Thinking of moving to My Republic, but...

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › Thinking of moving to My Republic, but...

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#1220384 22-Jan-2015 21:11

Sanco: How long has your ticket been open with them, DL?It seems to be working with Ruzz, I understand from what I have read above, so I wonder why it isn't working for you.

Have the people at MR been helpfu;l and knowledgeable over this issue and they think it they can make it work?

Sorry about all the questions, but I need to know the Roku3 works with them without a third party software etc.

Under a week but I was out of town for a few days so have only today started pushing for them to actually fix it. They told me to update the DNS on the Roku, and I explained that there was no way to do this. I told them what they needed to fix (intercept some traffic to the Google Public DNS servers) so hopefully they will. I did offer to swap my spare Roku stick for an extra month's free service if they needed a test device...

(edit) Stuzz's solution was to change his router config, which is similar to what I've done. It works but if they're offering a managed service it shouldn't be necessary.

MyRepublic's support staff are OK but I've spent an awful lot of time interacting with them. Mostly due to LFC provisioning issues and the Fibre TV that doesn't support Roku+Netflix. Just today they seem to have enacted a "combine all my tickets into one" policy which has led to some very confusing emails. I got so sick of this I rang up Orcon this afternoon and got given an amazing offer by their retention team, which I took. And then got a number of calls back saying that the offer and subsequent modified offers weren't actually something they could actually offer, so I'll stick with MyRepublic. [sold me a capped plan by mistake, then sold me a static IP on unlimited by mistake]

toejam316

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#1220440 22-Jan-2015 22:51

I would argue that this feature your asking for is one many people would rather they didn't - the implications of them either A.) hijacking all Google DNS requests or B.) sniffing all traffic to the Google DNS to hijack the relevant traffic are both options I'd rather my ISP never does - I want my traffic to go where I sent it to, not where they think it should go.

The best option is using your router to redirect the requests manually, I have configured my router so that only the Chromecast can't use the Google DNS, but instead use whatever DNS I define locally. Arguably, this is the best and most correct solution. Anything more is seedy.

Anything I say is the ramblings of an ill informed, opinionated so-and-so, and not representative of any of my past, present or future employers, and is also probably best disregarded.

Sanco

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#1220495 23-Jan-2015 07:32

toejam316: I would argue that this feature your asking for is one many people would rather they didn't - the implications of them either A.) hijacking all Google DNS requests or B.) sniffing all traffic to the Google DNS to hijack the relevant traffic are both options I'd rather my ISP never does - I want my traffic to go where I sent it to, not where they think it should go. The best option is using your router to redirect the requests manually, I have configured my router so that only the Chromecast can't use the Google DNS, but instead use whatever DNS I define locally. Arguably, this is the best and most correct solution. Anything more is seedy.

What I think DL is saying is that if MR are offering internet tv as a service then a customer of theirs should not be put through hoops in order to make this work. With Orcon and Slingshot one just logs in and enjoyes - why can't they live up to their promise?

That said, if it is as simple as changing some settings in the modem they supply, and this task is overseen by them (as I am not geeky enough for that) then who cares about google, really.

What concerns me is the level of knowledge of their support staff advising customers to change DNS in the Roku - even I know this isn't possible.

deadlyllama

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#1220553 23-Jan-2015 09:18

toejam316: I would argue that this feature your asking for is one many people would rather they didn't - the implications of them either A.) hijacking all Google DNS requests or B.) sniffing all traffic to the Google DNS to hijack the relevant traffic are both options I'd rather my ISP never does - I want my traffic to go where I sent it to, not where they think it should go. The best option is using your router to redirect the requests manually, I have configured my router so that only the Chromecast can't use the Google DNS, but instead use whatever DNS I define locally. Arguably, this is the best and most correct solution. Anything more is seedy.

You can turn Fibre TV off if you don't want your DNS mucked with. You're already using a service that is mucking with DNS replies. Orcon takes option (B), non-netflix DNS lookups don't seem to be touched.

