VDSL2 recommendations for Primary School

Forums › New Zealand Broadband › VDSL2 recommendations for Primary School

polglase

266 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 7

Trusted

#83466 17-May-2011 11:02

Hi all,

I've volunteered to help with IT matters at my children's primary school. They are having enormous problems with Internet speed primarily due to the ADSL1 connection they are using and no traffic management.

One of the packages they need to use as part of the new national standards (e-asTTle) requires a 2Mb uplink to work effectively when a full classroom are taking the tests - http://e-asttle.tki.org.nz/Support/Frequently-asked-questions/How-to-prepare-for-e-asTTle#upload

It is a small school with budget issues and the fibre options seem to start at $500/month and go up from there.

As their cabinet is being upgraded to VDSL2 in June this would seem to be a cheaper alternative to fibre. They are currently using 50GB/month but I will complete costings based on 100GB.

Telstraclear are quoting $225 for 100GB but I'm not sure as yet if they offer the service in the school's location (Mount Albert).

Worldnet offer 120GB for $139/month - http://www.worldnet.co.nz/business/vdsl2/

Snap offer services starting at $250/month - http://www.snap.net.nz/work/package

Unleash 100GB $165+GST

Worldnet are obviously cheapest and it is possible to sign up to a no term contract to try them out so this may be the way to go.

Any comments or suggestions of alternatives? Any ISPs that want to support a school with a subsidised service?

Cheers,
Jonathan

wreck90

780 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#470031 17-May-2011 11:28

Doesn't the ministry of education have some bulk supplier contracts in place?

Worth checking.

polglase

266 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 7

Trusted

#470032 17-May-2011 11:33

They have Telecom Schoolzone - www.telecom.co.nz/schoolzone
This appears to be a fibre connection with 2Mb prices starting at $499/month

It is the only option listed on their website - http://www.minedu.govt.nz/NZEducation/EducationPolicies/Schools/Initiatives/ICTInSchools/ICTInitiativesAndProgrammes/ManagedInternetServicesSolutionsForSchools.aspx

The site also specifically states that schools need to cover their own internet connectivity and usage costs.

almaznz

89 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#470046 17-May-2011 11:58

MoE has two approved Filter Partners which is funded by them, one being schoolzone and the other being watchdog. What internet plan / provider the school goes with is completely up to them, but i believe the Primary (or Post Primary) Prinicpals Association, i cannot remember which one. reccomends Callplus and Watchdog for internet / filtering packages. but its really up to the school / board to decide where they want to put the internet through and what the budget is.

I do IT for a number of schools in the auckland area and am just putting my two cents in for what its worth

polglase

266 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 7

Trusted

#470047 17-May-2011 12:01

almaznz: MoE has two approved Filter Partners which is funded by them, one being schoolzone and the other being watchdog. What internet plan / provider the school goes with is completely up to them, but i believe the Primary (or Post Primary) Prinicpals Association, i cannot remember which one. reccomends Callplus and Watchdog for internet / filtering packages. but its really up to the school / board to decide where they want to put the internet through and what the budget is.

I do IT for a number of schools in the auckland area and am just putting my two cents in for what its worth

I appreciate the input. Have any of the schools looked at e-asTTle? I believe it is a part of the new national standards and seems to require a relatively large uplink.

Which ISP and plan are your schools using?

almaznz

89 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#470051 17-May-2011 12:07

most of the schools i deal with use e-asTTLe, apart from a few where the internet speeds they get are no condusive to it. we have had a couple that have moved from Schoolzone to the said callplus / watchdog combination with just ADSL 2+ FS/FS i am not sure about datacaps but they don't seem to have any issues with e-asTTle. ofcourse the faster the internet the better the result will be, i know that St Pauls College have been on a wired country connection which was only 2mbit down (not sure about up) and were having endless issues with e-asTTLe but they are in the process of moving the internet connection to vodafone.

myopinion

939 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 112

#470058 17-May-2011 12:22

My experience with Telstra's VDSL2 here at work (East Tamaki) is very good. We were promised a 10/2 connection and we get a constant 11/2 connection. It has been very reliable for the past year.

We pay for the BizNet Gold package so 100GB would cost you $224.70.

You could also go to the BizNet Premium or Supreme which is 30/7. However I did trial this and found the upload speed only increased to 3 Mbit. We achieved download speeds around 24 mbit continuous. Considering the extra cost, the little bit of extra upload speed did not warrant it.

Cheers,Nick

Mighty Ape

Shop now at Mighty Ape (affiliate link).

polglase

266 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 7

Trusted

#470059 17-May-2011 12:27

almaznz: most of the schools i deal with use e-asTTLe, apart from a few where the internet speeds they get are no condusive to it. we have had a couple that have moved from Schoolzone to the said callplus / watchdog combination with just ADSL 2+ FS/FS i am not sure about datacaps but they don't seem to have any issues with e-asTTle. ofcourse the faster the internet the better the result will be, i know that St Pauls College have been on a wired country connection which was only 2mbit down (not sure about up) and were having endless issues with e-asTTLe but they are in the process of moving the internet connection to vodafone.

Good to hear, I've left a message with the schools guy at callplus so will see what the offering is like. Waiting for a new Cisco router to arrive that will support ADSL2+ so it sounds like that may be enough.

I'm tempted to go for VDSL2 anyway as it doesn't seem to command a premium price but perhaps I'll hold off until we get ADSL2+ speeds going to see what its like.

polglase

266 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 7

Trusted

#470143 17-May-2011 15:34

Callplus called back and they don't offer VDSL2 as yet. $115inc GST for 100GB of ADSL2+

wjw

174 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 5

#470428 18-May-2011 11:06

Snap have special plans for schools already that utilise watchdog, I would suggest you contact them and find out the prices.

polglase

266 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 7

Trusted

#470946 19-May-2011 09:04

wjw: Snap have special plans for schools already that utilise watchdog, I would suggest you contact them and find out the prices.

I contacted Snap and they were quick to reply and very helpful. They have a school package, Kuranet, that appears to me to be the best around. They don't publish details so I won't post them here, but if you are reading this looking for options for your school I recommend contacting Snap.

At this stage it is ADSL2+ only, and they are not taking anyone new on for VDSL2 connections at present.

raytaylor

4076 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1296

Trusted

#471693 20-May-2011 18:36

Check back with call plus and ask about HSNS?

Ray Taylor

There is no place like localhost

Spreadsheet for Comparing Electricity Plans Here

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

polglase

266 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 7

Trusted

#471727 20-May-2011 20:21

raytaylor: Check back with call plus and ask about HSNS?

HSNS starts at $300+ so a little over budget, but thanks for the suggestion.