Looking for next steps to fix my inconsistent VDSL

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#3203062 4-Mar-2024 12:54

Some responses:

I know wireless isn't as fast as a good VDSL 2 connection, but surely wireless would be better than what you have if you can't get fibre?

My neighbour a couple of flats along has wireless because she wasn't allowed to get a VDSL connection. She said it is really inconsistent, so I don't think it would help at all. That tracks with my mobile reception at my house which is not perfect.

An alarm, even if you think it's "disconnected" might be still powered on - some companies say "disconnected" to mean they aren't monitoring it but the alarm is still powered on and seizing the line every few hours so you have to check to make sure it's OFF.

Would an electrician be able to check this and turn it off if it isn't?

Be interesting to know where in Lower Hutt they are as NEAX decommissioning is already taken place there (so possibly Naenae or Petone)

I'm actually in Upper Hutt, in Trentham - apparently the Chorus managed migrations team are trying to get people off copper in my street. The Chorus chap who replied earlier in the thread confirmed that us getting fibre as as much of a shitshow as i think it is and we're doing all we can about it.

nztim

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#3203075 4-Mar-2024 13:36

Lizm3:

Some responses:

I know wireless isn't as fast as a good VDSL 2 connection, but surely wireless would be better than what you have if you can't get fibre?

My neighbour a couple of flats along has wireless because she wasn't allowed to get a VDSL connection. She said it is really inconsistent, so I don't think it would help at all. That tracks with my mobile reception at my house which is not perfect.

Correct no new copper connections in Fibre areas without escalation, that is the nature of 4g Broadband depends how many people are on your particular cell at any given point of time.

Lizm3:

An alarm, even if you think it's "disconnected" might be still powered on - some companies say "disconnected" to mean they aren't monitoring it but the alarm is still powered on and seizing the line every few hours so you have to check to make sure it's OFF.

Would an electrician be able to check this and turn it off if it isn't?

Happy to assist here just buy the $10 filter

Lizm3:

Be interesting to know where in Lower Hutt they are as NEAX decommissioning is already taken place there (so possibly Naenae or Petone)

I'm actually in Upper Hutt, in Trentham - apparently the Chorus managed migrations team are trying to get people off copper in my street. The Chorus chap who replied earlier in the thread confirmed that us getting fibre as as much of a shitshow as i think it is and we're doing all we can about it.

Sparks shutdown of the NEAX is separate from the chorus shutdown of copper, so even if you are on a Copper connection with Spark, you may be lose your connection earlier than if you were with another ISP

also, if Fibre is that much of a shitshow, maybe go for a Starlink low prioritized plan ($79 p/m) if will be faster than your VDSL even with a filter.

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

SomeoneSomewhere

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#3203179 4-Mar-2024 21:19

Can you post a picture of the inside of the alarm panel? We should be able to tell you if it's got a phone line connected and how to bypass it.

If you don't use the alarm and don't use a landline phone, there's no need for a filter. Just connect the incoming lines straight through to the one jackpoint.

If you want to eliminate a faulty router as a possible cause, I've got a Fritzbox you can borrow if you can pick it up from Tawa, as well as a pile of Skotchloks. I might be able to find a USB-C to ethernet adaptor; I have one but I'm not sure where it is.

nztim

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#3203241 5-Mar-2024 08:48

SomeoneSomewhere:

If you don't use the alarm and don't use a landline phone, there's no need for a filter. Just connect the incoming lines straight through to the one jackpoint.

It is a Spark connection, there is voice on the line even if its "naked"

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

Bung

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#3203260 5-Mar-2024 09:30

nztim:

SomeoneSomewhere:

If you don't use the alarm and don't use a landline phone, there's no need for a filter. Just connect the incoming lines straight through to the one jackpoint.

It is a Spark connection, there is voice on the line even if its "naked"

How does a filter with no connection on the telephone terminal do anything? AFAIK the line and ADSL/VDSL modem terminals are directly connected. Your filter doesn't affect the Spark end of the line. Wouldn't there be a network end filter to block the line port?

darylblake

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#3203265 5-Mar-2024 09:40

What I would do is ensure you have a line splitter installed and the setup is clean. Then I would get a modem like DV130 set it to bridge mode. Plug in a proper router like a Mikrotik RB2011 (both of these units are cheap now days). Don't use crappy all in one wifi/modem/routers the reason for this in my opinion is they do all the jobs but none of them particularly well. And wire up all the TV's etc properly.