The support cost of selling people Fibre TV, then having them call up to complain it doesn't work, then walking them through reconfiguring their router, will be nontrivial. And they may not call up to complain it doesn't work, they may just call up to cancel their service.

toejam316

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#1220562 23-Jan-2015 09:23

Fibre TV as it works now does all it needs to do. The support cost is arguable because odds are if you own a Roku you probably didn't buy it here. You import unsupported gear then more the fool you. To get to the point of having the Netflix App on a Roku here one could argue that the final step is no great leap. Also a better solution could be to program a static route into the routers to allow customers to remove it if they don't want it.

Anything I say is the ramblings of an ill informed, opinionated so-and-so, and not representative of any of my past, present or future employers, and is also probably best disregarded.

deadlyllama

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#1220571 23-Jan-2015 09:33

toejam316: Fibre TV as it works now does all it needs to do. The support cost is arguable because odds are if you own a Roku you probably didn't buy it here. You import unsupported gear then more the fool you. To get to the point of having the Netflix App on a Roku here one could argue that the final step is no great leap. Also a better solution could be to program a static route into the routers to allow customers to remove it if they don't want it.

It's not just Roku. Google for "netflix 8.8.8.8" and you'll see all the other affected devices... This includes the PS3, android devices, chromecast, etc.

Sanco

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#1220590 23-Jan-2015 09:55

toejam316: You import unsupported gear then more the fool you.

In my case I bought the Roku here and that comment is redundant. Furthermore there is no disclaimer on MR website that indicates which gear one must or mustn't utilise to use their services with internet TV.

To be perfectly honest, if a provider advertises internet TV as part of the package then I would expect it to come right through their modems and no extra gear required, otherwise all they are offering is broadband to access the service which is there for all regardless of the provider used.

Quic Broadband

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Sanco

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#1220979 23-Jan-2015 18:00

Update: In the end I decided to go with Orcon. No explicit reason for it, more of a safety net decision.

Orcon is going to work out more expensive but the assurance they gave me with their Global addressing working with my Roku has tipped the scales.

I am a little unhappy to having to lock into a 12 month contract (something which neither providers were able/willing to write off with the offer) even though I do not need a fibre install at home, but this, like many other little quirks designed to shaft the people of New Zealand by most ISP's, seems the industry's norm these days.

I will see how it all goes and in 12 months I may be in the market again and at that stage MR or even Bigpipe, if they've expanded over here, could be in the cards.

I hope I did not make an error as I do not need another experience like the one I just had with my current provider.

Thank you all for the info and support you gave me in my quest for a better deal all round.

Regards
Roberto

xlinknz

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#1221252 24-Jan-2015 08:45

Sanco: Update: In the end I decided to go with Orcon. No explicit reason for it, more of a safety net decision.

Orcon is going to work out more expensive but the assurance they gave me with their Global addressing working with my Roku has tipped the scales.

I am a little unhappy to having to lock into a 12 month contract (something which neither providers were able/willing to write off with the offer) even though I do not need a fibre install at home, but this, like many other little quirks designed to shaft the people of New Zealand by most ISP's, seems the industry's norm these days.

I will see how it all goes and in 12 months I may be in the market again and at that stage MR or even Bigpipe, if they've expanded over here, could be in the cards.

I hope I did not make an error as I do not need another experience like the one I just had with my current provider.

Thank you all for the info and support you gave me in my quest for a better deal all round.

Regards
Roberto

If it is that important to you I suggest you seek more than an "assurance" and get in writing if it does not work you are not obliged to commit to the 12 month contract and can leave.

Sanco

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#1221278 24-Jan-2015 10:17

xlinknz:
Sanco: Update: In the end I decided to go with Orcon. No explicit reason for it, more of a safety net decision.

Orcon is going to work out more expensive but the assurance they gave me with their Global addressing working with my Roku has tipped the scales.

I am a little unhappy to having to lock into a 12 month contract (something which neither providers were able/willing to write off with the offer) even though I do not need a fibre install at home, but this, like many other little quirks designed to shaft the people of New Zealand by most ISP's, seems the industry's norm these days.

I will see how it all goes and in 12 months I may be in the market again and at that stage MR or even Bigpipe, if they've expanded over here, could be in the cards.

I hope I did not make an error as I do not need another experience like the one I just had with my current provider.

