Joining Xtra on-line - broadband or no broadband?

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freitasm

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#10454 23-Nov-2006 10:47

My PIL (parents-in-law) want an always-on connection. Don't need to be blazingly fast, as long as it's faster than the dial-up she uses now.

I checked online, and it says

Looks like 04 237....... is ready for Xtra Broadband! Now you are just 3 EASY STEPS away from getting Xtra Broadband and a $10 account credit for ordering online.

Great. This is in-line with my previous call to 0800 00 30 40 which confirmed the phone number is able to get DSL service. But I am not 100% sure the call centre knows what they are talking about. This is a rural address and this small fineprint made me shiver:

Whilst Xtra Broadband is available on your exchange, sometimes factors such as distance from the telephone exchange or the technology used in the area may mean that we are unable to deliver Xtra Broadband to a particular site or address.

So what's the story? We sign up online, and if they can't deliver the account won't be created? Would they let us know before entering the account into their system making it a daunting task to cancel it? What's next?

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#53350 23-Nov-2006 10:52

You need to contact Xtra by Telephone and tell them you are a long way from the exchange. They should be able to do some testing.

Possibly they will say just sign up, and if the connection speed is unacceptable when the tech hooks you up on the day, you can cancel with no cost incurred (but time and effort still spent).

There are many success stories of long range ADSL being viable, i heard of a 6km from the exchange user getting around 800kbps (which he was very happy with).

grant_k

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#53351 23-Nov-2006 10:55

A neighbour of ours wanted to get broadband so we visited Xtra's Broadband Line Checker and it came up with the same message you have just seen.

There is an on-line form you can fill out to request Xtra to do those further checks on your line.

We went through this process and a day or two later, Xtra called my neighbour to advise that she was too far from the exchange (around 9km).

Hopefully it will be different for your Parents-in-law.

P.S. Having just seen Tony's post, I should add that all sorts of factors can affect whether your line will support a reliable ADSL connection or not. In our area it's electric fence interference that is the killer. My mother-in-law's dial-up connection drops if she is online for more than about 10 minutes, meaning that she cannot receive large e-mail attachments.

That is the reason we opted for BCL Wireless, which you could get thru Xtra Wireless @ $59.95 per month. Obviously, it would be cheaper to get ADSL if it's a viable option.

nzbnw

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#53354 23-Nov-2006 11:28

freitasm:

Whilst Xtra Broadband is available on your exchange, sometimes factors such as distance from the telephone exchange or the technology used in the area may mean that we are unable to deliver Xtra Broadband to a particular site or address.

So what's the story? We sign up online, and if they can't deliver the account won't be created? Would they let us know before entering the account into their system making it a daunting task to cancel it? What's next?

In my experience with signing customers up this 'message' normally means you can get Broadband at the address. They would let you know if you cant get broadband and the 'Service Order' would be either put in a holding stage as a 'Broadband Waiter" or cancelled. You won’t be charged.

Cheers

nzbnw

badserb

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#53399 23-Nov-2006 18:52

I had the same message when I was joining Xtra a few years back. I'm 10k away from the exchange and my ADSL runs fine. That
message pretty much says that because of your distance you will not get optimal speeds.

But like the others said just ring them andcheck to make sure. I am sure that if you sign up and ADSL is unavailable, that the account wont be created. They do have to book a technician to do the job and when he realizes that there is no ADSL availability, that will be the end of that.

bonkiebonks

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#53426 23-Nov-2006 21:36

I get that message too, but I do know for a fact that my exchange is less than 1.5km, so I'm not sure why it gives me this... and I sync at fullspeed 8128/996 without interleave.

Litespeed

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#53524 24-Nov-2006 15:36

Should be ok.

One thing I did when we last moved house was to check the availability on lines near us. Try the numbers for the local fish and chip shop, doctor's rooms etc. Should give you a fair idea.

My parents also recently got it and they live in a paddock (yes, in a house) in the Wairarapa.

freitasm

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#53668 26-Nov-2006 11:00

Right... Done this now. A couple of questions: they will send the wireless modem and filter via mail.

What wireless modem model is this?

Also we opted not to have the technician to configure the network, but I guess he will still come around to install the filter, test the line etc? The wording in the confirmation page is such that it leads me to believe "if you don't need the technician for your internal network configuration he won't show up at all". It's very very vague.

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cokemaster

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#53669 26-Nov-2006 11:15

Wireless device will be a Dlink DSL G604T device.

If you opted for a self install, it will come with two filters which can be connected. Once the service is activated you should pick up DSL. Generally no tech will be involved unless its a failed install, you opted for an installer to set up DSL, or you opted for a splitter to be installed (with its own DSL jack).

If you aren't getting DSL after the date and time it was supposed to be put through, call xtra and they can arrange for a tech to 'fix' the issue.

If you dont currently have a xtra username (or a xtra broadband username .xadsl), the included self install CD has the ability to create one for you. Simply run it, connect the modem and it will connect to the online registration site.

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freitasm

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#53671 26-Nov-2006 11:18

So even though she lives on a rural road, and the Xtra page says "it's available, but we can't guarantee anything", how do I know for sure it's working? It's just a "try and error" thing? If it doesn't work, call them?

I thought they always sent someone around. I see. Can't be bothered. Oh, I should join the Geekzone forums and start complaining about Xtra already.

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#53672 26-Nov-2006 11:22

If there is no DSL signal by the date when the service is supposed to be activated, they can and will send a tech out to see why.
However unless you opt for an tech to install it or get a splitter installed it is my understanding that they won't send someone out.

With both of the tech install options, the tech is required to prove that the line is able to get a DSL signal before signing off the work (applying the charges).

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freitasm

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#53811 27-Nov-2006 12:32

Ok, got a confirmation e-mail, it's looking good so far:

You have requested the Connection Only set-up option. This means we do not need to visit your premises to install the service, and that you will be up and running by 6pm on the day noted. We will only call you if there is a problem with the connection. On the day of connection, your telephone line will go down for approximately 15 minutes while we complete the installation, which is perfectly normal. Your service should be restored again a short time later.

Let's see if we can get broadband at the farm...

freitasm

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#54551 3-Dec-2006 17:23

Just finished installing the wireless modem/router here at the farm. The parents-in-law are very happy, and DSL actually is working very well, seeing that they are on the other side of the hill, further away from the exchange - beyond the 4Km I'd say.

Installation was easy, although I was annoyed by the "step-by-step guide" to setup the router They should have a "Skip this section to the Advanced users" option, but all worked ok.

Nice work indeed.