No contract broadband providers in Chch

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bassnut

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#172135 12-May-2015 18:58

Hi all,

I have been trying to upgrade my current service with Vodafone and have had enough. I am currently on an old TelstraClear 20Gb naked cable plan and have been going over or near to the cap every other month so wanted to upgrade. Thought it would be simple, call Vodafone tell them I want to pay more money and get upgraded to the naked 80Gb cable plan. Unfortunately they are insisting that I sign a new long term contract, to which I am refusing (I am of the belief that if an ISP wants my custom they can keep it by offering a good quality service, not by forcing me into a contract I don't want).

They don't seem to understand that the thing they think will keep me as a customer will actually be the reason I leave, but I am too frustrated to laugh at the irony. [/rant]

So anyway I am now on the hunt for a ISP that doesn't require contracts (where I am in Christchurch is adsl only, can't get VDSL or fibre).

I have found Flip, they offer 60Gb with phone for $65/month - don't need the phone but the package is cheaper than most naked plans I can find. Seem to be mixed views on Flip as a provider so have a few questions before I sign off my cable plan and say goodbye to Vodafone. Cheap connection fee is a bonus

Views on Flip - any reason I should avoid them?
Any other providers in Chch offer no contracts?
As I am on cable at the moment, I assume I can hook up the adsl and run both side by side so I can get an idea of the change in speed?

Thanks for your help.

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#1303044 12-May-2015 18:58

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:

- Is your premises phone wiring impacting your broadband performance? (very technical)

- Are you receiving a substandard ULL ADSL2+ connection from your ISP?

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.

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sbiddle

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Biddle Corp

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#1303064 12-May-2015 19:16

Just be aware you'll notice a fairly significant downgrade in performance moving from cable (presumably 15/2) to ADSL2+

If you had a phone with TelstraClear you'll need a Chorus technician to visit to redo the wiring. Whether an ISP will pass on the quite significant Chorus charges for doing this is really going to depend on the ISP.

Cbfd

307 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1303065 12-May-2015 19:18

Big pipe

bassnut

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1303314 13-May-2015 08:55

Thanks for the replies

sbiddle:

Just be aware you'll notice a fairly significant downgrade in performance moving from cable (presumably 15/2) to ADSL2+

If you had a phone with TelstraClear you'll need a Chorus technician to visit to redo the wiring. Whether an ISP will pass on the quite significant Chorus charges for doing this is really going to depend on the ISP.

Yes on 15/2 so am expecting to take a hit (that's why I want to try them side by side to see how the performance will change). Ultimately I would prefer to stay with Vodafone on the cable, but it has become a matter of principle and I can be quite stubborn. We are not heavy users, mostly just web browsing with the occasional Netflix stream. Most of my data usage is file transferring between severs which I can just set overnight and forget about.

Hadn't considered the line change - thanks. We did have TCL phone originally before I switched to VoIP, so will need to get the wiring changed back over.

Cbfd: Big pipe

Thanks, I did see they offered no contract plans, but all unlimited makes them a bit more pricey. One off fee for a static IP is a plus though, Flip don't seem to offer static's - not a big issue but could be handy to have one.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#1303317 13-May-2015 09:09

bassnut: Thanks for the replies

sbiddle: Just be aware you'll notice a fairly significant downgrade in performance moving from cable (presumably 15/2) to ADSL2+

If you had a phone with TelstraClear you'll need a Chorus technician to visit to redo the wiring. Whether an ISP will pass on the quite significant Chorus charges for doing this is really going to depend on the ISP.

Yes on 15/2 so am expecting to take a hit (that's why I want to try them side by side to see how the performance will change). Ultimately I would prefer to stay with Vodafone on the cable, but it has become a matter of principle and I can be quite stubborn. We are not heavy users, mostly just web browsing with the occasional Netflix stream. Most of my data usage is file transferring between severs which I can just set overnight and forget about.

Hadn't considered the line change - thanks. We did have TCL phone originally before I switched to VoIP, so will need to get the wiring changed back over.

