[Snap] Thinking of joining Snap

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › [Snap] Thinking of joining Snap - a few Q's

sultanoswing

814 posts

Ultimate Geek

#147067 7-Jun-2014 17:56

With increasing video streaming, and my current ISP having relatively expensive $/GB, I'm thinking of migrating ISPs, and Snap looks like a potentially good choice. As we're renting for the next 6 months, I'm thinking of a straight switch over of ADSL from my current provider. We will almost certainly go to VDSL or UFB next year - not sure which yet (as it would depend on our next house's location) - so I want to hold off buying as much new equipment as possible for now

A few questions for you experienced 'snappers':

1) I want to use "Snap Plus" VOIP. Is there any way to use my current Cisco PAP2T ATA telephone adapter with Snap Plus?

2) If I do have to use Fritzbox as the modem & ATA adaptor - can the Fritzbox bridge and passthrough the ADSL connection via PPPoE to my current router, as it's my VPN and webserver gateway?

3) Can I keep my current phone number (we're on VOIP now)?

4) Assuming we do move / upgrade to VDSL or UFB within 12 months with Snap, I presume this wouldn't attract the "early termination fee"?

Thanks :)

chevrolux

4962 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1061013 7-Jun-2014 18:53

1) No. It's not supported, but technically possible.

2) No. Requires third-party firmware but is a waste of a $400 router.

3) Yes.

If you require specific things in your network, like VPN servers or using your own ATA I would just port your number to 2Talk. Then you have all the flexibility you need. Grab a Zyxel P870 VDSL modem and bridge that to your current gear. Easy.

sultanoswing

814 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1061024 7-Jun-2014 19:16

chevrolux: 1) No. It's not supported, but technically possible.

2) No. Requires third-party firmware but is a waste of a $400 router.

3) Yes.

If you require specific things in your network, like VPN servers or using your own ATA I would just port your number to 2Talk. Then you have all the flexibility you need. Grab a Zyxel P870 VDSL modem and bridge that to your current gear. Easy.

Thanks for the info, chev.

1) So long as it's technically possible, that's good.

2) If #1 is do-able, then this is a moot point, since I can keep using my Vigor 110 + WRT54GS. Can leave the $400 router for someone else. Freetz looks OK - not sure why you'd view installing it as a "waste"? The modem/router still works, but has *extra* features!

3) Sweet.

4) I guess another option is to just go with regular ADSL + a POTS phone with Snap.

eXDee

4032 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1061276 8-Jun-2014 14:58

It's somewhat doable, the problem is that results are inconsistent. For example i connected my own snap plus account to Freeswitch as part of a test, yet others with the same settings could not, and its uncertain why.
Sometimes you might get someone on their service desk who is willing to help once its perfectly clear its all unofficial support, but this is rare.

I highly recommend to just go with 2talk who have a ton of features and will let you access their network from almost any device. It'll work easy as with your ATA.

He's suggesting that turning a fritzbox into a 'dumb' bridge somehow is a waste of a high end modem and you should just use a basic one for this.

chevrolux

4962 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1061382 8-Jun-2014 17:52

I was referring to 'wasting' the fritz in terms of using it simply as a bridge. Zyxel or Draytek are far better for bridging and take bugger all to actually set up, as opposed to flashing new firmware.

I would serously just go to 2Talk for voice. For starters, by others accounts, the actual platform is better than Snap's. Snap has some fairly fundamental issues with DTMF and dial plans. It's probably fixed now but meh, why risk it. 2Talk works all the time, perfectly, with the right set up. Snap won't even give you the SIP registration details.

sultanoswing

814 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1061407 8-Jun-2014 18:58

chevrolux: I was referring to 'wasting' the fritz in terms of using it simply as a bridge. Zyxel or Draytek are far better for bridging and take bugger all to actually set up, as opposed to flashing new firmware.

I would serously just go to 2Talk for voice. For starters, by others accounts, the actual platform is better than Snap's. Snap has some fairly fundamental issues with DTMF and dial plans. It's probably fixed now but meh, why risk it. 2Talk works all the time, perfectly, with the right set up. Snap won't even give you the SIP registration details.

Yeah - cheers, but I was thinking one step ahead i.e. flashing the Fritzbox with Freetz, which would allow the ATA function with Snap as well as non-native functionality such as in-router VPN etc *or* using it as a modem and the snap chat box, but not the router - in that case, the router bit would be wasted, I 'spose :)

TeacherGeek

12 posts

Geek

#1064209 12-Jun-2014 16:58

Not answer the questions but I have a simple question of my own.

