Well. I am the first official open access customer through Opticomms Wholesale channel in Butler WA, and i thought since being labelled a trailblazer in a different thread, i would at least post my results here;
My connection for the last 2 years has been with E-Wire on their 25/2 ftth plan. I'm not going to comment on my connection with E-Wire. If you have an e-wire connection, decide for yourself. If not. Here are some stats during peak period i have just tested after being online for just a few hours.
Here is my SpeedTest: http://www.speedtest.net/result/1634574518.png
Please note i am on the 50/20 Fibre 4 plan as i write this (though may upgrade soon!). Perhaps the speed limiter didn't have time to kick in as this test went so quick ?
YouTube: Loads approx, � of a 1080p 4 minute clip in the blink of an eye, then youtube's throttling kicks in and gives you "just faster than real time" streaming.
Foxtel On-Demand: No Problem. No Re-buffering.
iTunes: I can start watching a 720p Movie as soon as i click to buy it.
Web Browsing: Instant on sites with good connections. Quickly reveals which sites are limited at the far end.
Single Stream / Single Connection Downloads: tried http://download.microsoft.com
https://storage.big
Both files using a download manager utilised almost the entire speed of the connection and were downloaded before i could move the mouse from one side of the screen to the other.
Obviously early days, but so far it's every bit of what i've been promised and during peak period.
While there are a number of RSP's that will be offering this, i have gone with iinet. Either way, this is very good news for those of us that have been waiting literally years for a serious connection to the internet.
I will be jumping on the bandwagon very soon as will my neighbour I think with those results! even sooner if iiNet brings their pricing into line with the NBN plans(hint, hint iiNet :) I also think most of Brighton would change over too, if they knew it was available that is...
I think you can probably conclude it was worth the wait then :)
Nice!
What was the problem with your connection at first? Does your modem run PPoE for the connection or does it just grab an IP via DHCP?
Yeah I reckon you might burn that quota pretty quick at those speeds!
While there are a number of RSP's that will be offering this, i have gone with iinet.
Sorry what is an RSP?
I am about to buy a new home in Brighton and it has a Telstra box thing out near the front door. What is it and do I have use Telstra?
Retail Service Provider
Depends on which part of Brighton you are in, Some is Opticomm fibre or HFC and the remaining is Telstra Velocity I believe. Either way you should be ok.
http://www.telstra.com.au/sm
Either way you should be ok.
Depends what you mean by 'should be ok'. Being stuck on Bigpond wouldn't fall under that description IMO :P
Don't worry I hate Helstra as much as the next IT guy but Velocity fibre is ok, still better than being stuck on e-wire put it that way...
I know that one of the iiNet CSR's I speak to occasionally is on the Velocity service up there and he thinks it's great.
Decided to sign up today with iinet and join the trailblazer, will just pay for two internet plans for a while as Vivid make it too expensive to break their contracts and it is cheaper to keep it for the remainder of the contract.
Nice!
What was the problem with your connection at first? Does your modem run PPoE for the connection or does it just grab an IP via DHCP?
I think to sum up a very long story, initially the handover docs to iinet stated option82 magic number, but after my connection, they were advised that brighton uses PPPoE, once that was changed (took iinet a few days to change this), opticomm stated they could see my mac address and that everything was good at their end, but my routers mac address was not the one they said they could see, apparently my VLAN was incorrectly bridged. There were some confusions at both ends (iinet and opticomm). Some mistakes were made, and some things were changed at both ends. Yesterday i got the playpen page ("Your probably wondering why you're here, we would like to talk to you about your account, please click below if you are an iinet or a westnet customer"), through DHCP, and got nothing through PPPoE, which confused iinet, because they had just changed their configuration to accept PPPoE and drop the magic number. Turns out the legacy equipment in brighton has a fixed magic number and they can't put a unique one in for each customer, hence why this method can't be used, then after my VLAN was then delivered to the correct POI, thanks to Stephen, i could connect!
The iinet fibre team consists of about 15 people who all talk amongst themselves, and i beleive they are all intimately familiar with the process now and the answers to all the variables as are opticomm which means future customers who sign up should be online within the day or so.
and trust me � that's the short version
I wouldn't complain if i was on velocity. I used to loathe those velocity customers who complained about being "stuck with telstra" � i used to think "let me be stuck with telstra!!" � The only reason i don't wish i was with velocity right now is because i'm thrilled with this connection with iinet.
whooo! get on board friend!
is vivid really ok in butler ? � i get very intermittent 3G speeds on my telstra, ranging from 1-3Mb, but they are choppy depending on where i'm standing in the house.
Does vivid not have an exit clause where if the service is unacceptable you can get out of it ?
alternatively, can you drop to the lowest, crappiest contract and pay a token downgrade fee and let it ride ?
Vivid was the best I could get at the time as there was no dsl(ADSL1 RIM which is full), in saying that Vivid was superior to e-wire though lately has started to degrade again in speed and reliability.
I am in the unusual situation of being able to tune into about 4 different frequencies to(Ridgewood/Brighton) if congestion is high I simply re-configure the wimax frequency table to exclude the slow or congested panel which has got me through till now but is starting to get a bit old as far as annoyance goes.
Going to drop to the minimum accepted plan and keep till end of the contract as the minimum plan is basically the same price as the contract break fee so may as well get something out of it.
Have been through their process a few times when complaining about service quality though is always a temp fix and I find swapping and changing frequencies a a less wasteful use of my time.
4 different frequencies to(Ridgewood/Brighton)
Even though it's a different frequency altogether, on Telstra 3G, once i hit Hester Ave heading south, i get around 4.7Mb using mobile speedtest app, almost symmetrical going upstream. At my house it's between 1 and 3 (3 is rare). Wonder if the stations are located next to each other.
The main tower for me is the one near Macca's off of marmion
Wonder if the stations are located next to each other.
Probably is as NextG on 850Mhz is good for distance
and trust me � that's the short version
*laugh*. so did you end up with PPPoE? Just wondering how the connection is handed off to you..
UPDATE:
I was just using VNC from work logged into home (i hate VNC. Click...5 minutes later, it highlights) to copy a file into my plex library from the downloads folder, to my amazement, the mouse was live, and the actions were as if i was sitting in front of the Mac.