Thank you all for the info and support you gave me in my quest for a better deal all round.

Regards
Roberto

If it is that important to you I suggest you seek more than an "assurance" and get in writing if it does not work you are not obliged to commit to the 12 month contract and can leave.

Funny you are saying that as I had this discussion with them and the salesperson said he would seek a higher person's approval for this. He has come back and this isn't possible - so, cancel that and back to the drawing board for me.

My concerns are with the need to having to lock into a new 12 month period, with the consequent penalties, even though I already have the connection at home and the new provider would only need to click a switch, really - can't see their need to make sure they recoup install costs.

I read in here MR offered a trial for new customers but there is no mention of that on their new website so it may have gone, however I sent MR an email enquiring about is as this would allow me to make an informed decision if I need to sign into a contract.

I will await for their response and then make a decision, which is likely to be to stay put with the current provider if the trial isn't there and the contract is a non negotiable part of the deal - at that point better the devil one knows, really.

Bigpipe offers a contract-less service, but they are not in my area yet. My contact with current provider ends in May and if MR advise me they have no longer a trial available and I must sign into a contract blindfolded then I'll bide my time till May and see what is available then.

On a personal note, I have found looking for a new provider this time round a degree of inflexibility that wasn't there a few years ago. My view is we are slowly becoming like much of Europe - take it of leave it. Sad.

Lorenceo

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#1221285 24-Jan-2015 10:43

Sanco: I am a little unhappy to having to lock into a 12 month contract (something which neither providers were able/willing to write off with the offer) even though I do not need a fibre install at home, but this, like many other little quirks designed to shaft the people of New Zealand by most ISP's, seems the industry's norm these days.

Your provider enters a contract with the LFC when they sign you up to UFB regardless of whether an install is needed or not. This is why they've still insisted you sign a contract, in case you decide to disconnect and they're then left either paying the LFC the termination fee, or paying for a line to nowhere.

rb99

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#1221291 24-Jan-2015 10:59

Not sure if you mentioned where you actually are, or your existing provider, but there are a few other guys to consider, Mynxnet are a small, contract free provider. Think Spark, Snap, will also do contract free if you bring your own modem, or buy one of theirs. They usually have a signing up fee though. Anyway just a thought.

P.S. Just moved to MR 2 days ago, very happy, but then I did manage to join under the 3 month trial thing, which finished on the 12th I think, I use Unotelly, mainly cause I already had a years subscription for it, and I don't have a Roku, so.......

“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” -John Kenneth Galbraith

rb99

xlinknz

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#1221302 24-Jan-2015 11:16

rb99: Not sure if you mentioned where you actually are, or your existing provider, but there are a few other guys to consider, Mynxnet are a small, contract free provider. Think Spark, Snap, will also do contract free if you bring your own modem, or buy one of theirs. They usually have a signing up fee though. Anyway just a thought.

P.S. Just moved to MR 2 days ago, very happy, but then I did manage to join under the 3 month trial thing, which finished on the 12th I think, I use Unotelly, mainly cause I already had a years subscription for it, and I don't have a Roku, so.......

+1 on MR. I am doing their 3 month trial too and so far very happy

Yes a number of other ISPs do no contract but as you say you pay for that one way or another e.g. BYO own router, pay for their router and or pay install/sign up. I suspect with some if you don't use their router then support would be best effort esp. if doing something non standard like DNS redirects

Sanco

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#1221303 24-Jan-2015 11:17

Lorenceo: Your provider enters a contract with the LFC when they sign you up to UFB regardless of whether an install is needed or not. This is why they've still insisted you sign a contract, in case you decide to disconnect and they're then left either paying the LFC the termination fee, or paying for a line to nowhere.

I did not know of this, thanks for mention it. But even though other providers do not need a contract, like Bigpipe.

@rb99 - I am in Hastings. Rather not talk about the current provider, I would be unkind without them having the opportunity to respond.

I am glad it is working for you rb99, and from your post I can see that the trial helped you in making that decision which is great. I only wish I had known about the trial before.

stuzz

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#1225570 30-Jan-2015 18:52

Hi. Trying to reply to your pm, but you may need to adjust your settings to receive it.

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