[Snap] Making the move to VDSL

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › [Snap] Making the move to VDSL - tech advice

arcon

423 posts

Ultimate Geek

#145377 16-May-2014 13:04

I'm currently with Telecom ADSL and looking at VDSL options (UFB unavailable). Just wanting to get an idea of what people would recommend in my situation. I have a small 3 PC network (wired GbE) and work on my laptop with wifi.

I've liked Telecom support service ie. they've responded to emails within 24 hours, overall good support and uptime - apart from those 2 major ADSL outages in the last 6 months lol. I didn't like their cheapo ADSL modems which had issues with multiple internet users and when using a combinaiton of wifi & wired networking... I bought an Asus DSL N55U which has been freakin awesome... will this become redundant with VDSL..? I've read good reviews on the Snap Fritz boxes - would these suit my current networking situation...?

Its taken some time / emails back & forth to get info from Snap regarding pricing but they've been helpful. I will say that Snap could benefit from improving their website, with easier to find information on pricing. As it is currently - if the website can't determine VDSL availability (as in my case), you can't continue on and view a lot of price info, phone addons, cost of setup on open term etc. I know you can phone them but I'm just saying you don't have to with the competition - so maybe that's some helpful feedback for Snap.

In any case assuming Snap have similar uptime as Telecom I can't see support being a real issue... my decision will likely be made around tech recommendations, so look forward to feedback :)

Dynamic

3869 posts

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#1046255 16-May-2014 13:09

We have been with Snap for our office broadband for 18 months and I have nothing but good feedback. You mightr get VDSL cheaper elsewhee, but it would almost certainly be compromised service somehow (throttling etc).

We ditched the Fritz device as it was interfering with out own VoIP PBX and put in place a DrayTek DV130 which has been superb. A lot of VoIP companies that we come across use these for their stellar reliability. It has only a single port, You could disable DHCP on your Asus box and use it as a wireless gigabit switch.

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chevrolux

4962 posts

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Inactive user

#1046257 16-May-2014 13:10

The Huawei gateway that Telecom are handing out is quite good. The fritzbox really shines when you start using the voice features on it. The routing features are fairly standard.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#1046260 16-May-2014 13:18

so you've been happy with Telecom (apart from the ADSL modem) The VDSL one is actually pretty decent.

.....And you've had a pretty poor experience with Snap already, struggling to even sign up correctly and with their email response time being poor.

Any particular reason why you aren't just staying with Telecom?

The Fritzbox is good, but you only get it free with a 24 month contract - which IMHO is excessively long.

I think you'd be better off sticking with Telecom VDSL and, if you find you don't like the modem, flick it off on trademe and grab a Draytek 130 or something for $150.

tanivula

992 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#1046275 16-May-2014 14:09

arcon: I will say that Snap could benefit from improving their website, with easier to find information on pricing. As it is currently - if the website can't determine VDSL availability (as in my case), you can't continue on and view a lot of price info, phone addons, cost of setup on open term etc.

Yep, I feel your pain on this one... However, after a few miss clicks, I've discovered if you go to the snap page, then click on home services, then click on VDSL (or ADSL/UFB) then chose an option from the 3 at the bottom - you will then see an 'offer summary' link with PDFs.

As for using your Asus router - have a look here, it will give you some options.

The fritzboxes are a joy to use I reckon (just started using one last weekend on naked VDSL + 2talk voip), but have less than average WiFi performance (compared with similarly priced hardware).

arcon

423 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1046403 16-May-2014 16:35

NonprayingMantis: so you've been happy with Telecom (apart from the ADSL modem) The VDSL one is actually pretty decent.

Any particular reason why you aren't just staying with Telecom?

I guess i was paranoid about hardware causing networking issues lol, not having experience with their VDSL products. however it sounds like its decent, and i may be able to use it in combo with the Asus which is great.

i agree the 24 month commitement for modem (and $499 termination fee) is rough with Snap, but Telecom is not great either... only a 12 month option with a worse termination fee than Snap's 1 year, and only new Telecom customers get a free install... :/

arcon

423 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1046408 16-May-2014 16:40

tanivula:

As for using your Asus router - have a look here, it will give you some options.

The fritzboxes are a joy to use I reckon (just started using one last weekend on naked VDSL + 2talk voip), but have less than average WiFi performance (compared with similarly priced hardware).

awesome thanks for that link... i will look into it. as far as wifi and networking goes, this may be a case of if it ain't broke don't fix it, just plug a VDSL modem into it lol.

thanks for all replies.

nzgeek

618 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1046475 16-May-2014 18:32

I made the move from ADSL to VDSL a few months ago. I was already a Snap customer, but had no reservations about signing up for another 24 month contract.

The Fritz is a really nice router. It can sometimes be a little difficult to find some features because they'd not in the place you'd expect then to be, but the router itself is very stable and I don't have any issues with it. My Wi-Fi performance has been just fine, about 7m and an internal wall away from the router.

Where I find Snap to be really good is with their tech support. They've been having a few issues lately due to staff movements, and sometimes the phone queue is long enough that it's worth getting them to give you a callback. However, when you do speak to someone, they're actually proper technical people who can help resolve your issue. There's no call centre full of people reading from a script.

Assuming you're close enough to the exchange/cabinet to get a good connection speed, you'll love VDSL.

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Inphinity

2780 posts

Uber Geek

#1046561 16-May-2014 20:15

The HG630 Telecom are using at the moment is pretty solid. Otherwise, the Asus DSL-N66U is the VDSL-capable step up from the DSL-N55U you've had and is great. As someone else pointed out, the Fritzes are decent but their wifi is (imo) hopeless. I prefer the DSL-N66U, personally, though.

Lorenceo

904 posts

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#1046636 16-May-2014 20:57

If you want to be really picky with hardware get a separate modem and router rather than an all in one unit. That way if/when you change to UFB or some other type of internet connection you can still use your router.

You can still use your N55u with VDSL as either a router or wireless access point. You will need a separate modem though.
I don't think the N55u can be used as a stand alone router UFB as while you can set it so one of the LAN ports acts as a WAN port it doesn't seem to support VLAN tagging on said port.