But � here's what makes it worth a post. I accidentally activated eyeTV using the wrong shortcut, and i was a little frightened as once that video window tries to stream through VNC i normally have to be at home to regain control, until i noticed smooth streaming live TV on my VNC viewer ! What the ?!??! ITS VNC!!
This is a serious quality connection.
Update: EyeTV opens in full screen btw.
man that's funny!
Well I'm live today! getting nearly 50/20Mbps!
Have to upgrade my WiFi now as it's slower than my internet connection :)
Awesome! What plan did you go with? Care to share a traceroute? :-)
Have gone on iinet Fibre4 50/20Mbps plan, a bit on the expensive side but worth it as I do a lot of work from home and VoIP etc
C:\Users\main>tracert 8.8.8.8
Tracing route to google-public-dns-a.google.com [8.8.8.8]
over a maximum of 30 hops:
1 <1 ms 1 ms <1 ms 192.168.100.1
2 4 ms 3 ms 6 ms nexthop.wa.iinet.net.au [203.215.5.244]
3 4 ms 3 ms 3 ms te7-1.per-qv1-bdr1.iinet.net.au [203.215.4.18]
4 52 ms 51 ms 51 ms te4-4.ade-pipe-bdr2.iinet.net.au [203.215.20.20]
5 65 ms 59 ms 59 ms po4-100.ade-pipe-bdr1.iinet.net.au [203.215.20.1
37]
6 54 ms 53 ms 53 ms te6-4.mel-pipe-bdr1.iinet.net.au [203.215.20.18]
7 60 ms 56 ms 138 ms xe-0-1-0-0.syd-ult-core1.iinet.net.au [203.215.2
0.102]
8 112 ms 132 ms 55 ms as15169.sydney.pipenetworks.com [218.100.2.98]
9 128 ms 145 ms 58 ms 72.14.237.21
10 54 ms 55 ms 54 ms google-public-dns-a.google.com [8.8.8.8]
Trace complete.
Ugh.. waiting on new plans... ability to resist signing up now diminishing!
I was sick of being frustrated with the internet so caved in :)
Also I though that the acquisition of TransACT may delay plan changes whist the iiBorg consumes it's latest prey :)
I figure I will just pay the price now and if the plans improve move to the improved plan when available or if Exetel get's their butt into gear move to them when they are online.
SO I take it you already live in part of the estate with FTTH and not HFC?
Yeah I'm in the Ridgewood part of the Brighton Estate which I believe is all fibre
Has the speed been consistent since you got it a few days ago?
What kind of ping reported through SpeedTest? Looking forward to it as with E-Wire and even Vivid, online gaming was never their strong point.
Very consistent and fast so far, have to upgrade my WiFi as the real worl throughput on it is less than my internet connection!
Pings are very stable, VoIP quality is very good too!
I don't game online but suspect that would be very good too.
Wonder how long til you're shaped ;)
Believe me it is hard to control myself at the moment, thankfully iview is unmetered as I use it a bit.
Welcome aboard the opticomm express. I thought i'd look up how you went! That's exactly the case on mine too. wifi is the bottle neck. The uploads are consistant right up to 20M round the clock. I'm still having trouble accepting that editing photo's over a VNC connection from work is happening over WAN and not LAN, just seems odd. Lately i've been using Plex for iPad (since i actually can now), and it just works.
So anyway � I thought my experience would have made the process just a matter of hours, what took till tuesday to get online ?
Thanks to iTunes being unshaped, making the need for Foxtel-On-Demand 100% redundant, mine has only reached 14G peak, and 4G off peak, though i am not quite half way. I hope their plans are such that if i wish to upgrade then its done prorata and not "as of your next billing cycle".
Yeah just upgraded to a WiFi N 300 Access Point to fix the bottleneck issue today :)
what router is it ? � I need better transfer speeds between computers. the 30+Mb i get from mine is perfectly fine for internet though!!
does it have rpsma connections for an external antenna amp ?
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/47113015/Usage1712.png
considering i'm only 10 days into it and haven't been home enough to "use" it much.
plan upgrade.
I seem to have hit my first connection speed trouble
http://dl.dropbox.com
still full speed speedtest. strange. The other day i downloaded a 4.5GB movie in 9 minutes. Would sunday morning be the busiest period of the week ?
EDIT: seems to be quicker on a LAN computer: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/47113
Could this be due to the nature of TCP connections and that there is a decent lag over wifi?
I seem to have hit my first connection speed trouble
http://dl.dropbox.c
I'm sorry, I cannot see the speed of this transfer?
Would sunday morning be the busiest period of the week ?
No
EDIT: seems to be quicker on a LAN computer:
Most definately will be. Wireless (even good wireless) will introduce higher latency, particularly if its frequency switching. This is my wireless.....
Pinging 192.168.100.254 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 192.168.100.254: bytes=32 time=3ms TTL=255
Reply from 192.168.100.254: bytes=32 time=1234ms TTL=255
Reply from 192.168.100.254: bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=255
Reply from 192.168.100.254: bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=255
......
Pinging 192.168.100.254 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 192.168.100.254: bytes=32 time=3ms TTL=255
Reply from 192.168.100.254: bytes=32 time=3ms TTL=255
Reply from 192.168.100.254: bytes=32 time=1218ms TTL=255
Reply from 192.168.100.254: bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=255
I have a Netgear N300 router. It does not matter how good the router is, where the problems will occurr is when you computer can see multiple wireless access points. If there is channel/frequency contention, or you have a 803.11n and your neighbours have 803.11g or worse 11b, then you will be switched back to the lower speeds and when this occurs you lose packets or there is a large delay.
With FTTH, dont use wireless access in your home.
I'm sorry, I cannot see the speed of this transfer?
look at the status bar. 88MB transferred of 665.4MB means 577.4MB to go. over 53 minutes, that's 653MB/hour.
still a crappy way to gauge throughput, though.
Well, looks like Internode wont be releasing new FTTH pricing until Late Jan/Mid Feb.
iiNet has been silent thus far on their plans!
what router is it ?
I use a separate Mikrotik router but bought a TPLink Gigabit Wifi N router and just use it as an access point as I have it in a different room to my other comms gear/media server.
I think MSY in Balcatta has them for about $69 at the moment: http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=2744
Cheap and cheerful and never seem to have a problem with them.
I specifically ordered the gigabit model as I didn't wan to to be limited to 100Mbps as I also use it as a network switch in the loungeroom to share with my Media Center.
