Compass Communications Speedtest Comparison

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Jedsdad

120 posts

Master Geek

#181407 14-Oct-2015 16:54

I am disappointed in the Speedtest.net tests I have been getting on the Compass Communications UFB network.
I am only on the 30/10 Plan, I am pleased I did not go for the larger 100/20 plan.

Below are some tests I had done to various sites overseas in May while on Spark and now in October on Compass.
Note Speedtest do not have Compass as an ISP option so I have left it showing as Spark for the October results.

I realise I would not get a similar result to other countries as I get in NZ but I expected a little more than what I am getting.

What do others get on their Speedtest.net tests to places like Los Angeles, London, New York, Bangkok.

Note I have been testing to Bangkok as my wife comes from there and wanted to stream TV.
Currently I get a lot of buffering from there.

Speedtest Comparison

PeterReader

6019 posts

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Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#1405794 14-Oct-2015 16:54

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.

Ragnor

8222 posts

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#1407392 15-Oct-2015 18:24

Compass probably has higher contention (active user's per total bandwidth) on it's international bandwidth/transit than Spark.

Are you performing these tests on a desktop/laptop connected via network cable? What OS? Wifi will give varying results. Newer OS's have better networking (large tcp/ip windowing, window scaling), better throughput.

Talkiet

4793 posts

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#1407406 15-Oct-2015 19:17

Ragnor: Compass probably has higher contention (active user's per total bandwidth) on it's international bandwidth/transit than Spark.

Wait wut? There are ISPs out there that actually congest international at peak times? how quaint.

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

Jedsdad

120 posts

Master Geek

#1407478 15-Oct-2015 20:51

I am using an ethernet cable on a 1gig interface on my desktop and router, running Windows 10 so none of that is the issue.
Also note the speedtest to the ISP in NZ is OK, so it is beyond NZ

What sort of downloads on Speedtest do you get from places like LA, London, New York, Bangkok?

I need some ammunition if I want to raise the problem with Compass

yitz

2080 posts

Uber Geek

#1407537 15-Oct-2015 23:18

That's what I get on 100/20 Compass UFB in Chch.

While speed test results look a bit average, can't fault real world performance...
International downloads in Chrome go 2000-3000 KB/sec
Steam, YouTube and Aus/NZ cached content always full speed, HD streaming never buffers.
In game pings are low to Aus, 150 ms to US west.

Jedsdad

120 posts

Master Geek

#1407552 16-Oct-2015 07:26

Thanks for those Compass Tests, they look broadly similar to mine, probably depends on the time it was done and also the day.
I hope someone else with a different ISP also posts some test results here so I can compare.

sbiddle

30853 posts

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Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1407554 16-Oct-2015 07:33

Jedsdad:

Why do both columns show Spark as your ISP?

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Jedsdad

120 posts

Master Geek

#1407589 16-Oct-2015 08:46

Because I could not select Compass as my ISP in Speedtest (second column)

Talkiet

4793 posts

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#1407609 16-Oct-2015 09:36

Jedsdad: Because I could not select Compass as my ISP in Speedtest (second column)

Ummmmmmmmmmmm... Where it says ISP, that's who Speedtest determines your connection to be with. For some reason, even though you're with compass, Speedtest thinks you're still on a Spark IP address.

Feel free to PM me your current IP address and I'll make sure it's not one of ours.

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

Talkiet

4793 posts

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#1407647 16-Oct-2015 10:09

Jedsdad - you've highlighted an interesting IP allocation situation. We might have to have a little chat to Compass about the range they are using...

However, your IP address is definitely assigned to you from Compass... It's just a little unclear why they are using that range.

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

Jedsdad

120 posts

Master Geek

#1407758 16-Oct-2015 11:33

Thanks for that N.

Can someone please run some speedtest tests from a different ISP so I can compare the results I got from Compass?
Los Angeles, New York, London, Bangkok.

Thanks in advance

Jase2985

13462 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#1407771 16-Oct-2015 11:41

41/10 VDSL with spark

AU: 41/10 6ms
LA: 24/10 150ms
NY: 19/10 220ms
LO: 17/10 280ms
BK: 26/10 220ms
SY: 41/10 38ms

Jedsdad

120 posts

Master Geek

#1407832 16-Oct-2015 12:57

Thanks for that, puts my speedtest with Compass to shame LOL

The only issue I have though is my original Spark Speedtests in May etc never reached anywhere those speeds.

I was on ADSL2+ 1ith a Line Rate of 15Mbps so going on your results I should have been getting upwards of 11-12Mbps or so on Speedtest.
Of course Spark may well have upgraded their international links since May

Its just a pity I had not done other tests on Spark prior to my upgrade from Spark ADSL to Compass UFB

Jedsdad

120 posts

Master Geek

#1408861 18-Oct-2015 21:13

The following is a summary of the Speedtest results from myself (the first lot) and 2 others.
I see even the other Compass results are broadly similar to mine and nowhere near the Spark Results
Clearly there seems to be an issue with Compass compared with Spark.

30/10 UFB with Compass in Auckland
Auckland: 27.45/9.48           4ms
Los Angeles: 4.51/4.48             131ms
New York: 2.28/6.19             200ms
London:               3.60/5.81             267ms
Bangkok:             2.24/5.50             208ms

41/10 VDSL with spark (unknown location)
AU: 41/10 6ms
LA: 24/10 150ms
NY: 19/10 220ms
LO: 17/10 280ms
BK: 26/10 220ms
SY: 41/10 38ms

100/20 UFB with Compass in Christchurch
AK:        85.54/24.05       17ms
LA:        13.38/23.65       145ms
NY: 4.40/11.75         214ms
LO: 5.26/11.00         306ms

I will log a fault with Compass tomorrow but don’t hold out much hope for an early resolution if any at all.

I had logged a fault on another matter related to the phone on 9/10/2015 with Compass.
They did call me on Monday morning 12/10/2015 and promised to call me back on Monday afternoon after talking to their Network Guys.
I am still waiting for the call.
Customer Service is pretty abysmal.