Cbfd: Big pipe

Thanks, I did see they offered no contract plans, but all unlimited makes them a bit more pricey. One off fee for a static IP is a plus though, Flip don't seem to offer static's - not a big issue but could be handy to have one.

if you are doing transfers between servers then, depending on how you do it, you might find Flip a no-go.
They use CG-NAT which makes it hard to remote in to your connection. (Bigpipe also use CG-NAT, but offer static IP as a way around it. Flip do not offer any way round it)

DonGould

3892 posts

Uber Geek

#1303377 13-May-2015 10:24

bassnut: Hi all,

I have been trying to upgrade my current service with Vodafone and have had enough. I am currently on an old TelstraClear 20Gb naked cable plan and have been going over or near to the cap every other month so wanted to upgrade. Thought it would be simple, call Vodafone tell them I want to pay more money and get upgraded to the naked 80Gb cable plan. Unfortunately they are insisting that I sign a new long term contract, to which I am refusing (I am of the belief that if an ISP wants my custom they can keep it by offering a good quality service, not by forcing me into a contract I don't want).

I would suggest seeking out one of their reps in the forum because that just doesn't seem right. All you're wanting to do is a casual plan upgrade.

However I suspect you're also going to need to move from DOCSIS2 to DOCSIS3 which is a modem change too. That might be why they want the contract.

I'm guessing your speed will jump up with that plan too.

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DonGould

3892 posts

Uber Geek

#1303379 13-May-2015 10:25

Oh and Ps... let's keep moving forward in the technology space. HFC (cable) to ADSL is moving backwards. It's expensive to keep supporting old technology all the time. We have to drive forward.

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bassnut

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1303386 13-May-2015 10:34

NonprayingMantis:

if you are doing transfers between servers then, depending on how you do it, you might find Flip a no-go.
They use CG-NAT which makes it hard to remote in to your connection. (Bigpipe also use CG-NAT, but offer static IP as a way around it. Flip do not offer any way round it)

Thanks for this! I would have just tried to use a dynamic dns and would have no doubt ended up pulling my hair out. I'm sure I could work around it (just make sure I upload everything from my home server before working remotely), but no doubt there will be that one time I forget a file so Big Pipe + static IP might be a better option.

bassnut

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1303406 13-May-2015 10:55

DonGould:
I would suggest seeking out one of their reps in the forum because that just doesn't seem right. All you're wanting to do is a casual plan upgrade.

However I suspect you're also going to need to move from DOCSIS2 to DOCSIS3 which is a modem change too. That might be why they want the contract.

I'm guessing your speed will jump up with that plan too.

Thanks - I have tried talking to different people, but will try talking to a forum rep and see if they can help.

Yip a new modem is apparently required - but using that as an excuse to lock me into the contract doesn't float, the cable modem as they point out remains their property (and I was told I needed to sign a new contract even before they knew I needed a new modem). The silly thing is if they had simply said yip sure thing, oh we need to get you a new modem no worries - then I wouldn't even be considering moving away from them as I have been more than happy with the service.

DonGould:

Oh and Ps... let's keep moving forward in the technology space. HFC (cable) to ADSL is moving backwards. It's expensive to keep supporting old technology all the time. We have to drive forward.

Hard to move forward when the only other choice in my address is adsl.

DonGould

3892 posts

Uber Geek

#1303447 13-May-2015 11:42

bassnut: Thanks - I have tried talking to different people, but will try talking to a forum rep and see if they can help.

Yip a new modem is apparently required - but using that as an excuse to lock me into the contract doesn't float, the cable modem as they point out remains their property (and I was told I needed to sign a new contract even before they knew I needed a new modem). The silly thing is if they had simply said yip sure thing, oh we need to get you a new modem no worries - then I wouldn't even be considering moving away from them as I have been more than happy with the service.

Hard to move forward when the only other choice in my address is adsl.

The reps on here are much more skilled than your typical call center person.

You need to see the modem issue from the companies point of view. The HFC network had a massive upgrade from D2 to D3 which would have cost a lot of money. What they are trying to protect them selves from is people deciding to upgrade to have a look and then deciding to down grade again because they didn't find a benefit or just decided to jump ship to the next ADSL deal.

So when the D3 upgrade was done they offered up the choice to people. The standard deal was a 2 year lock in. Like you, I objected. I made contact with a rep here and it got done and the policy was waved. Like you, I was a long term customer.

The fact is that those modems do cost money and do have to be installed by an installer. They can't even send one to you and just get you to swap it over because they also have to check line levels to ensure performance and that your install doesn't break something else down stream. So they're looking at a 45 minute call to your home which I would guess costs them at least $100 a time. Look on eBay and you'll see those modems are also at least $100 a time.

I agree that 2 years seems a bit ott. Personally I think 1 year is more reasonable. However you also need to remember that when D3 came out the demand was so high that they couldn't keep up, so the terms also meant that the serious people got the love.