WiFi N generally gives better coverage than a/b/g, Also enable auto channel width on both the access point and your wifi network card and you should easily get 200Mbps+ actual throughput.
I don't use an external amp and if i did I would need a three channel model as this unit has three antennae MIMO which also helps coverage by using signal bounce/reflection to it's advantage rather than detriment.
Could this be due to the nature of TCP connections and that there is a decent lag over wifi?
Can even be interference with other nearby access points on the same/simlar channel, there are only 3 or so non overlapping channels in the 2.4Ghz range which doesn't help much. WiFi G usually tops out at around 20-30Mbps real throughput on average unless you have perfect conditions or are using equipment that uses 'superchannel' or similar to increase throughput.
If you can (and your device does dual- band wifi), get an AP that does 5ghz 802.11a/n. Much fewer people using these and much less interference!
I've had a dual band Linksys AP for a few years and it's the best money I ever spent. Firmware was a bit suckworthy, but DD-WRT to the rescue :)
Yeah I like 5Ghz but the wall penetration is worse the higher the frequency which can be fun with double brick houses over here
Thanks everyone � not that i'm intending to post every time i hit a slow download, it's just that i have never really got to the bottom of this single connection speed inconsistency. I would understand if iTunes was just having a bad day, but even though my LAN was quicker, if i selected a different file to download from the iTunes cloud, it was QUICK. If i selected this episode again, it was slow. I repeated this about 10 times on 2 different computers. EVERY time i searched for this episode and downloaded it, it was slow, but ANYTHING ELSE from the iTunes store was FAST. I just don't get it. 20 Tests is enough for me to know it has something to do with that file. One crazy and over-imaginative theory of mine would be that there was some packet loss with the wifi and there was a speed negotiated and stored on iTunes server for that one file perhaps ?
I don't mind peak periods and fair use (though e-wire took it a-bit to the extreme), but i just think that if i am prepared to pay for a certain technology, then i should feel confident that i could invite some friends over, scroll through a list of films, click one, and start watching it (considering they only require about 5Mbit for a HD 720p film with plenty of buffer). So obviously i was concerned when a 21 minute episode was going to take hours on a sunday morning. Anyway, as it turns out, and i should have known, my connection was not the culprit. I think i am still carrying baggage from my previous connection and panicked at the first sign of inconsistency. (though i'd love to know what made that one file slow)
Question � if anyone knows. How does TV cable (or even terrestrial for that matter) deliver such high bandwidth, and the ability to plug in multiple tuners and watch HD broadcasts without such thing as "peak periods". I mean, surely it is a single stream H.264 digital broadcast that requires bandwidth?? How has this technology existed for so long and yet we are only just scratching the surface of a fraction of this bandwidth for internet connectivity ? My guess is that the cable is local and has retransmission stations that don't use TCP/IP but a direct link to the amplifiers, but thats a guess. I need something.
I just don't get it. 20 Tests is enough for me to know it has something to do with that file. One crazy and over-imaginative theory of mine would be that there was some packet loss with the wifi and there was a speed negotiated and stored on iTunes server for that one file perhaps ?
Unlikely because you can repeat it on the same file every time. If it was your wifi, it would be variable and on different files.
Obviously its something specific about that file � it may be coming from the USA rather than locally. To my mind its a problem with that file at iTunes than anything else.
Hi Stephen
Its great that Butler will soon have a decent internet service.
Ive got a few questions if you could answer after the christmas holidays.
When do you expect RSPs to be able to offer service to HFC cable customers in Butler?
Will we be able to use our existing modems. In my case a Motorola SB5100 ?
Would changing to one of your RSPs be as simple as cancelling with Ewire and giving one of your RSPs your details and MAC address of the modem to connect.
Are all of the RSPs the same regarding the service. They just deal with the billing. If thats the case will Ewire become an RSP.
Thanks
Merry Christmas
When do you expect RSPs to be able to offer service to HFC cable customers in Butler?
Early next year when we replace the existing system with DOCSIS 3.0. Brighton will become the first ever open access HFC in Australia.
Will we be able to use our existing modems. In my case a Motorola SB5100 ?
Yes you can use the existing modem, HOWEVER it will only provide the 12 or 25Mbps service. The 25Mbps service will also have a limited upstream (about 1Mbps) due to the modem limitations. We will be offering a new DOCSIS 3.0 modem which will be extremely well priced.
Would changing to one of your RSPs be as simple as cancelling with Ewire and giving one of your RSPs your details and MAC address of the modem to connect.
Yes, as simple as that. Normally, we dont need your MAC address, although this would help because we have found a lot of errors in the eWire records.
Are all of the RSPs the same regarding the service.
That is something you would need to ask the RSP.
If thats the case will Ewire become an RSP.
Yes Ewire is already a signed up RSPs with Opticomm.
Merry Christmas to all.
Thanks for the reply Stephen
On Christmas Eve as well.
Looking forward to some choice here in Butler.
Will probably have a few more questions but they can wait until the new year.
cheers
Hi Stephen
A few more questions if you dont mind.
I was a bit vague with a previous question.
When I asked if all RSPs were the same.
I meant is the speed exactly the same with each RSP or does the traffic go through the RSPs equipment at some stage.
When the HFC system is finished being upgraded will e-wires speeds improve or are they still going to be using their microwave system (where the speed bottleneck seems to be)?
When do you think the HFC system will be finished regarding upgrading and that HFC customers will be able to join Exetel?
Do you have any more info regarding selling cable modems?
Such as Brand of Modem and cost. Will Opticomm be selling them to us direct or will it be through your RSPs?
Thanks
and hope you had a good Christmas/New Year
I meant is the speed exactly the same with each RSP or does the traffic go through the RSPs equipment at some stage.
We provide the connectivity from the Home to a single point of Interconnect in each state. So between the home and the POI all RSPs are equal, , after that its up to each RSP as to how they perform.
When the HFC system is finished being upgraded will e-wires speeds improve
Perhaps marginally as the DOCSIS 3 will improve the noise performance, but e-wire will continue to use their own limited capacity microwave backhaul.
When do you think the HFC system will be finished regarding upgrading
We start live testing next week in Brighton. We expect to be testing for a few weeks before a gradual cut over of each node.
Do you have any more info regarding selling cable modems?
We have been testing in our lab a modem which will cost about $99, but this is just a modem.
