Marginal Broadband speed - what are my options

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109 posts

Master Geek

#776301 7-Mar-2013 15:13

I have just contacted Snap again and it seems that Chorus have indicated that our Sync speed (seems to vary between 1.5-2.4) is lower than the neighbours who are getting 4.3.

i understand that's as much as Chorus will do - if they send a truck out and its not their issue and I am up for the cost - up to $270.

So.. what I have asked if its a possibility for Chorus to come out and check the speed at the gate. If its lower than expected then they will resolve (hopefully). If not (i.e. appears to be wiring issue internally) then I will happily pay the $199 to get a master filter installed by them. Does this seem a reasonable approach?

I also have to consider the other feedback from Chorus is that there is considerable congestion. So even if i double my speed then 2 X very little (in the evening) is still not very much, and perhaps I would be better off spending money on a wireless implementation. Really would prefer to avoid Wireless if i can - have used Scorch previously and they were Okay, but its more expensive and additional data beyond the relatively small caps make it very expensive.

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pjamieson

437 posts

Ultimate Geek

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Chorus

#782759 16-Mar-2013 19:31

Slightly OT, but In relation to Conklin's, all I can say is all throughput issues should be logged through to Chorus (via your RSP). If it isn't logged, it can't be recorded and influence priorities for upgrades.

optrex

25 posts

Geek

#785157 21-Mar-2013 19:22

pjays: Hi

We are just south of Christchurch (in Rural Springston) and currently on ADSL broadband. We live a fair way from the exchange/cabinet - pretty much on the limits I think.

A couple of years ago when Broadband at the gate 'arrived' . Pretty variable speeds but seldom below 1MB and often around 2MB and sometimes over 3MB.
This has slowly degraded and I ended up changing ISP's (from Slingshot to Snap) not because I thought that Snap would be faster but because they might be easier to deal with. (In general I have found this to be the case)

Currently max speed is 1.4MB at a very quiet times. Peak time in the evening .3MB. Sometimes slower. Pretty much unusable.

Snap have indicated that the synch speed at the gate is 2.4Mb although last time I called them it was 1.5MB so again quite variable.

My query is to understand if this is something that is 'fixable' or whether its just capacity on the line?
I have been reading a lot here on Geekzone re a master splitter and would go with that if I thought it would help, but the variance I am seeing makes me suspect that at peak times we are really struggling and that a splitter would not help.

But, also wondering if the system speed at the gate means that there is something else in the mix here.
It seems lower now than it has ever been. Subsequent to moving to Snap, have heard that Slingshot may have their own gear in the exchange - so perhaps they are faster than Snap - I thought that they all just used the same gear?

I did ring Chorus and they implied that nothing is planned for the exchange and that perhaps I should look at the Vodafone RBI wireless option that appears to be an option.

Details from my Router that hopefully helps clarify things

Any advice greatly appreciated - thanks

From the robots queries
Your ISP and plan = SNAP 50GB
- Type of connection (ADSL,)
- Your modem DSL stats - as per graphic
- Your general location (or street) - Bethels Rd Springston
- If you are rural or urban = RURAL
- If you know your connection is to an exchange, cabinet or conklin (Not Sure)
- If your connection is to a ULL or wholesale service Not sure?
- If you have done an isolation test as per the link above - I have tested standlone speed via ethernet cable not wireless

I'm connected to Springston too with the Alcatel box. I've had speeds in excess of 5Mbs upto last year but since Christmas its been a pig. I regularly now get speeds of around 0.30Mbs and more often than not timeouts when viewing a page. Snap have told me I'm 2.5kms from the exchange and its been tested by a senior Chorus technician with a response of "no fix because its over capacity".

Originally our update was nothing within the next 5 years, then it moved to 3 years (see parliament petition ), last month I was told there would be an upgrade within the next 12 months.

Today I was told by a source that the exchange as of this week, has now been upgraded. A provision for VDSL is now in place, but in all honesty that's probably only going to impact the township. ISP's have not yet been notified of this upgrade (apparently) but they should do within the next 7 days. I've also had confirmation that Chorus were in attendance at the exchange this week, so the source is valid.

I hope they at least have an ADSL2 profile available for the rest of us. I'm not sure of the full background of the upgrade but to me it would seem silly to only partially upgrade the exchange, when there are so many complaints locally. You also have to bear in mind it services the school, and students and staff of the University.

Anyway, hopefully you should hear something soon. If you do, please let me know because I'm paying for broadband with dialup speeds

pjays

109 posts

Master Geek

#785206 21-Mar-2013 21:26

Optrex : hello

Thanks for the update. Pretty sure that we are further from the exchange than you.. we have never had 5mbs speed but the symptoms are similar. Usable broadband has degenerated to .30mbs or worse at peak times.

I can confirm that Chorus were at the exchange this week (my wife spotted them there)...

