Finally wanting to upgrade to broadband: is this the ISP?

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › Finally wanting to upgrade to broadband: is this the ISP?

1gkar

722 posts

Ultimate Geek

#33289 6-May-2009 11:19

As the topic header implies, I am finally going to upgrade to broadband, after being on dial-up since I first connected in '96.

The main reasons are:

-the ludicrous page load times. Geekzone is a prime example: it's taken over 5 minutes just load into this page. & it's still loading as I write.

-wanting to start watching some of the free sports streaming channels (eg; atdhe.net) at night.

The reason I am looking at Slingshot is the marketing about the TNBT. I like the look of:

-data banking: being able to transfer unused blocks across to the net month.
-throttling back to lower speeds, rather than being forced to pay extra for indeterminable data useage.
-free downloading at night.

As everyone knows, marketers don't tell the whole truth about anything, so I'd be relying on users to fill in the blanks ;-)

What I'e learned so far, either from reading or inferrance:

Firstly: can anyone point me to a site that has a simple, clear-English synopsis of how data is accumulated when browsing, watching streaming video & downloads with broadband? I am still a bit confused on how data is accumulated when (*)HTML browsing? And what exactly constitutes data, in terms of an account useage?

-there are considerable change-over times required. I am with Vodafone at present, so I believe I would have to first sign onto Telecom (not very happy about that as I've stuck the finger to them in the past) first, them transfer across to SS. What times are people experiencing now (anybody connected in the month?). Also, I would assume I am NOT disconnected from my present account until the change-over is ready to take place??

-the night free data times are experiencing major slow-downs. Not really a biggie for me. As a dial-up user, it would still be faster than I experience now. Of course, that may change as I become used to the faster speeds.

-does SS have issues with video streaming at night? If so, is it a major buffering disruption? Or just minor video picture jumps?

There are probably other things, but don't come to mind at present. So this will do for a start.

Thanks in advance to respondants. If you have anything else which would be pertinent, it would be greatly appreciated.

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#212865 6-May-2009 15:09

Not sure if this is the case but slingshot a few months ago had massive issues where customers download speeds throttle after a certain time period. It was demonstrated by showing a speed graph which dropped off after a few minutes.

Myself i would only recommend Telstraclear, Telecom, Maxnet or Snap as options.

1gkar

722 posts

Ultimate Geek

#212918 6-May-2009 18:17

I believe the download restrictions are still present. It would appear the downloads are throttled after about 10mb. As I said, I don't perceive this to be much of an issue. I would sacrifice download speeds for constant streaming & browsing capabilities. I could always download priority downloads, like Microsoft's 250mb .net 3.5, during the day: I'm not that cheap :D

I won't go back to Telecom on a permanent basis given their lack of principles towards the NZ public. Also, it seems Telstraclear isn't as good as it once was, according to a number of people.

Snap looks promising. Shame it doesn't come with a modem. Is nakedDSL a genuine option at present? Their pricing looks better than most. If so, where's a good site to see how it works in practice. Have checked the WIKIs.

Maxnet doesn't give a throttling option, so wouldn't consider it this stage, until I worked out my average data useage. Not interested in having to monitor the situation.

grant_k

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#212949 6-May-2009 21:06

1gkar: Snap looks promising. Shame it doesn't come with a modem.

Modems are so cheap now, it isn't much of a consideration.

1gkar: Is nakedDSL a genuine option at present? Their pricing looks better than most.

It depends what you want:

- Do you use your landline much to make local phone calls? If so, it will be a bit of an adjustment for you to switch over to a VoIP setup. Not better or worse, just different.

- However, if you are an archetypal geek who prefers to communicate via his computer, Naked DSL would suit you fine.

- I guess you wouldn't have been able to use Skype on Dial-up. But this will be another option for you once you have broadband.

My advice would be to test the waters a little. Sign up with SNAP for one of their standard broadband plans as shown here.

Try broadband for a few months and see how it goes. If you find that you are seldom using your landline, then Naked DSL is certainly a good option and you can switch plans within a few days with SNAP taking care of everything.

1gkar: Maxnet doesn't give a throttling option, so wouldn't consider it this stage, until I worked out my average data useage. Not interested in having to monitor the situation.

SNAP's throttling works really well. You still get 64kbps in both directions, and during one month, my sons managed to leech almost 1GB of extra data while throttled!

SNAP's usage monitor is pretty much realtime, and you can login whenever you want and see your usage for the month to date. It gives a breakdown per day as well.

zion

16 posts

Geek

#212964 6-May-2009 22:14

If you're worried about downtime in getting your line changed over from Vodafone via Telecom to a new provider, have you considered it may be easier to just go with one of Vodafone's broadband plans, since you've come to the conclusion Slingshot may not be all it's made out to be?

Even the base plan offers full speed downloads, and while the data cap may not provide the amount you're looking for, one of the other ones may, and when considering the prices include the landline rental they offer a pretty good value package.

Worth considering?