Will Opticomm be selling them to us direct or will it be through your RSPs?
Yet to be determined.
hope you had a good Christmas/New Year
I did and thank-you. Hope everyone in Brighton had a good Christmas/New Year celebration as well.
Any chance of Opticom taking over Fuze Connect, would like more of a choice in Banksia Grove.
If you need any guinea pigs in the Butler area Stephen for live testing the HFC, Id be more than happy to help out!!! :-)
Desperately waiting for this to go live.
If you need any guinea pigs in the Butler area Stephen for live testing the HFC
Unfortunately the way the network is built we cannot run individual user tests. We are testing on the live network from the exchange and this is really to prove the integration of the switch/backhaul infrastructure with the DOCSIS 3.0.
That test will run for about 1 week and then we are cutting Node 1 (early stages of Brighton) over first, performing more testing and then cutting the remaining nodes over.
It wont be too much longer. We hope to have this all finished by January with full open access and 100Mbps services.
Edit: Spelling and better explaination
Excellent Stephen � if its all up and running by the end of Jan and I can connect through HFC to iinet (or any alternative you can recommend) Ill be thrilled to bits!!!
Stephen
I didnt receive the original letterdrop.
Is it possible you could keep us informed of progress on this thread?
In my case, when i would be able to join exetel
Im in Landbeach Boulevard (the dunes)?
How to buy the HFC cable modem from yourself or Exetel aNd price?
Thanks
Smudger, I don't see any reference to a letter drop?
It was mentioned in the thread titled
E-wire in butler WA
On the first page
My ipad doesnt seem to let me show a link.
Maybe only residents in the fibre parts of the estate received it.
I was of the assumption that the non-fibre parts of Brighton (HFC) were classed as the older sections and those are the ones being field tested. Either way with only 3 and a bit weeks to wait before we have service, Im a happy man!
How to buy the HFC cable modem from yourself or Exetel aNd price?
When you order a service we install the HFC NTU on the premises (it remains our property) just like a FTTH ONT. This is different to how e-Wire was previously managing the situation, as they would sell the modem to you.
By Opticomm providing and being responsible for the Modem, it presents the Ethernet and POTS ports just like the ONT and you can install and connect whatever Router your RSP provides or what you wish to purchase yourself.
BTW: Final testing in field commenced yesterday.
Now as Stephen suggested above, this is not a post complaining that the speed Im getting is slow.
That was only a joke after suffering last night. Just take pitty on me as I envy your speeds.
The test below was performed just a few minute ago with a single Macbook pro connected directly to the Opticomm supplied modem
Hmm, Macbook again. We have a laptop in the exchange running on the network since Hydrology reported these issues. Its not a Mac, but i can say its gettings 85-90Mbps on HFC.
http://www.speedtest.net/result/2015251119.png
There are two things which concern me here.
a) the latency to the test server, it should be about 15ms not 45ms.
b) which test server are you using for these results. I seem to get better performance and lowest latency out of the WAIA server (15ms), followed by the Telstra server (25ms) and the worst performance from the Internode server (45ms). However I get the best upload on the Internode and the worst on WAIA. This seems to be very consistant. If I let speedtest.net "auto select" the server, it does not say which server is selected but I always get a ping result of 45ms � suggesting the Internode mirror.
I actually wonder if the Internode speedtest.net mirror in Perth is actually located in Adelaide (or for some reason is routing to the Adelaide mirror). If I test to the Internode mirror in Adelaide I get EXACTLY the same results. I dont have a packet trace on this computer so I will check tomorrow after loading the actual IP its going to and find out.
The other thing I also know is the WAIA server is not configured to support a multi threaded test. So at this point in time I would not trust the data coming from any of the three speedtest.net servers "hosted" in Perth as its returning inconsistant data.
Maybe until then, potential fibre plan HFC customers in the area should be informed they won't be able to achieve the same speeds
But thats not the case. Other Brighton HFC users are getting close to 100Mbps speeds. I am really starting to wonder if the test servers in Perth are able to sustain these the test speeds.
Speedtesting recommendation.
Guys, I have been doing more testing this evening and the best and easiest piece of software that I have come across is SpeedConnect.
It allows you to optimise you network connection and also run speed tests to multiple servers at the same time.
It also optimised for low speed (ADSL) and highspeed (Fibre) connections
http://www.cbs-soft.com/index.htm
It cost $25 but optimises your TCP/IP stack for best performance based on your lan and internet configuration and service profile.
But thats not the case. Other Brighton HFC users are getting close to 100Mbps speeds. I am really starting to wonder if the test servers in Perth are able to sustain these the test speeds.
they are, because us users on FttH are seeing better results on the same Speedtest mirrors.
Guys, I have been doing more testing this evening and the best and easiest piece of software that I have come across is SpeedConnect.
Of no use for us OS X users.
I can confirm that my latency results mirror what Stephen is finding in his testing too. Having said that, even at its worst (about 40ms) it never impacts on my online experience much, particularly console gaming, despite my old Vivid connect being about 65-70ms.
The only thing frustrating me now is downloading (NOT streaming). No matter where I download from (Apple, torrent sites etc), the combined download speed always seems no greater than about 2MB per second. Thats either with multiple downloads running on a single machine, or multiple downloads running on three machines. Sure its fast, but again, not quite what was advertised.
they are, because us users on FttH
But are they tuned correctly? Speedtest has many parameters for its configuration.
Of no use for us OS X users.
I cannot help with everything. Try running parallels or that other windows emulator thing for Mac. Sorry not a mac person.
We have not tested Mac, and it seems both of you with the speed problems have Macs.
even at its worst (about 40ms)
Testing to where
But are they tuned correctly? Speedtest has many parameters for its configuration.
you asked can they sustain the test speed. my tests (and others) indicate they can, else by your reckoning I wouldn't be able to get my full linespeed on a Speedtest Test?
We have not tested Mac, and it seems both of you with the speed problems have Macs.
Hi Stephen,
I have also tested the line with my Windows based laptop and get the same results as I do with the Mac. I can test again and post the results when I get home tonight.
Further to Pauls comment about speedtest.net; as he mentions, most of the users here seem to use the results from that test as an indicative measure of their line speed and without being an expert on the topic, there definitely seems to be a strong correlation with those numbers and the line speeds for the Fibre users.