Is anyone with SNAP and how do they find their VDSL? I'm thinking of switching from Slingshot. I had a terrible Slingshot connection and then got absolutely terrible customer service when I wanted to switch back to ADSL

TeacherGeek

12 posts

Geek

#1064210 12-Jun-2014 17:01

Has anyone seen where you can get a Dell Chromebook 11 in New Zealand? I can't seem to find it anywhere, and the internet says it is the best one at that price range.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

sultanoswing

814 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1064286 12-Jun-2014 18:13

TeacherGeek: Has anyone seen where you can get a Dell Chromebook 11 in New Zealand? I can't seem to find it anywhere, and the internet says it is the best one at that price range.

You'd probably get more answers if you asked this in its own, relevant thread. :)

RunningMan

8956 posts

Uber Geek

#1064298 12-Jun-2014 18:25

TeacherGeek: Not answer the questions but I have a simple question of my own.

Is anyone with SNAP and how do they find their VDSL? I'm thinking of switching from Slingshot. I had a terrible Slingshot connection and then got absolutely terrible customer service when I wanted to switch back to ADSL

The search box is your friend.

D1NZ

194 posts

Master Geek

#1064319 12-Jun-2014 19:02

TeacherGeek: Not answer the questions but I have a simple question of my own.

Is anyone with SNAP and how do they find their VDSL? I'm thinking of switching from Slingshot. I had a terrible Slingshot connection and then got absolutely terrible customer service when I wanted to switch back to ADSL

"terrible Slingshot connection" You need to find out first if it's your line or your hardware, if you switch to new ISP with a line/hardware about to crap on itself its not gonna help at all, but by the sound of it something it's already crapping on itself

TeacherGeek

12 posts

Geek

#1064322 12-Jun-2014 19:08

sultanoswing:
TeacherGeek: Has anyone seen where you can get a Dell Chromebook 11 in New Zealand? I can't seem to find it anywhere, and the internet says it is the best one at that price range.

You'd probably get more answers if you asked this in its own, relevant thread. :)

Ah yes, I probably misclicked somewhere.

d1nz: "terrible Slingshot connection" You need to find out first if it's your line or your hardware, if you switch to new ISP with a line/hardware about to crap on itself its not gonna help at all, but by the sound of it something it's already crapping on itself .

Hardware you mean the VDSL Modem? It was the one from Slingshot. I didn't change ISPs, I went from Slingshot ADSL to Slingshot VDSL. Adsl had a good solid connection, the speed was ok about 4.5mbps avg. The VDSL got around 14mbps which was less than the 15 they said I would get. However, that isn't my crumble it was that I always lost connection and would have to restart the modem.

So it could have been the Slingshot Modem, or them. Not sure. I switched back to ADSL at the moment but would like to branch to other options, have heard some decent things about SNAP and I won't go back to Orcon.

D1NZ

194 posts

Master Geek

#1064372 12-Jun-2014 19:58

TeacherGeek:
sultanoswing:
TeacherGeek: Has anyone seen where you can get a Dell Chromebook 11 in New Zealand? I can't seem to find it anywhere, and the internet says it is the best one at that price range.

You'd probably get more answers if you asked this in its own, relevant thread. :)

Ah yes, I probably misclicked somewhere.

d1nz: "terrible Slingshot connection" You need to find out first if it's your line or your hardware, if you switch to new ISP with a line/hardware about to crap on itself its not gonna help at all, but by the sound of it something it's already crapping on itself .

Hardware you mean the VDSL Modem? It was the one from Slingshot. I didn't change ISPs, I went from Slingshot ADSL to Slingshot VDSL. Adsl had a good solid connection, the speed was ok about 4.5mbps avg. The VDSL got around 14mbps which was less than the 15 they said I would get. However, that isn't my crumble it was that I always lost connection and would have to restart the modem.

So it could have been the Slingshot Modem, or them. Not sure. I switched back to ADSL at the moment but would like to branch to other options, have heard some decent things about SNAP and I won't go back to Orcon.

What I would do is to find out where extally cosing your disconnecting first, if it's modem/router it's an easy fix just placing it or wait for the new ISP to send you one.
But if the problem it's in your wiring, you will need to see if it's before ETP or after ETP.