Then go get a nice access point or two. The grandstream ones from go-wireless are pretty decent.

What you really need to find out is:
Is it the DSL sync that continues to drop? If it is, there might not be an awful lot you can do and you would need to look at these other options.

The other options are either to get Starlink. They are doing a low priority traffic option for $79/month, or Standard is $159/month. Or look at wireless broadband through one of the big 3, (whoever provides the best coverage in your area, (Spark/2degrees/One).

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nztim

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#3203267 5-Mar-2024 09:46

When there is POTS on the line (always the case with Spark even for naked connections) a Master filter is recommended, sure some people state that you can have a single jack with your VDSL Modem connected and that will make a difference, however the new filters which comply with PTC285 also have a high-pass filter on the (while options are present most models)

Wireless broadband has proven to be inconsistent at her Neighbours so that leaves star link deprioritized as the OPs other option.

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

SomeoneSomewhere

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#3204740 9-Mar-2024 11:24

PTC285 says a high-pass filter is optional (which I think you said): https://www.telepermit.co.nz/PTC285iss2_02-2009.pdf

Regardless, while an external high-pass filter could maybe provide some marginal benefit when chasing an extra megabit or two, I haven't seen any suggestion it could provide the kind of improvement OP needs.

The modem will have an internal high-pass filter; removing DC offset and low-frequency signals is usually an essential part of these systems. I would be very interested to see evidence of a significant difference with the extra filter - all I would expect is extra attenuation. I no longer have a DSL line to test with...

@OP, did you make any progress? The offer of a modem loan and skotchloks still stands.

Lizm3

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#3204744 9-Mar-2024 11:47

Hi all! Thanks to everyone who has responded with their thoughts, I really appreciate it. I've been out of town the last week so couldn't do much at home but I'm back now. There was a suggestion to talk to Spark and ask them to raise a fault. I did that last night, and they agreed, as they said they could see 15 disconnects over the past 24 hours - not ideal! The technician is apparently coming in the next few hours, so will see how that goes.

If that doesn't resolve it, I'll probably reach out to the poster who said he could come do the master splitter filter thing, and I guess check the alarm system as well to ensure that's not causing issues.

If still nothing changes, i'll hit up the poster who said they have a different modem & router they could test out.

If at that point everything is the same, I'm burning the property down and using the insurance money to buy a house in a street with hyperfibre. Kidding. Sort of. :D I might look at switching to ADSL for better consistency, but I'm not sure they would let me given they're trying to get everyone off my street off copper and are no longer allowing copper connections. I'm pretty certain wireless broadband wouldn't be any better as the mobile service can be patchy. I've also briefly thought about Starlink, but a) I hate Elon Musk and b) I don't know if that would have the same issues as wireless broadband?

At the same time, I'm renewing my efforts with the neighbours for fibre consents. I'm in touch with Chorus to check there are no issues with them collecting consents as at least one of my neighbours said her consent wasn't accepted. I'm also thinking i might try to set up a Teams meeting with all owners in attendance and get us all to complete the consent form together at the same time. Getting fibre is the optimal solution, but we've been trying on and off for 6+ years with no luck so far.

SomeoneSomewhere

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#3204753 9-Mar-2024 11:53

I would open up the alarm system and check/disconnect the phone line as the first step. If you post a picture of the guts, we can tell you how to do this pretty easily.

Lizm3

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#3204764 9-Mar-2024 12:30

Dell

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Lizm3

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#3204769 9-Mar-2024 12:45

Trying to upload one of those pictures made my internet drop out. In the end i had to hotspot off my phone to upload the picture from my laptop.

SomeoneSomewhere

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#3204771 9-Mar-2024 12:53

Ah, no. That's just a keypad. Somewhere there's a big steel box containing the actual brains of the system as well as the backup battery:

Cupboards, garages, and attics are common places to find them.

Bung

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#3204772 9-Mar-2024 12:55

That's the alarm control panel. The phone connection will be from the alarm itself, usually mounted out of the way possibly in the attic.

Lizm3

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#3206035 13-Mar-2024 16:47

OK I went looking for this system and could not find it anywhere. I even climbed into my attic, where i have never gone. The only things up there were my header tank and my ventilation system. The ventilation system had a network plug so I turned it all off and pulled that out for now, just in case it's related. I have checked all my cupboards and nothing. I feel like I'm being blind. I'll get my partner to have a look this weekend and see if he can find it.

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