The same appears to be so for the HFC users in Butler as far as I can tell from reading this thread, except the HFC users seem to get speeds of 50-70 instead of 80-100 on fibre.
b) which test server are you using for these results. I seem to get better performance and lowest latency out of the WAIA server (15ms), followed by the Telstra server (25ms) and the worst performance from the Internode server (45ms). However I get the best upload on the Internode and the worst on WAIA. This seems to be very consistant. If I let speedtest.net "auto select" the server, it does not say which server is selected but I always get a ping result of 45ms � suggesting the Internode mirror.
These latency results are very similar to, if not exactly what I get. The Speedtest results I posted were using the Internode server as you suggested earlier in the thread.
But thats not the case. Other Brighton HFC users are getting close to 100Mbps speeds. I am really starting to wonder if the test servers in Perth are able to sustain these the test speeds.
I am curious about this as the only other HFC users that commented on this thread (that I recall) mentioned they were getting the same speeds as Hydrology.
I've been watching this thread with interest, especially in the context of this article:
http://www.malcolmturnbull.c
With turnbull pushing a combination of FTTN and HFC instead of the NBN's FTTH solution its interesting to see how a real open access HFC network performs.
So far i would say it performs poorly. All the debate about speedtests are moot if FTTH people in the same area are getting their advertised speeds.
Whether downloads are up to spec is (barely) debatable but it seems that four months after the announcement uploads are still nowhere near the ones discussed in that article.
I guess we will see how the service pans out over time but so far at least this seems to be a vastly inferior service to NBN FTTH, especially considering the assumption made in the article
the majority of Australians will opt for 12 or 25Mbps services
Has now been shown to be wrong (the most popular speed tier being 100mbit).
Maybe until then, potential fibre plan HFC customers in the area should be informed they won't be able to achieve the same speeds as an FttH connection, just so they don't get too excited.
I don't really understand this mindset. Seems like a more reasonable solution would be setting the speed tears at 50 and 70 and the uploads to 6 and charging accordingly (cheaper as less bandwidth is required).
I cannot help with everything. Try running parallels or that other windows emulator thing for Mac. Sorry not a mac person.
Im sorry Stephen but my previous comment of mine you quoted was not a personal attack.
However it seems unfair to assume that a lack of testing experience (on Opticomm's part) on OSX and Macs means that they MUST be the cause of our HFC woes. In fact some of the FTTH users here are also Mac users with NO issues. I just realised my partner has a 18 month old (but pretty high specced) Windows laptop which I will plug into the system tonight or tomorrow and report my findings � needless to say Im confident my speeds wont be any different.
Thanks Dhalphir. Its much appreciated the time you spent looking this up.
I will raise this with iiNet.
Stephen � any follow up on this???
I don't really understand this mindset. Seems like a more reasonable solution would be setting the speed tears at 50 and 70 and the uploads to 6 and charging accordingly (cheaper as less bandwidth is required).
That does seem reasonable, however that is NOT what is being offered currently by the available RSP's. They are selling HFC customers the same plans as FttH customers. Until they offer what you suggested (and I think thats a good idea) they should at least inform the customer of the situation.
The issue at hand though is the debate that HFC "can" offer the same service as FttH. Until that is verified either way, we are back to my first point.
That does seem reasonable, however that is NOT what is being offered currently by the available RSP's. They are selling HFC customers the same plans as FttH customers.
To compound the problem, RSPs like iinet are not aware that all homes in Brighton/Butler are not FTTH, at least from my understanding of how it shows up at 'their end'. So in their mind we are all capable of getting the supposed speeds. Stephen can probably clarify this point, but when I first enquired with iinet about my area, they told me I couldn't get their service, just ADSL2, as I had mentioned I was on HFC. It seemed from that comment that I shouldve just told them I was on Fibre, which is what I did when I called them again.
To compound the problem, RSPs like iinet are not aware that all homes in Brighton/Butler are not FTTH
Yeah that does seem like the most logical way for Opticomm to do it, most of their networks are FTTH and all their pricing tiers are based around FTTH rollouts.
My previous suggestion would probably be too expensive to enable in this case. Realistically the only way would be to drop the 100mbit tier from HFC homes as this would require no change in how RSP's price their plans. (having to bring in whole new pricing schemes for a very small number of houses doesn't make much sense). Uploads would still be lower than advertised but that might be something you have to live with (or alternatively capping the connection above 50 to make up for the loss in upload).
My previous suggestion would probably be too expensive to enable in this case.
Yes, and "unjustified" in the eyes of the current debate. A simple explanation in the meantime is free :)
Another point to add is that I was told directly by iiNet that other HFC customers in the area (after I had signed up and queried my speed), were experiencing the same issues and it was a known fault to be investigated by Opticomm.
My previous suggestion would probably be too expensive to enable in this case. Realistically the only way would be to drop the 100mbit tier from HFC homes as this would require no change in how RSP's price their plans.
My concern with dropping down to a 'slower plan' is that I will still not be fully receiving the "advertised speed" (best wording I could use!). I would hate to drop to the 50/20 plan and find my download speeds are only 50-65% of the new limit, or half of what they currently are, if you catch my drift!
Another point to add is that I was told directly by iiNet that other HFC customers in the area (after I had signed up and queried my speed), were experiencing the same issues and it was a known fault to be investigated by Opticomm.
This is news to me! Stephen said a few weeks ago he was following up with iinet. And iinet are telling you they are following up with Opticomm, yet we are no nearer to hearing the findings of this "immaculate intervention" between the two...
My concern with dropping down to a 'slower plan' is that I will still not be fully receiving the "advertised speed" (best wording I could use!). I would hate to drop to the 50/20 plan and find my download speeds are only 50-65% of the new limit, or half of what they currently are, if you catch my drift!
Thats exactly what I was thinking! I figured that at least I should get above 50 on the 100/40 plan in any case.
So far i would say it performs poorly.
That would be an incorrect opinion. There are now some 20+ 100Mbps services in Butler on the HFC which are NOT having speed issues.
All the debate about speedtests are moot if FTTH people in the same area are getting their advertised speeds.
Clearly you dont understand the complexity of the issue and how speedtest.net actually works. If you had been reading the treads, latency has a significant affect on 100Mbps services and testing of those services.
Hydrology has also said he gets much higher speeds when plugged into the HFC modem directly.
the majority of Australians will opt for 12 or 25Mbps services. Has now been shown to be wrong (the most popular speed tier being 100mbit).
