Would a better modem help stabilise my internet connection?

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Wills1

710 posts

Ultimate Geek

#151819 6-Sep-2014 13:16

Hi there,

Just wondering if a new modem would help my stability issues. I have two Vodafone supplied modem/routers of which I only use the modem function. After many calls to vodafone, and two chorus tech's checking the line and my house wiring they say there is nothing more they can do to help. Is there a better modem I could buy that is more stable, or am I just stuck with a bad line and nothing more I can do about it? I have a master filter installed.

Here are my stats, as you can see there are heaps of errors on my report, not sure if that means much. On Monday when I called Vodafone they told me I had 42 disconnections just on that day!

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6614 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1123092 6-Sep-2014 13:27

If you have ahd 2 HG556's i doubt both are faulty, Did you check and replace all filters.
Coffeebaron could install a master filter, They help. I doubt the modem is faulty..

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RunningMan

7962 posts

Uber Geek

#1123096 6-Sep-2014 13:31

Given you've already got a master filter, then your internal wiring should be OK.

Line dropping all the time can be several things, but I wouldn't think a modem would have trouble maintaining sync at that attenuation, so if you've tried another of the same model (to rule out a faulty one), I wouldn't think another brand would be more reliable.

It looks to be a bad line - what area are you in, as some local knowledge may help?

Wills1

710 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1123097 6-Sep-2014 13:33

TimA: If you have ahd 2 HG556's i doubt both are faulty, Did you check and replace all filters.
Coffeebaron could install a master filter, They help. I doubt the modem is faulty..

Thanks for your reply, as above I do have a master filter. my house wiring has been checked twice. The two vodadone supplied modems are a complete and a station. I don't think they are faulty, I just want to know if there's something better to buy which would be more stable.

Coil

6614 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1123098 6-Sep-2014 13:34

Wills1:
TimA: If you have ahd 2 HG556's i doubt both are faulty, Did you check and replace all filters.
Coffeebaron could install a master filter, They help. I doubt the modem is faulty..

Thanks for your reply, as above I do have a master filter. my house wiring has been checked twice. The two vodadone supplied modems are a complete and a station. I don't think they are faulty, I just want to know if there's something better to buy which would be more stable.

The hg556a is a very stable modem for ADSL.
I think Chorus need to check again.

Wills1

710 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1123100 6-Sep-2014 13:38

RunningMan: Given you've already got a master filter, then your internal wiring should be OK.

Line dropping all the time can be several things, but I wouldn't think a modem would have trouble maintaining sync at that attenuation, so if you've tried another of the same model (to rule out a faulty one), I wouldn't think another brand would be more reliable.

It looks to be a bad line - what area are you in, as some local knowledge may help?

Hi there, thanks for your reply. I am in Ranui, Auckland. connected to the Massey exchange, the cable length is about 4kms long I believe. I am right on the outskirts of the coverage map from the exchange using the mapping tool on the chorus website.

sbiddle

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#1123105 6-Sep-2014 13:42

Could well be there is actually nothing that can be done.

RunningMan

7962 posts

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#1123107 6-Sep-2014 13:45

As Tim mentioned, I think it's more of an issue for Chorus to re-visit. It's possible you have a faulty master filter or one of the crimps has failed - if you're confident bypassing it temporarily, you could give it a go.

I think Coffeebaron is familiar with the area - he may be able to advise if there's any general line issues in the area, but I don't think it's an area which has come up often for problems.

Wills1

710 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1123113 6-Sep-2014 13:54

RunningMan: As Tim mentioned, I think it's more of an issue for Chorus to re-visit. It's possible you have a faulty master filter or one of the crimps has failed - if you're confident bypassing it temporarily, you could give it a go.

I think Coffeebaron is familiar with the area - he may be able to advise if there's any general line issues in the area, but I don't think it's an area which has come up often for problems.

I'd hope that after two recent checks of our house wiring they would have picked up any problems. Looks like I might be stuck until our area gets fibre in June 2016 sigh.....

Wills1

710 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1124520 8-Sep-2014 16:53

I had chorus back today, They said they didn't need to check anything inside the house as they could tell from the road that our house wiring was fine.

They fixed what they called a "badly corroded pair" somewhere out on the road, and after testing they said the line was a lot cleaner and almost infinity. I have no understanding of these terms, hopefully someone can explain them to me :)

Coil

6614 posts

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Inactive user

#1124523 8-Sep-2014 16:56

Wills1: I had chorus back today, They said they didn't need to check anything inside the house as they could tell from the road that our house wiring was fine.

They fixed what they called a "badly corroded pair" somewhere out on the road, and after testing they said the line was a lot cleaner and almost infinity. I have no understanding of these terms, hopefully someone can explain them to me :)

Infinity hey? Thats a strange term. Badly corroded pair is something that can be fixed easily and is what its stated as. Dont know how someone could miss that.

RunningMan

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#1124541 8-Sep-2014 17:11

What's it syncing like now?

coffeebaron

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#1124559 8-Sep-2014 17:24

TimA:
Wills1: I had chorus back today, They said they didn't need to check anything inside the house as they could tell from the road that our house wiring was fine.

They fixed what they called a "badly corroded pair" somewhere out on the road, and after testing they said the line was a lot cleaner and almost infinity. I have no understanding of these terms, hopefully someone can explain them to me :)

Infinity hey? Thats a strange term. Badly corroded pair is something that can be fixed easily and is what its stated as. Dont know how someone could miss that.

Infinity and beyond!
Probably tested with a mega for leakage.

Which part of Ranui? I think most of that area should be cabinetised, so you should check you that you are not inadvertently exchange feed when you are meant to be cabinet feed.

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AKLWestie

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#1124569 8-Sep-2014 17:36

Can you use the Chorus Map to check what sort of services you can get from your home address.

Your modem said the SNR margin is at 9db, so looks to me you are connected directly to Vodafone's gear at the exchange.

If the Chorus map said you can get a >10Mpbs connection, ask Vodafone to move you to a Chorus wholesale connection. This will move your connection to a cabinet that serves your area (if any), and your connection should improve (because the length of copper from the cabinet to your house should be shorted then the copper from the exchange). However, it is possible there is no cabinent in your area.

If the maps said you can get >20Mbps, talk to Vodafone or other ISPs to get a VDSL2 connection. =-)

Wills1

710 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1124648 8-Sep-2014 19:23

I don't think there's a cabinet in my area, how can I check? happy to pm someone the chorus map. Sync is about the same. Slightly slower upload, but my connection seems a lot more stable which is great.

Wills1

710 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1124655 8-Sep-2014 19:57

Scratch that post, Its still very stop start. I go through 3-5 minute periods where nothing will load. Netflix stops on the tv. iPad won't load anything. Looks like I'm doomed with crappy internet.

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