As for ADSL v's nothing else... UFB is coming. However I think you can expect that cable areas are going to be the last to be built. I know that's the case in my area.

Anyway I hope this bit of back ground and pov helps :)

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sorceror

163 posts

Master Geek

#1304872 13-May-2015 23:58

DonGould: Oh and Ps... let's keep moving forward in the technology space. HFC (cable) to ADSL is moving backwards. It's expensive to keep supporting old technology all the time. We have to drive forward.

HFC technologies predate ADSL by a number of years...

DonGould

3892 posts

Uber Geek

#1305105 14-May-2015 13:08

sorceror:
DonGould: Oh and Ps... let's keep moving forward in the technology space. HFC (cable) to ADSL is moving backwards. It's expensive to keep supporting old technology all the time. We have to drive forward.

HFC technologies predate ADSL by a number of years...

You kinda completely missed the point.

In chch the copper is at end of life where as the coax in the HFC network has legs as it's less than 15 years old.

DOCSIS3 is also newer than ADSL and ADSL2 in implementation by some years.

D3 is running at 130mbit v's ~15mbit on ADSL (if you're lucky!)

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sorceror

163 posts

Master Geek

#1305207 14-May-2015 15:18

DonGould:
sorceror:
DonGould: Oh and Ps... let's keep moving forward in the technology space. HFC (cable) to ADSL is moving backwards. It's expensive to keep supporting old technology all the time. We have to drive forward.

HFC technologies predate ADSL by a number of years...

You kinda completely missed the point.

In chch the copper is at end of life where as the coax in the HFC network has legs as it's less than 15 years old.

DOCSIS3 is also newer than ADSL and ADSL2 in implementation by some years.

D3 is running at 130mbit v's ~15mbit on ADSL (if you're lucky!)

i think you are the one that's missing the point Don (unsurprisingly). what does 'lets keep moving forward in the technology space' even mean? now you're talking about moving forward in terms of max throughput, a completely different premise to what you originally posted.

Sideface

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#1305241 14-May-2015 15:45

bassnut: I have been trying to upgrade my current service with Vodafone and have had enough. I am currently on an old TelstraClear 20Gb naked cable plan and have been going over or near to the cap every other month so wanted to upgrade. Thought it would be simple, call Vodafone tell them I want to pay more money and get upgraded to the naked 80Gb cable plan. Unfortunately they are insisting that I sign a new long term contract, to which I am refusing (I am of the belief that if an ISP wants my custom they can keep it by offering a good quality service, not by forcing me into a contract I don't want).

I've been on cable in Wellington since the TelstraClear days.
My major problem was that the maximum data cap then available was "only" 150GB - 20GB seemed a ludicrously low data limit, even then.

Cable is only available on contract, and always has been - but I can live with a one-year contract because fibre isn't going to be available here until 2019.

I would advise you to swallow your pride and sign up to a naked 80GB 50/2Mbps plan - you can easily upgrade to 100/10Mbps later, as I did.
Alternatively, get fibre, if available.

Disclaimer - I have no links with Vodafone

[EDIT] The faster cable plans do require a new modem.

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chiefie

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#1305251 14-May-2015 15:58

Sideface:
bassnut: I have been trying to upgrade my current service with Vodafone and have had enough. I am currently on an old TelstraClear 20Gb naked cable plan and have been going over or near to the cap every other month so wanted to upgrade. Thought it would be simple, call Vodafone tell them I want to pay more money and get upgraded to the naked 80Gb cable plan. Unfortunately they are insisting that I sign a new long term contract, to which I am refusing (I am of the belief that if an ISP wants my custom they can keep it by offering a good quality service, not by forcing me into a contract I don't want).

I've been on cable in Wellington since the TelstraClear days.
My major problem was that the maximum data cap then available was "only" 150GB - 20GB seemed a ludicrously low data limit, even then.

Cable is only available on contract, and always has been - but I can live with a one-year contract because fibre isn't going to be available here until 2019.

I would advise you to swallow your pride and sign up to a naked 80GB 50/2Mbps plan - you can easily upgrade to 100/10Mbps later, as I did.
Alternatively, get fibre, if available.

Disclaimer - I have no links with Vodafone

[EDIT] The faster cable plans do require a new modem.

I agree. 12-months can go by easily, especially if you have no foreseeable plan in next year or so to move away from your current abode, and if you have on-account mobile with Vodafone, you get -$10 discount too.

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