Actually that has NOT been shown to be wrong. NBN co has rolled out to 5 mainland sample sites and the majority of the take up so far has been what in market terms would be called "early adopters". This means they are more likely to take the high speed services rather than the lower speed services. Those services were also taken up prior to the commercialisation of services and many "specials" where offered by the likes of iiNet and Telstra to include 100Mbps as the default service.
So based on a) small sample size, b) early adopters, c) Bonus offers of 100Mbps for no additional cost and the limited time in the market for NBNco its a statistically inaccurate statement created by the spin doctors.
NBNco also has a very small base from which to make that assumption, whereas the subscriber base on Telstra Velocity and Opticomm has been much longer in the field, is not based on early adoption and thus is much more statistically accurate. The lower speed services are by far the larger portion of services.
Im sorry Stephen but my previous comment of mine you quoted was not a personal attack.
Hi Hydrology,
I didn't take it that way, was just saying I have no experience in Mac. Never actually touched one so its a bit difficult for me to offer advice.
However it seems unfair to assume that a lack of testing experience (on Opticomm's part) on OSX and Macs means that they MUST be the cause of our HFC woes.
Not suggesting that, but with 20+ 100Mbps services running fine and two services running on MACs not working to speed seems to indicate a compatibility problem.
I just realised my partner has a 18 month old (but pretty high specced) Windows laptop which I will plug into the system tonight or tomorrow and report my findings
If you can plug it directly into the modem not via BobLite. Also run the test to the WAIX server please not the Telstra or Internode server.
You were off work on Thursdays is that correct? I was planning a visit to Brighton tomorrow, but can delay it to Thursday to come to your place and test.
Hi Stephen,
I would be more than happy to get those results you are showing.
Just did 15 consecutive tests on the Internode server at 6.00pm and only got above 60 twice.
Most hovered between 40-55 with u/l of not better than 2-8.
Just did 15 consecutive tests on the Internode server at 6.00pm and only got above 60 twice.
Most hovered between 40-55 with u/l of not better than 2-8.
Hi Grimble,
Then you have a problem locally. I spent the whole day optimising the network and the testing was conducted on Node 1 which is the heaviest utilised node.
While the download speeds are still varying between 60-80Mbps the upstreams speeds are always 18-20Mbps.
Are you testing directly to the Cable modem?
Are you testing using a hard wired connection?
Are you testing to the internode server?
Regards
Stephen
and the testing was conducted on Node 1 which is the heaviest utilised node.
Hi Stephen,
Its just after 830pm and doesn't seem as though node 4 is fairing so well. The following tests were just performed under the test conditions you specified.
-Hard wired PPPoE to Opticomm modem
-Internode server.
http://www.speedtest.net/result/2287371280.png 40/8
http://www.speedtest.net/result/2287372986.png 42/7
http://www.speedtest.net/result/2287374643.png 35/11
http://www.speedtest.net/result/2287376178.png 34/11
Cloudzz
Are you testing directly to the Cable modem?
Are you testing using a hard wired connection?
Are you testing to the internode server?
Yes.......Yes.......and Yes.
Grimble Grumble, do you know which node your on by any chance?
Bugger!
Whim me when you are hime during the day So I can come and test.
I need some data captures
whim sent
Hi Stephen,
Had just walked in the door with my groceries when you rang...anyway, just performed a couple of speed tests, and looks like whatever changes you made are working.
http://www.speedtest.net/res
http://
http://www.spe
Definitely getting closer!
And these were just after a modem reset, as requested:
http://www.speedtest.net/res
http://
http://www.spe
Virtually identical to the last set... I hope you were joking about me being the only one plugged into the node :p
edit: second test was copied twice- this was the third.
And after the second reset, it gets better! Hitting the 90 mark!
http://www.speedtest.net/res
http://
http://www.spe
(Stephen, the second and third tests were just after I got off the phone with you)
Glad you're finally starting to see some results cloudzz.
Stephen, these are my results late this afternoon:
http://speedtest.net/result/2289281484.png 33/14
http://speedtest.net/result/2289282885.png 27/13
http://speedtest.net/result/2289285614.png 35/10
I've done all these tests straight into the Opticomm modem, and tested using multiple network cables, and multiple computers. All results always come back the same. I've also done a number of these tests while directly on the line with iiNet's fibre team, explicitly following the test protocols supplied to them by Opticomm's techs, and I've never achieved higher than 53 Mb/s. On average I'm getting between 18-43Mb/s.
I whimmed you my address a while back as per your request, were you able to find out anything relating to the problem?
Lookin' good Mr Opticom 83-88 consistantly down and 12-13 up. Even Telstra and WIWA were reporting 75+ down and 10 up.
But how come Mr Cloudzz gets 91! Pull your finger out Stephen I expect 92 before tommorow ;)
I whimmed you my address a while back as per your request, were you able to find out anything relating to the problem?
All nodes have been upgraded in the downstream, so it does not matter where you are located, everyone will be getting the same.
I will look into it, but I suggest you may have a dud OS install.
I had something wrong with my PC as the fastest I could get on a download was 35-40Mbps. After formatting my HD and completely re-installing my OS from scratch I now get 92-95Mbps running the exact same test between the exact same two computers on a test network (note nothing to do with HFC, this was computer to computer on a 100Mbps switch in a closed network)
Glad you're finally starting to see some results cloudzz.
Hi Realmsurfer,
I was hoping everyone in our area would have seen an improvement today, but its a shame you haven't had any luck yet. I know you've already been through a bunch of diagnostics/tests with iiNet support, but have you tried re-setting your modem at all today? I guess the only other thing would be to try Stephens suggestion. Let us know how you get on.
I've done a few more tests throughout this evening and although the connection seemed to slow down considerably somewhere between 7-8pm, the lowest I recorded was around the 58Mbps mark. Maybe the effects of congestion are still there, but at least the speeds are better much on average than before today. Its after 9pm now and its not as consistently fast as before but getting back up there.
http://www.speedtest.net/result/2289739841.png
The other big improvement is that my ping has more or less halved from what it was previously.
How is everyone else getting on?
I had something wrong with my PC as the fastest I could get on a download was 35-40Mbps. After formatting my HD and completely re-installing my OS from scratch I now get 92-95Mbps running the exact same test between the exact same two computers on a test network (note nothing to do with HFC, this was computer to computer on a 100Mbps switch in a closed network)
Okay, thanks Stephen, I'll have a look at setting up a local network download test, then let you know how that goes.