Snap have been excellent to deal with .. best they can say is what Chorus has said to them ' no fix - its over capacity'. In our situation the Chorus map of cabinet rollouts show us as right on the edge... one property away from the action. But I don't understand what it really means - 2 years ago we could get 3mbs no problems, and I would happily take that again... it is clearly possible where we live.
I have been trying to discuss with Chorus to truly understand the situation... as for us the alternative is a move to wireless. I am prepared to do it - but given the installation costs and the ongoing costs for a decent plan then I only want to do so once I really understand what's happening with the fixed line broadband. And I don't.

optrex

25 posts

Geek

#785301 22-Mar-2013 08:47

But I don't understand what it really means - 2 years ago we could get 3mbs no problems, and I would happily take that again... it is clearly possible where we live.
I have been trying to discuss with Chorus to truly understand the situation... as for us the alternative is a move to wireless. I am prepared to do it - but given the installation costs and the ongoing costs for a decent plan then I only want to do so once I really understand what's happening with the fixed line broadband. And I don't.

I'm only 2.2km from SPN/A, towards Leeston on the sharp bend

Best way I can describe it:

ADSL1: The connection is a toilet roll. Imagine 5 connections, each as a straw, the straws are large to take the maximum use of the space allowed in the toilet roll. 3 Years on there are more connections, same toilet roll but smalller sized straws to allow everyone to get access.

ADSL2: Everyone each has a connected straw of a fixed size. The straw remains the same size no matter how many connections.

While I know the cabinet at SPN/A has had an upgrade for VDSL, I'm hoping they also shoved in some ADSL2 gear. I see from further searching that as of November 2011 SPN/C is due 2013/14

optrex

25 posts

Geek

#785302 22-Mar-2013 08:48

RalphFromSnap: Hi Peter,

You are connected to the Springston exchange to an Alcatel 7300 (ADSL1 only) This DSLAM is feed by multiple E1's but is not at this time showing any signs of congestion.

We have done a line check and based on the estimated attenuation on your line you should be seeing higher sync speeds than 2Mbps, we will ask Chorus to go and check this out and report back to you soon!

(Just for Geek sake there are 2 ASAM's and 2 Conklin DSLAM's in the Springston Area, and there are no current plans for upgrades, even under RBI, SPN/A is also a waiter cabinet, but you are connected to SPN)

Cheers

Ralph, can you confirm what I cam connected to please? I've been told in the past that its SPN/A (2.2km from me) but yesterday I was told I was connected to kit a good deal closer than that. I'd love to know what!

pjays

109 posts

Master Geek

#785331 22-Mar-2013 09:36

I see from further searching that as of November 2011 SPN/C is due 2013/14

is there somewhere where this information is available? Just wondering where you searched for this.?

- thanks

optrex

25 posts

Geek

#785409 22-Mar-2013 12:58

pjays:
I see from further searching that as of November 2011 SPN/C is due 2013/14

is there somewhere where this information is available? Just wondering where you searched for this.?

- thanks

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/139400855/Cabinetisation-notice-and-cabinetisation-forecast_Nov-2012
and
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/148745210/Notes---Chorus

optrex

25 posts

Geek

#788505 28-Mar-2013 12:11

hmm, looks like a new cabinet went in on Monday at Springston, so another step closer.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

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Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#788515 28-Mar-2013 12:21

optrex:
pjays:
I see from further searching that as of November 2011 SPN/C is due 2013/14

is there somewhere where this information is available? Just wondering where you searched for this.?

- thanks

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/139400855/Cabinetisation-notice-and-cabinetisation-forecast_Nov-2012
and
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/148745210/Notes---Chorus

No need to look on docstor, these are all public documents on the Chorus website.

diverchris

11 posts

Geek

#789051 28-Mar-2013 23:46

Hi All,

Is anyone sure SPN/A has had a VDSL (or even ADSL 2+) upgrade? I've been emailing Telecom over the last few days regarding the performance of my broadband connection, and they didn't seem to be aware that there is a change to the cabinet config?

I can't find any reference to SPN/A in any Chorus doc, I've been looking for months to see if it would ever get upgraded.

I really hope you're correct as I'm about 300m from SPN/A, so would be withing the VDSL zone.

Regards

pjays

109 posts

Master Geek

#789134 29-Mar-2013 10:34

I've been emailing Telecom over the last few days regarding the performance of my broadband connection, and they didn't seem to be aware that there is a change to the cabinet config?

I guess the frustrating thing about all of this is the difficulty in getting sound information about what is/will happen. I wonder if the improvements happening to to SPN/A will mean an improvement for us (we are quite some distance from the exchange and ADSL1 was a push) but I just get the stock answer, saying that as per the map and the RBI we are in the wireless zone.

Interestingly, although the vodafone maps shows us as in the RBI wireless area now, an installer was out last week, and at the moment is not really there for us....'very iffy' I think his exact words were.

pjamieson

437 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

Chorus

#789140 29-Mar-2013 10:42

optrex: hmm, looks like a new cabinet went in on Monday at Springston, so another step closer.

Where exactly is this new cabinet and the SPN/A cabinet you speak of, it's not on any maps.

diverchris

11 posts

Geek

#789228 29-Mar-2013 13:17

SPN/A is about 20m down Leeston Road from the junction with Ellesmere Junction Road to the left of the Springston township dairy if you're facing it. But can't find any reference to it on the Chorus website, I can see that SPN/C is getting an upgrade in the future, which would lead me beileve there is a SPN/B somewhere.

pjays

109 posts

Master Geek

#789242 29-Mar-2013 13:41

Where is SPN/C? Certainly been alot of work on that cabinet beside the dairy there over the last week or so?

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