Detruire

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#212977 6-May-2009 22:57

eXDee: It was demonstrated by showing a speed graph which dropped off after a few minutes.

Something like this?

rm *

Ragnor

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#212994 7-May-2009 00:03

eXDee: Myself i would only recommend Telstraclear, Telecom, Maxnet or Snap as options.

100% agree

hellonearthisman

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#213001 7-May-2009 01:22

The throttling is not as bad as people make it out to be 60kBps to sites like rapidshare. But you can still do normal web surfing and get fast speeds.

This month I got 45.55GB of free off peak data. This is not 6hours full on download every night.

There have been delays in people connecting to TNBT, If you have a phone number connected with your line you could use Slingshot online checker.

Have you thought about vodafone red network?

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1gkar

722 posts

Ultimate Geek

#213085 7-May-2009 10:20

Let's just say, would much prefer an ISP, other than Vodafone. I joined Ihug, not Vodafone!

Other reasons include:

-no supplied modem, like SS
-5GB more included for similar pricing
-data banking
-cheaper early disconnection (with free modem will offset costing if I don't like the end product)

Also, SS gives new signups first month free, further offsetting any early changeovers.

I realise with the amount of new connections this marketing is likely to accrue, this will further impact on the existing bandwidth. Then I could change without extra costing, due to reasons stated above.

Any longterm subscribers out there? Do SS have a history of dropping off customer satisfaction after major marketing campaigns, like is going on now?

I have narrowed it down to SS or Snap, I believe. I will check with both as to changeover times. According to Snap forum, they too, suffer from changeover bugs. But is one unable to connect during the downtime? According to some, this could amount to days, or more, if this is the case.

One thing that hasn't been answered: is there any compromise with video streaming at night? I don't mean YouTube, but sports' channel sites like atdhe.net, which have larger resolution. But YouTube viewing would give me an idea.

Thanks all.

Slingshot

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Slingshot

#213128 7-May-2009 12:06

Hi 1gkar,

Your looking at a week turn around for TBNT - I assume you've checked it's availability?

Regarding YouTube, we have added a significant amount of international bandwidth lately and majority of all speed issues have all but dropped off our forums.

I do admit that moving some customers to TBNT has proven troublesome, but I will take ownership of your account if you like? All you need to do is PM me your account number once you've joined us.

ScottH

www.slingshot.co.nz

www.twitter.com/SlingshotNZ

https://www.facebook.com/SlingshotNZ

vexxxboy

4243 posts

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#213138 7-May-2009 12:38

i still wouldnt go near SS i was with them a year and every time they put more bandwith it would be great for a couple of weeks and then back to normal, nothing i wanted to do (you tube, torrents downloading) would work in peak time i switched to Snap (and it was a breeze switching) and i have never had a problem with them in nearly a year, everything works when you want it, not like SS when it works when they want it to . I have phone and broadband with them and it is the happiest i have been in years of broadband use

Common sense is not as common as you think.

1gkar

722 posts

Ultimate Geek

#213185 7-May-2009 14:28

Slingshot: Hi 1gkar,

Your looking at a week turn around for TBNT - I assume you've checked it's availability?
Yes I have.

Regarding YouTube, we have added a significant amount of international bandwidth lately and majority of all speed issues have all but dropped off our forums.

I do admit that moving some customers to TBNT has proven troublesome, but I will take ownership of your account if you like? All you need to do is PM me your account number once you've joined us.

ScottH

You say about one week. Does that mean I will be without an internet connection for the turn-around timeframe?

I really appreciate your offer. Thanks.

Slingshot

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Slingshot

#213187 7-May-2009 14:46

From account creation it will take around a week to be connected up to our phone and broadband services (TNBT).

In terms of your dialup, it will still work. We'll also give you free Slingshot dialup while you wait in anycase.

Is that what you mean?

www.slingshot.co.nz

www.twitter.com/SlingshotNZ

https://www.facebook.com/SlingshotNZ

1gkar

722 posts

Ultimate Geek

#213244 7-May-2009 17:27

Slingshot: From account creation it will take around a week to be connected up to our phone and broadband services (TNBT).

In terms of your dialup, it will still work. We'll also give you free Slingshot dialup while you wait in anycase.

Is that what you mean?

Sounds great.

I've decided to go ahead with Slingshot. Thanks to all who responded. To those who have warned against joining, I understand your position. It probably has similarities to my own with regards Vodafone.

What's the first step? Do I really have to signup with Telecom? As your signup form does not seem to recognise my home phone number.

I will keep you apprised of the changeover procedure.

Slingshot

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Slingshot

#213249 7-May-2009 17:34

Strange..PM me your phone number and address and I'll have a look for you.

www.slingshot.co.nz

www.twitter.com/SlingshotNZ

https://www.facebook.com/SlingshotNZ

1gkar

722 posts

Ultimate Geek

#213291 7-May-2009 20:31

Sorry, I had to go out for a while.

You'll probably receive this tomorrow but how do I PM you if you're not on my friends list

Never done it before from this forum. No email button, either.

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