Hi Realmsurfer,
I was hoping everyone in our area would have seen an improvement today, but its a shame you haven't had any luck yet. I know you've already been through a bunch of diagnostics/tests with iiNet support, but have you tried re-setting your modem at all today? I guess the only other thing would be to try Stephens suggestion. Let us know how you get on.
Thanks cloudzz, I was quite excited when I heard others were seeing improvements. I have tried resetting the modem a few times just to be sure, but no luck so far with that.
The other big improvement is that my ping has more or less halved from what it was previously.
Interestingly, my ping has also improved as of today, from about 18-20ms previously, down to about 12ms.
Oh well, I'll have a shot at Stephen's suggestion, hopefully that sheds some light on things.
Hi Grimble,
Then you have a problem locally. I spent the whole day optimising the network and the testing was conducted on Node 1 which is the heaviest utilised node.
While the download speeds are still varying between 60-80Mbps the upstreams speeds are always 18-20Mbps.
Are you testing directly to the Cable modem?
Are you testing using a hard wired connection?
Are you testing to the internode server?
Regards
Stephen
Hi Stephen,
After doing a modem reset I was able to get the following at midnight.
http://www.speedtest.net/result/2290041940.png
Still seems to be an issue with my upload speed but all I can say to the download speed is.....WOW
Cheers
All nodes have been upgraded in the downstream, so it does not matter where you are located, everyone will be getting the same.
Well, now we're talking. I didn't need to do anything in the end. I was testing speeds from computer to computer across the local network, when the test speeds dropped to 1.7Mb/s, then shot up to 90+Mb/s and stayed there. I've been getting these speeds for the past hour or so:
http://speedtest.net/result/2290260486.png 97/13
http://speedtest.net/result/2290260486.png 98/14
http://speedtest.net/result/2290256964.png 93/16
These speeds are across Internode, WAIA and Telstra servers. Hopefully it'll be as good during peak hours, but wow, a major improvement.
I had something wrong with my PC as the fastest I could get on a download was 35-40Mbps. After formatting my HD and completely re-installing my OS from scratch I now get 92-95Mbps running the exact same test between the exact same two computers on a test network (note nothing to do with HFC, this was computer to computer on a 100Mbps switch in a closed network)
Just to clarify, in case anyone else still has the same problem, my testing between my two local computers was fine, there was no problem on my local computer or network, and I didn't need to reinstall my OS as suggested, or make any changes whatsoever locally (other than multiple Opticomm modem restarts).
I had also previously tested on 3 different computers, ruling out an OS problem on one of them, all with the same poor results, so the speed problems prior to yesterday were definitely somewhere on the Opticomm network originally.
Anyway, it seems that the Opticomm upgrades made yesterday are still working today, with 90+ Mb/s speeds still today, so thanks for overseeing the HFC node upgrades Stephen, hope these can be maintained at this level now!
today, with 90+ Mb/s speeds still today,
Thats great to hear Realmsurfer, good stuff!!
After doing a modem reset I was able to get the following at midnight.
http://www.speedtest.net/result/2290041940.png
WTF Thats crazy!! Hows that even possible O_o
Mines been very consistent today (generally 80+), although it seems to be maxing out at 88Mbps.
http://www.speedtest.net/result/2291990418.png
Not that I'm complaining :p
apparently a microwave link between the Opticomm network and the iiNet network
Hi Realmsurfer,
There is no microwave link used by Opticomm to Brighton. Its a gigabit Ethernet service delivered via a Fibre connection from Brighton to Perth.
There is a Microwave link at the exchange as this is used for eWire and only eWire customers.
Regards
Stephen
ISP connection history from this month
Hi AussieGav,
That looks like your modem is terminating the system because of idle out timer.
Note the "Normal Termination".
If this was a network issue it would be more likely to say Lost Carrier.
Regards
Stephen
There is no microwave link used by Opticomm to Brighton
Thanks for clarifying Stephen.
Not sure how often as I havent been monitoring it that closely or checking any stats. I only realise its happened when I'm on Skype or loading a web page etc..
I probably notice it more than most because I use the computer a lot. You can ask your ISP to check their logs for you. When I asked iiNet for mine they found dozens of them happening every day, even overnight. I only actually notice the ones that happen when I'm Skyping, online gaming, streaming video, transferring files, or in the middle of a click to a new page and get a page not found error. A lot go unnoticed because it happens between page changes, or I'm not on the internet at those times.
The Opticomm modem lights start flashing and it reconnects automatically within 1-2 minutes without me having to do anything. They're short outages, just very irritating, especially when you're communicating with someone else, like on Skype or an online game, or you lose a payment transaction mid-process.
That looks like your modem is terminating the system because of idle out timer.
Note the "Normal Termination".
If this was a network issue it would be more likely to say Lost Carrier.
Hi Stephen,
In my experience the iiNet connection history reasons aren't accurate. The US/DS lights on the modem flash slowly during the dropouts which suggests a sync issue. An idle timeout or auth issue wouldn't explain the packet loss either.
EDIT: Added quote.
My packet loss and dropouts issues are still ongoing. I posted about this back in November, but it's been occurring since I got the service provisioned.
The packet loss is still happening every evening which makes online gaming very difficult.
Ping test from this evening showing packet loss
ISP connection history from this month
I got a call from the iiNet Fibre team in late December:
Deferring until late Jan
- Taken from my task notes
Hopefully there will be some progress on this soon...
Damn, and I thought my uptimes were bad.
AussieGav, my uptimes looked very similar to yours... barely acceptable most of the time, and every now and then a couple of days where it just went completely of the scale..
threw my toys out of the cot last week, and had an Opticomm tech out at my property on the 10th.. he changed something in the box by the side of the house.. and viola.. all of a sudden drop-outs is something of the past..
9 Jan 03:07 9 Jan 03:09 0:03 Normal Termination
9 Jan 09:33 9 Jan 09:34 0:02 Normal Termination
9 Jan 19:42 9 Jan 21:27 1:46 Normal Termination
10 Jan 03:06 10 Jan 07:27 4:21 Normal Termination
10 Jan 11:12 10 Jan 11:23 0:11 Normal Termination
10 Jan 11:24 11 Jan 08:24 21:01 Normal Termination
11 Jan 08:26 14 Jan 01:13 64:48 Normal Termination
Needless to say, I'm a happy camper now.. after 6 months of b!tching.. I've got the speed and consistency I've been paying for.. ( all I want now is for the undersea cable to Singapore to be restored so that pings to SEA gets back to normal )
~dude
The US/DS lights on the modem flash slowly during the dropouts
Hi AussieGav.
