

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1593994 17-Jul-2016 15:23

There have been other providers offering service over cable over the years but I'm not aware of anybody left doing this.

quickymart

14940 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 13954

ID Verified

#1594006 17-Jul-2016 16:10

Indeed, even Xtra used to do it but not anymore.

Sounds like you're stuck with cable (barring copped already existing at your property).

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

mattwnz

20515 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4795

#1594020 17-Jul-2016 16:28

I am not sure if bad customer service with long support time are catching, but my last hold time with Spark was over 1 hour. Never had that sort of hold time before with any ISP I've used.

quickymart

14940 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 13954

ID Verified

#1594058 17-Jul-2016 17:09

I don't call them, I just use live chat and/or book a callback. Never had that fail yet.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1528

#1594092 17-Jul-2016 17:59

The only alternative that might match or beat the speeds you are on is something like skinny broadband, but it only comes with 60GB of data which might well be not enough for you.

Sideface

9650 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 15598

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1594128 17-Jul-2016 18:39

Like you, I am trapped on Vodafone cable (until fibre comes in December 2019) ...

Sideface

thecatsgoolies

414 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 228

Trusted

#1594131 17-Jul-2016 18:47

Request the 100Mbps down / 10Mbps up connection if you would like faster speed

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

Jase2985

13732 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6205

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#1594138 17-Jul-2016 19:10

Sideface:

Like you, I am trapped on Vodafone cable (until fibre comes in December 2019) ...

you havent tried VDSL since the band plan change though have you?

mattwnz

20515 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4795

#1594150 17-Jul-2016 19:44

quickymart:

I don't call them, I just use live chat and/or book a callback. Never had that fail yet.

Call backs assume I will have the time to talk when they call me back, and I don't them have to put them on hold for 30 minutes. Live chat is painfully slow I have found. Would prefer to email, but they don't seem to use email these days. What I do is find out how long the hold time is, I call and then put a timer on the phone for say an hour, and then go back to the phone when the timer goes off. It usually works, although I have had to wait an extra 5-10 minutes. But kills the phone battery.

broonie27

109 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#1595593 20-Jul-2016 12:48

mattwnz:

I am not sure if bad customer service with long support time are catching, but my last hold time with Spark was over 1 hour. Never had that sort of hold time before with any ISP I've used.

Ouch! My record for Vodafone is 85 mins. In general it's 20-40 mins which is still atrocious. However, try phoning Vodafone to become a new customer or add a new service (as I did on Friday) and they pick on the first ring.

I also have Sky in the house and their phone support is exceptional. My heart sank when I heard Voda were taking them over.

broonie27

109 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#1595594 20-Jul-2016 12:51

Thanks for the feedback guys. Look like I'm stuck with Voda.