The US/DS lights would be all off if there was a dropout caused by the network.
They are off when there is no sync, Green where there is sync and orange (assume the ORT3100) when its channel bonded to give the full speed. And it would go in that sequence. This applies to both the US and DS lights.
If they are flashing slowly that is because there is not much data being transmitted.
The packetloss is something entirely different. The results I assume are testing from your PC? Are you using wireless connectivity to your PC?
had an Opticomm tech out at my property on the 10th.. he changed something in the box by the side of the house.. and viola.. all of a sudden drop-outs is something of the past..
Not always the case. In this particular circumstance your levels were high at your house and replacing the tap (in the street) fixed the issue.
We can see these types of causes because of the levels we notice from our remote diagnostics. But it does not mean a replacement tab will fix every dropout issue.
Do any of you having drop outs also have a Foxtel service?
Hi Stephen,
Thanks for your help.
I'm using the MNG-5100 provided by the tech when my service was provisioned. When the dropouts occur the US/DS lights go off but then flash slowly which I assume is the modem trying to re-sync. This slow flashing is different to the 'quick flickering' when it's transmitting data while connected. The lights have never been orange.
These results are tested from my PC which is connected via Ethernet to my router (TL-WDR4300). All my connected devices dropout at the same time; e.g. my Xbox 360 multiplayer game lags, my ping test shows packet loss, other devices on the network can't browse, and the US/DS lights go off, blink slowly for a while, then everything reconnects and the US/DS lights flash like they normally would.
I've tried running a ping test to both the router and iinet.net.au at the same time to ensure it's not my router locking up or becoming unresponsive. The packet loss occurs to the Internet only and not my router.
EDIT: I do not have a Foxtel or phone service connected.
"had an Opticomm tech out at my property on the 10th.. he changed something in the box by the side of the house.. and viola.. all of a sudden drop-outs is something of the past.."
Not always the case. In this particular circumstance your levels were high at your house and replacing the tap (in the street) fixed the issue.
Yes, I also had an Opticomm tech out, also around the 10th. He did the same at my place, but I'm still getting the dropouts.
Do any of you having drop outs also have a Foxtel service?
No, no Foxtel for me.
I'm also using the MNG-5100 modem provided by Opticomm. My modem lights do the same thing as AussieGav's. When I lose connectivity, I look over at the modem, and the US, DS, and Ready lights are out, or already started flashing. The US/DS lights start flashing blue, followed by the green Ready light coming on, which is when I know the connection is back again. I've also never seen an orange light of any sort come on.
It would be nice to know exactly what the LEDs on the Opticomm modem actually meant � mine came with a two page mandarin booklet...
Do any of you having drop outs also have a Foxtel service?
Dont have foxtel Stephen but have noticed FTA tv glitching a few times and the net connection drops for a few minutes at the same time.
Used to have foxtel and found it very glitchy.
This is all on the HFC network.
Not sure what was happening yesterday, but I had several extended dropouts that lasted the best part of the evening. Lights on the Orient ORT 3100 (Opticomm modem) were flashing as if trying to sync, but seemed different to when I've power cycled it in the past. It was still offline when I went to bed around 10pm.
I checked it again around 430am this morning when I got up for work, and it was back online. I ran 2 or 3 speed tests for good measure and noticed it was struggling to reach the mid 60's. Thought this was strange given the time of day. The curve seemed erratic as well. These are the first speed tests Ive done for a while.
My wife said the connection dropped out again this evening when she used it around 630pm this evening.
OK, these dropouts are getting ridiculous. Its barely been online long enough, without a dropout, for me to post this msg. Ive just got off the phone with iiNet and lodged a fault/task, so hopefully someone gets back to me soon.
OK, these dropouts are getting ridiculous. Its barely been online long enough, without a dropout, for me to post this msg. Ive just got off the phone with iiNet and lodged a fault/task, so hopefully someone gets back to me soon.
Still having them here too. When I spoke to iiNet yesterday for an update, the logs showed I had had about 12 dropouts in the previous 24 hours. I've previously had days of 40+ dropouts in 24 hours.
Still having them here too. When I spoke to iiNet yesterday for an update, the logs showed I had had about 12 dropouts in the previous 24 hours. I've previously had days of 40+ dropouts in 24 hours.
40+ doesn't sound good at all! How long was the longest outage? Did you get charged a call out fee when they came out?
I'm expecting a call early next week and hope they find a fix. Some of the outages I've had have lasted up to an hour at a time :/
40+ doesn't sound good at all! How long was the longest outage? Did you get charged a call out fee when they came out?
Hi cloudzz, fortunately almost all my outages have been only a minute or two at a time, although there were a couple a while back that were from 15 minutes to a few hours, although from what I hear, they were related to power outages / equipment failure.
Since this one has been happening from day one of switching to HFC from ADSL, and the dropouts are happening somewhere between the network and the Opticomm modem, thus an Opticomm/ iiNet fault, no callout fee applies.
Hi cloudzz, fortunately almost all my outages have been only a minute or two at a time, although there were a couple a while back that were from 15 minutes to a few hours, although from what I hear, they were related to power outages / equipment failure.
Sounds exactly like what Ive been experiencing. In the last week or so though, Ive noticed an increase in the frequency of the dropouts and also there have been some extra long outages. Just this morning wife mentioned one dropout lasted somewhere around an hour. When I got online early this afternoon, there was a shorter one of about 1-2mins. Like with your experiences, this seems to be the most typical outage.
There's definitely something going on, but it would be very coincidental if we all had problems at a local level. Maybe there's something going on at the nodes? Hopefully someone can shed some light on it in the next few days, as its getting extremely frustrating. If it's not fixed soon, I'm afraid I may betray my cool exterior.
Have had the MacbookPro set up with a direct PPPoE to the Opticomm modem for the last day and a half, to isolate the NTD. Dropouts still occurring, so iiNet have referred the problem to Opticomm. It definitely seems as though the problem lies somewhere from the Opticomm modem back.
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